Borneo Sevens Day 1

Tuskers started off with a stunning 60m try by Sandun Herath but PNG equalized with a try. Sevens sensation Srinath Sooriyabandara (Soori) chipped the ball deep and chased but he tackled the sweeper without the ball in hand, as a result a penalty was conceded.

Sri Lanka 12 – 29 Papua New Guinea (PNG)

PNG had an easy chance to score against 2 v 1 but Soori showed how good he can defend making a solid cover tackle. Strongly built PNG players had most of the ball possession. PNG had their second try running in-between Sajith Saranga and Sandun Herath.

Half Time : Sri Lanka 05 -12 PNG

PNG started with another try after the one minute break, Dinusha Chathuranga went for the hit but not releasing the ball conceded two penalties. PNG capitalized on the opportunity and scored another try with quick hands. The twinkled-toed Mithun Hapugoda was as good as Soori and he scored the next Tuskers try with dashing run. In the final minute Dhanushka Ranjan going high against a PNG player gave them a penalty whish saw them scoring to finish the win in style.

Sri Lanka also played against PNG in the Commonwealth Sevens in Glasgow last year and lost in the shield semifinal 17 – 12

Sri Lanka 40 – 00 China

The Tuskers scored six tries over China and dominated the game till the end. Debutant Kanchana Ramanayaka had an early chance to score but he knocked-on. Sajith Saranga who is back in the sevens format after a few years out was astounding both in attack and defense. He also made a solid try saving tackle on a Chinese player. In the second minute Saranga’s off load to Soori led him to sprint a 60m dash under the post try. Mithun with ball in hand off-loaded to Saranga who made a well-deserved try. However, Ramanayaka squeezed his way for the third try before the half time. Soori converted all the tries.

Half Time : Sri Lanka 21 -00 China

Dhanushka Ranjan made a sparkling 60m try soon after the break. Mithun Hapugoda open up a gap and his inside pass found Dinusha Chathuranga who went under the post. The other debutant the speedster Anuradha Herath made a racing 98m try receiving the ball from Mithun. Mithun and Chathuranga converted a try each. 

Asian seven’s champions Hong Kong after thumping Singapore for 47 – 00, lost to pacific islanders Tonga in an equally contested battle. Tuskers will have a huge fight against Hong Kong and Tonga tomorrow although the Singapore match is winnable. 

Tuskers fixtures & kick off time (SL) tomorrow

Sri Lanka v Hong Kong @ 8.20 am / Sri Lanka v Singapore @1.40 pm / Sri Lanka v Tonga @ 5.00 pm