President Mahinda Rajapakse presents the Cup Championship trophy to Japan captain Koji Wada, at the prize distribution ceremony.

Asian Sevens series champions Japan underscored their superiority in the abbreviated form of rugby union, when they beat Malaysia 26-7, in the Cup Championship final of the Carlton Sevens, at the Sugathadasa Stadium, Sunday evening.

Japan came up against a spirited challenge by the Malaysians who scored first, but lost their way in the second half, due to a severe onslaught by the winners.

The winners ran down four tries in an eventful second half, after trailing 7-0 at half time.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa presented the Cup Championship trophy to the Japanese team at the prize distribution ceremony.

Thailand bagged the Plate Championship trophy when they beat South Korea 15-12 in a closely contested encounter. The Koreans made amends for a pathetic display on Saturday, when they came back strongly, yesterday, to beat China 17-10 in the Plate semi finals and eventually enter the finals.

Pakistan showed great improvement and tremendous potential when they took home the Bowl Championship trophy, beating Brunei 26-12 in the final.

Sri Lanka proved a bit of a disappointment in the morning, when played into the hands of the big made Kazakhstan players in a decisive Cup Championship quarter final match. The Sri Lankans made a big mistake in playing contact rugby against the Kazakhs, who just bulldozed their way over the small made host team to record a resounding win. Kazakhstan won 17-12.

Dropping one category down and gearing up for the next challenge, Sri Lanka were outplayed in the Plate semi finals by Thailand (28-14).

Sri Lanka’s exit from the tournament had little effect on the spectators because teams like Fiji Digicel and Australian Legends played scintillating rugby in the international tournament. Sri Lankan rugby fans witnessed the traditional ‘Haka’ of the New Zealanders, after the 3rd place playoff. Fiji Digicel and Westerm Samoa Barbarians also exhibited their war dances.

Fiji Digicel, with their star performer William Ryder, beat South African Vipers 36-12 in the first place play off match, in the International Tournament.

Western Samoa Barbarians overcame New Zealand Legends 14-5 in the third place playoff match. Australia won the fifth place playoff match when they beat Papua New Guinea 24-5.

The schools tournament spiced up the tournament and St. Peter’s College emerged the winner in the Cup Championship when they beat Royal College 17-14. St. Peter’s took a commanding 17-0 lead with tries coming from Meedin, Shenal Dias and Banuka Nanayakkara. Two quick tries from Royal’s Kalana Amarasinghe put the Petes under pressure, but they held their nerve until the final whistle to record a memorable win.

The Plate Trophy was won by Prince of Wales who beat Maliyadeva College, Kurunegala, 40-7 in the final.

The matches were played in a carnival atmosphere and the tournament came to a close with a fireworks display.