Asian Schools U18 Rugby Championship - Hong Kong:

Unbeaten Sri Lanka qualify for semis

by indika Welagedara

Sri Lanka dished out a spectacular brand of rugby to remain unbeaten and top pool ‘B’ on the opening day of the second Asia schools U18 Sevens rugby tournament played at Kings Park, in Hong Kong yesterday. Sri Lanka won all three matches they were scheduled to play yesterday beating Thailand 19/12, Malaysia 29/21 and Mongolia 52/0.With only one more match in their group against Cambodia today Sri Lanka are already assured of a place in the semi-finals. If they win againstCambodia they will retain top pool ‘B’ position and possibly avoid meeting favourites Hong Kong in the semi-final.Hong Kong are favourites to top pool ‘A’ with Singapore likely to finish in second place. In their opening match of the day Sri Lanka beat Thailand 19/12 after an enthralling battle. One try apiece as scored by Trinity scrum half Anuka Boyagoda, St. Joseph’s fly half Chathura Seneviratne and Trinity centre Avishka Shiek. Senaviratne put over two conversions.In the second game the Lankans engaged in a closely fought out battle against Malaysia and won 29-21 thanks to a brilliant hat-trick of tries scored by skipper and Thomian winger Henakankanamge Naveen. Boyagoda and Shiek scored the other two tries and Seneviratne slotted the two conversions.

In the third game Sri Lanka crushed hapless newcomers Mongolia by 52 points to nil to finish the day unbeaten. Sri Lanka ran tries through H.K. Naveen, Seneviratne, Sheik, St. Joseph’s winger Vinul Fernando, Isipathana vice-captain Sumudu Rankothge, St. Anthony’s Kandy winger Dinuk Amarasinghe, Isipathana scrum half Harith Bandara and winger Chamod Fernando.