The Sri Lankan Tuskers came out blazing; silencing the warning sounds of the Thai’s which they issued in their first outing against the Kazakhs.
The Thai’s came into the match a resilient lot with a big win against Kazakhstan on Sunday. The Lankan’s too were an unbeaten team coming into game but did take their time settling in. All in all it was set to be an enthralling game.
The first quarter was one with points being offered by way of the “boot” with Rizah Mubarak succeeding to put the first score on the board in the 11th minute of the game. On the other hand the Thai’s go-to man Khamkoet Warongkorn did not have his kicking boots on, seeing two penalty chances being fluffed.
The hosts were experiencing horrible handling errors, with ball being fumbled many a time and on occasion possible scoring opportunities lost. The Thai’s on the other hand were taking a cautious approach gathering themselves in marginal steps. But the Tuskers did have the upper hand with a very physical game and threatening runs worrying the opposition.
The Lankan’s then put the first try on the board with the ball gracefully changing hands from Sajith Saranga and Fazil Marija to finally land in the embrace of winger Sandun Herath to dash over the line at the right corner. Mubarak having a difficult angle to add the extra was not successful, the score line reading 8 nothing in favor of the hosts.
It did not take long for the Lankan’s to turn pressure into points once more, Sandun Herath being involved again was the man to create the opportunity for the Lankan’s stepping his way and offloading to Pradeep Liyanage to score under the post. Mubarak having no problem with the formalities took the score to 15 nothing.
The restart saw lovely Lankan hands swishing the ball across wide to the speedy powerhouse Chamara Dhabare. Dhabare running down 40 meters making short work of two Thai players at the last line of defense to score under the post. Mubarak once more doing the needful for the extra points put the score at 22 nothing. The yellow jerseys were seeing red as the Tuskers, despite there handling errors, looked to be going on a unstopable rampage.
Just at the short whistle the Lankan’s were awarded with two penalties, both which Mubarak made no fuss about, slotting them over with ease. The hosts were under severe pressure at the half being down 28 nothing.
The second half saw the hosts continuing where they left, piling the pressure right from the kick off. Close quarter play with the forwards battering away at the yellow 8 was the order of the day, and scrum half Roshan Weeraratne pulled a “pick up and go” fending his way across the line under the post. Mubarak being on prime duty today stepped up for the conversion putting it across with ease, 35 nothing to Tuskers.
The marauding Tuskers were not done stomping with their dominance in the game as Pradeep Liyanage and Sandun Herath went over once more. The conversions from the corner flag were unsuccessful.
The Thai’s managed a consolation try in between with winger Pichit Yingcharoen going over the right corner flag. Warongkorn finally came good with the boot the coversion being a sweet kick from the extreme corner sailing between the posts. The Yellow camp finally on the board 45-7.
The Thai’s were unable to assert their dominance as they displayed in their first match with the likes of Warongkorn and Pichit being well marked and kept under wraps.
The Tuskers on the other hand had a couple of tries that came after exquisite line maneuvering the ball passing many a hand of the hosts with support and yardage coming in abundance. The coherence of the Lankan’s was exemplary with support coming far and wide with conviction. The passes were only needed to be felt not seen as the players simply released ball to find support. There was an early concern with fumbles and errors but the second half saw the Tuskers coming back well oiled. The Lankan line stood out with a very organized performance with all the tries coming through the same and will surely look to take their form to their last match over the weekend.
The Lankan’s will be out to face the burly Kazakhs on Saturday. The Kazahks had a good outing against Chinese Taipei coming up as winners 42-10. They will be out to finish their campaign at the 2013 edition of the A5N on a high and the Lanka’s will look to finish with the big “W” and move up to the big league.
