Asian Rugby Sevens Series 2nd leg in South Korea :

Sri Lanka qualifies for semi-finals despite loss to China

By Indika Welagedara

Sri Lanka lost to China in the very last move of the day in their last group game by 26 points (4 tries, 3 conversions) to 21 (3 tries, 3 conversions) after leading 21-19 in the Asians rugby seven’s series 2nd leg, which took place in South Korea yesterday. The Tuskers led 14-12 at lemons.

Even though Sri Lanka lost they have booked a berth in the semi-finals today with the opposite group leaders South Korea, who shocked the favourite Hong Kong 28-21 with a last minute match winning try to head the group. In the other semi-final China will play Hong Kong also today.

Sri Lanka scored three tries against China through winger Saliya Handapangoda, forward Tharinda Ratwatte and replacement winger Kavindu Perera after receiving a brilliant overhead off load from that dynamic forward Omalka Gunaratne. The three conversions were put over by Srinath

Sooriyabandara, Tharinda Ratwatte and Dulaj Perera.

In their first match for the day Sri Lanka thrashed Singapore convincingly by 27 points (5 tries, 1 conversion) to 5 (1 try). At half time Sri Lanka led 12-nil. For Sri Lankan Tuskers the tries were scored by captain

Danushka Ranjan, Kavindu Perera, Tharinda Ratwatte, Srinath Sooriyabandara and Kanchana Ramanayaka one apiece. Vice-captain Dulaj Perera slotted in the solitary conversion.

In the second game Sri Lanka ran circles around the hapless Malaysians to crush them by 41 points (7 tries, 3 conversions) to 5 (1 try). The Tuskers led 15-nil at the breather.

Two tries apiece were scored by Ranjan, Hirantha Perera and Sooriyabandara and one try by Ratwatte. Dulaj Perera who came in the second half put over three conversions.

Incidentally the Sri Lankan coaching staff took skipper Ranjan off straight after the first half and rested him for the all-important last game for the day against the formidable Chinese outfit.