Lankan women upset California Griffins 12-10

by S. M. Jiffrey Abdeen - Kandy Sports Corr.

Sri Lanka women's rugby team put up a dazzling display to defeat the visiting Griffin Girls Rugby team for California by 12 points (1 goal, 1 try) to 10 (2 tries) in their first rugby test played at the Nittawela, Kandy yesterday. At half time Sri Lanka lasses led 7-5.

A very large crowd which braved the foul weather were treated to some flavoury rugby which were gulped down with delight by the rugby fans. It was rugby with a different flavour.

Though conceding both height and weight, the Sri Lankan women ruggerite displayed exceptional skills and were in fine fettle due to the efforts of their coach Hisham Abdeen.

Sri Lankan women's team was led by prop forward from the Army Malkanthi Ratnayake who led from the front and marshalled her side with excellent leadership. Others who excelled were winger Sandika Hema Kumari (Army), No. 8 Hirosha Fernando (Slimline SC), centre Dinusha Edirisinghe (Air Force), full back Chathurika Mayuri (Slimline SC) and winger Ayesha Perera (Army) who played a major role in Sri Lanka's victory.

The game produced a very high standard of rugby as it was a clash between the `deadlier' of the two species in which no quarter was asked nor given.

Sri Lanka Ladies got into an early lead when the three-quarters moved the ball and fly half Rukshani Perera punted ahead to touch down mid left. Ayesha Perera added the extra points. Sri Lanka 7-0.

But five minutes later Griffin Girls equalised when No. 8 Carissa Hsieh broke off and scored mid left. Jamie Garcio failed to added the extra points.

The second half produced more pulsating rugby and it was as good as a club game played by the men. The rucks were equally contested and the visiting girls held sway in the line outs. The loose play to were fought out fiercely and on an even Keel.

In the 10th minute of the second half the visiting ruggerites kept play deep inside the Sri Lanka territory forcing a few scrums. They were warded a penalty a couple of metres in front of the posts. No. 8 Talia Carrasquillo taking the short tap scored mid right. Janie Garcio failed to add the extra points. Griffin led 10-7.

But two minutes later Sri Lankan girls hit back with all the ferocity they could to upset the visitors. A cross kick mid field was well collected by winger Sandika Hema Humari who ran along the line slipping tackles and came around to score under the post. This try went unconverted but Sri Lanka had taken over the lead 12 - 10.

They held on to this lead till the final blast.

Before the commencement of the match the two teams were introduced to the Chief Guest and Governor of the Central Province Tikiri Kobbekaduwa and guest of honour Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force and President of SLRFU Roshan Gunatillake and the president of the Central Province Rugby Football Union, Mohan Samarakoon who was also the prime mover of this historic match.

Gerald Rasiah referred.