Chinese Taipei beat Lanka

by Ranjan ANANDAPPA

Chinese Taipei withstood a fierce fight back from the Sri Lanka under 19 ruggerites to find a place in the Asian Rugby Youth Championship division one by defeating the host nation by 20 points (1 goal, 2 tries and a penalty) to 14 (1 try, 3 penalties) win in their Asian Youth Rugby Championship match at Havelock Park yesterday.

The winners led 13-11 at the breather.

In a match where both teams fought a compelling battle of supremacy, Chinese Taipei got the better of the Sri Lankans who faulted at crucial stages of the match by dropping the ball. The Sri Lankan three quarter line looked very impressive as they showed willingness to run with the ball, but again, at least a couple of scoring opportunities went abegging due to lack of cohesion.

The Sri Lankans had to win the match if they were to get promoted into the top division of the tournament in 2013 and be among the elite teams like Japan, South Korea and Hong Kong.

Chinese Taipei had a good first half scoring two tries through Tsen-Yu-Yu and a penalty put over by Chih-Hao-Cheng.

The Sri Lankans who managed to get their act together scored off a three quarter move off a line out by Dansha Dayan. The Lankans were trailing for a while 5-8, but some superb place kicking by centre Hirantha Perera who put over three penalties saw the home team leading 14/13.

A push over try by Lin Tzu-Hzsiang during the dying stages of the game sealed the match in favour of Chinese Taipei.

Nick Ramadan of Malaysia refereed.