Mobitel Eagles, Isipathana secure inaugural Sri Lanka Super Sevens Rugby titles

By Shamseer Jaleel

The Mobitel Eagles and Isipathana College were the first overall winners of the Sri Lanka Super Sevens Rugby 2016 competition, which was conducted in grand style at the racecourse rugby grounds over the weekend.

The School final saw Isipathana and a vastly improved St. Joseph’s College battle it out for supremacy. Chamod Fernando and Randy Silva scored for the green shirts while the Joes touched down through Shan Akila to finish the half trailing 5-12.

After the turnaround Fernando scored again before the Joes replied through Gemunu Chetiya. But by this time it was too late as Silva and Fernando recorded their second tries, swelling their lead well beyond the Joes, who ended up losing 12-33.

In the Franchise final it was a tale of losing the battle and winning the war for the Mobitel Eagles. They won the first leg but in the second leg they had to be content with the runner-up position as they came out second best to the Cargills Gladiators, falling 17-28. 

At halftime the winners led 14-7. The Cargills Gladiators, who remained unbeaten during the second leg of the tournament, were the runners-up overall in the two-legged event. Kavindu Perera was named the Player of the Tournament.

Pix by Indraratne Balasuriya