Hong Kong outplay Sri Lanka 48-3
By Ranjan ANANDAPPA
Sri Lanka were completely outplayed in all departments of the game as
the challenge posed by Hong Kong was too much for the hosts as Hong Kong
beat Sri Lanka by 48 points (5 goals), 2 tries and a penalty) to 3 (a
penalty) in a decisive Asian Five Nation rugger match played at Longden
Place yesterday.
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A Hong Kong player tries to make a break through from Sri
Lanka fly half Fazil Marija and hooker Achala Perera in the
Hong Kong - Sri Lanka Asia 5 Nation rugger match played at
Longden Place yesterday. Hong Kong beat Sri Lanka 48-3.Pic.
Kavindra Perera. |
Sri Lanka and Hong Kong have met each other on three occasions during
the past decade, and the Lankans were unable to beat them. Sri Lanka and
Kazakhstan are still in need of a win in the tournament.
Sri Lanka's chances of remaining in the Asian Five Nation (A5N) took
a nose dive after this defeat and now they will have to win at least one
of the two remaining games, with Kazakhstan in Almady on May 14 and
Japan on May 21 in Colombo at the CR & FC ground in Longden Place.
Hong Kong played with superb understanding with the forwards and the
back division combining well. Their forwards were spearheaded by lock
forward Michael Waller with Nigel Taylor, Renuo Hobler and Hewson Mark
outstanding and fly half Keith Robertson and winger Lee Jones giving the
finishing touches.
Sri Lanka's defence was found wanting and overall looked disjointed.
If the Lankans are to make any impact in the remaining two games they
will have to form a better defence and fire from all cylinders.
The Lankans did well to hold HongKong to 22\3 at the breather.
HongKong had scored tries in the 6th and 15 minutes of the first half.
Keith Robertson opened scoring off a scrum and centre Lee Jones crashed
through the fragile Sri Lankan defence to give the visitors their second
try. Keith Robertson who played exceptionally well added the extra
points on both occasions. Sri Lanka's only consolation was a penalty put
over by Saliya Kumara.
In the second half the visitors found their fluency, and the Sri
Lankan defence wiltering under pressure Hong Kong scored almost at will.
With the Lankan defence faultering, Hong Kong were able to pierce the
gaps created and touched down under the post on most of these occasions.
The unerring kicks by fly half Keith Robertson and skipper and centre
Tom McColl helped them to accumulate the extra points. Winger Rowan
Varty and Tim Alexander were the other try scorers.
Taku Otsuki of Japan refereed.
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