TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Saturday 17 April

17.10.2010
Latvia 31, Sweden 27 in Riga (ENC 2B)
Netherlands 19. Malta 0 in Amsterdam (ENC 2B)
Sri Lanka 23, Singapore 16 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1, Final)
Malaysia 35, China Taipei 8 in Singapore (Asia Nations Div.1, 3^rd/4^th/Relegation)
Switzerland v Lithuania in Switzerland (ENC 3A)-postponed
Israel 39, Greece 0 in Netanya (ENC 3C)

Briefly
Latvia edged out a weakened Swedish side in Riga to throw relegation prospects wide open in ENC 2B. Five top Swedish players could not get flights from England to Riga. Swedish RU officials were forced to ferry in extra players from Sweden-based clubs.The Netherlands were too good for a determined but tired Maltese side who had travelled by bus from England to Amsterdam, again the travel arrangements disrupted by the cloud of volcanic ash over Europe.

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	PT
NETHERLANDS	7	7	0	0	205	74	131	21
CROATIA	6	5	0	1	131	83	48	16
MALTA	7	3	0	4	105	146	-41	13
SWEDEN	7	1	0	6	130	150	-47	9
LATVIA	7	1	0	6	87	210	-120	9

The Croatia-Netherlands game next weekend will be crucial to the outcome of ENC 2B. Croatia, having lost 12-18 to Netherlands in the first round will need to win by 7 points or more, and then defeat Sweden in Sweden to take the title and move to ENC 2A for 2010-12. The Netherlands just have the one game next weekend and must win to take the title.

Sweden has now lost their last three games in a row. Both Sweden and Latvia have a game to play. Latvia's is against Malta. If both Latvia and Sweden lose their next game Latvia will be relegated based on Sweden's 21-5 earlier win.

Israel gained promotion to ENC 3B for the 2010-12 competitions with a convincing 19-0 win over Greece.

In Asia, Sri Lanka will be the new team in Asia 5 Nations for 2011. They powered their way with a 23-16 win over the more fancied Singapore team. Malaysia's easy 35-8 win over China Taipei sees the Chinese side relegated to Asia Nations Division 2 for 2011.

Edited 20 April. Israel 39, Greece 0, not 19-0 as was previously posted.