Rugby: Sri Lanka finish third in Asia Division I Championship

The Sri Lanka Tuskers finished their Asia Division I Rugby Championship campaign with an impressive 72-17 victory over hosts Chinese Taipei.

Sri Lanka stormed into a 31-0 lead with five different try scorers crossing the whitewash. 

The Tuskers stepped up on the gas from the first whistle and went on a rampage to complete a smashing win, with a tally of 12 tries and six conversions, while leading 31-7 at halftime.

Chinese Taipei managed to score three tries and convert one of them by sneaking through the Sri Lanka defence on three successful occasions, while other attempts were neatly thwarted by the winners.

Captain Omalka Gunaratne powered his way over the line, while front row Yakoob Ali showed great footwork for their third try.

The biggest cheer of the day came as scrum-half Chung-Yu Lee darted under the posts for the hosts to the delight of the home crowd.

In the second-half Kavindu Perera and Sudharaka Dikkumura added their second tries of the match, while there was more to enjoy from Chinese Taipei.

Wei-Ming Lin and Wei-Chiang Sun added a second and third try for Chinese Taipei, but the Tuskers proved too much running in a further three tries as the hosts tired including Dinuk Amerasinghe’s second.

Afterwards, Gunaratne was proud of his young side.

“I am really proud of the boys,” said Gunaratne.

“We had a lot of younger players here and although it was a disappointing defeat to the Philippines I am proud at how we responded.

“We definitely have one eye on the future with this side and for me I am humbled to be captain. There were a lot of experienced heads to help me and as I said, I am just really proud.”