Sri Lanka won against China and Chinese Taipei in grand style in the Asian Rugby 7’s series ‘first leg’ played at Hong Kong Football Club. Tuskers will play in the cup quarter finals with the second place team from froup A (Malaysia) at 7.40 am local time tomorrow.
Tuskers kicked off as favourites in their first match against China winning 17 – 05 after equalising the score in the first half 5-all. In reply to Chinese tryAnurudda Wilwara effected a startling opening for the campaign fending off three Chinese defenders in a stunning solo-effort to level. Sri Lanka had a few chances in the opposite territory which went a begging. A Nigel Ratwatte break almost saw the try when he off- loaded to Sudarshana Muthuthantri who could not hold on to the ball unfortunately. However, Shehan Pathirana scored early in the second half in the right corner which tipped the lead 10 – 00 with skipper Fazil Marija missing both the conversions.
Tuskers showed great defensive pattern pretty much the mushroom shape, where they are quick and agile in defence leading the Chinese in to panic and lose ball positions several times. With a minute left for the final whistle, Richard Darmapala squeezed in a third try with ease. With the succesful conversion the final score was 17 – 05 in favour of Sri Lanka.
Image Courtesy – asian5nations.com
In the second group game vs Chinese Taipei, the Tuskers were on song as they won 40 – 12 with great comfort. Anurudda Wilwara once again showing his speed and power to score a hat-trick of tries which was extrodinary. Richard Darmapala scored the second try followed by Danushka Ranjan and was finished by Sandun Herath scoring the sixth try of the match in the left corner fending off two defenders.
As a result the Tuskers will play in the 4th Cup quarter finals tomorrow against Malaysia 7:40 a.m (SL time). South Korea take on Philippines in the first quater final and in the second quarter finals Japan will battle against China and the host Hong Kong will play Singapore in the third cup quater finals.
Sri Lanka Women fail to progress as they went down to Hong Kong 22 -00 , China 38 – 00 and to Thailand 24 – 00, however, the Sri Lanka women will play Singapore in the plate semi finals soon after the men’s team finish their quarter finals.
