Madagascar in exciting 17-12 win

by Ranjan Anandappa

A fine piece of individual brilliance during the latter part of the game by winger Roskotoariveld Benjamina who ruthlessly cut through the Sri Lankan defence to score a try helped Madagascar to draw first blood beating Sri Lanka by 17 points (1 goal and 2 tries) to 12 (4 penalties) in the opening match of the Dialog Serendib Rugby Tournament match played at the Race Course grounds at Reid Avenue yesterday.

Reza Mubarak the Sri Lankan place kicker kept the sides hopes flickering putting over four penalties with a 12/10 lead until the 35th minute of the match. But the Lankans hopes were dashed when Madagascar winger Benjamina Mandimby produced a penetrating run to score and Rakato Harison who missed two conversions and two penalties earlier in the game made no mistake with a vital kick to put the visitors in a winning.

The Madagaskar scoreline would have looked more impressive if Harrison had put over the earlier conversions.

The Lanakans opened scoring early in the fifth minute when Reza Mubarak put over a 35 meter penalty. There after the visitors made two daring advances to the Sri Lankan territory but were unable to score as they knocked on once close to goal line and later was deprived scoring due to a forward pass. In the 13th minute Madagascar was awarded a penalty but Harrison was off target.

Madagascar after missing a scoring opportunity hit back when winger Alain Rokotovie scored an unconverted try. Mubarak then put over two penalties to give Sri Lanka a 9-5 lead at the breather.

Sri Lanka lacked the cohesion and was constantly dropping the ball. Thier three quarter line was in disarray and lacked the sharp penetrative qualities to rattle the visitors. Madagascar although lost valuable points through their inacurate kicking, looked dangerous when their back division was on the move. They played well in attack and defence . The Lankans after conceding a 17-12 lead desperately tried to take the initiative with a terrific onslaught driving into rucks and mauls during the dying stages of the game. But the visitors stood firm forming a tight defence making sure that no one could sneak into their goal area. For the visitors winger Alain Rokotovie scored two tries and the match winning try came from Rokotoariveld Benjamino.