Portugal, Scotland run riot against Sri Lanka

By Shamseer Jaleel reporting from Hong Kong

RUGBY: Sri Lankan Sevens rugby debacle continued when they were thrashed both by Scotland (53/21) and Portugal (47-7) yesterday at Causeway Bay in Hong Kong. They will be featuring in the Bowl quarter-finals in a "do or die" situation today morning.

The stamina and strength of the two opposition teams were far too much for the Lankans. They were in good shape in the initial half on both games despite of a few hiccups in their defence. But it lasted till only the initial half. The Kick off ball, loose play, support play and lasting the full fourteen minutes of the game were the major concerns.

They were a yard slower and lethargic in their approach and did not give one hundred percent effort in the second half which let the flood gates of tries open for the opposition teams. Adding to these concerns they played well below their usual standard, dropping far too many vital passes and never won a single ball on kick off.

Scotland scored in the opening minute of the game but the Lankan hit back immediately through a Fazil Marija try. This try was initiated by Sanjeewa Jayasinghe who dashed and dummied nearly 50 meters before passing on to Fazil. The Scottish hit back with two quick tries in no time to take a comfortable lead 17-7. But on stroke of half time Ashen Karthalies crossed over the line to cut the deficit 17-14.

Scotland cut loose in the second half as Sri Lankans lacked the fitness and looked like mere passengers to score six more tries to take the tally to 53 points. The only scoring done in this half was by Ashen Karthalies who crashed through the Scottish gates to score his second try of the game.

Though Portugal drew first blood in the very first minute of the game the Lankans hit back and took a narrow lead when Pradeep Liyanage ran over 40 meters to score a superb solo try. Fazil Marija added the extra points to take a 7-5 lead. But the lead was short lived as the visitors hit back in time for "Lemons" through a converted try. Though Portugal played with six since one of their players were in "sin bin" Sri Lankans never took advantage of the situation, could not add anything to their score.

In the second half as usual the lack of fitness and commitment by the Sri Lankan players allowed the Portugal team to cross over no less than 5 more times to take a convincing victory by 47-7.

Scores

Scotland beat Sri Lanka 53-21, Wales beat Chinese Taipei 61-0, China beat Canada 21-19, Kenya beat Italy, Argentina beat Hong Kong 19-12, Australia beat USA 15-14, Fiji beat Portugal 28-7, South Africa beat Tonga 31-12, Samoa beat Japan 54-7, New Zealand beat Russia 54-0, England beat Korea 38-14, Tunisia beat France 31-12, Portugal beat Sri Lanka 47-7, Tonga beat Chinese Taipei 49-17, Japan beat China 40-12.