Lankans mauled by HK in Malaysia

By Shamseer Jaleel

Sri Lanka was handed a 61 points (8 tries, 6 conversions, 3 penalties) to 0 drubbing by defending champions Hong Kong in their Under-19 Junior Rugby Championship encounter, which concluded in Malaysia. 

At halftime Hong Kong led 27-0. It was a disappointing outing for a Sri Lankan outfit which lacked discipline and fitness. Though the Sri Lankans did earn some scoring opportunities from their forwards, poor ball handling cost them heavily. Hong Kong’s tries were scored by Oliver Overman (3), Marcus Ramadase (2), Camerone Smith, Matthew Woorley and James Carton. Woorley converted the penalties and tries. 

In the other encounter hosts Malaysia edged Taipei 38-31 in a thriller. 

Now Hong Kong will play Malaysia in the final round on 17 December in Kuala Lumpur. On the same day Sri Lanka will lock horns with Taipei. A win for Sri Lanka will put them in second position but they will miss out on the Under-20 Junior World Rugby Tournament in Uruguay. The winner of the 2016 Asia Rugby Under-19 Championship will represent the region at next year’s World Rugby Junior Trophy in August in Uruguay.