Haryana Dominates Men's Rugby 7s at 38th National Games
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Synopsis
Defending champions Haryana kicked off their campaign at the 38th National Games 2025 with two impressive wins in men’s Rugby 7s, defeating Uttarakhand 38-0 and Maharashtra 31-12. Prince Khatri shone with standout performances, securing crucial tries and points.
Key Takeaways
- Haryana claimed a decisive victory over Uttarakhand, winning 38-0.
- Prince Khatri led the scoring with 15 points in the opening match.
- In their second match, Haryana outperformed Maharashtra, winning 31-12.
- Deepak Punia excelled in conversions, contributing significantly to the team's score.
- Haryana remains a strong favorite to defend their title.
Dehradun, Jan 29 (NationPress) The reigning title holders, Haryana, commenced their journey in the men’s Rugby 7s event at the 38th National Games 2025 with remarkable performances, achieving two impressive victories on the inaugural day of competition this past Wednesday. The champions, who have clinched the title three times in a row, triumphed over the host state, Uttarakhand, with a score of 38-0 in their opening match, followed by a 31-12 win against Maharashtra at the Maharana Pratap Sports Complex in Dehradun.
In their campaign opener, Haryana showcased their strength with a definitive 38-0 victory against Uttarakhand. Prince Khatri was the star of the match, accumulating 15 points through three tries, each worth five points. Captain Deepak Punia contributed significantly by converting four tries, adding another 8 points. Also making their mark, Mohit Tushir, Mohit Khatri, and Ajay Deswal each scored five points with their respective tries.
Haryana continued their stellar performance by defeating Maharashtra with a convincing 31-12 win in their second match. Mohit Khatri and Ajay Deswal were the leading scorers, each contributing 10 points from two tries. Deepak Punia proved reliable in conversions, adding 6 crucial points, while Prince Khatri added a try for another 5 points. These victories have positioned Haryana firmly at the top of their group.
Looking ahead, Haryana aims to sustain their winning streak against Kerala on January 30. Kerala, who managed to defeat Uttarakhand but fell short against Maharashtra on the opening day, will be eager to pose a challenge to the defending champions.
However, considering Haryana's dominant performances thus far, they remain a strong contender to successfully defend their title.
Match Scores:
Haryana vs Uttarakhand: 38-0
Prince Khatri: 15 points (3 tries)
Deepak Punia: 8 points (4 conversions)
Mohit Tushir: 5 points (1 try)
Mohit Khatri: 5 points (1 try)
Ajay Deswal: 5 points (1 try)
Haryana vs Maharashtra: 31-12
Mohit Khatri: 10 points (2 tries)
Ajay Deswal: 10 points (2 tries)
Prince Khatri: 5 points (1 try)
Deepak Punia: 6 points (3 conversions).
