Impressive Sri Lanka march through to Cup quarters
A six-try avalanche by Sri Lanka against Chinese Taipei in the penultimate round robin game of the day assured the islanders a Cup quarter final clash against the Fijian laden Malaysia. The RS Hong Kong Asian Sevens Series opener featuring 12 men’s teams continues today with the knock out stage confrontations. The Sri Lanka – Malaysia game, the fourth quarter final is slotted for 7.40 a.m. (Sri Lanka time).
Richard Dharmapala about to off load the ball to Anuruddha Wilvara (No.3) in Sri Lanka's game against Chinses Taipei at the Hong Kong Football Club yesterday. Pic Dennis Muthuthantri
Playing on an artificially laid surface, the Sri Lankans exhibited power and speed to rattle Chinese Taipei and led 35 – 00 at the breather. The fast paced clash saw Anuruddha Wilvara collecting an inside pass covering 50 meters to score under the posts. Skipper Marija added the extra points. Richard Dharmapala then scored an under the posts try for Marija to convert. Anuruddha Wilvara shot into limelight in quick time to execute a perfect ward off running along the right flank and ended up under the posts. A third successful conversion by Marija essentially put the game out of reach of Taipei. As if not to be outdone, Dhanushka Ranjan too got his feet moving to score a try which was converted by himself. Then came the Wilvara hat trick and Marija obliged with his customary duty.
Probably the 35 point lead allowed Sri Lanka to rest a bit and thereby a slight loss of focus. Marija was sin binned for a high tackle and Taipei struck against a six man opposition to reduce the lead by a converted try. Midway through the second half Lee Chow Wang scored a second Taipei try. Sandun Herath scored from a move initiated in Sri Lanka’s half itself on the stroke of full time and the Lankans’ ran out winners by 40 points to 12.
Earlier in the day scorching heat greeted the Sri Lankans and the Chinese in what was the fifteenth game for the day at the Hong Kong Football Club yesterday. Following a closely fought out first half where the scores stood even at 5 apiece, Sri Lanka stepped up the pace and rattled the opponents to score a convincing 17 -05 win. Anuruddha Wilvara was the first to get on the score sheet for Sri Lanka but not before China had drawn first blood almost off the kick off. Wilwara’s scintillating solo effort off a second phase move was well received by an appreciative crowd present at the colourful venue.
After the turn around Sri Lanka managed to keep possession for a prolonged period of time and succeeded in sending lanky Shehan Pathirana over the line. Skipper Fazil Marija was pulled out following a fluffed conversion. With around three minutes of time remaining Richard Dharmapala put finishing touches to the third Sri Lankan try. Nigel Ratwatte added the extra points.
The Men’s Cup Quarter Final line up sees South Korea facing Philippines, Japan meeting China and hosts Hong Kong taking on Singapore.
The Sri Lanka Women’s team fared disastrously losing all their three round robin games. The Lankan lasses lost to Hong Kong 22 -00, China 38 -00 and Thailand 24 – 00. Today Sri Lanka faces Singapore in the Plate Semi Finals of the eight nation event. The match is scheduled for 8.02 a.m. Sri Lanka time.