Tuskers deliver solid wins; Women’s team hit hard by tough opponents

The Sri Lankan Tuskers remained unbeaten on Day 1 of the Asia Rugby Emirates Sevens Series 2025, securing two wins before their final game was postponed due to adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, the Women’s team faced a tough day, losing all three of their matches to competitive sides from Hong Kong, China, Thailand, and Singapore at the Racecourse Stadium.

Game 01 – Sri Lanka Vs Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan opened the scoring early after Sri Lanka conceded a penalty for a high tackle. The powerful Sobirjon Kholikulov capitalised, breaking through two defenders to score. (SL 00 – 07 UZB)

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The Tuskers were pinned in their own half for most of the first period, but in the final play before Half Time, Srinath Sooriyabandara broke through the defence to score under the posts. He converted his own try to level the scores. (SL 07 – 07 UZB)

The second half began just as the first ended – with Sri Lanka on the attack. The hosts moved the ball wide, and Janindu Dilshan’s dazzling footwork saw him slice through to score under the posts, with Diluksha Dange adding the extras. Soon after, Gayan Perera powered past two defenders to extend the lead, converted by Suranga Tennakoon. (SL 21 – 07 UZB)

Uzbekistan responded as scrum-half Makhmud Kalandarov produced a brilliant side step to find space and score, with the conversion narrowing the gap. However, the comeback was short-lived – off the restart, Chathura Soysa collected cleanly and sprinted through a scattered defence to seal the victory for the hosts.

Full Time Sri Lanka 26 – 14 Uzbekistan 

Game 02 – Sri Lanka Vs Singapore

The hosts got off to a flying start as veteran Srinath Sooriyabandara spotted a gap inside his own half, turned on the pace, and raced away to score the opening try. (SL 05 – 00 SIN)

Singapore hit back while the Tuskers were a man down, with Janindu Dilshan in the sin bin. Daryl Liau took advantage of the overlap to score under the posts. (SL 05 – 05 SIN)

Sri Lanka responded immediately through Dinal Ekanayake, whose sharp sidestep sent his marker the wrong way before he touched down under the sticks. Sooriyabandara added the extras to give the Tuskers a seven-point lead at Half Time. (SL 12 – 05 SIN)

The second half began with a bang, as the ball was worked wide to Sooriyabandara, who chipped ahead and grounded it perfectly for his second try of the game. (SL 17 – 05 SIN)

The momentum stayed with the hosts as Heshan Jansen finished off a well-worked move created by Suranga Tennakoon and Chathura Soysa, sealing another impressive victory for Sri Lanka.

Full Time Sri Lanka 22 – 05 Singapore 

Results of the other games 

Group C 

Only two rounds of matches were completed, as the final two games were postponed to Sunday, with play set to resume at 9:00 AM.

Group A

Hong Kong, China topped the group with three comfortable wins, while the Philippines impressed to claim second place. Malaysia finished third, as Korea endured a day to forget.

Group B

Japan dominated Group B with three commanding victories, while Thailand delivered an impressive performance to finish second, with the UAE settling for third place. In Japan’s final group match against the UAE, play was halted at Half Time due to heavy rain, with the score at 33–00, and the result declared a Japan victory.

Cup Semi Finals

The Semi Final line-up is yet to be determined, as Group C matches were not played due to adverse weather conditions. However, the Cup Semi Finals are scheduled to begin at 1:40 PM.

Women’s Segment 

Group D

Japan cruised past all their opponents without conceding a single point, topping Group D to secure a smooth passage to the Semi Finals.

Group E

China was equally dominant, sweeping past all three group opponents to book their place in the Semi Finals.

Group F

Hong Kong China and Thailand were evenly matched in a tightly contested group, but

Thailand this time came out on top, leaving Hong Kong China to settle for second place.

The hosts, Sri Lanka, endured three tough outings as they finished last in their group.

Cup Semi Finals

In the Women’s Semi Finals, Japan will face Hong Kong China, while Thailand will take on China.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka will contest the 9th-place playoff Semi Final against Indonesia at 12:02 PM.

Fans can catch all the action live on ThePapare 1 HD (Dialog TV Ch. 126), Dialog ViU App, and ThePapare.com from 8:45 AM onwards on Sunday.