Sri Lanka’s veteran rugby stars sparkled at the IRB World Sevens Series opener during the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens tournament held at The Sevens.
The Aramex sponsored Lanka Lions Veterans team pulled off a sensational win over their much fancied opponents Al Khobar Quins by 21-12 to win the ‘Plate’ in the Gulf Veterans competition.
Regulars at the annual Dubai tournament, the Lions comprising UAE-based Sri Lankans who are continuing their enduring passion for the game gave a gritty performance to upset the odds against heavy opposition made up of Europeans and southern hemisphere nations.
Lanka Lions rugby teams of the past have had a fair share of success turning in sterling performances at this popular tournament, winning silverware in 1999 and 2008 in the Gulf Men’s Division.
In the Gulf Veterans Plate final against a Power Horse Saudi side Al Khobar Quins, the brave Lankans played with fire in their bellies to come from 12-7 down to pull off a memorable victory.
The only sub-continent side to make it to a final, Lanka Lions scored three superb tries by Charitha Perera, Azarath Deen and former Arabian Gulf stalwart Roger Rodrigo against two by their rivals to record a spectacular come-from-behind victory. All three tries were converted by Jagath Chandrapala to give them the edge.
Former Sri Lankan star winger Roger Rode who captained the winning Gulf Men’s Plate team way back in 1999 marshalled his troops to lead the Veterans to a famous victory this time.
The bulk of the players were from the 1999 team, most notably former Sri Lanka scrum half Roger Rodrigo.
Rodrigo has the distinction of taking part in this event continuously for over two decades and bringing glory to his motherland by being awarded the prestigious Player of the Tournament on two occasions in 1990 and 1993 at the international tournament representing Arabian Gulf.
The Lions’ front row was galvanised by the trio of Benjamin Van Rooyen, Dilum Upeka and Nishantha Bernard.
Dilum was instrumental in taking the team to the finals as he chased down a perfectly executed cross kick from Rodrigo to collect and score the match winning try against Das Island to win 10-5 in extra time.
There were also stellar performances from Kevin Rasquinho, Sujeewa Dias and Denis Motha up front and in the loose, supported by the speed and fleet footed back line comprising Rodrigo, Chandrapala, Deen, Meththananda, Charitha Perera andSuneth Jayasena.
The team was managed by Azarath Deen and Pio Fernandez along with player cum coach Roger Rode and fitness trainer Methananda and Sports Co-ordinator Terrence Rodrigo
In the pool matches, Lanka Lions beat Sharjah Fat Old Boys 22-5 but lost to Bahrain Golden Oldies 15-0 and Abu Dhabi Harlequins Vets 39-5.
Relegated to the Plate competition, Lanka Lions bounced back to beat Riyadh Scorpions 24-7 in the quarter-finals and Das Island 10-5 in the semifinal.
Dubai Hurricanes Vets defeat Abu Dhabi Harlequins Vets 12-7 to win the Gulf Veterans’ title.
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