Just like Wesley College snatched defeat from the jaws of victory at Bambalapitiya against St.  Peter's College on Saturday (23), Sri Lanka Tuskers did the same against Hong Kong China on Sunday (24) to lose out by a whisker 15-14 in the Asia Rugby Emirates Men’s Championship 2026 at the Colombo Racecourse Grounds. This outcome deprived the island nation host a historic victory against the six-time consecutive defending champions.

It was a heavily contested and physical opening half as the teams went into the short breather without a try being scored. It was just three points separating the two teams with a solitary penalty being scored by Dylan McCann.

Half-time: Hong Kong 03-00 Sri Lanka 

Hong Kong made an early statement in the second half with Glenn Hui going over for the opening try of the game with a wonderful pick and go move. McCann made no mistake with the extras.

Sri Lanka hit back with Viduna Amaneth diving under the posts after Thenuka Nanayakkara pounced on a loose ball. Nanayakkara added the extras to make it 10-7.

The 60th minute saw Nabeen Marasinghe the big man barging over the whitewash to make it 14-10 to lead the game for the first time as Mursheed Doray slotted in a peach of a conversion. However the very last move of the game saw Lanka losing out on a historic taste at victory as Hong Kong rubbed salt on the hosts with a last gasp try.  

Full-time: Hong Kong China 15 (2T, 1C, 1P) beat Sri Lanka 14 (2T, 2C)

PHOTO ISHAN SANJEEWA