Sri Lanka excels at Asian 7s in Hong Kong

The Sri Lanka Sevens outfit under dynamic player Dhanushka Ranjan performed exceptionally well at the Asian Sevens series 2016 in Hong Kong last weekend at the Hong Kong Football Club grounds in Happy Valley. 

Sri Lanka collected 10 points from this tournament where the hosts courtesy of a controversial try earned 12 points plus number 1 position in the first leg. Second leg will now move the South Korea in three weeks’ time and the last leg which will be hosted by Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU) in Colombo, mid-October. 

Sri Lanka beat Taipei (43/12) and Malaysia (40/21) in the group matches before being handed off by the hosts, Hong Kong 22 to nothing on the initial day. Coming strongly on day 2 Young Sri Lankan outfit dished out champaign rugby to beat China in a thriller (19/17) in the semi-final. Chinese outfit on the first day beat both South Korea and Japan depreciated on day even in the 3rd place play off they were beaten by South Korea 33/14 after beating the same day in the group encounters. 

Japan fielded a second string side as their best sevens outfit preparing for the World series which will kick off in Dubai sent only a side full of University players won the plate thus claiming number 5 position which is an unusual ending for the Asian Giants. 

Sri Lanka who led 17/12 lost possession when Omalka Gunaratne opted to kick a penalty advantage into the hands of a Hong Kong player. From this phase they worked their way closer to the try line. Though it was a clear knock on, in goal referee was consulted by the Australian referee who awarded the try which gave the home team 19/17 lead and opted for a penalty in the last of the game to seal the game and the first leg with a 22/17 win. 

In the Women’s segment Japan beat China to secure first place while Sri Lankan Women’s ended as plate champions (6th) out of the eight-team event. 

A former Sri Lanka rugby skipper and Trinity rugby “Lion” Pradeep Basnayake told Daily FT: “This is a good move to build up the team and the young team had done remarkably well. This sounds good for the future of Sri Lankan Sevens rugby which is the way forward. Our junior level at under 18 and Under too done well where the Under 20 team won the Asian Sevens title in Hong Kong and Under 18 won the Plate championship in Hong Kong and became champions in Taipei 2 weeks ago. We need an under 24 tournament as well which will be a good feeder for the nationals sevens team. Due to the good performance at the Under 18 level we are invited to play in New Zealand in December this year. The boys are really fortunate to have this tour.”