Sri Lanka into semis with a perfect group stage
Competing in Pool A at the tournament in Bihar, India, the young Tuskers topped the standings with three wins from three matches and will face the Group B runner-up in their semi-final clash today.
Their campaign began with a nail-biting 24-19 victory over Hong Kong China, a match that tested their grit as much as their skill. Hong Kong struck first through Matthew Richard’s early try and conversion, taking a 7-0 lead. Sri Lanka hit back in style, with Gayan Perera crossing twice in quick succession and converting one to edge ahead 12-7 at the break.
An action from Sri Lanka U20 vs China U20 match
The second half was a rollercoaster. William Stubbings and James Kee touched down for Hong Kong, with Richard adding both conversions to give them a 19-12 advantage. But the Tuskers refused to crumble. Shenal Silva’s darting run reduced the deficit, and Pasindu Bandara’s conversion brought the scores level. With the clock winding down, Shaahid Zumri burst through the defence to score the decisive try. The conversion drifted wide, but Sri Lanka’s defence held firm to secure a hard earned opening win.
If the Hong Kong match was about digging deep, the 24-5 win over India in their second game was all about dominance and game control. Sri Lanka got off to a dream start as Silva crossed the line just six seconds after kick-off, with Rushen Bandaranayake adding the extras. Silva struck again soon after, before Zumri’s power and pace stretched the lead to 17-0.
India found a response through Karan Rajbhar’s try, but the Tuskers’ defence stayed organised, taking a 17-5 lead into halftime. The second half saw more composed rugby from the visitors, with Gimana Wijeyarathna’s try and Bandaranayake’s conversion pushing the score to 24-5.
Their final group match against UAE proved a tense affair, ending in a narrow 26-24 triumph. Sri Lanka looked sharp early on, with Bulathsinghala scoring and converting his own try for a 12-0 lead after Silva made the early break through with an unconverted try But his subsequent yellow card opened the door for UAE, and Archie Evanson-Goddard capitalised with two tries, one converted by Henry Turner, to level the scores before the break.
The second half delivered end-to-end drama. Udeesha Rathnayake restored Sri Lanka’s lead, converting his own try to make it 19-12. Turner then hit back for UAE, levelling once again at 19-19. But the Tuskers’ resilience shone through, as Nazar Mohamed crossed over, with Mahathir Raban adding the conversion for a 26-19 advantage. UAE struck late through Tomas Wells, but crucially missed the conversion, allowing Sri Lanka to escape with a perfect group stage record intact.
With the group stage now behind them, the young Tuskers will turn their focus to today’s semi-final against the Group B runner-up. A place in the final, and potentially the title lies within reach, though tough battle expected.
Men’s Cup Semi Final Sri Lanka U20 v China U20 Hong Kong China U20 v Malaysia U20
Sri Lanka U20 Women fall short of semis
Sri Lanka Women’s U20 side experienced mixed fortunes in Pool C of the Asia Rugby Emirates U20 Men & Women 7s 2025 in Bihar, India. They opened with a heavy 55-0 defeat to a ruthless China outfit, who dominated from the outset with blistering pace, clinical finishing, and unrelenting pressure. Sri Lanka regrouped superbly against Nepal, with Naduli de Silva’s early try and conversion setting the tone. Further scores from Ishini Kaveesha and Sarini Nayanatara gave them a 19-0 halftime lead, and despite Nepal’s spirited second-half fightback, Sri Lanka sealed a 21-10 win. Their final pool clash saw Uzbekistan strike early through Feruza Yangiboeva and build a 21-0 halftime advantage. Sarini Nayanatara’s try gave Sri Lanka hope, but Yangiboeva’s late surge secured a 28-5 result for Uzbekistan. With one win and two losses, Sri Lanka missed out on the semi-finals.