How Did the Kalinga Black Tigers and Hyderabad Heroes Dominate Season 1 of Rugby Premier League?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Kalinga Black Tigers showcased a dominant performance against the Mumbai Dreamers.
- The Hyderabad Heroes achieved a remarkable shutout against the Chennai Bulls.
- Both teams secured their places in the knockout stages prior to the matches.
- Strong individual performances were highlighted, especially by Perry Baker and Lucas Lacamp.
- The event showcased the growing popularity of rugby in India.
Mumbai, June 24 (NationPress) The Kalinga Black Tigers and the Hyderabad Heroes showcased exceptional performances during Season 1 of the Rugby Premier League at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex) on Tuesday evening.
While the Tigers triumphed over the Mumbai Dreamers, the Heroes secured a victory against the Chennai Bulls. Notably, both teams had already earned their spots in the knockout stages on Monday.
In the opening match, the Kalinga Black Tigers delivered a commanding performance against the Mumbai Dreamers, winning decisively with a score of 33-5.
The Tigers began the match strongly, keeping the Dreamers at bay. Just before the first quarter concluded, Perry Baker scored a well-executed try, and Maurice Longbottom successfully converted it. Soon after, the Tigers extended their lead with another try from Baker, followed by a flawless conversion from Ethan Turner. At halftime, the Kalinga Black Tigers were ahead 14-0.
Post-break, the Tigers maintained their dominance, with Ethan Turner adding a try to his tally. The Dreamers finally broke their scoring drought with a try from Elias Hancock.
However, any chances of a Dreamers comeback were extinguished as Lucas Lacamp scored a pair of quick tries, with Longbottom easily converting both.
In the second match, the Hyderabad Heroes faced off against the Chennai Bulls in an exhilarating rugby contest, with the Heroes emerging victorious with a score of 17-0. This marked only the second instance in the tournament where a team failed to score.
The Heroes started strong, with Kevin Wekesa and Terio Tamani scoring crucial tries in the first half. Tamani also made a successful conversion, giving the Heroes a commanding 12-point lead. Bhupinder Singh sealed the match with a try in the closing moments.