Lanka power too much for the UAE

The young Lions clinched the shield segment for the year 2010 by convincingly beating a much fancied UAE team in the final by 31-19. Sri Lankan who were given a wakeup call by the rest of the international teams yesterday, came in to form during the second day of the tournament with some scintillating rugby. 

 

Srinath Sooriyabandara who was a corner stone for the Lankans this year proved to be a handful for the opponents scoring as many as 7 tries in the tournament. He was the highest individual scorer in the Lankan team and played a pivotal role in both attack and defence. He was always the man in support and gave in some of his customary nippy runs which simply bamboozled the opposition. Chanaka Chandimal who played at the fly half position too gave in some solid performances during both the Semi final and the final. 

 

Sajith Saranga who was off colour yesterday, kicked started his engine and came to work today putting on a splendid performance of power rugby. The big man hit the short gaps and came in support from depth and gave in some good covering tackles during the semi’s and the finals but unfortunately limped out of the field due to an injury in the final. 

 

The final match for the shield which kicked off started with none other than Srinath Sooriyabandara going over for a try near the stick to take an early lead in the game. The momentum in which the Lankans came in to the game was just what they needed having beaten Malaysia 31-7 in their Semi finals. UAE hit back immediately with a superb try under the post. The diminutive half back Dilan de Soyza then scored peach of a try to take the lead in the first half. It was a well worked try and Dilan who sucked in the defence went over to put the hosts ahead. Chanaka Chandimal then came to the party with a peach of a try. The Lankan fly half who took an inside pass who Vishwamithra Jayasinghe sprinted a good 60 meters to score under the post. Half time score – 24-07

 

Srinath ‘Podi’ Sooriyabandara then went over for another try near the uprights to increase the lead at the resumption. Srinath showed sheer pace and determination to cross the finishing line and stepped two defenders in the process.  

 

The lads from the UAE came out with some spirited rugby in the second half of the game stringing on some good phases but the Lankan fort held firm amidst the stormy waters for some time but could not stop Duncan Murray, who went over to score the second try for UAE. UAE who were attacking in most parts of the second half gave away a gift of a try to the young Anurudda Wilwara who sprinted to score the final try for the home team. It was Radhika Hettiarachchi whose quick hands enabled the centre to score the try and increase the lead. During the dying stages of the game the UAE side crossed over for a consolation try but the Lankans ended as the deserved winners of the Shield section.  A comprehensive win after going down to Kazakhstan in the quarter final stages, a brilliant performance and most of all, ‘A LANKANVICTORY’. 

 

Sri Lanka’s performance at the Carton rugby sevens 

 

7th Match – Sri Lanka vs. South African vipers – 33 to 19 for SA Vipers 

 

16th Match – New Zealand Legends vs. Sri Lanka - 52 to 5 to New Zealand Legends 

 

20th match – China vs. Sri Lanka – 26 to 19 for China 

 

27th Match – Kazakhstan vs. Sri Lanka 27 – 7 to Kazakhstan

 

34th Match  – Sri Lanka vs. Malaysia – 31 – 7 to Sri Lanka

 

Shield Final – Sri Lanka beat UAE 31-19