Asian Five Nations Rugby Division I tournament:

Sri Lanka thrash Singapore 35-10

Dinesh WEERAWANSA

Sri Lanka registered a superb 35 (five goals) points to 10 (one goal and one penalty) victory over Singapore in their Asian Five Nations Rugby Division I tournament match played at Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila, Philippines yesterday.

Sri Lanka, led by dynamic Yoshitha Rajapaksa, former S.Thomas’ and Navy Sports Club captain, maintained its winning form with another dazzling performance.

The Lankans, after initial shocks, kept on attacking and never allowed Singapore to settle down, according to reports reaching here.

The Lankan team combined effectively to run in as many as five tries and all of those were converted to end up with a rich harvest of 35 points. While Sri Lanka made merry with five goals, Singapore had to be satisfied with a solitary goal and a penalty. The main contributor towards Sri Lanka's rich tally was full back Reeza Mubarak who converted all five tries and crossed the Singapore line once. Winger Sandun Herath too was in dazzling form, adding power to Sri Lanka's three quarter moves.

But it was Singapore who drew first blood when a Lankan player was blown off side to take an early 3-0 lead. But winger Herath put Sri Lankan in the lead with a spectacular try which was converted by Mubarak to make it 7-3.

However, Singapore regained the lead when they scored their first and the only try of the match through scrum half N. Groen as Sri Lanka trailed once again 7-10. But from there onwards, it was Sri Lanka all the way, scoring four more goals and showing no mercy to their opponents.

Wing three quarter Herath's second try enabled Sri Lanka to regain the lead and make it 14-10 by the short whistle.

The third if the five Lankan tries came from Mubarak, who also added extra points to make it 21-10 shortly after half time. Centre three quarter Dinusha Chathuranga, who crossed Chinese Taipei line in the previous match too, went through the Singapore defence to score Sri Lanka's fourth try which extended their lead to 28-10. The fifth Lankan goal made the final score line 35-10.

Sri Lanka would have scored at least a couple of more tries in the last 20 minutes, if not for the strong Singapore defence.

It was second successive win for Sri Lanka team in Asian Five Nations Rugby, having beaten Chinese Taipei by 36 points to 8 in their opening match of the tournament played at the same venue last Sunday.

Sri Lanka team has been scoring heavily in the two outings they had so far, reaching 35-point mark on both the occasions.

For the second time in the tournament, the Lankan forwards combined effectively with their ‘threes’ with a smooth halves combination to exert pressure on Singaporean defence.

Sri Lanka is only a match away from ending the tournament as Division 1 champions which will promote them to the main premier division of Asian Five Nations Rugby, which is conducted in five divisions.

In fact, Sri Lanka had the honour of playing in the main premier division segment last year but was relegated to division 1 after a dismal performance - three defeats and a draw.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa and his men will be looking forward to their third successive win to remain undisputed Division 1 champions in 2012 Asian Five Nations Rugby when they take on the hosts Philippines in their last match to be played at the same venue on Saturday.