Carlton Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens 2009:

Japan win Asian Title Fiji takes I’ntl Trophy

Ranjeeva Seneviratne

Japan propelled by four scintillating tries by skipper Koji Wada clinched the Asian Sevens Title of the Carlton Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens 2009 by beating Malaysia by 26 points (three goals, one try) to 7 (one goal) in the final played under floodlights at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday after trailing 5-7 at the breather.

The tournament was organized by the Tharunyata Hetak Organization in collaboration with the Interim Committee of the SLRFU.

The Malaysians opened scoring in the second minute through a try by Miho Nazri Hamid which was converted by Semi Seruvacula to give them a seven-nil lead.

Just before the breather Japan reduced the deficit when skipper Koji Wada scampered through to score an unconverted try (7-5).

The Japanese dominated play after resumption and scored three more tries. In the second minute after resumption Koji Wada burst through to touch down mid left. Fly half Kenji Shomen added the extra points to make it 12-7.

Two minutes later skipper Koji Wada crashed through for a try under the posts to give Kenji Shomen an easy kick at goal. Just before the final whistle Koji Wada once again displayed his individual brilliance to slice through the Malaysian defence to score under the posts and Kenji Shomen made no mistake with the conversion and Japan ran out worthy winners by 26 points to 7.

In the semi-finals Japan scored a runaway 40 points (five goals, one try) to 5 (one try) win over Chinese Taipei after leading 19-5 at ‘lemons’ while Malaysia brushed aside Kazakhstan by 19 points (two goals, one try) to nil after leading 12-0 at half time.

Sri Lanka who came out with a gallant display on the first day with a stunning 22-12 win over the mighty South Koreans gave a disappointing performance yesterday when they were knocked out in the Asian Plate semi-finals by Thailand 12-28 despite a fine effort by schoolboy Darshana Etipola who scored both tries and converted one of them. Earlier in the Cup quarter-finals Sri Lanka were beaten by Kazakhstan by 17 points (one goal, two tries) to 12 (one goal, one try) after trailing 0-17 at the breather.

Samantha Lakshan and Chula Susantha scored the tries for Sri Lanka with Lakshan adding the extra points to one of them. Two superb tries in the last two minutes by Thailand winger Kanthipong Meepin gave them a thrilling 15 points (three tries) to 12 (one goal, one try) win over South Korea in the final to take the Asian Plate Title after trailing 5-7 at the breather.

Thailand opened scoring through an unconverted try by Warongkorn. South Korea replied with a try by Park Soonchai which was converted by fly half Yun Hisu to give them a 7-5 lead and they increased it to 12- 5 when Yun Hisu fell over for an unconverted try. Thailand fought back to score those two splendid tries by Kanthipong Meepin which gave them the title.

Digicel Fiji Barbarians turned in a dazzling display of rugby to win the International Title with a smashing 38 points (four goals, two tries) to 12 (one goal, one try) win over South African Vipers in the final after leading 19-7 at ‘lemons’.

South Africa went into the lead with a try by Brian Shabangu with Bernardo Botha adding the extra points. Fiji replied with a try by Niumania Rokobu. Fiji went on the offensive once again to score two more splendid tries through William Ryder and Osea Kounisau both of which were converted to give Fiji a 19-7 lead at the breather.

Fiji maintained their supremacy in the second half to score three more tries through Osea Kounisau (two) and Niumania Rokobu with William Ryder converting two of them while South Africa scored a consolation try through Bernardo Botha to make it 38-12 at the final whistle.