Philippines outfit showed what overseas exposure can do to their rugby when they went pass Sri Lanka by 28 Points (3 Tries, 2 Conversion, 3 Penalties) to 18 Points (2 Tries, 1 conversion, 2 Penalties) at the HSBC Asian Five Nations Tournament worked off in Manila yesterday.
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| Lankan place kicker Reza Mubarak putting points on the board. |
The home team was at a huge advantage where 10 of their players do their club contracts in Australia, Japan and USA.
At the short breather winners led 23 points to 3.
The game was played at a hectic pace with the home team settling down very early in the game. Philippine forwards looked very mobile, fast compared to the Sri Lankans. Lankans paid heavily when they took almost 30 minutes to settle down where the Philippine lads scored 2 converted tries and three penalties during this period. The weight differences between the two packs were only 7 KG favouring the home team.
Philippine fly half Oli Saunders drew first blood when he was on target with a penalty kick at goal earlier in the second minute of the game. Six minutes later Saunders added another penalty to take a 6-0 lead when Sri Lanka failed to settle down looking like worn out and tired of playing three games within 7 days time. Saunders added another penalty kick to take 9-0 lead
Second rower Sharo Fernando was carried off the field injured with Gayan Ratnayake replacing him. In the 13th minute of the game off a sweeping three quarter move full back Michel Letts scored a try for Saunders to add the extra 2 points. Twenty minutes later Winger Joe Mathews dashed down the wing for a try. Saunders added the extra 2 points. In the initial half Saunders contributed 13 points for the home team. Sri Lanka at last showed signs of settlement when Reza Mubarak was on target with a penalty kick. On stroke of Half time Reza Mubarak missed a difficult 45 meter penalty.
After the turn around with Namal Rajapaksa taking the field Sri Lanka played with better coordination and understanding and put the home team under severe pressure. Gayan Ratnayake scored off a forwards rush. Minutes later Flanker Sumedha Malawana touched down. Reza Mubarak added the extra 2 points to cut the deficit 23-15. Reza Mubarak took Sri Lanka within 5 points when he was on target with a kick at goal. But Philippine lads had other ideas. Their fast running centre Justin Convey scored to take an unbeatable lead 28-18 and advance to the top five in the Asian Five Nation in 2013.
Referee-Taizo Hirabayabashi (Japan) |
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