The first leg of Asia rugby sevens got under way in Qingdao, China under a rainy weather. The Tuskers won both their group games but the women Tuskers could not perform up to the expectations. They were also in a tough group along with defending champions China and Hong Kong.
Sri Lanka 24 – 12 Kazakhstan (Men)
Great start from the kick off as Shehan Pathirana won the ball in the air and Dhanushka Ranjan sailed under the post in the rainy Tiantai Stadium. Kazakhs played contact rugby throughout using their big made players. Ranjan changed gear and sprinted to his second try from inside the 40m mark. Kazakhs used the truck and trailer to overpower the Tuskers defense to put a score on board just before Ranjan scored his hat-trick. HT 12 – 07
Sri Lanka defended well especially Sandun Herath’s cover tackle which denied the Kazakhs scoring inside the try line. Srinath Sooriyabandara also defended well with his magical footwork to score the fourth try. Just before the final whistle a brilliant cross kick was chased by the Kazakhs winger to score in the left flank. FT 24 – 12
Sri Lanka 43 – 00 Singapore (Men)
Seven tries and a convincing win as everyone showed a lot of character and contribution. Gayan Weerarathne, Sooriyabandara, Kanchana Ramanayake, Anurudda Wilwara, Sandun Herath and Lavanga Perera scored for the Tuskers. Singapore tried hard to work-out a consolation try but the Tuskers defense was up to the mark.
Sri Lanka will now take on Malaysia in the first cup quarter final tomorrow at 8.13am SL time.
Sri Lanka 07 – 31 China (Women)
In the first 3 minutes the Tuskers had ball possession and from inside their 22m went to the opposite red zone but gave away the possession. However, Sri Lanka could not match the speed and the physicality of the Asia’s no 1 team. Lankan’s went on too much contact and was too slow to offload the ball as a result Chinese turning over on the ground. China went to the half time with 21 – 00 lead.
Chinese have a clear plan for a medal in the Rio Olympics next year and they have hired former Sri Lanka men’s coach Ben Gollings. Also many of the Chinese players have transferred from Olympic sport handball to play rugby which is another secret of their crispy line work. Although the Tuskers captain Thanuja Weerakkodi made a scintillating 60m sprint to the goal line, Chinese ended up winning convincingly 31 – 07.
Sri Lanka 05 – 27 Hong Kong (Women)
It was a much better start for the ladies when Thanuja made yet another sparkling run of 60m and Ayesha Perera supported well to get the pass from the skipper and go under the post. Much better off- loads but the Tuskers were unable to feed the scrum properly and kick the penalty to finding touch. However, as expected the Hong Kong settled down immediately and went to the half time with a 12 – 05 lead.
In the second half Sri Lanka defense got scrambled as a result Hong Kong women scored three more tries to finish 27 – 05. It was 05 – 25 in 2013, 00 – 22 & 07 – 24 in 2014 wins to Hong Kong in the previous encounters.
Sri Lanka 07 – 19 Singapore (Women)
Disappointing once again as the women Tuskers could not secure a win in day one. Poor ball handling, execution and communication let them down together with some pathetic refereeing. The referee missed two forward passes right in front of his eyes and a knock on just before Singapore scored and a yellow card for a handoff which didn’t seem convincing. Only Sandipa Hemakumari scored for the Tuskers. Singapore scored three tries. This is the first time since 2013 Sri Lanka lost to Singapore as they won two of the last matches 17 – 05 & 26 – 10.
Meanwhile the Hong Kong women stunned the hosts as the won the last of the group games. FT: Hong Kong 19 – 10 China and Sri Lanka will play Kazakhstan in the third cup quarter final at 7.29 am SL time.
