John Keells Blues win 50th Mercantile Rugby 7s

Mercantile Rugby Sevens 2022 Cup Final Winner John Keells Holdings – Blue

By Shamseer Jaleel

John Keells Blues edged out 3DH International 10/7 in the Cup final at the 50th mercantile Rugby Sevens 2022 which concluded at the CR and FC ground in Longdon Place last weekend.

Richard Dharmapala scored for the winners while Gemunu Chethiya replied with a try and conversion by Sudam Sppriarachchi for 3DH International to take the lead at the short breather 10/7 in their favour.

After the turn-around there was no scoring till the last minute of the game when Avishka Lee touched down the winning try for JK Blues.

John Keells White won the plate beating Dialog A 7/5 while Sampath Bank after some magnificent rugby in the two days settled for the Bowl trophy beating Brandix 17/12.

Fair First Insurance accounted for the Shield edging out Ceylinco A 5/0.

CDB beat Sampath Bank 10/0 to win the Women’s encounter final.

Mercantile Rugby Football Association headed by Nishantha Wickremage and his committee organised the events.

Plate Winner Dialog Axiata – A team

John Keells Holdings – White Ovin Hettiarachchi (centre), Dialog Axiata – A Chamara Dabare (left) and Chanaka Chandimal (right) at Plate Final

John Keells Holdings – Blue Richard Dharmapala and 3DH International Buddima Piyarathne (left) at Mercantile Rugby Sevens 2022 Cup Final

3DH International Tarinda Ratwatte (left) and John Keells Holdings – Blue Avishka Lee