Sri Lanka, Sept. 22 -- Sri Lanka had to settle for fourth place at the Asia Rugby Emirates Men's Sevens Series Round 1 in China yesterday after losing their third-place playoff to the hosts in a thrilling encounter that ended 22-17. The game was locked at 17-all in the dying moments, but China's fullback scored a decisive late try to secure victory for the home side.

China dominated the opening half, going ahead 7-5 in the fourth minute before stretching the margin to 12-5 by the sixth minute. By half-time, the hosts were firmly in control with a 17-5 lead. Sri Lanka, however, staged a spirited comeback in the second half. Dinal Ekanayake powered down the left flank to score twice, and with Akash Madushanka adding a conversion, the score...