Asian Five Nations Rugby Tournament: Sri Lanka in smashing 39

Sri Lanka launched their campaign for the HSBC Asian Five Nations title with a smashing 39 (four goals, one try, two penalties) to 8 (one try, one penalty) win over Chinese Taipei at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 6 – 3 at lemons.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Cooperative and internal trade Minister Johnston Fernando enjoying Sri Lanka’s victory against Chinese Taipei at the HSBC Asian Five Nations tournament at Havelock Park yesterday. Picture by Chandana Perera

Chief guest at yesterday’s Sri Lanka vs Chinese Taipei HSBC Asian Five Nations tournament match at Havelock Park, First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa is being introduced to the team by skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa (left). Picture by Chandana Perera

After being contained in the first half, the Sri Lankans got their act together in the second half to pile up 33 points . The Lankans won an abundance of possession with the duo of Dinesh Sanjeewa and Shenal Dias towering above the rest in the line outs while in the set scrums. Sri Lanka’s Namal Rajapaksa (in the first half) and Anuranga Walpola (in the second half) got the better of their vis-a-vis . The Lankan “eight” outplayed their counterparts in the loose. Skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa was also a source of inspiration with his fiery loose play ably supported by Henry Terrance, Namal Rajapaksa, Dinesh Sanjeewa, Sharo Fernando and Sajith Saranga.

Although, Sri Lanka dominated the first half, they could not make much headway due to their three quarters spilling passes at crucial moments.

The Lankans went ahead in the 24th minute when Full Back Reza Mubarak fired across a 25 metre penalty. The went ahead further in the 36th minute when Mubarak made no mistake in the 40 metre penalty.

On the stroke of half time Chinese –Taipei reduced a deficit when Fly Half Chin Pin Wang put over 25 metre penalty to make it 6 – 3 at breather.

Sri Lankans dominated play in the second half . In the second minute after resumption off a second phase man move Sri Lanka’s Winger Chamara Dabare burst through 20 metres to fall over for an unconverted try by the left corner flag.

In the 11th minute of the second half , Skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa who had a grand game powered his way to score by the corner flag from a short tap. Reza Mubarak made a splendid conversion (Sri Lanka 18 -3) Seven minutes later, Fly Half Fazil Marija followed a kick by Full Back Reza Mubarak collected and scored under the post to give Mubarak an easy kick at goal (25 – 3). In the 24th minute Fazil Marija smothered a clearance kick by his opposite number picked up and scored under the post. Mubarak made no mistake with the conversion to make it 32 – 3.

Nine minutes before the final whistle, substitute strongly buily Sumedha Malewana crashed through for a try off a second paceman under the post to give Roshan Weeraratne an easy kick at goal.

A few minutes before the final whistle, Ming Che Chuan scored a consolation try for Chinese Taipei by the corner flag with Chih Hsiang Pan missing the conversion and Sri Lanka ran out worthy winners.Nicolas Long of Hongkong refereed.

Earlier Thailand came up with a stunning performance to beat the more fancied Kazakhstan by 33 points (three goals, four penalties) to 10 (two tries) after leading 17 – nil at the breather.Pichhit Yangcharoen (two) and Sirichai Dao (one) scored the tries for with Sirichai converting his try while Warongkorn Khamkoet converted two and fired across four penalties. Alexender Zaharov and Alexender Zolotukhin scored two uncoverted tries for the losers.

First lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was the chief guest and was introduced to the two teams before the match.

Sri Lanka in smashing 39 – 8 win