Asian Schools U18 Rugby Championship:

Sri Lanka remains unbeaten

by Indika Welagedara

Sri Lanka Under 18 rugby team led by Hena Kankanamge Naveen dished out a superb brand of Sevens rugby to top the pool being unbeaten by winning all their three games played at the second Asia schools Under 18 sevens tournament in Chinese Taipei yesterday.

In their opening match for the day they took on UAE and virtually thrashed them after a brilliant display winning 49 points (7 tries, 7 conversions) to nil. The tries were scored by skipper HenaKankanamage Naveen 2, Avishka Shiek 2, Vinul Fernando 1, Diluksha Dange 1 and Theekshana Dassanayaka 1. Harith Bandara 4, Seneviratne 2 and Anuk Boyagoda 1 put over the conversions.

In the second game the Lankans once again carried out the same momentum to thrash China by 42 points (6 tries, 6 conversions) to nil. Isipathana winger Chamod Fernando scored two tries. One try each was scored by Chathura Seneviratne, H.K. Naveen, Diluksha Dange, Anuka Boyagoda.

Seneviratne and Bandara slotted in three conversions each.

In their final game for the day Sri Lanka crushed hapless Singapore by 38 points (6 tries, conversions) to 5 (1 try) to finish a grand day by remaining unbeaten. Sri Lanka ran tries through captain H.K. Naveen 2 and 1 try each from Theekshana Dassanayaka, Avishka Sheik, Vinul Fernando and Dinuk Amarasinghe. The four conversions were put over by Seneviratne.

Sri Lanka finished top in the round robin group stage.

However going by the present form Sri Lanka will most probably play their semi-final against Singapore or China.

The clash between Philippines and host Chinese Taipei ended in a 14-all draw.