Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
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Wednesday Nov 06, 2024
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Sri Lankan Men’s outfit ended the first leg of the Asian Sevens 2018 first leg on number 3 position beating Philippines 40/12 at the Hong Kong Football Club (HKFC) in Happy Valley last weekend. Japan claimed the championship by pushing hosts Hong Kong to 12/0 defeat, number 2 position. Asian Rugby giants, Japan accounted for a double when their Women’s outfit edged out China 12/7 to win the Girls event.
Meanwhile Sri Lankan Women’s ended on a high note ending the event on number 5 position accounting for the Plate win when they beat Thailand 22/10. A little more exposure at Asian Sevens rugby will do a world of difference for these young girls who played their last tournament six months back in Borneo. Young girls who played their hearts out in Hong Kong were once again sponsored by South Asian Gateway Terminals (SAGT).
Men’s
Sri Lanka 33 points
Taipei 12 points
Several seniors Sooriyabandara, Gayan and Danushka were rested till the late second half giving opportunity and exposure to the youngsters, Rafaideen, Buddhima, Rehan and Naveen.
Sri Lanka opened the try scoring through Buddhima Piyaratne who handed off few defenders before touching down the first try. Dixon added the extras. Soon afterward Sri Lanka’s second try was scored by lanky Dinuk Amarasinghe covering nearly 50 meters. Dinuk who was unstoppable scoring his second try of the game before he was replaced for the important Hong Kong and Philippines clash later in the day.
After turn around Taipei scored two back to back tries to reduce the gap 21/12. But any Taipei hopes of a comeback was dashed when Danushka and Naveen scored a try each to secure comfortable 33/12 win.
Hong Kong 31 points
Sri Lanka nil
Sri Lanka defended most part of the game in a 5 try blitz by Hong Kong who gave no chance for the visitors. Fresh from the Gold Medal win at the Asian Games 2018 in Indonesia they looked yard faster in approach to their game. Though Sri Lanka got nearly three opportunities all were wasted due to poor ball handling.
3rd place play off
Sri Lanka 40 points
Philippines 12 points
Sri Lanka displayed Champaign rugby when they outclassed a gutsy Philippines outfit 40/12 in the 3rd place play off. Naveen Heenakankanmge, Sooriyabandara and Sudam tries took Sri Lanka to 21/7 at the short breather.
After the break Sri Lanka conceded one try but hit back through Danushka Dyan, Buddhima Piyaratne and Sooriyabandara tries to claim the number 3 position.
Women’s
China 36 points
Sri Lanka Nil
Sri Lankan Women’s outfit lost on their skipper, Sandeepa Hemakumari for the Chinese game due to an ankle injury suffered in the earlier game against Singapore. Early in the game Sri Lankan’s got plenty of opportunity to score first but the Chinese defense stood firm allowing no gaping holes. China went on a try tsunami scoring three in the first half and 4 in the second half.
Sri Lanka 21 points
South Korea 15 points
Sri Lanka displayed quality rugby to down the South Korean outfit in a thriller. At the short breather Sri Lanka led 14/5 through two tries by Dulani Pallikondage and Koreans replied with one try. Anusha Kaluarachchi converted. After the turn around with some sloppy play allowed the Korean back in to the game through 2 tries. With the full time alarm scores were 15/14 favoring Koreans. Sri Lankans who worked their line through to score a fantastic try by Wasana Weerakody who covered nearly 50 meters to score a solo try under the posts. Thanuja added the extras to take the scores 21/15.
5/6 playoff (Plate Final)
Sri Lanka 22 points
Thailand 10 points
Sri Lanka claimed Plate win (5th place) in the Women’s segment when they beat Thailand 22/10. Earlier too in the same series Sri Lanka have won the Plate under the Coaching of Chandrishan Perera several years ago at the same venue.
Thailand scored first but Dulani Pallikondage replied with one followed by Theekshana Liyanage try. At the short breather Sri Lanka ed 10/5. After the turn around Thai girls scored one more try but the Lankans replied through two tries one each by Theekshana and Dulani to win the 5th position with a 22/10 results.
Results Day 2
Men’s
Japan beat China 33/14, Sri Lanka beat Taipei 33/12, Hong Kong beat Philippines 42/7, Malaysia beat South Korea 26/19
Cup semi finals
Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka 31/0, Japan beat Philippines 36/5
Plate semi finals
China beat Malaysia 28/24, Taipei beat South Korea 40/5
7/8th place play off
South Korea beat Malaysia 28/14
Plate final (5/6 playoff)
China beat Taipei 15/7
3rd place play off
Sri Lanka beat Philippines 40/12
Cup Final
Japan beat Hong Kong 12/0
Women’s
China beat Sri Lanka 36/0, Kazakhstan beat Singapore 24/10, Japan beat Thailand 31/0, Hong Kong beat South Korea 34/0
Cup semi finals
China beat Hong Kong 19/14, Japan beat Kazakhstan 21/15
Plate semi final
Sri Lanka beat South Korea 21/15, Thailand beat Singapore 19/5
7/8th play off
Singapore beat South Korea 27/0
Plate final
Sri Lanka beat Thailand 22/10
3rd place play off
Kazakhstan beat Hong Kong 14/5
Cup Final
Japan beat China 12/7
Pix by Thushith Wijedoru
The Sri Lanka men’s and women’s rugby teams’ departure was delayed by one day due to Typhoon Mangkhut which battered Hong Kong yesterday.
Both teams,whowere scheduled to return to the island yesterday, will arrive late tonight. The typhoon, which started in the Philippines, spread across to Hong Kong and moved toward China today. Heavy rain and wind caused severe damage in Hong Kong with all flights being postponed for today. According to reports, this was the worst typhoon to hit Hong Kong in nearly five decades.
