RPL Season 2: Hyderabad Heroes top group stage, set up Bulls semi-final
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Hyderabad Heroes finished the Rugby Premier League (RPL) Season 2 group stage as table-toppers on 27 June, booking a semi-final berth against Chennai Bulls after a commanding 28-0 shutout of Kolkata Banga Tigers at the Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad. The final day of group fixtures also saw Mumbai Dreamers edge Chennai Bulls 19-12 and Delhi Redz pull off a dramatic 35-33 comeback win over Bengaluru Bravehearts.
Hyderabad Heroes Dominate Kolkata 28-0
Hyderabad Heroes imposed themselves from the first whistle with high-tempo attack and quick ball movement that stretched the Kolkata Banga Tigers' defence across the park. Sumit Roy opened the scoring within minutes, before Ravuama Seruvakula sold a clever dummy on the left wing to double the advantage.
Crisp passing and clinical use of space continued to trouble Kolkata through the second quarter, with Kevin Wekesa breaking through after sustained pressure. Maurice Longbottom extended the lead early in the third quarter, and Hyderabad's disciplined defensive line held firm throughout, completing a dominant shutout to finish the group stage untroubled.
Mumbai Dreamers Edge Chennai Bulls 19-12
Mumbai Dreamers seized control early through aggressive defence and sharp attacking transitions. Prince Khatri and James Turner crossed over in the first quarter to establish a healthy lead, before Sebastiaan Jobb sprinted down the right wing after the restart to extend it further.
Chennai Bulls gradually found their rhythm through improved possession, with Hidayat Jerffrydin breaking through on the right and Marcus Kershaw finishing a swift move down the left wing to narrow the gap to seven. Mumbai, however, remained composed in the closing stages, denying Chennai any clear route back into the contest to seal a 19-12 victory.
Delhi Redz Pull Off 35-33 Thriller Against Bengaluru
The most dramatic match of the day saw Delhi Redz overturn a 12-point deficit in the final quarter to stun Bengaluru Bravehearts 35-33. Kitiona Vai gave Bengaluru a flying start with a try within seconds of kick-off, but Delhi responded by spreading the ball wide for Samuel Asati to finish a well-worked move.
Akuila Rokolisoa restored Bengaluru's advantage with a blistering run, and Vai added his second from a slick passing move in the second quarter. Javed Hussain kept Delhi in touch, but Shilton Wyk's clever kick-and-chase and Rokolisoa's second try appeared to put the Bravehearts firmly in command entering the final quarter.
Delhi's fightback was ignited by Gonzalez from the left wing, before Josep Serres narrowed the gap with another finish out wide. Jon Okeyo capitalised on a turnover to score on the counterattack, and Deepak Punia held his nerve to convert the decisive try and complete one of the competition's most dramatic reversals. Despite the loss, Bengaluru Bravehearts advance to the semi-finals, where they will face Mumbai Dreamers on Sunday.
Semi-Final Line-Up
Sunday's semi-finals pit Hyderabad Heroes against Chennai Bulls and Bengaluru Bravehearts against Mumbai Dreamers. Hyderabad enter as clear favourites after their unblemished group-stage display, while the Bengaluru-Mumbai clash promises a tighter contest given the Dreamers' clinical showing against the Bulls earlier in the day.