The second string Sri Lanka Sevens Rugby Team suffered two losses on the opening day of the Shanghai Rugby Sevens Tournament worked off in Shanghai China. Today Sri Lanka will meet the defending champions South Korea at the same venue.
In the first game Sri Lankans were thrashed by much fitter and bigger Hong Kong lads 40-7. Hong Kong led 26-0 at the short breather. In the second half the Lankans stood up well in defending. Sri Lanka’s only try was scored by Charith Seneviratne. Saliya Kumara added the extra points.
In the second outing the Lankans were edged out by the hosts China 21-19. Skipper Pradeep Liyanage, Sajith Saranga and Charith Seneviratne scored the tries for Sri Lanka. Saliya Kumara converted two of the tries. At the short breather China led 14-7.
In the last game the Sri Lankans got the better of little known Philippines outfit 36-14. At the short breather Lankans were leading 12-5
For Sri Lanka tries were scored by Saliya Kumara (3), Gayan Weeraratne and Charith Seneviratne
The shock on day 1 was when Malaysia (five Fijians in the side) beat Asian Giants Japan 26-22 in one of the Group matches.
The Shanghai Rugby Football Club hosted this tournament once again for the second consecutive year. This tournament under the eyes of the IRB (International Rugby Union) Asian Sevens Series and saw 12 international teams, 16 amateur club teams, 4 international women's teams, and 2 veterans team battling it out for supremacy.
The top six teams after the two ranking legs of the Series - the other is the Borneo Sevens on 30-31 October - will book their place to the prestigious Hong Kong Sevens.The following are participating teams. |
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