Latest news with #FilipeSauturaga
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Chennai Bulls create history; claim maiden Rugby Premier League title
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 29 (ANI): It was a belligerent, brilliant, and breathtaking performance from the Chennai Bulls, who were crowned the first-ever champions of the Rugby Premier League, here in Mumbai, at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex. The Chennai Bulls thrashed the Delhi Redz by a scoreline of 41-0 in the final to clinch the title. In fact, the margin of victory is the biggest across Season 1 of the RPL. Meanwhile, the Hyderabad Heroes, who had finished top of the table in the league stage, came away with a third-place finish after they won 17-12 against the Bengaluru Bravehearts. The Chennai Bulls picked up from where they had left off in the semi-finals, and hit the Delhi Redz hard in the opening exchanges. Vaafauese Maliko got the opening try of the final, and Filipe Sauturaga was on hand to convert. Moments later, the Redz felt the full force of the Bulls' attack as Joseva Talacolo rounded off a superb move with five more points to the cause. Before the end of the first half, the Bulls had further extended their lead - Terry Kennedy outpaced the Redz for two more tries, and Gaurav Kumar added two more from the kick. At half-time, the Bulls were in complete control and led 24-0. After the break, the domination continued, and the Redz were finding it hard to break down the Bulls. Meanwhile, the Bulls were doing their bit to pile on the pressure, as Shanawaz Ahmed went over the line after Kennedy set him up. And Filipe Sauturaga added two more points to the tally. With 4 minutes to go, the very dominant Bulls had a 31-0 lead in their favour. The Bulls did not let up and went on to add a couple of more tries by Mohammed Ashique to put the seal on what was a comprehensive win. Earlier in the day, the Hyderabad Heroes clinched third place in the inaugural season of the GMR Rugby Premier League, as they saw off a spirited challenge from the Bengaluru Bravehearts. The Heroes, who were trailing in the early stages, fought back with full force. The Heroes defeated the Bravehearts 17-12. For the Bravehearts, Tone Shiu and Philip Wokorach scored tries, while Akuila Rokolisoa converted one kick, all in the first half. The Heroes, who had begun the fightback through Joji Nasova's try and Manuel Moreno's conversion in the first half, had Kevin Wekesa and Bhupinder Singh adding game-changing tries to the cause. (ANI)
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Sport
- India Gazette
Bullish Chennai Bulls and red-hot Delhi Redz to play Rugby Premier League 2025 final
Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], June 28 (ANI): The Delhi Redz will take on the Chennai Bulls in the first-ever final of season 1 of the Rugby Premier League (RPL). In the semi-finals, on Saturday evening, at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, the Chennai Bulls stormed past the Bengaluru Bravehearts, after which the Delhi Redz raised the bar and thwarted the challenge of the Hyderabad Heroes, who had finished as the table toppers in the league stage, as per a press release from RPL. In the first semi-final, the Bulls defeated the Bravehearts 31-12. The Chennai Bulls were out of the blocks at a good clip, with Vaafauese Maliko and Alexander Davis getting in their tries through speedy attacks. And Gaurav Kumar was able to convert one of the kicks after that. The Bulls were well and truly dominant on the evening, as Terry Kennedy added another try before half-time. The Bengaluru Bravehearts were caught off guard and were doing their best to find a way back into the game. However, the Bulls kept them at bay and went into the half-time break with the score at 17-0. After that, Philip Wokorach got on the scoresheet for the Bravehearts and was backed up by Iowane Teba, as they reduced the deficit by seven points. But, much to the joy of the Bulls' fans, they responded brilliantly - Joseva Talacolo crossed the line and Filipe Sauturaga added two more points to the cause. Nonetheless, the Bravehearts, who were fighting back, had the legendary Akuila Rokolisoa get his first try of the night, towards the end of the high-octane third quarter. The Bulls led by 12 points at this point. Shanawaz Ahmed, though, had other plans for the Bulls, as he scored a spectacular try and Filipe Sauturaga scored his kick with ease, to put the seal on the win. In the second semi-final, the Delhi Redz produced one of their best performances of the season, digging deep in an thrilling contest against the Hyderabad Heroes and walking away with a crucial 14-7 win. The Delhi Redz and the Hyderabad Heroes were both going for the kill from the start in their semi-final, which resulted in a fiery contest. And while both teams attacked with all their might, neither could get on the scoresheet in the first quarter. In the second quarter, it was more of the same from the two sides. The tackles got meatier, and the attacking moves saw more intent. And eventually, it was the Heroes who broke the deadlock, just before half time, as Terio Tamani used the space down the left to get his try, and then converted as well. The Delhi Redz were understandably not going to give in that easily, and they kept plugging away in the third quarter. The pressure eventually told, as Robin Plumpe got the try, and Matias Osadczuk completed the conversion. With 4 minutes to go, it was 7-7. In the final quarter, the Delhi Redz first absorbed the pressure from the Heroes, and then Patrick Okongo put the foot on the pedal and ran through the defence to register a game-changing try. Deepak Punia then added two more points to confirm their spot in the final. The Hyderabad Heroes and the Bengaluru Bravehearts will now square off for third place on Sunday, while the Chennai Bulls and the Delhi Redz have their eyes on the coveted title. (ANI)
