Lankans smash Taipei 47-12, but fail at JWRT title
Sri Lanka thrashed Chinese Taipei by 47-12 to secure their second win of the Asia Rugby Under-19 Division I Rugby Championship played in Singapore yesterday.
But with an unbeaten record Hong Kong went on to book the forthcoming Junior World Rugby Trophy berth.
With a tally of eight tries, four conversions and two penalties, the Junior Tuskers romped to victory against the Chinese Taipei who scored their points from two tries and a conversion.
The winners led 28-7 at halftime as lock Umesh Madushan scored two tries, both in the first half, after tries from deputy skipper and centre Kevin Dixon and prop Lasindu Ushan.
Scrumhalf Isuru Rangala converted two tries while winger Riza Riffaideen put over the two penalties that came in favour of the Lankans, who conceded seven points through a converted try.
After the turnaround Riffaideen became the first to cross the line with tries coming from flanker Rahul Karunathilaka, fullback Bhuddima Piyaratne and flanker Mithila Perera.
Rangala’s total tally from his kicks reached eight points after putting over two more conversions in the second half.
Sri Lanka’s win, their second in the competition, however, failed to give them the anticipated result, which was to reach the Junior World Rugby Trophy (JWRT), to be held in Harare, Zimbabwe next April.
Their win in the opening game against hosts Singapore by 27-12 last Sunday was followed by a fighting 13-24 defeat against eventual winners Hong Kong on Wednesday.
The Sri Lanka Junior rugby team scored eight tries against Chinese Taipei in Singapore yesterday
Hopes of reaching the JWRT still could have been a reality if minnows made an upset against Hong Kong yesterday, but the outcome was a total contrast.
Hong Kong smashed Singapore by 61-10 yesterday to finish off with a total of 14 points after three games as their total read as 163 for and 35 against.
They also beat Chinese Taipei by a big margin of 66 points after recording a 78-12 win. They scored a total of 23 tries.
Sri Lanka finished at second with 10 points, with two wins a loss with a tally of 87 points while conceding 48 from three games. The Junior Tuskers scored 14 tries in total while conceding seven.
At third sits Chinese Taipei, who gained four points with a win against Singapore by 21-16 and losses against Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. Hosts Singapore lost all three matches and are seeded at the bottom of the table.
Sri Lanka entered the tournament with ambitions of gaining a slot in the JWRT in which they were featured last in 2001. The Lankan camp remained hopeful despite blunders created by local rugby officials, who were in two worlds if the players – most of them contracted by top domestic clubs – should be released for national duty or not.
The coaching staff headed by Sanath Martis was on the verge of quitting their duties alongside his assistant Colin Denesh, but a last minute intervene by the Director General of the Ministry of Sports, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, helped matters sort out.
The final squad included Charana Chamikara of St. Joseph, Ayesha Maduranga of Royal, Lasindu Ishan of Science and Nikila Gunadeera of Royal as props. Nishal Deshatha of Isipathana as hooker.
Matheesha Sarathchandra of Isipathana, Umesh Madhushan of Royal, Isuru Rangala of Trinity and Mithila Perera of Wesley as locks and as third-row-forwards Shawket Lahir of Royal, Taariq Saleh of St. Joseph’s, skipper Omalka Gunaratne of Isipathana, Rahul Karunathilaka of Trinity and Chathura Dilshan of Isipathana.
Isuru Kongahawatte of Isipathana or Vimukhti Rahula of St. Joseph’s played as scrumhalf. Fly half was Rehan Silva of Isipathana with Nishon Perera and Kevin Dixon of St. Peter’s and Bhanuka Gamage of Royal taking in the position of centres.
The two wingers’ slots and the full back berth were filled by Riza Raffaideen of Kingswood, Asitha Punchihewa of Isipathana, Sajith Roshan of Science, Buddima Piyaratne of D.S. Senanayake and Chamika Kusal of Wesley.