U-20 Rugby: Sri Lanka win Asian Youth 7s 1st Leg in Malaysia

The Sri  Lanka Under-20 7s Rugby thrashed South Korea by 38-0 to win the First Leg of the Asia Rugby Under-20 Series in Johor Baharu, Malaysia on Sunday (31).

Sri Lanka scored from a runaway tally of six tries and our conversions after a splendid display where the  unbeaten South Koreans were given a bashing. 

Skipper Kevin Dixon scored a try and made two conversions while Buddhima Piyaratne touched down twice. 

Deputy skipper Omalka Gunaratne, Nishon Perera and Vimukthi Rahula scored a try each while  Piyaratne and Shamri Burah converted a try each. 

Earlier in the Cup semi-finals Sri Lanka beat Malaysia 29-14 while South Korea beat the formidable Japan side 24-19 to reach the final. 

Japan won the third place after thrashing Malaysia 41-0.

Sri Lanka beat the Philippines 22-5, Thailand 31-5 and UAE 45-5 before losing to Japan 14-19 in the Group 'B' games.

Malaysia topped Group 'A' with wins against South Korea, Hong Kong, Chinese Taipei and Singapore. 

Four Sri Lankans finished up among top point scorers in the First Leg of the series as Japan's Kotetsu Nishikawa topped with 45 points from three tries and 15 conversions. 

Skipper Kevin Dixon finished at second with 43 points (5 tries, 9 conversions) followed by Buddhima Piyaratne at third with 38 points (6 tries, 4 conversions) and Reeza Raffaideen at fourth with 35 points which came off seven tries. 

Nishon Perera finished at seventh with 32 points which came off six tries and a conversion.  

This is the first time a Sri Lankan team won a Asia Rugby Championship 

The Second Leg of the Asia Rugby Under-20 Series will be held in Hong Kong on August 12 and 13.