The Tuskers kept consistency at optimum with another resolute performance establishing themselves clearly as the third force in Asian rugby behind Japan and Hong Kong when they took third place at the India Sevens played at the Gymkhana Club Mumbai after defeating Malaysia in the all important playoff.
Cup Quarter Final – Sri Lanka v Phillippines
After a good set of performances on Saturday, the Tuskers took on their next big challenge the Phillippines who destroyed Sri Lankas hopes of reaching the IRB Sevens World Cup last year.
It was Sandun Herath who opened the scoring for the Lankans in a tight first half that only had a single try in it.
Phillipines hit back at the start of the second but the lead was shortlived as Saliya Kumara dashed through the middle to score under the post and put the game to bed with a 12-07 victory also claiming sweet revenge.
Cup Semi Final – Sri Lanka v Hong Kong
Sri Lanka’s toughest battle of the tournament thus far was Hong Kong. And it proved to be a tight encounter.
Hong Kong scored three tries in quick succession leaving the Tuskers reeling at 21-0 until a bit of magic from the ever-present Srinath Sooriyabandara who managed to release Dinusha Chathuranga on the left flank to score to make it 21-07 at half time.
Hong Kong continued their onslaught but the Lankans played out a more resilient second half to score through Chula Susantha and Saliya Kumara who were both part of two well worked tries as the Lankans lost 33-19 eventually setting up a 3rd Place Play Off clash with Phillippines.
3rd Place Play Off – Sri Lanka v Malaysia
The result in this game would prove to be a yard stick to measure Sri Lanka’s consistency in the Asian circuit
Malaysia opened the scoring through Zulkifli but Sandun Herath broke the shackles for the Tuskers which was followed by a Pradeep Liyanage try as the Lankans led 12-05 at half time.
However Sri Lanka ran riot in the second half with a superb performance that included three more tries as the Lankans emerged deserved winners with a 31-10 win against Malaysia.
The result helped the Lankans leap frog South Korea in the overall standings to claim Third Place.
