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The Bengaluru Bravehearts advanced to the Rugby Premier League semi-final by defeating the Kalinga Black Tigers 34-26. The Delhi Redz and Mumbai Dreamers played to a 19-19 draw.
Bengaluru Bravehearts advance to the semis. (Credits: RPL)
The Bengaluru Bravehearts have advanced to the semi-final of Season 1 of the Rugby Premier League, becoming the third team to do so. They secured their spot by defeating the Kalinga Black Tigers with a score of 34-26.
In another match on the same day, the Delhi Redz and the Mumbai Dreamers played out an exhilarating draw at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex on Wednesday.
With their qualification at stake, the Bengaluru Bravehearts faced a determined Kalinga Black Tigers team. The Tigers took an early lead when Ethan Turner scored a try, and Maurice Longbottom easily converted. Lucas Lacamp then added another try, with Turner successfully converting.
However, the Bravehearts began their comeback before halftime, with tries from Philip Wokorach and Arpan Chhetri. By the break, the Tigers were ahead by just 4 points. The second half saw the Bravehearts’ Liam Poulton upping the ante with two tries, giving his team the lead.
The game remained fiercely contested, with Ethan Turner responding almost immediately with a try for the Tigers. Heading into the final phase, the Bravehearts led by just 1 point.
In the final quarter, the Bravehearts surged ahead as Philip Wokorach scored and converted a try, followed by Iowane Teba’s try and conversion, creating a comfortable gap. The Tigers fought back, with Perry Baker adding a try and Maurice Longbottom converting, but it was not enough.
In the day’s second game, the Mumbai Dreamers mounted a comeback to draw against the Delhi Redz. The match ended with both teams tied at 19-19.
James Turner initially put the Dreamers in the lead, but Patrick Okongo and Alejandro Laforga combined to give the Redz 7 points. The Delhi Redz then dominated, with Laforga and Deepak Punia scoring tries, and Punia converting his kick.
The Redz seemed set for victory, but the Dreamers rallied in the final quarter. James Turner scored and converted a try, and Vuiviwa Naduvalo capped the evening with a crucial try, enabling the Dreamers to secure a 19-19 draw.
With IANS Inputs
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