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by Dinesh Weerawansa

Most rugby lovers, administrators and former players welcomed Sri Lanka's narrow 9-7 win over China in the first World Cup qualifier, but stressed the importance of more improvement before they play Kazakhstan in their second World Cup qualifier in Taraz on April 21.

Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Johnston Fernando, who was a keen spectator and the chief guest at Sunday's game at Longden Place, said a lot more has to be improved in the team.

Fernando, known to be a versatile sportsman and a keen rugby promoter in the North Western Province said the Lankan team showed their inexperience and the forwards failed to take the upper hand in the scrums.

"We missed more than three scoring opportunities. Our side is good but more effort has to be put in. But what matters is that we won at the end, though more emphasis should be laid for future," Minister Fernando said. He also noted that these matches should be organised in a better way to create more spectator interest.

Former SLRFU President and ex-national player, Malik Samarawickrema said the standard of rugby dished out was very poor. "It was a game we should have won by about 30 points. China played poorly but we were even bad. There should be vital changes in the set-up. There should be a better coaching structure, which would allow the boys to come out with productive results," said Samarawickrema, better known as in the rugby circles as one of the leading promoters of the game and the live wire behind the success of the Singer Sri Lankan International rugby sevens annual tournament in Kandy.

Former Royal, CR & FC and Sri Lanka player and ex-SLRFU President, Dr. Maiya Gunasekera said Sri Lanka team's performance was below expectations and that the forwards gave a pathetic performance in scrums.

"Our scrummaging has been very poor. It was unfortunate we missed three scoring opportunities.

Our loose play has been okey, but in scrums we fared poorly. If we had dominated in scrums, we would have won the match impressively.

The line-outs were adequate, but scrappy," he said. But Dr. Gunasekera said the important thing at the end was the Lankan victory. "The important thing was we won the match. We have a good set of three quarters. We must pay special emphasis on forwards play and try to put up a better performance in the next World Cup game," he observed.

Chairman of Selectors, Group captain Tikiri Marambe was happy with the overall performance of the Sri Lanka team, though he said that a lot more effort should be made to match with Kazakhstan in the next game.

"The boys were out of rugby for about four months. When SSP Nimal Lewke had to quit, it was difficult for a new coach to take over and settle down. One cannot expect Tony Amit and CP (Abeygunawardena) to perform miracles. They did a reasonably good job," he said.

The selection committee chief noted that Sri Lanka lacked the services of several of their regulars - Nalaka Weerakkody, Harris Omar, Sajith Mallikarachchi and M.Ruwantillake. "Nevertheless, the boys tried hard, though they were not at their brilliant best. What matters is that we emerged victorious at the end. This should be a platform for us to make an improvement in the game against Kazakhstan," he noted.

Group captain Marambe said Sri Lanka made too many mistakes, giving away as many as nine penalties in the first half against two by China. "Fortunately, those were not within kicking range," he added.

The President of the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union, Cmdr. Harsha Mayadunne said it was a great win. "What mattered was a win to keep our morale high.

It was nice to win our first ever World Cup match on home soil. I am happy with the overall performance of the team. But I must say that a lot of improvement has to be made. We met immediately after the match and discussed with the coaches - Tony Amit, C.P.Abeygunawardena and Ajit Abeyratne, about our plans and strategy for the next game. I think the boys should be able to paint a better picture," he said.

Sri Lanka's next World Cup fixture will be in exactly two weeks time. Sri Lanka has one more match in the World Cup qualifying round tournament. It will be against Kazakhstan in Taraz on April 21. The Lankan team is due to arrive in Almaty, Kazakhstan before April 18, depending on their final flight confirmation

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