Sri Lanka made a clear statement as they thrashed Korea in their opener of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2019 – third leg played at the Racecourse stadium under adverse weather conditions.
Photos: Asia Rugby Sevens Series 2019 | 3rd Leg – Day 1
However, the Tuskers couldn’t continue the good momentum as they were thumped by Hong Kong. The Sri Lankan ladies had another bad day in the office as they lost both games.
Tuskers thrash the Koreans
Visitors managed to draw first blood as the Tuskers defense couldn’t halt Jinho Mun from going over the whitewash. Tuskers took some time to settle in as Kevin Dixon brought some light to the side as he went past two Koreans and managed to cut back in from the sweeper to score under the post as Riza Raffaideen slotted in the extras.
Sri Lanka managed to extend their lead by another 5 points when Buddima Piyarathna intercepted the ball, gained more than 60 meters while the home side managed to change the direction of the attack; Quick hands ensured that Dixon went over to score his second.
Sri Lanka, on the brink of half time, scored again as it was skipper Danush Dayan who went over this time as another interception by Iroshan Silva opened up space for the skipper score.
Half Time: Sri Lanka 17 – 05 Korea
Tuskers continued their good momentum from the first half as Jason Dissanayaka who’d made some valuable contributions throughout this series, barged through two defenders and popped the ball up as Riza Raffaideen was on the spot to collect and he fired the afterburners to score under the sticks as Kevin Dixon added the two points.
Sri Lanka was dealt with a big blow when debutant Chathura Senevirathne saw RED for a reckless high tackle while Korea scored through Seon Gu Kim in the final play of the game as the Tuskers made a massive statement to the other teams in their home Leg.
Full Time: Sri Lanka 24 – 10 Korea
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Hong Kong Too good for the Lanka
The final Game of Day 01 saw the hosts taking on the high riding Hong Kong outfit. Sri Lanka gave away possession to Hong Kong in the initial stages as they kept giving away penalties as the visitors made maximum advantage of it. They managed to send the ball to the corners as Mark Woodward went over for the opening try.
Few phases later Sri Lanka were untidy in the breakdown and gave away position to Hong kong as Thomas McQueen went over to punish the Tuskers.
Hong Kong continued to pounce on the mistakes of the Sri Lankans as Alexander McQueen this time found the whitewash with the defense of the Tuskers being tested again.
Half Time: Sri Lanka 00 – 17 Hong Kong
Visitors continued their pattern of play as the Lankans missed out on a few important tackles which yet again came back to hurt them as Liam Herbert-tries kept on coming for Hong Kong. This time it was Toby Fenn who found the whitewash.
Quick hands from Hong Kong amid a poor defense was good enough for them to score their 6th try as the home side was thumped with Hong Kong securing a Cup Semi-final spot. Sri Lanka will need a victory against UAE tomorrow at 11.50 AM if they are to advance to the cup semifinal.
Full Time: Sri Lanka 00 – 34 Hong Kong
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Lackluster performance by the Ladies
The Sri Lanka Women’s team got a hammering in their opener against Japan who comprehensively won their game 34 points to nil. Sri Lanka was deprived of position and unforced errors were the main cause for this massive defeat for the home team.
Full Time: Sri Lanka 00 – 34 Japan
Then the Ladies went on to face Thailand; This was a must-win game for Sri Lanka, they started well but a few mistakes and unwanted penalties gave away 19 unanswered points.
Finally, the Lankans managed to cross the whitewash as sheer brilliance by Anusha Aththanayke brought some hope of a comeback. However, it was too far gone for the Ladies as they couldn’t stop the powerful Thailand outfit who managed to humiliate the hosts by winning the game 36 points to 5.
Full Time: Sri Lanka 05 – 36 Thailand
