Radhika and Lakala played a key role in Lanka’s success

Ranjeeva SENEVIRATNE

Sri Lanka propelled by their power-packed forwards and the individual brilliance of full back Radhika Hettiarachchi and winger Lakala Perera scored a smashing 26-10 win over China in the curtain raiser of the Singer Rugby Asiad on Saturday at Longden Place.

A persistent drizzle throughout the match and the soggy ground conditions made it difficult for three quarters of both teams to handle the wet ball. After resorting to kick ahead tactics in the first half the Sri Lankans set their ‘threes’ in motion on several occasions in the second half and were rewarded with three splendid tries in the second session.

Full back Radhika Hettiarachchi and winger Lakala Perera played a key role in Sri Lanka’s success.

Radhika fashioned Sri Lanka’s first try when he chip kicked over a Chinese defender which was collected by fly half Fazil Marija who slipped out a pass to Hettiarachchi who in turn sent winger Lakala Perera to score mid right.
 

Radhika had the honour of scoring the team’s second try when a Chinese defender failed to collect a kick by a Sri Lankan player and Radhika who followed it booted the ball and fell on it in the in-goal area.

Incidentally Lakala scored Sri Lanka’s best try when off a scrum in the Sri Lanka ‘25’ fly half Fazil Marija made a break and sent out a pass to centre Lasintha de Costa who sliced through the Chinese defence and slipped out a pass to winger Lakala Perera who sped over 30 metres to score mid left.

Six minutes before the final whistle winger Sanjeeva Jayasinghe who was kept in close check by his opposite number collected a desperate clearance kick by a Chinese defender and dashed through for 35 metres to fall over by the corner flag for a glorious try.

Strongly built Radhika joined the line to form the overlap on several occasions and powered his way through the Chinese defence while Lakala always looked dangerous with his daring runs down the flank.

The Sri Lankan ‘eight’ also gave a terrific display to outplay their counterparts in the loose. No. 8 Dushanth Lewke was a source of inspiration to his team mates with his fiery loose play and was ably supported by Bisthamin, Karthelis, Galgamuwa, Bandara and Mohamed.

Sri Lanka’s coach Rob Yule was delighted at Sri Lanka’s performance.

“They had the desire to win. The forwards played a terrific game and all of them gave of their best which helped Sri Lanka to dominate up front. No. 8 Dushanth Lewke and flanker Imran Bisthamin played exceptionally well and impressed in both attack and defence,” he said.

The boys also tackled hard and the rock hard defence put up by Sri Lanka prevented the Chinese from crossing Sri Lanka’s goal line except on one occasion said Yule who also paid a glowing tribute to Radhika Hettiarachchi and Lakala Perera for their excellent performance.

He said that Sri Lanka will be making a few changes for their next game against Malaysia on November 7 (Wednesday).