Sabaragamuwa Stallions jump the final hurdle
Sabaragamuwa Stallions cantered their way to record a thumping 47-14 win against Jaffna Challengers to win the second leg of the Carlton Super Sevens Rugby Tournament which concluded at the refurbished Race Course rugby grounds in Colombo yesterday.
However, the loss could not prevent Jaffna Challengers from claiming the overall championship of the two-legged Sevens rugby fiesta. Sabaragamuwa Stallions finished as overall runners-up while Northern Gladiators finished as overall third.
A Sabaragamuwa Stallion player runs past two Southern Sharks defenders in a Group match at Race Course yesterday - Pic by Amila Gamage
The rodeos of Sabaragamuwa Stallions spearheaded by a fleet of tries from international and local stars galloped their way to win the second leg of the competition. They grabbed the win from the first-leg winners Jaffna Challengers who fielded many Kenyan International Sevens stars. The Stallions who took the grip of the game led by 26-7 at halftime and walked out as worthy winners in front of a gathering of over 5000 spectators.
In the final Levani Motia drew first blood for the Stallions and added his second try of the match within minutes to take a commanding 14-nil lead. Motia who was crowned the player of the tournament picked his hat-trick of tries in the game when he scored at the far corner. The Stallions scored their fourth try off from Fatoyna Aotuyavin who gave the winners a commanding 26-nil lead off a tally of four tries and three conversions.
Jaffna Challengers made a last minute comeback through Collins Injera who scored a converted try prior to the halftime.
After the turnabout the Stallions hastened their pace as Bhanuka Nanayakkara added another converted try to expand the lead to 33-7 and soon Chula Susantha added another converted try to make it 40-7. Despite the loss Jaffna Challengers who had already spoilt their chances in walking away as unchallenged winners, made a sudden yet futile return when William Ambake scored their second and last converted try in the game. USA Sevens player Carlin Isles added another converted try for winners before storming on to the grand stand to grab the coveted Carlton Super Sevens Trophy. Jaffna Challengers had the honour in producing the local player of the tournament in Saliya Kumara.
Jaffna Challengers beat Northern Gladiators by 21-17 in the first semi-final while eventual winners Sabaragamuwa Stallions beat Western Warriors by 26-10 in the second qualifier. From the Colombo leg, Western Warriors beat Northern Gladiators by 19-7 to win the third place playoff while Uva Vipers put up a gallant display to record a stunning 14-10 win against Central Kings in the fifth place playoff. Eastern Eagles finished at seventh after beating North Central Typhoons by 21-17 while North Western Blacks beat Southern Sharks 38-12 to win the ninth place playoff.
Jaffna Challengers finished on top in the first leg played at the Galle International Cricket Stadium a fortnight ago as North Western Blacks and North central Typhoons finished at second and third positions respectively. Northern Gladiators took the fourth position. The overall winner was decided on an aggregate of points achieved from both legs. The top runner’s Jaffna Challengers cemented their position as leaders as they qualified for the final against Sabaragamuwa Stallions who finished at seventh in Galle.
Follow @timesonlinelk
comments powered by Disqus