Latest news with #Tuskers
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Sri Lanka ready to ‘make some noise' in Asia rugby clash with Hong Kong, Ratwatte says
Sri Lanka captain Tharinda Ratwatte said his side were coming to 'make some noise' ahead of their Asia Rugby Emirates Men's Championship clash with Hong Kong on Sunday. Back in the top tier of the competition after more than a decade, the Tuskers are considered significant underdogs for the game at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground against a Hong Kong side who are unbeaten in the championship since 2018. But after hammering Malaysia 59-19 in a promotion play-off, and running South Korea close in Colombo last weekend, Ratwatte said his side were ready to put 'everybody on notice that Sri Lanka is back, and we are a force to be reckoned with'. 'Whether it's this year, next year, the year after that,' the fly half added. 'We have come back to the ARC after several years, and for us, we are coming here to make some noise, and we want to put everyone on notice on that.' The last time the two sides met in Hong Kong was in 2006, when the home side won 45-14 in a 2007 World Cup qualifier, while an Asian Five Nations clash in 2014 in Sri Lanka, which the visitors won 41-10, helped send the Tuskers down into Division One. Hong Kong's forwards practice their lineout during a training session at Kai Tak Youth Sports Ground. Photo: Edmond So It has been a long road back since then, and while Ratwatte acknowledged there was still something to 'sort out in terms of our rugby union side', he said the country was moving in the right direction.
News18
a day ago
- Sport
- News18
Unbelievable: Batters Collide But Fielders Miss Run-Outs On BOTH Ends, Video Viral
A hilarious sequence of errors from the two batters and fielders left fans watching in disblief during the Kolhapur Tuskers versus Raigad Royals MPL T20 Eliminator. The Maharashtra Premier League T20 hosted one of the most bizarre incidents one can expect on a cricket field on Friday, June 20, as the close-fought Eliminator clash between Kolhapur Tuskers and Raigad Royals was headlined by a dangerous collision between batters and fielders comically missing run-outs. Set a target of 165 by the Tuskers, Raigad batter Vicky Ostwal was in the middle of a brilliant knock of 74 off 54 deliveries. Facing opposition left-arm pacer Atman Pore, the right-hander punched a shot off the backfoot and called his batting partner for a two. The duo completed the first run but collided and got tangled up on the second run after being caught ball-watching. Both fell on the turf, offering the Tuskers an easy run-out opportunity. The most unbelievable scenes unfolded hereafter: the wicketkeeper received a throw from the deep and could get Ostwal, but he curiously decided to throw it to the bowler's end instead of executing the run-out. Collided, but never gave up — still made the crease! ✅Vicky Ostwal. TAKE A BOW 👏 #AdaniMPL2025 #RRvsPBGKT #ThisIsMahaCricket — MPLT20Tournament (@mpltournament) June 20, 2025 At the bowling end, Pore messed up an easy throw and failed to get the non-striker out after he put in a desperate dive. Alert to the fact that Ostwal was still in danger, Kolhapur fielder and IPL star Rahul Tripathi took the ball and rushed towards the batting end for an aim at the stumps. He still missed from close range and gave Ostwal his moment of relief. The second run was completed with the wicketkeeper once again failing to provide a good account of himself, with no one backing up for the throw. Another was so disappointed he called for the immediate retirement of all involved. 'Every player on the field should retire immediately,' the user commented, before another joined the list with scathing remarks for Tripathi, questioning why he went for the run-out after seeing the two players collide: 'Sportsmanship died at this match! Shame on You Tripathi!' The error from Kolhapur came back to haunt them in the must-win encounter as Ostwal returned to his mark and played a magnificent innings to steer Raigad past the finishing line.
1News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- 1News
NZ U85kg team complete clean sweep over Sri Lanka
The NZ U85kg side have achieved a historic clean sweep of their two-match tour to Sri Lanka, beating the hosts 32-6 in Colombo. The match was played in front of an estimated 25,000 spectators at the Racecourse Stadium, the second big crowd in a week to watch the first New Zealand representative rugby side to visit the country in 70 years. After last weekend's 50-10 win for the NZ U85s in Kandy, the Sri Lankan Tuskers were expected to field a more experienced line up for the return match. Several players who took the field against Malaysia a fortnight ago were rested, something vice-captain Josh Gellert said they'd factored into their preparation. "We've identified the changes in their team," said the openside flanker. "A big thing for us is being connected throughout the group, making sure everyone's confident. "A big thing for us is proving to the guy next to you why you got picked, so I think that message will be to keep that defensive structure pretty firm." The game was tight through the opening 10 minutes, but the NZ U85s broke things open with some clever kicking. Outstanding fullback Francis Morrison collected a chip from wing Pieter Swarts, and flicked the ball on for captain and first five Jarred Percival to score. Swarts was in the action again not long after, linking with Ben Megson to send Percival over for his second. The Tuskers hit back with a penalty goal to Nigel Ratwatte, but Swarts got in on the scoring action himself, with a well taken try in the corner. Percival converted from wide out to make the score 17-3 at the break. The Tuskers had their best period of the game early in the second half, with Ratwatte slotting another penalty, but that was the last time they'd trouble the scoreboard. Gellert was too strong close to the line and powered over, followed by another perfectly weighted kick that set up Morrison to score the final try of the game. "We knew we were going to be up for a battle," said Percival after lifting the Sir Graham Henry Trophy, named after the World Cup-winning coach and team patron. "We scored some awesome tries, played brilliantly and opened them up in the second half. The fans were amazing, they cheered for us… it's an atmosphere we've never experienced back home." Once again, the U85s had to contend with 30-degree heat, despite the game kicking off at 6pm local time. Several players, including Percival, were forced from the field with heat exhaustion. "I think I was in the ice bath for about 15 minutes, before I could even go join the boys on the sideline again. I don't think it portrays on TV just how tough the conditions are - it was seriously hot." The team now return to the New Zealand club season, after their fortnight of being superstars in Sri Lanka. This week, they have been engaged in some official functions involving the NZ High Commission and travelling patron Sir Graham Henry, as well as visiting a local biscuit firm that's sponsoring the tour. Gellert, who usually spends his weekends playing for the Auckland University Slug Collectors club side in front of crowds of mostly partners and friends, said it was an incredible experience. "People are coming up to us on the streets, asking for photos and autographs," he said. "It's something that will probably never feel normal for this group of boys. "We were warned about how much Sri Lanka love rugby, but I don't think anything could have prepared for what it's truly like. As soon as we got off the plane, we were getting interviewed, but we love it. "We're the club battlers, so we're stoked at having the limelight."
