Lankans fail to handle tough opposition
By Ranjan ANANDAPPA
Hosts Sri Lanka lost all three pool matches on the opening day of the
Carlton Sevens Sri Lanka 2010 rugby tournament organised by ‘Tharunyata
Hetak’ and conducted by the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union at the
Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.
Taking on the strong South African Vipers in the first game the
Lankans put up a plucky display before losing by 33 points (4 goals and
one try) to 19 (2 goals and a try) after trailing 7-21 at the breather.
Srinath Sooriyabandara planted the first try for the home team while
in the second half Anurudha Willwara scored two splendid tries.
Confronting the mighty New Zealand Legends the Lankans suffered a
heavy defeat 52 points( 6 goals, 2 tries) to 5 (a try) after trailing
0-21 at the short whistle. Winger Saliya Handapangoda scored the
solitary try.
In their last pool match against China to whom the Lankans lost 5-26
at the recent Asian Games, Sri Lanka gave a fighting display to go down
by 26 points (3 goals and 1 try) to 19 (2 goals, 1 try) after trailing
0-19 at the breather. Strongly built Sajith Saranga scored a try early
in the second half with skipper Radhika Hettiarachchi adding the extra
points. This was followed by an unconverted try by winger Saliya
Handapangoda who helped the Lankans to reduce the deficit 12-26.
However, the Chinese put the issue beyond doubt two minutes prior to the
final whistle off a converted try to make the final score 26-19. But Sri
Lanka reduced the gap through a fine converted try by Srinath
Sooriyabandara to make the score 19-26 when unfortunately time ran out
for the Lankans.
Defending champions Digicel Fiji Babarians recorded two convincing
wins against Korea 50-0, Malaysia 42-0 and drew with Spain 12-12.
The tournament is scheduled to start at 10.15 am today and the
quarter-final line up will be.
Pool ‘A’: Digicel Fiji Babarians, Spain, Korea, Malaysia.
Pool ‘B’: Australia, Kenya, Germany, Chinese Taipei.
Pool ‘C’: Samoa, Japan, Kazakhstan, UAE.
Pool ‘D’: South African Vipers, New Zealand Legends, China, Sri
Lanka.
Results of pool matches on day one
Spain beat Malaysia 29/0
Digicel Fiji Barbarians beat Korea 50/5
Australia Legends beat Chinese Taipei 45/0
Shajuu Kenya beat Germany 10/5
Japan beat Kazakhstan 10/7
Samoa Barbarians beat UAE 24/5
South Africa Vipers beat Sri Lanka 33/19
New Zealand Legends beat China 37/0
Spain beat Korea 34/9
Digicel Fiji Barbarians beat Malaysia 42/0
Australia Legends beat Germany 21/5
Shajuu Kenya beat Chinese Taipei 26/5
Japan beat UAE 32/31
Samoa barbarians beat Kazadhstan 59/9
South Africa Vipers beat China 22/7
New Zealand Legends beat Sri Lanka 52/5
Korea beat Malaysia 19/7
Germany beat Chinese Taipei 35/14
Kazadhstan beat UAE 21/7
China beat Sri Lanka 26/19
Digical Fiji Barbarians was held to a draw by Spain 12/12
Australia Legends beat Sharjuu Kenya 26/7
South African Vipers beat New Zealand Legends 12/5.
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