Sri Lanka clinch third successive Plate title

By Ranjan Anandappa in Singapore

Sri Lanka clinched their third successive Plate Championship title by beating China by 26 points (3 goals, 1 try) to 05 (1 try) in the final of the HSBC Asian Rugby Sevens Series at the Singapore Cricket Club grounds on Saturday after leading 21-05 at the breather.

Nigel Ratwatte, who had a superb tournament, opened scoring for Sri Lanka when he sped over 30 metres to touch down under the post to give Saliya Kumara an easy kick at goal. Two minutes later China reduced the deficit through an unconverted try from Lu Pen.

Sri Lanka increased their lead when Dinusha Chathuranga dashed through 25 metres to score under the post. Saliya Kumara added the extra points and Sri Lanka led 14-05. Just before the breather Sri Lanka’s Nigel Ratwatte picked up a ball and ran 20 metres to score under the post and at half time Sri Lanka led 21-05.

In the dying stages of the game Chula Susantha made a break and sliced through the Chinese defence to score near the post. Saliya Kumara missed the conversion and Sri Lanka ran out worthy winners by 26 ;points to 05. After the conclusion of the final a jubilant Sri Lanka skipper Fazil Marija received the plate trophy.

Sri Lanka entered the Plate final with a hard fought 21-14 win over Malaysia in the semi final. Sri Lanka opened scoring in the second minute when Nigel Ratwatte dashed through to touch down under the post and added the extra points himself. In the fifth minute Malaysia equalised through a try when Asunaka Laladanu scored an unconverted try and Nazreen Fitri converted to make it 7-all at the breather.

In the first minute of the second half Malaysia went ahead when Syahir Asyram scored and Nazreen Fitri added the extra points to make it 14.07. Two minutes later Sri Lanka made it 14all when Srinath Sooriyabandara scampered through to score under the post and Saliya Kumara converted.

Two minutes before the final whistle Dinusha Chathuranga scored the match winning try and Saliya Kumara added the extra points as Sri Lanka emerged victorious 21-14. Japan bagged the Cup Championship by overcoming Hong Kong by 14 points (2 goals) to 12 (1 goal, 1 try) after trailing 0-12 at half time.

Thailand took the Bowl Championship with a 26 points (3 goals, 1 try) to 15 (3 tries) win over Kazakhstan in the final.