Let’s shout it out from the rooftops. Let it be said over the airways and let’s shout it out loud and clear from the Twin Towers! Sri Lanka beat Singapore 23 -1 6 in Singapore yesterday. Lanka’s 23 points came from two penalties, a drop kick and 2 tries which were goaled to 16 (a try which was goaled and 3 penalties).
WE DID IT. Sri Lankan rugby players celebrate their win over Singapore. |
A try in the dying moments of the game by inside center Chamara Vithanaga shot Sri Lanka into the top Division of the Asian Five Nations Rugby Tournament when they recorded this stunning win over hosts Singapore in the Division Two final at the Yio Chu Kang Stadium in Singapore.
Sri Lanka has now advanced to the top division of this tournament and from next year Sri Lanka will compete against Asian giants - Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Kazkahstan in the top bracket.
As a keen follower of rugby it must be mentioned that this win by Sri Lanka over Singapore and the subsequent promotion into Division One is akin to the success Sri Lanka gained at the Hong King Sevens Tournament in 1984 when the side led by Hisham Abdeen won the Bowl Competition. It is a pity that Sri Lanka are no longer considered eligible to play at the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens..
The game in Singapore was an exiting final where the Sri Lanka players showed excellent playing skills and had that little bit of extra power and energy to get past the Singaporeans by registering this fantastic seven points victory.
The Sri Lanka forwards and back divisions combined with maximum commitment and played excellent rugby in wet conditions. The Lankan forwards specially flankers Dilip Selvam and Sean Wijesinghe, second rowers Senaka Bandara and Ashen Karthelis and number eight Dushanth Lewke were outstanding in the loose while in the back division fly half Chanka Chandimal, in side center Chamara Vithanage, out side centre skipper Pradeep Liyanage, full back Saliya Kumara and scrum half Roshan Weerarathne fought all the way to bring about this victory.
Sri Lanka played to a set pattern and Singapore spent their time in trying to upset their plans which proved futile.
Sri Lanka skipper Pradeep Liyanage speaking to the Sunday Times after the game said that they came for the competition in the midst of a lot of problems and with insufficient training as well. “However we fought tremendous odds on and off the field and came through with flying colours mainly due to the tremendous team work. We promised to bring glory to our motherland and we have done it,” beamed Liyanage.
Singapore shot into the lead in the 9th minute through a 30 meter penalty put over by fly half Tom Burns. He was right on target with another 30 meter penalty and Singapore enjoyed a 6-0 lead. However Sri Lanka fought back in the very next minute and obtained a 25 meter penalty kick which was successfully put over by full back Saliya Kumara. This reduced Singapore’s lead to 6-3.
After that Sri Lanka’s sharp and nippy players dominated the game and scrum half Roshan Weerarathne put over 25 meter drop kick and drew level at six all (6-6) before the half time.
Encouraged by the fighting qualities of his team mates full back Saliya Kumara was snap on target
With another 15 meter penalty which shot Sri Lanka into the lead at 6-9. A few minutes later Sri Lanka’s play maker scrum half Roshan Weerarthne picked up a loose ball and found the gap to touch down by the left corner flag. Saliya Kumara was on target with his kick and Sri Lanka increased their lead to 16-6.
A few minutes later Singapore counter attacked and collected a converted try through winger which reduced the margin to 13-16. Once again the scores were leveled at 16-16 after Singapore converted a 25 meter penalty.
However Sri Lanka’s never-say-die die attitude proved to be a thorn in the flesh for Singapore when fly half Chanaka Chandimal opened the gap with a smart a grubber, picked up the ball and passed to dashing centre Chamara Vithanage who touched down by the left corner flag. Saliya Kumara added the extra two points and sealed Singapore’s fate at 16-23.
Earlier in the third place play-off match, Malaysia stunned Chinese Taipei 35-8 . |
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