The Junior Tuskers won three out of three games today at the Asian Schools’ U18 rugby sevens tournament in Chinese Taipei. Sri Lanka will play the hosts and Philippines tomorrow morning.
Sri Lanka 49 – 00 UAE
In the first game of the day Sri Lanka ran riot against the UAE for a comfortable 49 – 00 victory. Captain Naveen Henakankanamage scored the first try with his trademark run from the sidelines. It did not take too long for him to score his second try, this time through the middle. Trinitian Avishka Shiek also scored two good tries giving the team a dream start.
Janidu Dilshan the Royal Center then joined the party for a long sprinted try to put UAE at bay. Trinity winger Dilushka Dange also scored a superb try whilst Theekshana Dassanayaka, the debutant, scored the last try of the game. The conversions were put through by Harith Bandara (4), Chathura Senavirathne (3) and Anuka Boyagoda (1).
Sri Lanka played controlled the game with some attacking rugby as well as a well organized defense. The UAE had a couple of chances but Sri Lanka managed to stave them off.
Sri Lanka 42 – 00 China
Play was halted for some time due to lightning but once play resumed the Junior Tuskers led the first half with 21 – 00 as Isipathana winger Chamodh Fernando scored two tries with Chathura Seneviratne of St. Joseph’s scoring one try and converting all three.
Captain Henekankanamage stepped to his left and broke the defense yet again to score. Dange also managed to maintain a good combination alongside Seneviratne to score his try. Anuka Boyagoda, the Trinity scrum half, made a lovely loop with Antonian Dinuk Amerasinghe to score a stunning try.
In the second half Sri Lanka was a bit disorganized, however they manage to pull their socks up and keep China scoreless. Harith Bandara added two conversions and the remainder were by Seneviratne.
Sri Lanka 38 v 05 Singapore
The rain came down and the conditions were not so pleasant for ball handling later in the day. It did not matter to the captain as he scored the first two tries to put Singapore under early pressure. Singapore is the only team that scored against Junior Tuskers and they made the Lankans work hard for the win. Singapore scored a try to narrow the margin to 12 – 5 but Sri Lanka showed some maturity in the remainder of the game. Dassanayake, Fernando, Shiek and Dange all contributed with a try each while Seneviratne added 4 conversions.
Sri Lanka will play Philippines at 8.10am tomorrow (Sunday) and take on the hosts at 10.10am Sri Lankan time. The other strong contenders in this tournament are the hosts and the Philippines and the game between the two was tied 14 all.
Sri Lanka are currently on top in terms of points and it ist likely they will play in the Cup finals against either the Philippines or Chinese Taipei unless both teams create upsets against Junior Tuskers.
Stay tuned to ThePapare.com for more updates.
