Hong Kong Survive Sri Lankan scare

Hong Kong=24 Points

Sri Lanka=13 Points

By Shamzeer Jaleel

Hong Kong Under 19 rugby outfit survived their biggest scare from Sri Lanka in Round Two of the Asia Rugby Under 19 championship at Yiu Cho Kang Stadium in Singapore yesterday. Defending champions of Asia Division I, Hong Kong won at last 24/13 after leading 14/13 at the short breather.

This win for the Hong Kong team gives a very clear edge over the rest of the teams in the tournament for the selection for the next year’s Youth Rugby World Cup in Zimbabwe.

Continued in attack by Sri Lanka put the Hong Kong under sustained pressure from the opening whistle and pinned down Hong Kong in their own half for more than 15 minutes. Reeza Rafaideen missed a penalty kick in front of the posts which could have opened the scoring for the Sri Lankans.

For Hong Kong’s Worley scored the try which was converted by Slides to take 7/0 lead. Sri Lanka cut the deficit through Raffaideen’s penalty. But Hong Kong hit back through their second try by Chui to take 14/3 lead with Stiles adding the extra 2 points.

Sri Lanka struck back quickly through their skipper and number 8 Omalka Gunaratne who crashed over near the posts from the base of the ruck. Raffaideen’s once again failed with the  conversion kick which kept the score at 14/8. Sri Lanka finally found the gap in Hong Kong’s defense which was all over by Niroshan Perera try to take “lemons” at 14/13 favoring Hong Kong.

The pressure Hong Kong put ended in a penalty try after repeated infringements by the Sri Lankan eight at a five-meter scrum. Stiles converted to give Hong Kong 21/14 lead. Stiles also put over one more penalty to seal the game 24/13.

In the other match yesterday Taipei edged out hosts Singapore 21/16.

Hong Kong will face Singapore and Sri Lanka meet Taipei in their last games on December 19.