SL in runaway 45-7 win over Thailand

Thushan Jayasuriya

Sri Lanka took a step closer to clinch the HSBC Asian Five Nations title with a smashing 45 points (three goals , three tries and three penalties) to 7 points (one goal) win over Thailand in their match played at Havelock Park yesterday after leading 28 – 0 at the breather .

The Lankans completely dominated play with the forwards winning an abundance of possession and the three quarters made maximum use of it by running the ball at every opportunity.

In the line outs, the Lankan duo of Shenal Dias and Sajith Saranga towered above the rest while in the set scrums.

Sri Lanka’s Sajith Saranga is held by a Thai player while attempting to sling out a pass to fly half Fazil Marija in their HSBC Asian Five Nations match played at Havelock Park yesterday which Sri Lanka won 45 - 7. Pictures by Samantha Weerasiri

Sri Lanka’s hooker Namal Rajapaksa got the better of his vis-à-vis Chawiatt Klongtrujrok. In the loose Sri Lankan ‘eight’ reigned supreme with skipper Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Shenal Dias, Namal Rajapaksa , Sajith Saranga, Sharo Fernando and Sathya Ranatunga giving of their best.

The Sri Lankans opened scoring in the 11th minute when full back Reza Mubarak fired across a 25 metre penalty.

Fifteen minutes later, off a move begun in mid field by Sajith Saranga ended up with winger Sandun Herath falling over for an unconverted try by the corner flag. (Sri Lanka led 8-0)

Six minutes later fly half Fazil Marija began a move in midfield which saw him slipping out a pass to centre Pradeep Liyanage who burst through to touch down under the post to give Reza Mubarak an easy kick at goal to make it 15 – nil. Two minutes later, winger Chamara Dabare made a powerful run on the left flank and brushed aside three defenders and ran round to score under the posts. Reza Mubarak added the extra points to make it 22 – nil.

In the 37th minute, Reza Mubarak made no mistake with a 25 metre penalty and on the stroke of half time, Reza Mubarak taking a penalty from 40 metres out sent the ball sailing over the crossbar to make it 28 - 0 at lemons.

In the fifth minute after resumption, scrum half Roshan Weeraratne took a five metre short tap and scampered through to score under the posts . Mubarak added the extra points and Sri Lanka led 35 - 0. Fifteen minutes later, off a move begun in mid field, winger Chamara Dabare gave an inside pass to centre Pradeep Liyanage who sped over 20 metres to touch down for an unconverted try by the corner flag and Sri Lanka led 40 – nil. Seven Minutes before the final whistle, Thailand scored a consolation try through winger Pichit Yangchaoren with Warongkorn Khamkoet making a splendid conversion.

Two minutes before the final whistle, off a second phase move winger Sandun Herath crashed through for a try by the corner flag. Fazil Marija missed the conversion and Sri Lanka ran out worthy winners by 45 points to 7. Warren Needham of Hong Kong refereed.

Earlier, Kazakhstan scored a runaway 42 points (two goals, two tries, six penalties) to 10 (two tries) win over Chinese Taipei after leading 26 – nil at the breather.