Gladiators wallop Eagles in Super Sevens on first day
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Gladiators on the move. Pic by Priyantha Wickremaarachchi
Defending champions Mobitel Eagles had a disastrous start while the Schools title holders Isipathana College were completely off-form when at the second leg of the second Sri Lanka Super 7s Rugby Championship which kicked off at the Racecourse ground in Colombo yesterday.
Mobitel Eagles, who won the first leg in style, stamped their authority at the first leg held at Nittawela in Kandy last week, but the beginning was rather unwelcome for them yesterday. In a competition where teams are equally matched and balanced, Cargills Gladiators gave the defending champions a good run before having the wings of the Eagles wrapped around by 29-14.
EZY Wolves recorded a resounding 31-12 win against Walkers CML Vipers while a tensed battle was on in the game between Etisalat Panthers and Softlogic Warriors played soon afterwards. Etisalat Panthers led by Sri Lanka superstar Fazil Marija, eventually walked away winners by 24-19 before Access Kings thashed KBSL Dragons by 45-7.
While Isipathana stands very little chance in defending their title, chances of first leg winners Science too are becoming quite slim in the Schools Tournament where Kingswood could be considered as a clear favourite. Kingswood won both their matches comfortably, interestingly with the same scoreline and margins of 33-7. First they outsmarted Wesley and dished out the same performance against first leg winners Science, who went down to St. Anthony’s 17-19 in the opening game of the day. With two defeats Science are clearly out of the way to win a second time. Isipathana was the second team to suffer two defeats, they were outdone by St Joseph’s and Zahira later on. The Josephians then went on to record a well deserved and welcome 21-12 win against their traditional rivals St. Peter’s, who looked well in contention for a win. St. Peter’s came out after defeating Zahira 24-0 earlier on. Wesley lost their first game against Blaze rivals, but regrouped timely to overcome St. Anthony’s 29-12. Two matches were played during the first session of play in the Women’s Tournament where Army SC and Navy SC recorded easy wins.
The second Sri Lanka Super 7s Rugby Championship is organised and conduced by Sri Lanka Rugby in association with Dialog Axiata as main sponsors. The second and final day of the two-day competition will continue at the Racecourse ground today.
- Schools: St. Anthony’s beat Science 19-17, Kingswood beat Wesley 33-7, St. Joseph’s beat Isipathana 17-12, St. Peter’s beat Zahira 24-0, Kingswood beat Science 33-7, Wesley beat St. Anthony’s 29-12, Zahira beat Isipathana 17-12, St. Joseph’s beat St. Peter’s 21-12
- Franchises: Cargills Gladiators beat Mobitel Eagles 29-14, EZY Wolves beat Walkers CML Vipers 31-12, Etisalat Panthers beat Softlogic Warriors 24-19, Access Kings beat KBSL Dragons 45-7
- Women’s: Army SC beat Air Force SC 33-0, Navy beat CR and FC 43-0