SRI Lanka, the first Hong Kong Sevens Bowl winners, believe they can break their 11-year drought as the smaller teams provided a few heart-stopping moments for the big guns yesterday.
The Sri Lankans gutsy display against Pool B giants South Africa was typical of how the minnows are biting back after years of being on the receiving end.
True, the scores were generally top-heavy towards the more established teams, but yesterday saw probably the best overall showing by the small-fries since the Bowl competition was introduced in 1984.
Sri Lanka were beaten 35-14 by the Springboks, but were in the previously unthinkable position of leading 14-5 at half-time.
Scrum-half Sudath Sampath drew gasps from the crowds with his speed, but a couple of mistakes deprived them of taking an even bigger lead as South Africa eventually regained their composure in the second half.
Sri Lanka, who held Argentina to 0-0 at half-time before going down 19-0, face Kwang-Hua Taipei in the quarter-finals of the Bowl and assistant coach Ana Saranapala is hoping Sampath will be fit for duty.
