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A Kazakhstan player runs into a hefty tackle by a Sri Lankan player.
Pictures by Sanka Vidanagama. |
The Sri Lankan Sevens ruggerites strutted their stuff with commendable efficiency beating Singapore, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei to make sure of their berth in the Cup Semis on the second day of the tenth edition of the Singer SriLankan Rugby Sevens.Sheriff, Saliya Kumara and Jayasinghe were the pick of the players as they stood out in every game. In the crucial game against Chinese Taipei, the Sri Lankans really turned the heat on their rivals with the entire team defending stoutly even throwing themselves at their opponents.
The Sri Lankans have a crunch game against the impressive Chinese and this result will determine their final position in the Group.
The Malaysians have shown plenty of thrust pace and power and can be counted in the top bracket. Favourites Korea, one felt, held themselves back a bit, but their time of reckoning should come when they confront Malaysia this morning.
| Results |
Pool A – Korea 45 India 0; Mlaysia 43 Thailand 0; Arabian Gulf 50 India 0; Korea 19 Thailand 7.
Pool B – Sri Lanka 24 Singapore 0 (Tries Jayasinghe,Saliya Kumara,Liyanage 2); China 19 Kazakhastan 7; Chinese Taipei 31 Siungapore 5; SriLanka 34 Kazakhastan 0 (Tries Jayasinghe 2,Saliya Kumara 2, Marija 1, Sheriff (1)
Schools Bowl Semi-finals: St. Aylvester’s 12 Nalanda 5; Ananda 15 Vidyartha 14;
Schools Cup Quarter Finals: Kingswood beat Dharmaraja 5-0; Isipathana beat Wesley 31-5; St. Joseph’s beat St. Anthony’s 24-12; St.Peter’s beat Royal 28-5.
International Pool A – Malaysia 19 Arabian Gulf 12; Thailand 33 India 0. Pool B – China 45 Chinese Taipei 0; Kazahstan45 Singapore 0; Malaysia 52 India 0; Korea 21 Arabian Gulf 12; Pool B China 45 Singapore 5; Sri Lanka 22 Chinese Taipei 7 |
Pradeep Liyanage’s Sri Lankan outfit did what was expected of them by defeating Singapore and Kazakhstan comfortably when the International Segment of the Singer Sri Lankan got underway yesterday.
The opposition was not particularly testing. Yet the Sri Lankan team performed well as a unit. Saliya Kumara stood out with is speed and ability to go through gaps, while Jayasinghe proved that not many can lay a finger on him when in full flight, Marija had limited opportunities and Liyanage put the finishing touches.
Favourites Korea opened proceedings with a 45-0 win over the Indians who were unable to offer much of a challenge. Last year’s runner-up Korea,was very impressive, displaying power and pace. But they seemed to have something in reserve.
Korea’s second game against Thailand was more competitive. The Thais displayed pluck and even had the temerity to score first. Korea turned on the heat in the second session o win 19-7.
Isipathana looked the team to beat in the schools section as they devoured Wesley by a huge 31 points to 5. The way some of the Patana lads opened up space was particularly impressive.
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