Hyderabad Heroes closed the Rugby Premier League (RPL) Season 2 group stage on top of the points table after a dominant 28-0 shutout of the Kolkata Banga Tigers at the Ganti Mohana Chandra Balayogi Athletic Stadium in Gachibowli, Hyderabad on Friday, 26 June. The result confirmed the Heroes' status as the team to beat heading into the knockout rounds.

How Hyderabad Dismantled Kolkata

The Heroes set the tone from the opening whistle, deploying high-tempo attack lines and sharp ball movement to stretch the Tigers' defence across the width of the field. Sumit Roy drew first blood within minutes, before Ravuama Seruvakula sold a perfectly timed dummy on the left wing to double Hyderabad's advantage and silence any early Kolkata resistance.

The second quarter brought no relief for the Tigers. Kevin Wekesa exploited sustained pressure to add a third try, while Hyderabad's backline continued to find gaps at will. Maurice Longbottom extended the lead early in the third quarter, and a disciplined defensive structure ensured Kolkata never threatened the Hyderabad line — completing a commanding, scoreless shutout for the Heroes.

Delhi Redz Edge Out Kolkata Earlier in the Day

The day's earlier fixture on Day 10 of the tournament saw Delhi Redz defeat the Kolkata Banga Tigers 40-28, though the result was not enough to rescue Kolkata's semifinal hopes. Nygel Amaitsa opened the scoring for Delhi after a patient build-up, with Samuel Asati and Josep Serres quickly adding further tries. Hitesh Dagar extended the Redz advantage as they dominated possession and territory in the first half.

Kolkata mounted a spirited second-half comeback, with Vuiviwa Naduvalo delivering three brilliant individual tries — including two in quick succession in the third quarter — to drag the Tigers back into contention. However, Jon Okeyo restored Delhi's breathing room in the final period, and the Redz held their composure to close out a 40-28 win. Naduvalo's display was arguably the individual performance of the day, even in a losing cause.

What Remains on Day 10

The group stage concluded with two further fixtures: the Chennai Bulls facing the Mumbai Dreamers, and the Delhi Redz taking on the Bengaluru Bravehearts. Results from those matches will finalise the semifinal line-up alongside the already-confirmed Hyderabad Heroes.

Where the Season Stands

Hyderabad's perfect defensive record in Friday's match — a 28-0 margin — underscores their credentials as the group stage's standout side. With the knockout phase approaching, all eyes will be on whether any team can breach the Heroes' organised defensive line and high-efficiency attack. The RPL Season 2 semifinals are expected to deliver the tournament's most competitive rugby yet.