Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei advance on first day of Olympus Capital Asian Rugby Junior Championships

Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei advance on first day of Olympus Capital Asian Rugby Junior Championships

[Hong Kong, 5 September 2009]: Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Chinese Taipei emerged victorious from the first day’s match action in the Olympus Capital Asian Rugby Junior Championship held today at the Hong Kong Football Club, Hong Kong.

Today’s results saw fifth seeds Chinese Taipei upend fourth seeds Thailand, 28-23; third seed Sri Lanka run rampant over sixth seeds Singapore 65-0; and Hong Kong upend Malaysia, 69 - 9.

Today’s opening match was a thrilling affair between Thailand and Chinese Taipei that saw six lead changes overall. In a game played in searing conditions both teams put on an excellent display of skills and free-flowing rugby.

At halftime Thailand led 20-14, but in the second interval Chinese Taipei came out roaring and ready to play getting first on the board with a try in the 47th minute to bring the score to 21-20 Chinese Taipei after the conversion. The Thais responded with a penalty to make it 23-21. The score remained 23-21 until the 38th minute when Chinese Taipei flanker Chen Kuo Lun broke away with an intercept pass from the halfway marker to bring Chinese Taipei out front for good at 28-23.

In the day’s second match, tournament third seeds Sri Lanka cruised to an early lead over six seeds Singapore, scoring their first try in just the 3rd minute. The Sri Lankans never looked back after that running away with an easy victory that should put them in good stead for their upcoming matches.

In today’s final match, Hong Kong ran in an impressive 11 tries to advance past seventh seeds Malaysia 69-9. Fly-half Niall Rowark accounted for 17 points through a try, two penalties and two conversions.

After today’s results, top seeds Korea, who had a bye entry to the Semi Finals, will make their debut in the Asian Junior Rugby Championships on Wednesday (September 9) against Chinese Taipei. Thailand will automatically advance to the 5th/6th place playoff on next Saturday (September 13) against the winner of Wednesday’s match between Singapore and Malaysia.

Olympus Capital Asian Rugby Junior Championships match action resumes on Wednesday, September 9, at the Hong Kong Football Club. Match 1 sees Korea take on Chinese Taipei at 10.00am, Match 2 pits Hong Kong against Sri Lanka at 11.45 and the final match sees Singapore take on Malaysia at 13.30.