By Sandun Kodithuwakku

Sri Lanka finished in fourth position after the completion of the third-leg of the Asian Sevens Rugby Series worked off at the Racecourse Grounds in Colombo yesterday (14).

Sri Lanka’s hopes were shattered once again as they suffered an embarrassing 7-19 defeat at the hands of the Philippines in the third-place playoff.

Sri Lanka of course, suffered four injuries during the third-place playoff and found it difficult to recover.

Meanwhile, Japan underlined their supremacy in Asian Sevens Rugby as they defeated Hong Kong 19-5 in the Men’s Cup Championship final, to remain unbeaten in the three-legged event.

With this win, Japan secured their berth at the World Sevens Series while Hong Kong qualified for the World Sevens Series Qualifiers.

In the Women’s segment, Japan stamped their class for the third time in the Asian Sevens Series while the Sri Lanka Women’s Team finished fifth in the tournament.

Earlier, in the Cup semi-final, Sri Lanka began on a negative note when Kavindu Perera faild to clear the ball, which ended up producing the first try for the Philippines.

This opened up the floodgates as the Philippines scored back-to-back tries to grab a 14-0 led.

But Naveen Henakankanamage displayed his individual brilliance, as he dodged several defendes to touch down and have the score reading 14-7 at the end of the first half.

Results:

Women’s Plate semi-finals: Thailand beat South Korea 26-10, Sri Lanka beat Singapore 40-0.

Women’s Cup semi-finals: Japan beat Kazakhstan 26-12, Hong Kong beat China 17-7.

Men’s Plate semi-finals: China beat South Korea 39-7, Malaysia beat Chinese Taipei 19-12. Men’s Cup semi-finals: Japan beat Sri Lanka 34-17, Hong Kong beat Philippines 19-12.

Women’s Seventh Place: South Korea beat Singapore 19-15.

Women’s Fifth Place: Sri Lanka beat Thailand 7-5.

Men’s Seventh Place: South Korea beat Chinese Taipei 15-12.

Men’s Fifth Place: China beat Malaysia 24-21.

Women’s Third Place: Kazakhstan beat China 17-7.

Men’s Third Place: Philippines beat Sri Lanka 19-7.

Women’s Cup Final: Japan beat Hong Kong 31-0.

Men’s Cup Final:

Japan beat Hong Kong 19-5.