Japan trash Sri Lanka 90-13

Five Nations Rugby :

By Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Japan completed a sweeping 90 points (10 goals, 4 tries) to 13 (1 goal, one penalty and drop goal) win over Sri Lanka in the final of the HSBC Asian Five Nation Rugby competition at Lonngden Place yesterday.

Japan have been compelled to play their home fixture against Sri Lanka in Colombo due to Japan's recent earthquake and Tsunami disaster which had badly effecting the sporting world.

The strong Japanese remained unbeaten in the tournament and was awarded the HSBC Trophy soon after the match. The question was how stiff could be the Sri Lanka's resistance Japan thrash Sri Lanka 90-13 against the formidable Japanese outfit. The Lankans certainly gave a better display of rugby than their previous outing against Hong Kong two weeks ago. The margin of defeat is a big one, but if not for a determined display the scoreline would have exceeded the century mark.

The Lankans tackled hard at every opportunity to spoil some moves by their opponents. The home team lost their captain and number eight Sean Wijesinghe in the second minute of the game.

Wijesinghe injured his knee and was unable to get on his feet for sometime, and a stretcher was brought into the field after a lot deliberations. His replacement Ishan Noor along with Nuwan Hettiarachie was the pick of the players.

In the seventh minute Takesha Usuki scored an unconverted try off a line out but three minutes later Sri Lanka sprang into the lead when winger Chula Susantha intercepted a pass covered good ground and crossed the Japanese goal line. Saliya Kumara added the extra points.

There after the Japanese were kept at bay by some resolute tackling by the hosts.

However, Japan trailing by two points (5/7) cut loose when Toetu Taufa broke off from a ruck and scored. Sean Webb who had an excellent game with his unerring kicking added the extra points.

The visitors went on to plant three more tries prior to the short whistle through winger Alisi Tupuailai who powered his way evading several defenders. There after scrum half Fumaka Panaka and Takeshi Kitukani scored twice and Sean Webb made no mistakes with his conversions.

Japan led 31/7 at lemons.

On resumption the home team's resistance was gradually giving away and the Japanese went on a scoring spree by touching down on nine occasions and Webb added the extra points nine times. The only consolation for the home team in the second half was a calculated drop kick by Roshan Weeraratne and a fifty meter penalty put over by Nuwan Hettiarachchi.