Thais miss out in Hong Kong

Written by changthai11 on Monday, October 6th, 2008

RUGBY

EDWARD THANGARAJAH

Thailand’s ladies rugby side lost a very close Asian Qualifier for the World Cup Rugby Sevens yesterday in Hong Kong.

They lost to Japan 17-12, but on Saturday the Thais registered a 12-10 victory over the Japanese team to emerge group champions.

Yesterday, the Thai girls had a tough semi-final game in the morning against China whom they beat 17-7, but in the afternoon, they failed to maintain the same tempo against the Japanese.

The Thai men’s team lost to Malaysia 36-0 in the quarter-finals and had to play in the competition for the final placings in which they finished seventh beating Sri Lanka 28-22.

Thai women’s coach Yongsak Na Songka commended his team for their performance, because they took part in the competition without enough time to train as they had to sit for their school examinations.

On the domestic front, Bangkok-Japanese held Ratchavith to 5-5 until the ninth minute of their Inter-Club match but ended up losing 48-12 at the Vajiravudh ground.

They wilted against Ratchavith’s attacking rugby. At half-time they were led 20-5.

Scrum-half Noppadol Pongpraphat scored two unconverted tries, fullback Saran Kanthom, Sakolsak Hangsajon, Dusadee Chanpracha, Poteprecha Panthong, Danai Korwaree and Kongkiat Pramuanchoke were the other try scorers.

Dusadee Chinpracha made three conversions and fullback Thanert Ratananurarak added the extras to hoist Ratchavith to 48.

The Bangkok-Japanese scored a penalty try and a try through their best player Kamano.

In the second match, Old Vajiravudhians registered a runaway 37-8 victory over Thai Army 2 after leading 25-0 at half-time. The Old Vajiravudhians scored six tries, through Naphat Promphaet, Anussorn Mat-chim, Kiatinon Chatkaew, Pakkawat Mapaisalsilp, Yulitham Klin-thong and Chaiwat Sirisakthanakul.