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Hong Kong power their way through with ease
Hong Kong 36 - Sri Lanka 22
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Win with the forwards is an old maxim and the Hong Kong players proved how accurate this was with a sleek performance in which they outclassed their Sri Lankan counterparts by 36 points(4 goals, 1 try, 1 penalty) to 22 ( 1 goal, 3 Tries) in their IRB Asian qualifying match at Nittawela yesterday.

Having gone up 10-0 early in the game , they let the initiative slip as Hong Kong struck back with a vengeance to take Lemons at 17/10. Asanga Rodrigo opened scoring for Sri Lanka, coming on the blind side in a ruck and touching for right (5/0). Rodrigo was in the picture again with a well-directed punt. Off time ensuing five yard scrum, Jayasundara made a good break and sent out a pass to the unmarked Hettiarachchi to score (10/0).

Hong Kong now extended pressure on the Sri Lankan defense and after a few short taps, a pass was cleverly switched inside to Denton who did the rest. Harris's penalty made it 10 all.

Then came the try of the match, the Hong Kong backs and forwards, almost everyone in fact, handling the ball switching direction superbly before Yuen scored. This try was initiated from a ruck outside the Sri Lankan twenty-five. Haris made it 17/10. Hettiarachchi scored again to set Sri Lankan pulses racing, at the start af the second half. Lankans broke from a scrum, and passed to Buksh who sent the winger on his powerful way. (Sri Lanka 15-17)

The visitors scored at once when Lee picked up from a ruck and drove over (15-22).
Tuan Fazil, the fly half split the defence with a good 35-yard run and passed to Hettiarachchi who stepped out on his way to the line.

Dingly scored next after some good work by the back division. Hong Kong won the ball off Sri Lanka's throw in the rolling maul used and was over. Harris was on target.
Sri Lanka were hovering on or about the Hong Kong goal line for about five minutes before skipper Basnayake took it upon himself to score. Hettiarachchi converted to make the final tally 22-36.

Mr. Sumitomo of Japan refereed Earlier in the Under-19 game Central Province beat Hong Kong 22-11. Referee Mr. Aruna Rankothge.

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