By Ranil Prematilake in Al Ain – United Arab Emirates

A rather tired looking Sri Lanka recorded a consolation 26-12 win over Malaysia in the 7th/8th play-off final in the eight nation men’s Asian Sevens Series 2022 – 3rd edition last evening at the Al Amblers RFC in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. Converted tries by Tharinda Ratwatte and Akash Madushanka gave Sri Lanka a 14-00 lead at the breather and the effort was followed up by tries through Kavindu Perera and Chathura Seneviratne in the second half. This turned out to be the solitary win for Sri Lanka who suffered four successive defeats in the run up to the game.  

Earlier in the day, a ray of hope turned into a decimation as a late three try burst by South Korea condemned Sri Lanka to its worst Asian Sevens Series performance. Having led 17-07 with a couple of minutes into the second half, Sri Lanka lost direction and focus to allow South Korea to record a 26-17 win  in the second Plate semi-final.

The game started on a positive note for Sri Lanka with Tharinda Ratwatte scoring a brace. In the 4th minute of play Tharinda sold a dummy to score a peach of a try, described by the live commentary panel as ‘world class’ and then hit a gap set up by Nigel Ratwatte to put the finishing touches on the second try, which Nigel converted. South Korea touched down in between the two Sri Lankan tries for the scores to read 12-07 at half time in favour of Sri Lanka.

Nigel Ratwatte put on his dancing shoes after resumption of play warding off defenders and speeding by the left flank to score a scintillating 60-metre try. What followed was the South Korean try feast ably facilitated by sloppy and erratic Sri Lankan ball handling.    

On a careful scrutiny of the performance from an overall perspective, it is pertinent to place on record that although the players did not at any point of time attribute the failed mission to the delayed arrival in Al Ain occasioned by varied circumstances, it could definitely be termed a contributory factor for the sub-standard performance on day one by a Sri Lankan side of whom much was expected. Arriving at the team hotel in Al Ain during the early hours of Friday (2.30 a.m.) resulted in a jet lagged squad having to forego the possibility of a solitary training session and in effect walking straight into the tournament opener the next morning.

Sri Lanka’s Aaqil Jamaldeen refereed the Women’s Cup Championship Final which was won by China defeating Japan 21-14.  

The overall men’s championship was claimed by Hong Kong who emerged victors in all three editions, while the women’s championship went to China.  

Results of yesterday’s men’s matches:
Plate semi-finals: Philippines beat Malaysia 33-07, South Korea beat Sri Lanka 26-17,
Cup semi-finals: Hong Kong beat Japan 33-07, UAE beat China 26-21.
7th/8th play-off final: Sri Lanka beat Malaysia 26-12
Plate final: Philippines beat South Korea 24-19
3rd /4th play-off final: Japan beat China 33-21
Cup final: Hong Kong beat UAE 21-05

Photo: Sri Lanka’s Srinath Sooriyabandara (right), Nigel Ratwatte (centre) and Akash Madushanka (left) comes up in defence against South Korea – Picture courtesy Asia Rugby