RUSTY SRI LANKA SUBDUE GRITTY INDIA
Sri Lanka put up a brave effort in two weeks of training as a XV a side outfit to outclass India by 45 points (7 tries, 5 conversions) to 10 points (1 try, 1 conversion, 1 penalty) at the Racecourse ground in Colombo last night.
At the short breather Sri Lanka led 21/3.
Sri Lanka made their intention very clear of running the three quarter line and spread the ball wide with the speedy threes. Though the first 10 minutes, Indians stood out with some good defense, hosts Sri Lanka scored three unanswered first half tries, which put the Indians on the backfoot. India spoiled many Sri Lankan moves but the lead the hosts created with very good foundation in the first half was too much for a catch up game.
Tarinda Ratwatte, Sohiru Anthony, Adeesha Weerathunga and Mursheed Doray were omnipresent. In fact Tarinda played a major role in the initial half as Centre and then moved to fill in Thenuka Nanayakkara’s fly half berth.
Indians too played well in patches, They had lot of territory advantage but defense stood strong, Deeapk Kumar and Bharat Dagar stood out for them.
It was India who put over a penalty early in the 2nd minute of the game for a high tackle offence. Sri Lanka after several attacking moves, touched down through Pulasthi Dassanayake. Tarinda Ratwatte was on target with the conversion. Within another 2 minutes Sri Lanka scored their second try through a sweeping three quarter move which ended in Thenuka Nanayakkara try. Tarinda Ratwatte added the extra 2 points. In the next couple of minutes Indians defended well till Sudaraka Dikkumbura broke free in the 32nd minute of the game. Tarinda Ratwatte was on target with his third kick at goal to take a short breather 21/3 favoring the hosts.
After the turn around, Pulasthi Dassanayake touched down his second try and Sri Lanka went in to dormant for some time with fatigue getting in to their body which made their Head Coach, Sanath Martis to make the replacements. Thenuka Nanayakkara touched down for his second which Tarinda Ratwatte added the extra 2 points.
India scored their solitary try through