The Sri Lankan Tuskers were bamboozled in their opening match against China after losing the game 17 points to 14 in Pool A of the Asia Sevens Series held in Incheon, South Korea.
The Tuskers fielded a young side with Janidu Dilshan and Naveen Henakankanamage on the wings but started off in pretty good shape after Dilshan went over the line to score the first try in the 3rd minute. Senior man, Srinath Sooriyabandara who created the try scoring opportunity for Dilshan, added the extra two points to put Sri Lanka in the lead.
But, it didn’t take long for the Chinese to strike back with the try in the flanks – after Janidu Dilshan was yellow carded for a ‘not 10 meters tackle’ offense, the Chinese players sent the ball out wide to their pacey wing who put on his dancing shoes and stepped his way over the whitewash, drawing first blood for his side. However, as the conversion went astray Sri Lanka held on to a two-point lead going into the half time break.
HT: SL 7 – 5 CHN
It was a fairy-tale start for China, as the second half got underway with an under the post try for the men in red giving them the lead for the very first time in the game. The Tuskers on the other hand, were under immediate pressure as they kept dropping balls and being pushed back in defence by the Chinese.
Managing to capitalise on the opportunity, China counter attacked and saw the biggest man in the park, 8-foot-tall, Gao Ming, go over the whitewash extending their lead to 17 points to 5. With fresh legs coming on, Sri Lanka had no option but to strike back and strike immediately. But the wall like defence of the Chinese men proved to be too strong. However, at the brink of full-time, Reeza Rafaideen managed to pounce on a loose ball and sprint his way over to the try line as Soori added the extras.
It was a three-point game with one last play to go. But, the local boys conceded a penalty giving away possession cheaply and the winning chance along with it.
FT: SL 14 (2T, 2C) – 17 CHN (3T, 1C)
Score Breakdown – SL
Tries: Janidu Dilshan, Reeza Rafaideen
Conversions: Srinath Sooriyabandara 2
Brookings: Janidu Dilshan
