Rugby: Philippines win promotion to Asia's elite

The Philippines won promotion to Asia's Rugby Union top flight by beating a stubborn Sri Lanka 28-18 in the Division 1 championships on Saturday.

Justin Coveney galloped in for a 77th-minute try off a chip by fly-half Oliver Saunders, who added the conversion to extinguish a furious late Sri Lankan rally.

Coach Expo Mejia savoured the victory which puts the 'Volcanoes' into Asia's elite top five competition for the first time. The team is ranked 62nd in the world and made up mostly of foreign-based players who have Filipino parentage.

"This is an incredible win because it takes us to the top five countries in Asia and allows us to go to the qualifiers of the World Cup (in England in 2015)," Mejia said on ABS-CBN television.

The hosts started strongly with fullback Michael Letts and winger Joseph Matthews scoring a try each in the first half.

Saunders, who put in an outstanding performance, added three penalty kicks and two conversions as the Filipinos opened a 23-0 lead against the Sri Lankans, who misfired with poor kicking.

Rizah Mubarak got the visitors on the board with a 40th minute penalty and just missed a second from near the halfway line as the first half ended 23-3.

The Sri Lankans rallied in the second half courtesy of their powerful forward line.

Gayan Ratnayake bundled in a try beneath the sticks in the 50th minute after an excellent Sri Lankan maul.

Mubarak failed to convert, but the hosts were temporarily reduced to 14 men when Matthews received a yellow card.

Sumedi Tamalawana duly took advantage by scoring the Sri Lankans' second try a minute later.

Mubarak made no mistake with the conversion to make it 23-15, and added another penalty kick in the 72nd minute to cut the deficit to five points.

Coveney and Saunders however had the final say as the Filipinos ran out winners.