Singer-SriLankan Airlines Rugby Sevens from September 7 to 9

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

RUGBY: Asian Heavyweights Japan and Korea along with 10 other leading Asian countries will take part in the IRB Singer-Sri Lankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens which will be worked off at Nittawela Rugby Stadium, Kandy from September 7 to 9, 2007. The tournament is once again being organised by Kandy Sports Club.

The 12 countries which will battle it out in this year’s tournament are Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei, China, Malaysia, Thailand, Arabian Gulf, Hong Kong, India, Kazakhstan, Cambodia and host nation Sri Lanka.

Japan was a notable absentee in last year’s tournament in which Korea edged out China by 24 points to 19 in the final to clinch the Cup Championship.

Thailand bagged the Plate Championship with a convincing 26-12 win over Arabian Gulf in the final while Malaysia took the Bowl Trophy with a resounding 26-12 win over India. Host nation Sri Lanka finished fourth losing to Chinese Taipei by 7-31 in the third place play off.

Twelve top schools will take part in the schools tournament which will be conducted concurrently. Last year’s Cup Champions St. Anthony’s along with Isipatana, Kingswood, Wesley, St. Peter’s, Dharmaraja, St. Sylvester’s, Vidyartha, S. Thomas’, Ananda, Thurstan and St. Joseph’s will vie for honours in the schools tourney.

Last year St. Anthony’s, Kandy bagged the Cup Championship with a convincing 36-22 win over Isipatana in the final while Kingswood took the Plate Championship with a resounding 26-12 win over Wesley in the final while St. Sylvester’s, Kandy clinched the Bowl Trophy with a runaway 30-0 win over St. Joseph’s in the final.

Singer (Sri Lanka) Limited and SriLankan Airlines will once again be the main sponsors with Amaya Resorts as the Associate Sponsor. John Keells and Lion Breweries will be the Product Sponsors.