Kandy SC clinch unbeaten rugby double

KANDY Sports Club, the undisputed kings of Sri Lankan club rugby, completed an extraordinary 2024/25 season by clinching both the League and Clifford Cup knockout titles while remaining unbeaten in all their 14 matches - a feat that has further cemented their legendary status in the island's rugby history.

- 

Under the calm and tactical leadership of Soori-bandara, affectionately known as “Soori,” Kandy SC navigated the league season with precision and composure. The team played 11 league matches and came out on top in all of them, dominating every opponent with flair and determination.

Their dominance continued into the Clifford Cup knockout stage, where they turned up the intensity. In the quarter-finals, they made light work of Sri Lanka Lions, followed by a command-ing performance against CH and FC in the semi-finals. Kandy SC then narrowly edged out CR and FC in a thrilling and action-packed match that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Kandy SC’s double triumph was not just about silverware; it was about a legacy reborn. The club, which celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, was founded in 1875 but struggled to claim any major trophies until their maiden Clifford Cup win in 1992. That victory marked the begin-ning of an era that would reshape club rugby in Sri Lanka.

The club resurgence truly began in 1992 when a major shift occurred. Kandy-born players, who had previously played for Colombo clubs, returned home. Malik Samarawickrema, the for-mer Royal College scrum-half, and then President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, played a pivotal role in this revival.