Erring Lankans rattled
“I told the boys to outwork the opposition and not to out skill them. We did not keep the ball and lost possession on at least three fifty/fifty occasions, which cannot be afforded against a quality opponent” observed Sri Lanka’s English coach Mat Turner following yesterday’s 14-33 loss to reigning Asian Sevens Series champions Hong Kong under lights at the SCG Stadium in Thailand. However Sri Lanka progressed to the Cup quarter-finals against China, scheduled to be played at 9.14 this morning.
Hong Kong touched down on five occasions to outsmart a determined Sri Lanka 33-14 having led 14-7 at the breather. Tries for the Tuskers were scored by Gayan Weeraratne and Fazil Marija, who added extra points to both the tries. Sri Lanka looked composed and up to the task going into the breather but were rattled by the trademark power play unleashed by Hong Kong in the latter half. The only bright spot of an otherwise erratic second half was a stunning solo effort by Srinath Sooriyabandara who side stepped a couple of defenders’ at full pace and cut in to sling a pass to the closely following Marija to plant a try.
A try from the kick off itself set in motion Sri Lanka’s campaign at the Thailand Sevens yesterday. Having challenged and successfully gained possession Shehan Pathirana offloaded for Nigel Ratwatte to score the first of six tries against a hapless Chinese Taipei under scorching heat at the SCG Stadium in Muan Thong. Thereafter Ratwatte initiated a counter attack in Sri Lanka’s half and sent Sooriyabandara blazing over the Taipei goal line. An omnipresent Ratwatte was in action to boot ahead a loose ball and fall over for an under the posts try, which conversion skipper Marija obliged having failed in his two earlier attempts. On the brink of half time Weeraratne scored an unconverted try for Sri Lanka to lead 22-nil at halftime.
The turnaround saw fresh legs on the park for Sri Lanka and Richard Dharmapala put finishing touches to a move that surged ahead swiftly. With the game well and truly decided a breathtaking solo effort by replacement Kanchana Ramanayake culminated with Sudharshana Muthuthanthri touching down through an ensuing line out. Both the tries in the second half were converted by Marija and Dharmapala respectively and Sri Lanka ran out comfortable winners 36-00 with six tries and three conversions. Sri Lanka was guilty of a few fumbles with the try line staring, which would have swelled up the score.
Very first game of the tournament sprung a surprise with Singapore overcoming fancied Kazakhstan 19-14. Later on in the day United Arab Emirates (UAE) upset Philippines 12-7.
Today’s Cup Quarter-final draw:
Hong Kong vs. Malaysia
Japan vs. United Arab Emirates
Sri Lanka vs. China
Singapore vs. South Korea