Men win Plate in first leg, but Women lose out

• Asia Rugby Sevens 2019

The Sri Lanka men’s rugby side secured the Plate championship (5th position) while the women’s outfit ended in sixth place after the first leg of the Asia Rugby Sevens 2019 at the Namdong Stadium in South Korea yesterday. Japan won both the men’s and women’s event.

Sri Lanka Men after losing out to China 14/17 in a close encounter had been outclassed by Japan 43/5 on the opening day. They started day 2 with a game against the UAE and just managed to edge them out 21/17 to secure a berth in the Plate semi-final, where they handed off a de-motivated Taipei outfit 42/0 to secure a place in the Plate final. In the final they edged out Philippines in a thriller to win 21/14.

Meanwhile Sri Lanka Women, who were sponsored by SAGT, did well in earlier stages of the tournament but on day 2 Japan proved too good for the, losing 34/7. Playing in the Plate segment Sri Lanka Women lost out to a much fitter and more organized Thailand outfit 32/5

Second leg will now move to China during the second weekend of September. (SJ)