(UTV|COLOMBO) – Malaysia with five Fijians in their XV beat a young Sri Lanka team by 31 points to 26 in their rugby match played at the Bukit Jalil in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday. The winners scored their points off four goals and a penalty to Sri Lanka’s two goals and four penalties.
At half time Malaysia led 24-6.
The Lankans put up their best performance in the first ten minutes and the last five minutes of play. At half time Malaysians led 24-6.
Thanks to a superior pack with Fijian players Malaysia dictated proceedings after their team had endured a rugged opening quarter from Sri Lanka. Sri Lankans started a lot better, but the young side failed to keep up with the strong overseas players Malaysia fielded.
Sri Lanka opened scoring with two penalties and were looking good but failed to play a dominant game. The Malaysian capitalized play to lead the first half 24-6.
Malaysia’s four tries in the match came through Etoni Vaqa who scored twice and one each from Wye Wye and Mohammed Syahir. Amirul Aaqi goalled the tries and Mohammed Fairooz put over the penalty.
For Sri Lanka skipper Omalka Gunaratna scored the two tries which were converted along with the two penalties by Thilina Wijesinghe. The other two penalties were put over by Samuel Maduwantha.
Sri Lanka won the first game against Malaysian Barbarians 55-14.
This tour was initiated by former Sri Lanka rugby chief Asanga Seneviratne who gave the idea to Rizly Illiyas to speak to Shahrul Zaman Bin Yahya of Malaysian rugby.
The final touches were given by Sri Lanka Rugby headed by Lasitha Gunaratne with Dialog also playing a key role in the team making the tour to Malaysia. (DN)
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