Sri Lanka into Cup Quarters -Asian Sevens Series Second Leg….

Once again Sri Lanka made costly mistakes as defending champions Hong Kong finished on top in Group B in their first round matches of the second leg of the Asian Sevens Series worked off here at the SCG Stadium, Nonthaburi, Thailand yesterday.

In their last group match Hong Kong defeated Sri Lanka by 33 (five tries, four converted) points to 14 (two converted tries).
Hong Kong intercepted the Sri Lanka ball three times, much to the disappointment of the team. “Can’t afford to make mistakes like that against a fancied team like Hong Kong” said Sri Lanka coach Englishman Matt Turner.

“I told the guys to outwork the opposition and not to out skill,” said the former England sevens player.
During the first half forward Gayan Weeraratene found the gap to score under the post and Marija converted to level the scores 7 all, but in the next minute a bad mistake by the experienced Dinusha Chathuranga led to Hong Kong regaining the lead (14-07) before the short whistle.

In the second half the Sri Lanka players made more mistakes, which enabled Hong Kong to score three more converted tries, while Sri Lanka managed only one try through skipper Fazil Marija.
Sri Lanka will now take on Group D champions China today at 9.14 a.m. (SL time) in the Cup quarter final, which is also going be a tough encounter. China finished on top of Group D after beating Thailand and Malaysia. Sri Lanka lost to China in the Cup semis in the first leg which was held in China recently.

Sri Lanka coach Matt Turner speaking to Ceylon Toda said he expects to make a few changes to the starting line-up against China.
However, Sri Lanka started the tournament on a high note after registering a one sided 36 points to nil victory over Chinese Taipei. Tuskers took a comfortable 22-0 lead at the short whistle.

In the opening game Sri Lanka made less mistakes, which helped them to win against Taipei.
Nigel Ratwatte who returned to the team after missing the first leg, touched down twice, while scrum half Srinath Sooriyabandara, forward Gayan Weeraratne, second half replacement Richard Dharmapala and Sudharshana Muthuthanthri scored one try each for Tuskers.
During the opening day UAE registered a shock win over Philippines (12-07).