Sri Lanka in three convincing wins

By S.M. Jiffrey ABDEEN Kandy Sports Corr.

RUGBY: Sri Lanka with an unbeaten record assured themselves of a berth in the International Cup semi-finals after registering three convincing wins at the Singer-SriLankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens organised by Kandy Sports Club and co-sponsored by Amaya Leisure PLC and worked off for the second day at Nittawela yesterday.

The day provided exciting rugby Sri Lanka displaying good fitness conquered all opponents in style with winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe scoring seven tries during the day. Saliya Kumara and Mohomed Sheriff too scored tries at crucial moments for Sri Lanka to snatch the initiative.

Sri Lanka’s last game for the day was against Chinese Taipei once ranked third in Asia as they recovered from a initial shock to score a 22 points (1 goal, 3 tries) to 7 (1 goal) after leading 12-7 at the short blast.

Chinese Taipei ran up an early lead through prop Lzu Yu Cheng who after wresting possession ran nearly 60 metes unchallenged to score under the posts. Lee Chza Waang added the extra points. Chinese Taipei 7-0.

But Sri Lanka fought back gallantly in the very next minute when fullback Mohamed Sheriff took a short top and sliced through the defence to score under the posts. Saliya Kumara added the extra points for Sri Lanka to draw level 7-7.

First before the short blast Sri Lanka took over the lead when Saliya Kumara slipped a pass to Mohamed Sheriff who made a strong run to score by the right corner flag Saliya Kumara’s kick at goal hit the uprights. Sri Lanka led 12-7.

After the turn around Sri Lanka continued to dominate play. In the third minute Saliya Kumara took a short mid field short tap and covered some distance and off loaded to Pradeep Liyanage who in turn switched a pass to winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe who dived over by the right corner flag for an unconverted try. Sri Lanka 17-7.

In the 6th minute it was that man Saliya Kumara again - taking a short tap and the ball changed hands to Wasim Thajudeen and winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe did the rest to score by right corner flag.

China has also done well to win all their matches along with Malaysia and Korea. The championship appears to be firmly decided between these four teams. India turned out to be the whipping boys as they have still not scored a single point in the tournament. They will now play in the bowl championship.

In the first match Sri Lanka beat Singapore 24 points (2 goals, 2 tries to nil after leading 12-0 at the breather.

Sri Lanka opened scoring almost with the kick off when winger Sanjeeva Jayasinghe collecting a pass from scrum half Saliya Kumara ran along the line to score near the corner flag and this went unconverted.

In the 4th minute scrum half Saliya Kumara intercepted a pass midfield and showed a clean pair of heals to touch down under the posts and added the extra points himself. Sri Lanka led 12-0. They could have scored again just before the half time if not for a wayward pass from Pradeep Liyanage to Sanjeewa Jayasinghe.

But Pradeep Liyanage made amends immediately on resumption collecting a pass from fly half Fazil Marija dodged past two defenders to score far left. This try went unconverted. Sri Lank 17-0.

Sri Lanka sealed their victory through a 40-metre try by Pradeep Liyanage who scored under the posts. Scrum half Amjad Buksh who replaced Saliya Kumara added the extra points.

S. Taizo Hirabayashi refereed.

Sri Lanka won their second match when they registered a comfortable 34 points (2 goals, 4 tries) to nil win over Kazakhastan. At half-time Sri Lanka led 19-0.

Sri Lanka kept the scoreboard moving in the second minute of play through the spade work done by prop Wasim Thajudeen and winger Sanjeewa Jayasinghe who scored far right. Saliya Kumara failed to add the extra points.

The last try of the match came in the third minute of play when full back Mohamed Sheriff collected a kick ahead and ran nearly 80-metres to score under the posts and added the extra points. Sri Lanka led 12-0.

Sri Lanka increased the lead two minutes through scrum half Saliya Kumara who collecting a pass from Pradeep Liyanage squeezed his way to score far right and added the extra points himself for the home team to lead 19-0.

In the second minute of the second half fly half Fazil Marija with a powerful run scored far right. This try went unconverted. Sri Lanka led 24-0.

In the 4th minute scrum half Saliya Kumara bemused opponents defence with a fine run to score mid left but failed to add the extra points. Sri Lanka led 29-0.

Just before the final whistle centre Pradeep Liyanage made a good break and was tackled in possession but scooped the ball quickly to winger Sanjeeva Jayasinghe who ran across to touch down far right. Scrum half Amjad Buksh failed to add the extra points.