Sports
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| Spirited
Lankans clear first hurdle Sri Lanka though winning had doubts staring in their faces time and again as the speedy Thailand ruggerites took control of the game at regular intervals. Both teams had to dig deep into their resources and it was the experience of the Sri Lankans that saw them through. The Sri Lankans collected their points through seven tries, two conversions and three penalties but the Thais were hot on the heals of the visitors, replying with five tries, five conversions and a solitary penalty. The winners read the game better but the Thais ensured a torrid time to their experienced visitors fighting back to level scores 38 all just before the game went in to extra time. Sri Lanka's strong point seemed to be the scrums during which the Thais just got pushed away like a helpless log against an aggressive sea. The Sri Lanka front row that helped them stay ahead during most part of the game comprised Ranweera, Viraj Prashantha and tight head prop Dilan Ekanayake. The Thais looked very dangerous when they counter-attacked and earned tries at crucial junctures of the game to send the Sri Lankans 'back peddling'.The visitors survived their toughest period of the game during the last ten minutes of normal time when they were forced to play with 14 men. They showcased their stubbornness to stop being pressurized out of the game during this period which saw the Thais fighting back gallantly to level the scores after being led 24-38. Sri Lanka were sans Dushantha Lewke, sin binned for a stiff arm tackle, and Pavithra Fernando, out due to a blood injury. Both returned to join the team during the final moments of the game which swung Sri Lanka's way, thanks to tries by Sanjeewa Jayasinghe and skipper Sajith Mallikarachchi. Sri Lanka found it hard to contain the fleet-footed Thais who exploded into action at the slightest opportunity that came their way. The Thais capitalised on their elusive speed and were successful in changing what seemed a lop sided contest, Sri Lanka led 18-3 at one stage during the first half, to a crunch battle where no quarter was asked nor given. Sri Lanka led 18-17 at half time. The Sri Lankans found the 'heat' of the game rising with every minute and coach Simpkin was forced to stick to his starting line up during the major portion of the game. Asanga Rodrigo, Rajith Jayasundara, Anuranga Walpola and Zulki Hamid were seen warming the bench as the players who were on the field played flat out to discourage any substitutions. The others who scored for the winners were Chamara Vithanage (1), Fazil Marija (2), T.A Silva (1) and Pradeep Liyanage (1). Silva also kicked right two conversions and three penalties. Thailand's tries came off Chinapong Sophonmanee (1), Somjate Anusaen (1), Niran Khiaomani (2), Khunsuk Juntaranakorn (1) while fly half Vatchakorn Vorachate did the honours in the kicking department firing across five conversions and one penalty. |
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