 Sri Lanka is Asia’s newest Top 5 team after winning HSBC A5N DI
Final
Sri Lanka has climbed close to
the top of Asian rugby’s totem pole after beating Singapore 23-16 in a
thrilling final of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations Division I tournament
played. In the 3rd/4th place play-off, Malaysia achieved its primary
objective by retaining its Division I status after winning the
relegation match against a young Chinese Taipei XV, 35-3.
After being pushed to the limit against Malaysia in Wednesday’s Semi
Final, the hosts and top seeds Singapore could not withstand a second
charge from Sri Lanka. The visitors turned in a comprehensive
performance in wet and humid conditions at Singapore’s Yio Chu Kang
stadium to emerge as Division I champions for the first time in three
years. Sri Lanka will now be promoted to the elite Top 5 competition in
Asian rugby starting in 2011.
From the earliest moments of the match, Sri Lanka’s kicking strategy
and ability to involve its speed and superior handling out wide had the
Singaporeans under pressure. Sri Lanka struck first after the halftime
interval with a second penalty from Kumara edging them ahead 9-6 in the
43rd minute. Five minutes later, Weeraratne again popped up, this time
finishing off a great roving forward movement to touch down in the
corner for the first try of the game, pushing Sri Lanka ahead 16-6 after
Kumara’s conversion.
 Sri Lanka seemed on the verge of fading as it conceded another
penalty this time from 40m which was beautifully converted by Burns
despite the baying of a very strong and loud contingent of Sri Lankan
fans in the stadium. At 16-all with 20 minutes on the clock the action
seemed a reprise of Singapore’s earlier match against the Malaysians
where Singapore found just enough to keep their opposition out of the
win column. But this time it was not to be for the Rugby Lions as the
Sri Lankans simply refused to lose. Sri Lanka now becomes the 7th team
to take part in the elite Top 5 competition since the inception of the
HSBC A5N in 2008.
(courtesy www.heavensgame.com)
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