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| Thursday, 1 July 2004 |
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Win 35-14: Sri Lanka stun Thailand by Chris Dhambarage Sri Lanka pulled off a stunning 35 points to 14 points win over Thailand in their IRB World Cup qualifying round rugby tournament match played at the CR and FC grounds, Longden Place yesterday. The Lankans collected their points from two goals, three tries and two penalties while Thailand managed to score only two goals. The Lankans put up a splendid performance during the first half to restrict the opposition to just a solitary try. This was mainly due to some excellent work from the forwards who were backed up well by the speedy three quarters. Their performances really surprised the visitors who were expected to pile up a big score in this encounter. Sri Lanka played to their strength while matching the Thailand forwards and also launching a couple of real threatening moves from the line outs and from the set pieces. The three quarters then mesmerised the Thailand defence with their occasional dummy passes and through some intelligent play. Sri Lanka opened scoring in the 11th minute of play when full back T. A. Silva obliged with a 30 metre penalty to give his side a three nil lead. But Thailand hit back three minutes later when prop forward Chinapong Sophomanc barged over for a classic try with skipper Tanongsak Sirach adding the extra points to give them a 7-3 lead mid way in the first half. The Lankans launched a fresh assault in the second half with full back T. A. Silva converting his second penalty to reduce the margin to just a solitary point 6-7. This was followed by three magnificent tries from the home side who really gave the visitors a torrid time with a combination of power and science. First it was crack number eight Rajiv Ganapathy who charged in with the entire pack supporting him and to touch down almost under the post. T. A. Silva added the extra points and the Lankans had taken the lead 13-7. This was followed by a brilliant solo effort from the dynamic Radhika Hettiarachchi who covered nearly 50 metres before falling over near the corner flag for a spectacular try. The Lankans then almost sealed the game in their favour with Pradeep Basnayake scoring their third try with T. A. Silva again failing with the conversion. Winger Radhika Hettiarachchi then added the finishing touches in style while running down two more tries following a series of sweeping three quarter moves. |
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