Day two of the second leg in the exhilarating rugby fiesta Sri Lanka Super 7’s drew to a close at the Race Course International Stadium in Colombo today.
The Mobitel Eagles and Isipathana College won the overall Franchise and School tournament respectively.
The final day began under bright sunlight with the school quarter finals taking central stage. St. Peter’s overcame D.S. Senanayake with ease winning 26 nil. St. Joseph’s overpowered Prince of Wales College33-07. Zahira College sprung a surprise beating the more fancied S. Thomas’ in the third quarterfinal while Isipathana beat Wesley College in a closely contested game in the fourth and final quarterfinal in the school segment.
Text Commentary – Day 2
The franchise quarterfinal began as the second session got under way at Race Course. KBSL Dragons came up trumps in a close game versus Walkers Vipers, winning 21-19. First leg champions Mobitel Eagles were made to work for their 4 point win over Softlogic Warriors. On the other hand Access Kings had a rather easy passage to the cup semifinal beating Etisalat Panthers 28-14. Cargills Gladiators, unbeaten on day one continued their winning ways beating EZY wolves 26-19 to advance to the cup semifinal.
Moving back into the School segment, D.S. Senanayake College went down to Prince of Wales as the winner progressed through to the Bowl final. Wesley College was the other team to book their place in the Bowl final as they overcame S. Thomas’ College easily 33-07. The losers of these two matches progressed to the Shield Final as D.S. Senanayake took on S. Thomas’ College.
Softlogic Warriors beat Walkers Vipers as the Softlogic Warriors progressed through to the Bowl final. Etisalat Panthers made the Bowl final as they beat the EZY Wolves winning 26-07. Losers, Walkers Vipers made the line up to meet EZY Wolves in the Shield Final.
Moving back to the Cup semifinals, first in the school segment runners up in the first leg, St. Joseph’s College made up for their final loss to beat St. Peter’s College in the 1st semifinal 15-07. Isipathana made easy work of Zahira College beating them by 31-07 to set up a Cup final meeting against St. Joseph’s College.
The franchise Semifinals saw, 1st leg winners Mobitel Eagles playing out a hard fought win against KBSL Dragons. Dragons were hard done as their first loss of the second leg saw them drop down to the Plate final. Cargills Gladiators, unbeaten in the whole of the second leg continued their flying form as they booked a cup final meeting against Mobitel Eagles.
Moving into the Finals of the second leg, the Ezy Wolves triumphed over the Walkers Vipers, winning the Shield final 19-12. Softlogic Warriors, runners up in the first leg had to be satisfied with the Bowl this time around beating Etisalat Panthers 19-14.
In the plate final of school segment, St. Peter’s were stunned in golden-point sudden death as Zahira College, full of surprises on day 2 beat yet another big name school to clinch the Plate. The game was tied 19 all at the end of regulation time as both team played their hearts out. Two minutes into sudden death Yuzraan Lanthra pounced on to the loose ball and scored under the post to upset St. Peter’s and clinch the Plate.
In the Plate final of the franchise segment, Access Kings impressed beating KBSL Dragons. Eranga Ariyapala opened the scoring for KBSL Dragons as they took the early lead in the game. Minutes later Waqa Saukru leveled proceedings 5-all at half time. Dhanush Dayan scored after half time as Access Kings went ahead in the game. A few minutes later Janith Chanaka stepped on the accelerator to burn Kavindu Perera on the outside to score in the corner to put a cushion in between the two sides. Sevuloni Mocenacagi scored a consolation try for KBSL Dragons as the game drew to a close and Access Kings winning the Plate and finish in fifth place on the table.
School Cup Final
Chathura Seneviratne kicked the game off under masses of support for Isipathana. Chamodh Fernando was the first to get his name on the board for Isipathana as he stepped his way through to score.
Shaan Akila scored for St Joesph’s as Isipathana were reduced a man for a shoulder charge. Few minutes later Randy Silva scored on the stroke of half time to extend the Pathana lead by 7.
Half Time: Isipathana 12-5 Joes
Chamodh Fernando scored under the post right after half time to extend the Pathana lead. Gamunu Chethiya scored right away to bring the game back into the balance. Randy Silva and Chamodh Fernando scored two tries in quick succession as Isipathana put the game to bed for Pathana. With this Isipathana College sealed first place in the Sri Lanka Super 7’s while St. Joseph’s College finished first runner up.
Full Time: Isipathana 33-12 Joes
Franchise Cup Final
Cargills Gladiators kicked off proceedings in the much awaited cup final. A game full of superstars saw neither giving an inch to the opposition. The team inform in the second leg, Cargills Gladiators opened the scoring as Emosi Mulevoro stepped and powered his way through Dulaj Perera’s tackle to score under the post.
One score lead to another as few minutes later Nemani Nagusa scored for the Cargills Gladiators as they doubled their lead in the game.
Mobitel Eagles opened the scoring in the game as Setefano Cakaunivalu assisted Prince Chamara’s converted try cut the deficit in half to end the first half.
Half Time: Cargills Gladiators 14-07 Mobitel Eagles
Cargills Gladiators struck right after the lemons to extend their lead further. Richard Dharmapala made a lung busting dash down the near touch line to set up Emosi Mulevoro for his second try of the game.
Dulaj Perera was the next to get his name on the score sheet as he received a long pass to dot down in the corner for the Mobitel Eagles to bring them back into the game with time to spare.
Amenoni Nasilasila put further day light in between the teams as he collected a loose ball and broke through the heart of the Mobitel defense to score.
The quick pace in the game was at display as minutes later Shenal Deelaka dived in the near corner to cut the lead of the Cargills gladiators but it was not enough to win the game for the Mobitel Eagles. With this win the Cargills Gladiators remained unbeaten in the second leg and finished second on the overall standings.
Full Time: Cargills Gladiators 28-17 Mobitel Eagles
Player of the Tournament: Kavindu Perera
