Kazakhstan too heavy for Lanka

Kazakhstan, with only a ten year history in Asian rugby, fought back a bristling Sri Lankan attack to win the Singer Rugby Asiad 24-17 at Longden Place yesterday. Thus the Kazakhs triumphed by 3 tries and 3 penalties to 4 penalties and a try in front of an enthusiastic crowd who cried themselves hoarse egging the Sri Lankans to victory.

There was never any doubt that the Kazakhs would win as they made good use of their big made forwards to win the line outs and scrums. But Sri Lanka had their moments of glory too. In this context the blazing runs by Saliya Kumara, Radhika Hettiarachchi, the never-say-die attempts of Dushan Lewke to stop the wave of attacks on them. Skipper Jeeva Galgamuwa, and Ashan Karthelis can also never be forgotten.

Kazakhstan opened scoring in the 9th minute through a fine try by winger Cherkashin Denis to take a 5-0 lead, Sri Lanka replied almost in staccato through a try by hooker Senthil Kumar.

In the 30th minute Cherkashin Denis breezed past the Sri Lankan defense for another try to lead 13-3. Then came a penalty by their blond haired full back Liftanov Maxim and the Kazakhs led 16-3 at the breather.

The second half paved the way to a fighting Sri Lankan team to show the stuff they were made of when they made the big made Kazakhs sweat in the blazing sun. Then came the piece-de-resistance when Saliya Kumara picked up a loose ball and cut through the Kazakhs defense like a hot knife through butter. Kazakhstan flanker Solovyer Mikhail gave him a nasty late tackle and he was shown the yellow card by referee Tony Wolfe of the Arabian Gulf. The resulting penalty found its target thanks to Amjad Buksh. The Kazakhs replied almost simultaneously through a penalty by Liftanov Maxim.

Radhika Hettiarachchi made a break next and Buksh converted a penalty to take SriLanka’s score read 12 and Kazakhs 19. The tit-for-tat scoring continued with center Akymberov Daublet scoring. Saliya Kumara, who was denied a try earlier, came back roaring to touchdown mid-left to make the score Sri Lanka 17 and Kazakhstan 24 at the long whistle. It is a pity that SriLanka never got the chance to move their three-quarters. As a result the Sri Lanka wingers were starved of possession. In the Plate Final China beat Chinese Taipei 28-22 and in the Bowl Final at the Royal Sports Complex, Thailand beat Malaysia 44-7. Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickremanayake was the chief guest.