CR’s moment of glory
View(s):Aptly scripting one of the best success stories of recent times, CR&FC ended a 26-year-long wait to lay their hands on the country’s most prestigious league club rugby title, the SLR Nippon Paint Rugby Championship 2024, that too with an impressive unbeaten record.
Throughout the season, the ‘Red Shirts’, as affectionately referred to by their devoted fans and the local rugby community, embarked on a memorable journey towards the coveted league title. Unity served as their strength and power, both on and off the field, with everyone at the club, from officials to players, dedicating their utmost effort towards the common goal – the crown.
Ultimately, they secured the title in front of their supporters,at their own backyard, ending Kandy Sports Club’s decade-long dominance. Despite claiming the crown that Kandy had held for years, CR&FC holds immense respect for their rivals. The unbeaten march culminated in 10 consecutive victories, amassing 58 points, including eight bonus points, scoring a total of 328 points and conceding 130.
This achievement surpasses any other team’s record, with runners-up Kandy SC securing eight wins and two losses, both against CR&FC, totaling 48 points with eight bonus points. The former 10-time league champions scored 295 points and conceded 198, falling short of CR&FC. The Red Shirts also lead in the number of tries scored throughout the season, with 50, and share 27 conversions with Kandy SC. Overall, CR’s season efforts represent a fully accomplished mission with minimal setbacks along the way.
Other than in two games, against CH&FC at home in the first round and against Havelocks at Havelock Park in the second round, CR displayed clinical performance in the remaining eight games. Head Coach Dushanth Lewke mentioned that these two games made his heart beat faster than usual.
“These were the challenging games due to the traditional rivalries and the quest for trophies against CH and Havelocks. Despite being part of the league, these games carried extra weight of tradition. However, the team maintained their discipline as they did in the other games and emerged victorious,” Lewke expressed joyfully.
Lewke, a former Royal College captain who previously played for CR&FC and captained the club at Longdon Place before moving to Kandy SC, where he achieved numerous league titles, considered CR’s recent triumph as a significant milestone in his coaching career.
“This is something I will cherish for the rest of my life,” said the former top player turned rugby coach, expressing his aspirations for a national role.
Similarly, skipper Suhiru Anthony, who has a remarkable record of winning eight league titles with three different teams, including Navy SC in 2014, six with Kandy SC, and one with CR&FC, shared his sentiments.
“We maintained high discipline throughout the season, with the guidance of former skipper Kavindu de Costa and other experienced players like Gemunu Chethiya and Lasindu Karunathilake. Our consistent approach on the field paid off, leading us to achieve our goals,” mentioned the former St. Peter’s College third-row forward.
As it was for Lewke, skipper Suhiru Anthony shares a similar sentiment, but with a different background and record. The lanky number eight perhaps, is Sri Lanka’s only player to win eight league titles with three teams – with Navy SC in 2014, six with his former club Kandy SC, and the other with CR&FC, the club he led after joining a couple of years before.
“We were well disciplined throughout the season, and with the help of former skipper Kavindu de Costa and other stalwarts like Gemunu Chethiya and Lasindu Karunathilake, we made sure our approach stays intact on the field too. Eventually, with everything falling on line, we managed to succeed what we were aiming for,” stated the former St. Peter’s College third row forward.
CR&FC had a relatively young team with only a few players above the age of 30. Many of them were school leavers making their debut for the club, but the element that put everything together on and off the field was the influence of former skipper Kavindu de Costa. The three-quarter plays at different given positions alike, but his experience with CR&FC, having led the club for three seasons in 2021, 2022 and 2023, made him the ideal role model to other players.
Even the club officials, including the former and incumbent presidents, the rugby committee and the coaching staff, relied on Costa to become that ‘mentor’ on the field, mainly to the youngsters. Not only did he supported skipper Anthony at vital points at almost every game, but also played his role effectively as a player.
“Kavindu was the linkman, being the most senior player from CR&FC. His role, other than of being a player, was effective on the team’s success and towards making captain Suhiru’s task more comfortable and easy,” mentioned the team’s Manager Rohan Chinthaka, who himself was a former Red Shirt when they won the league title in 1996.
CR&FC’s success story has been a total contrast to previous seasons. They sensed the golden opportunity to secure the title nearly after two and a half decades from the very beginning and marched towards it with a well-planned drill.
In the first round CR’s record of seven straight wins, came as a welcome sign for the Longdon Place club. They began the season strongly with a dominant 55-8 victory against Army SC at Panagoda. Their performance slightly dipped in the 19-6 win against Police SC at Police Park the following week, which was the only game where they failed to secure bonus points.
The team’s gradual improvement was evident in their 29-5 victory against Air Force SC at Longdon Place a week later. However, they faced a tough challenge against CH&FC in the fourth week, narrowly winning 28-23 at Longdon Place and conceding a bonus point to their opponent.
The team’s determination to rectify their mistakes was evident as they went on to defeat Navy SC 57-6 at Welisara before handing Havelocks a 25-10 defeat at home. The last game was against Kandy, which CR won by 38-26.
In the second round, CR struggled to beat Havelocks 12-9 and bounced back to regain the momentum with a 32-12 win against CH&FC to set up a virtual finale against Kandy SC, whom they eventually beat for the second time in one season 33-25. This sealed CR’s success march towards the league title, which they last won in 1998.
| CR&FC wins on the way to league title | |
Round 1
Round 2
The squad: Suhiru Anthony (Captain), Mursheed Dorey, Femunu Chethiya, Aadil Rafeek, Kavindu de Costa, Kushan Tharinfu, Lasindu Karunathilake, Madushka Kaveen, Manilka Ruberu, Mohamed Rifad, Achitha Radeeshan, Naveen Marasinghe, Iranga Ariyapala, Randul Senanayake, Randy Silva, Raveen de Silva, Rinesh Silva, Samitha Warnakulasuriya, Thenuka Nanayakkara, Thanuja Jayaweera, Adeesha Weeratunga, Sugath Nanayakkara, Shenal Adikaram, Shehan Kelaniyagoda, Senura Perera, Venura Kodagoda, Viduna Amaneth, Vindya de Silva, Yasas Kavindu, Amith Gunasinghe, Dinsara de Costa, Imanka Ariyapala Coaching staff: Dushanth Lewke (Head Coach), Lasintha de Costa (Backs Coach), Ajith Silva (Kicking Coach), Amith Jayasekara (Physio), Vishwamithra Jayasinghe (Trainer), Rohan Chinthaka (Manager) |
| Rohan Chinthaka — Manager | |
 I was part of the team during our 1996 victory. We replicated this success in the subsequent two years.It felt like a chain, almost reaching our goal multiple times before finally achieving it. The top management, head coach, coaching staff, physio, and masseur deserve recognition for their unwavering support, emphasizing flexibility and unity. While there were instances where I, as the manager, could have acted independently, I ensured to consult the coach as we operated as a cohesive unit.The Rugby Board of CR demonstrated astute and adaptable strategies this season. Appreciation must be extended to all players, many of whom were young school graduates. Former captain Kavindu de Costa and current captain Suhiru Anthony had a significant impact on the team, fostering a harmonious environment that led to success. |
| Suhiru Anthony — Captain | |
 This is my second year as a player and to win the league with an unbeaten record is a great achievement, as a captain it is an overwhelming feeling. The management, coaching staff was fully supportive, players like Kavindu de Costa, Gemunu Chethiya and Lasindu Karunathilake were exceptional this season. All players are managed by the coaching staff, and as captain I made sure the team adheres to discipline at top level. For Kandy SC, who were league champions for many years, I have all the respect to them. As a player and as captain of CR to overcome them is a great achievement. We were on top in discipline, performance and preparation. The entire coaching staff, the CR management and players, all equally sacrificed and worked hard towards this much anticipated win. |
| Dushan Lewke — Coach | |
 The feeling is great, we have been working towards this for three years now, to see it finally work out is fantastic. The team’s performance has been really impressive. The players were disciplined, following our plan and team patterns.As a player, I couldn’t win the league for CR, but with Kandy I have succeeded. I’m very happy that I could contribute as a coach to the club’s success. We started with only 11 contracted players when I took over, and I’m pleased with how we worked together to overcome all obstacles.The CR Rugby Board had faith in me and supported me, all officials, support staff, were great contributors to this historic win. The biggest contributors were captain Suhiru Anthony, former skipper Kavindu de Costa, Murshid Subair, Gemunu Chethiya, Lasindu Ishan, and Adeesha Weeratunga. I’m also really pleased with the schoolboys, especially Rinesh Silva, Naveen Marasinghe, Kushan Tharindu, and Randul Senanayake. They are still 19 but they adapted well and played like seasoned campaigners. Kandy SC is a champion team, they have quality players. We expected a tough game and we faced it. Last Sunday’s match was the best of the year. Kandy will undoubtedly regroup and come back stronger, which is good for the sport. As a coach, I aim to maintain CR’s performance next season as well. I want to thank the sponsors Valvoline and First Capital, the players’ families, CR fans, and all rugby followers for supporting us this season. The feeling is great, we have been working towards this for three years now, to see it work out ultimately, is fantastic. The performance of the team has been really good. The boys were well disciplined, following our plan and team patterns. |
| Kavindu de Costa — former captain | |
 After Covid-19 CR experienced a mass exodus of players, only 11 contracted players remained then, and not many were seniors. Last year was the 100 year celebration, we emerged league runners-up and won the Clifford Cup after the management recruited 10 new players.I believe it was all a collective effort, we played as a strong unit, and as a senior player I saw the commitment level of all the players, which was at high level. Leading CR in 2021, 2022 and 2023, I gained a lot of experience during the past two years. That was a huge advantage. Captain Suhiru Anthony was very corporative, giving me the green light to navigate the team when it mattered.I have to mention about the newcomers – mostly school leavers. They were matured, equal as seasoned players and adopted well to club level rugby. After all, it was hard work, commitment and trust that gave us the title. For now we have won, the task is to maintain our position as champions.
|