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Singer-SriLankan Airlines International Rugby Sevens
Thailand too hot to handle
By Aubrey Kuruppu
Thailand 26, Sri Lanka 10
Sri Lanka, who pulled off a 26 -10 win over Kazakhstan in their first pool game, found the Thais too hot to handle and succumbed to defeat by the same margin of their win at the Singer Srilankan Airlines rugby Sevens played at the picturesque Nittawela Stadium.

Pradeep Liyanage and Sanjeeva Jayasinghe produced the Sri Lankan tries against Thailand. These two, together with Buksh and Chaturanga were the pick of the local team. The Thais kept it very tight and then of a sudden burst through with a terrific burst of speed. There was really no one in the Sri Lankan side who could penetrate the Thai defensive wall. To be fair by the Sri Lankans, they produced a better show in the second half but the early damage could not be repaired.

China thrashed India by 77 points to nil but were in turn at the receiving end when the Japanese pegged them back. Japan, Korea, Chinese Taipei and Thailand look the best of the teams. The Chinese Taipei players were extremely physically in their approach and their speed of hand and foot was most eye-catching.

Korea, Malaysia, Japan and Sri Lanka are in one group of the cup quarters, while the other contains Thailand, China, Chinese Taipei and Arabian Gulf. Singapore, Kazakhstan, Guam and India are in the semis of the Bowl event.

In the cup semi final for schools, the sturdily built Peterites tasted dizzy success by trouncing Royal 39-7. However their nemesis, Kingswood, is waiting for them in tomorrows final. Kingswood beat Ananda 39-0.

International matches
Malaysia 19 Guam 14
Sri Lanka 26 Kazakhstan 10
China 77 India 0
Arabian Gulf 24 Singapore 0
Chinese Taipei 40 Malaysia 7
Thailand 26 Sri Lanka 10
Japan 31 China 5
Korea 40 Singapore 7

Sri Lanka who led 12-5 at half time in the match against Kazakhstan, finally won 26-10. Jayasinghe, Bandaranaike, Buksh and Liyanage scored the tries.

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