Access marks huge win against John Keells
Action from yesterday's play - Pic by Ranjith Perera
Access and MAS Holdings A, predictably, seem to be on course for a grand finale in the 48th Mercantile Rugby Sevens at the Race Course.
Access registered one of the day’s biggest totals when they outclassed John Keells B by an overpowering 50 points to7. Sri Lanka’s effervescent centre Danushka Ranjan touched down twice and was promptly replaced. Srinath Suriyabandara, a sevens specialist and Tarinda Ratwatte had a good outing. All told, the Access team which also had the likes of Kevin Dixon, Vishmamitra Jayasinghe and Naveen Henakamkanamge seem to carry too many guns for their opponents.
Their toughest opponents could be MAS Holdings ‘A’ who have in their ranks players such as Gayan Weeraratne, Omalka Guneratne, speedster Buddima Piyaratne and ever-green Fazil Marija.
MAS ‘A’ beat Nation Lanka 29-0 and Marija, together with Shehan Pathirana were responsible for two of the tries. Josephian star Gemunu Chetiya is in the squad and this could be a learning curve for him.
Ceylon Tobacco had sufficient puff in their play as they won a close game against Aitken Spence by five points. NTB edged out Ceylon Brokers by two points in a tough and engrossing game. The Sampath Bank team had some skilful players. Their fly-half, a thin. wiry player was particularly impressive.
CDB did most things right in their two games, winning 19-7 and 28-5. Two games were inconclusive. MAS ‘B’ were held to a 12 all draw by Standard Chartered. They found themselves in the same situation against PABC. This time however it was 14 all.
RESULTS
- SHIELD SEGMENT: Aitken Spence 19 Stafford Motors 5; Dialog ‘B’ 28 Ceylon Tobacco 7; PABC 14 MAS ‘B’ 14; Ceylon Tea Brokers 28 Lanka Minerals 0; Nations Trust Bank 49 Soft Logic 7; Ceylon Knit Trend 50 Glaxo 0; Commercial Credit 35 HSBC 5; Dialog ‘B’ 45 George Steuarts 5; PABC 34 Virtusa 5; NDB 19 Soft Logic 17; Ceylon Tobacco 24 Aitken Spence 19; Standard Chartered 12; NTB 14 Ceylon Tea Brokers 12 .
- BOWL SEGMENT: Brandix 21 JKH ‘C’ 14; CDB 19 Allianz Insurance 7; Sampath Bank 22 Mercantile Investments 19; Allianz Insurance 20 Brandix 17; CDB 28 JKH ‘C’ 5; Sampath Bank 26 HSBC ‘A’ 7.
- CUP SEGMENT: MAS ‘A’ 29 Nation Lanka 0; Access 50 JKH ‘B’ 7; Dialog ‘A’ 19 Classic Travel 0; JKHA 33 Nation Lanka 10.