Sri Lanka Under-18 outfit wins plate final in Hong Kong

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Sri Lanka Under-18 rugby outfit led by Thomian winger Naveen Heenakankanmge stamped their class in Hong Kong when they ended the tournament on a high note by winning the plate final, ensuring them the number three slot in the 10-team event at the Asian Schools Under-18 Rugby Tournament which was worked off in Kowloon, Hong Kong.

This was an excellent performance by the youngsters given only one week of preparation for this major school level tournament which is also the maiden tour at Under-18 level for the Sri Lankan outfit. Hong Kong won the tournament two years in tandem when they got the better of Thailand 14-7 after brushing aside Sri Lanka 19-12 in one of the semi-final encounters.

Sri Lanka beat Thailand 19-12, Malaysia 29-21, Mongolia 52-0, and Cambodia 53-0 and lost to Hong Kong 19-12. 

Playing in the plate final, Sri Lanka not only outclassed Singapore 33-7 but also secured third place in the tournament.

Squad: 

Naveen Henakankanamage (Captain), Christian De Lile (both S. Thomas’), Sumudu Rankotge, Harith Bandara, Chamod Fernando (all from Isipathana), Diluksha Dange, Anuka Boyagoda, Avishka Shiek (all from Trinity), Chathura Seneviratne, Vinul Fernando (both St. Joseph’s), Diyath Fernando (St. Peter’s), and Dinuk Amerasinghe (St. Anthony’s).

These players in the squad will be representing their school in 2017 and a few of them will lead their school outfit. 

The Sri Lanka under-18 squad was coached by former Zahirian Mohamed Musthaq. They will get a chance to tour New Zealand in October this year in a school tournament at the same level. 

The top three teams from Asia are likely to be invited for this event in New Zealand. Inthi Marikar did a great job as the Head of High Performance Coach on tour representing the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union (SLRFU).