Unbeaten Western Warriors and Central Kings dominate Koggala

Central Kings and Western Warriors remained unbeaten on day one as they won all their respective Pool A & B matches to dominate proceedings at the picturesque Koggala BOI ground by the sea which was dressed up in all its grandeur for the 1st leg of the Carlton Super 7s international rugby tournament which commenced today.

Local leg winners, North Central Typhoons  failed to impress in the 1st game as Uva Vipers won the 1st game by 17-00 with IRB International Sevens Player of the Year 2012, Tomasi Cama scoring the opening try of the tournament. Central Kings notched up their first win for the day beating Eastern Eagles by 24-14. 

The strong Western Warriors fielded 5 foreign players including the two local Fijians and they scored a last-grasp try to overcome the gallant Northern Gladiators by 19-12 in the 3rd match of the day. Southern Sharks posted the highest score on day one by smashing the North Western Blacks by 38-05 as the first set of matches were completed as the crowds started to fill the ground.

After the first 20-minute break, Uva Vipers continued their dominant run in Pool A as they simply outclassed the Sabaragamuwa Stallions by 24-07 with New Zealander Tim Mikkelson going over for a couple of tries. North Central Typhoons managed to inflict the 2nd defeat on Eastern Eagles as the final scores read 26-17. 

The mighty Western Warriors were far too strong for the defending champions, Jaffna Challengers as Emori Waqavulagi scored twice while Setefano Cakau and Lote Raikabula touched down once each to win their 2nd match by 35-07 points. Local speedsters Mithun Hapugoda (Northern Gladiators) and Vishwamithra Jayasinghe (Southern Sharks) scored two tries apiece as Southern Sharks got the better of Northern Gladiators by 24-12.

Winger Anurudha Wilwara guided Central Kings to their 2nd victory with 2 excellent tries to beat Sabaragamuwa Stallions 33-12 as the hot sun basked down together with strong winds. In the 10th game of the day, Uva Vipers recorded their 3rd victory  with ease as the final scores were 33-10 in favour of Shehan Pathirana and his men as Eastern Eagles suffered their 3rd consecutive loss.

Jaffna Challengers disappointing day continued to torment them as they suffered another 26-07 loss at the hands of North Western Blacks in the 11th game of the 2014 Carlton Super Sevens 1st leg. Strong favourites to lift the championship, Western Warriors put a full stop to Southern Sharks unbeaten run with Fijian born Sri Lankan Emori Waqavulagi scoring a hat-trick  as the sharks were trounced by 26-00.

Central Kings managed to pull off a close win of 12-05 against a valiant North Central Typhoons in the 13th game of the day. Eastern Eagles finally won their 1st game of the tournament beating the Sabaragamuwa Stallions 24-05 after three unsuccessful attempts throughout the day. 

More Photos

Tongan David Halaifounua went over the try line two times as Northern Gladiators thrashed the Blacks from North Western province by 31-10. Vishmithra Jayasinghe planted 2 more tries in the 16th match on Friday evening as the rains made the underfoot conditions soggy as Southern Sharks won their last game for the evening beating Jaffna Challengers 17-10.

Pool A deciding game between Uva Vipers and Central Kings ended in an anti-climax end with Uva Vipers not fielding their overseas players in the 1st half and they lost the game 31-12 as Central Kings won the Pool A. North Central Typhoons won the final game of the Pool A by33-19 points as Sabaragamuwa Stallions lost all their games on day one. 

In the penultimate match of the day, the Western Warriors completed their dream run on the opening day, beating North Western Blacks 31-15. Northern Gladiators came from behind to draw the final game of the evening courtesy a Dhanushka Ranjan try as Jaffna Challengers was held to a 21-21 draw.

Match Results on Day 1

Highest Try Scorers on Day 1

Emori Waqavulagi – 8 (Western Warriors)

Mulevoro Emosi – 7 (Central Kings)

Anuruddha Wilwara – 5 (Central Kings)

Vishwamithra Jayasinghe – 5 (Southern Sharks)

Carlton Super Seven’s – 2014 – Koggala – Day 1 Pool Score

More Photos