• • Facebook
  • Digg
  • Del.icio.us
  • Technorati
  • Reddit
  • Stumble Upon
  • Furl

Japan backed up their Borneo win by taking the Carlton Sri Lanka Rugby Sevens title at the weekend as the inaugural IRB Asian Sevens Series came to a close.

Captain Koji Wada proved the hero for the Japanese scorching in for four tries to help his side beat Malaysia 26-7 in the final at Sugathadasa Stadium.

The Malaysians opened the scoring in the second minute through a try by Miho Nazri Hamid and converted by Semi Seruvacula to give them a 7-0 lead.

Just before the break it was Japan who reduced the deficit when skipper Koji Wada scampered through to score an unconverted try (7-5).

The Japanese dominated play after resumption and scored three more tries. In the second minute after resumption Koji Wada burst through to touch down mid left. Fly half Kenji Shomen added the extra points to make it 12-7.

Two minutes later skipper Koji Wada crashed through for a try under the posts before the skipper once again displayed his individual brilliance to slice through the Malaysian defence to score under the posts at the final whistle.

In the semi-finals Japan scored a runaway 40-5 win over Chinese Taipei after leading 19-5 while Malaysia brushed aside Kazakhstan by 19-0.

Hosts Sri Lanka, who were gallant on the day 1 with a stunning 22-12 win over the mighty South Koreans, gave a disappointing performance yesterday being knocked out in the Asian Plate semi-finals by Thailand 12-28. This despite a fine effort by schoolboy Darshana Etipola who scored both tries and converted one of them. Earlier in the Cup quarter-finals Sri Lanka were beaten by Kazakhstan by 17-12.

Two superb tries in the last two minutes by Thailand winger Kanthipong Meepin gave them a thrilling 15-12 win over South Korea in the final to take the Asian Plate Title after trailing 5-7 at the breather.

Thailand opened scoring through an unconverted try by Warongkorn. South Korea replied with a try by Park Soonchai which was converted by fly half Yun Hisu to give them a 7-5 lead and they increased it to 12- 5 when Yun Hisu fell over for an unconverted try. Thailand fought back to score those two splendid tries by Kanthipong Meepin which gave them the title.

Fiji hit Dubai with confidence

Digicel Fiji Barbarians warmed up for this week’s Dubai Sevens, turning in a dazzling display to win the International Title with a 38-12 win over South African Vipers in the final.

South Africa went into the lead with a try by Brian Shabangu with Bernardo Botha adding the extra points. Fiji replied with a try by Niumania Rokobu.

Fiji went on the offensive once again to score two more splendid tries through William Ryder and Osea Kounisau both of which were converted to give Fiji a 19-7 lead at the half.

Fiji maintained their supremacy in the second half to score three more tries through Osea Kounisau (2) and Niumania Rokobu with William Ryder converting two of them while South Africa scored a consolation try through Bernardo Botha to make it 38-12 at the final whistle.

Western Samoa Barbarians overcame New Zealand Legends 14-5 in the third place playoff match. Australia won the fifth place playoff match when they beat Papua New Guinea 24-5.

St. Peter’s College emerged the winner in the Cup Championship of the schools tournament when they beat Royal College 17-14.