Hong Kong thrashed Japan in the final 24 – 07 in the second leg of the Asian 7’s series in Malaysia while Sri Lanka finished in the 4th place. In the first leg Hong Kong eased passed Korea in the finals and now they almost sealed the series with the leg in China to come next month.
Sri Lanka v Malaysia (Quarter-final)
Three Fijians in the Malaysian team did not affect the Tuskers at all as they produced a fine win against team Malaysia 28 – 07. Srinath Sooriyabandara’s kick-off did not go 10m but the Malaysians played without opting a free kick from the middle. Great understanding between Waqavulagi Emori and Anurudda Wilwara sealed a superb try for Emori. From a quick line out throw by Marija, Sudarshana Muthuthantri sending the ball to Gayan Weerarathne who had his fifth gear to score is first try of the series. Tuskers played with a structured pattern of rugby in attacking and defending, Wilwara putting his upper body strength to plunk a defender was a set highlight before he storm in to an individually brilliance 80m try.
Coming in to the second half Tuskers Leading 21 – 00, Malaysian’s showed some urgency in the attack. Yoshitha Rajapaksa made a superb chased tackle which as a result denied a scoring opportunity for the home team. From a stolen pass Nigel Ratwatte worked the ball through the line where Muthuthantri scored an effortless try. During the final minute Malaysian winger Siddeek squeezed through Chathuranga and Ratwatte to score the consolation try. (FT 28 – 07)
Sri Lanka v Hong Kong (Semi-final)
From the kick off Tuskers showed great intensity with holding on Alex Mc Queen by Shehan Pathirana and Gayan Weerarathne on a ‘maul’ nevertheless, the game went scoreless for either side until the sixth minute in the first half. Emori played another good knock as he was a threat to the opposite speedsters Tom Mc Queen and Rohan Varty. Pony-tailed Varty however, managed to score the first try seconds before the half time.
Tuskers defended bravely but Emori was sin binned for a late tackle which was not sure whether it is the right decision with even the crowd ‘booing the referee’ as a result Hong Kong manage to score their second try through Alex Mc Queen. There was a situation where Muthuthantri won an off-load but he stopped playing thinking he was off side, then the referee played advantage for the Hong Kong but one of the Hong Kong defenders made a dangerous tackle on Muthuthantri the ball carrier just in front of the referee, where he could have over turned his decision in favor of Sri Lanka but did not happen.
Nigel Ratwatte took a quick tap on a penalty and passed it to the replacement Wilwara who was brilliant yet again scoring one more try and narrowing the gap. Since the time is only limited to seven minutes each half, Marija’s men did not have ball possession to come back in to the game as the final whistle went with Hong Kong winning the game 10 – 07.
Sri Lanka vs Korea (3rd / 4th place play-off)
Koreans commenced the game in typical fashion as they scored through the kick-off as there big prop forward swift and turned for the early try. Torpid Tuskers went a bit vulnerable in defense unlike in the match against Hong Kong as a result Korea made the second try in quick succession. Emori was once again outstanding adding the Fijian flair to the Lankan back line but the Koreans recovered quickly and retained the ball possession to score one more try. Dinusha Chathuranga made an extraordinary try stepping three defenders before the half time to stay in contention. (HT 19 – 07)
Skipper Marija did not play in the match for reasons unknown but it paved way for the first time to witness Emori and Wilwara play together from the start, against any team in this series. Wilwara once again on song with his performance as he stormed in to a try after the early try in the second half by South Korea. Lankans were completely outplayed by the Koreans as the South Asian islanders finished 4th.
Meanwhile, China won the plate with the extra time try, after scores leveled 19 – 19 full time against the host Malaysia. Kazakhstan beat Philippines 12 – 10 to win the bowl category.
