The Sri Lankan Under-18 Tuskers began the day with two wins against Thailand and Chinese Taipei, however, failed to hang on against Hing Kong in the Asia Rugby Emirates U18 Boys Sevens Championship 2024, in Johor, Malaysia.
Sri Lanka’s hopes of playing in the Cup Final hang in the balance, as the Tuskers will now have to watch Hong Kong China face Thailand and Chinese Taipei, hoping they won’t surpass the Tuskers’ points difference.
The day began with Sri Lanka thumping Thailand 27-00 as Nimantha Sandeepa bagged a brace, while skipper Vishenka Silva, Mohamed Fawas, and Thatheera Perera each got their name on the scoresheet with a single try.
Thailand were no match for Sri Lanka in both attack and defense, as the Junior Tuskers made easy work of the Thai juniors.
Sri Lanka 27-00 Thailand
Sri Lanka continued their winning streak by toppling Chinese Taipei 29-12, although this time they conceded 12 crucial points.
The Tuskers’ attack was in full flight, scoring 5 tries once again, this time through the usual suspects: Vishenka Silva, Fawas, and Thatheera Perera, along with Thinethra Dodangoda and Senuth Dinsara.
The Sri Lankan defense was breached, however, as a bit of complacency seemed to creep into proceedings, even though the Tuskers cruised to victory.
Sri Lanka 29-12 Chinese Taipei
The final game of the day and the group stage for the Tuskers was against the much bigger and more skillful Hong Kong China team.
Sri Lanka led at the halfway mark, 12-07, going into the break.
The Tuskers scored first in the second half, extending their lead to 17-07 and putting a 10-point cushion between the two sides.
Hong Kong China regrouped and scored in dramatic fashion after a Sri Lankan player threw a ‘Hail Mary’ pass, which was intercepted and pounced upon for a try, cutting the deficit to 5 points after the conversion attempt failed.
With momentum on their side, the Hong Kong China players penetrated the Tuskers’ defense to score in the far corner. However, with the conversion going astray for a second time in a row, there was no time left to restart the game, and it ended 17-all, with nothing to separate the two sides.
Sri Lanka 17-17 Hong Kong China
The Junior Tuskers currently sit on top of Pool B with a points difference of 49, despite drawing their final game against Hong Kong China. However, the Tuskers will have to wait and watch from the sidelines as Hong Kong China plays their final group games tomorrow against Thailand and Chinese Taipei.
The top two teams from each group are set to play in the Final, while the teams in 2nd place will compete in the 3rd Place Play-off. The 3rd placed teams will play in the 5th/6th Place Play-off, and the teams placed 4th in the two pools will face off for 7th/8th place.
Sri Lanka Squad:
Vishenka Silva (Captain – St. Peter’s College), Thinethra Dodangoda (Vice-Captain – Isipathana College), Nethshan Peiris (St. Peter’s College), Disas Pathirana (Royal College), Shaakib Zumri (Isipathana College), Nimantha Sandeepa (Isipathana College), Senuth Dinsara (St. Peter’s College), Thatheera Perera (D.S Senanayake College), Luqman Nadeem (Zahira College), Sadeesha Weerawansa (Dharmaraja College), Kaizer Lye (Wesley College), Mohammad Fawas (Wesley College)
