Western Warriors undefeated champions at Koggala

Monday, 11 August 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Central Kings beat Uva Vipers to claim third spot in Carlton Super 7s contest

Text and Pictures by P.D. De Silva The Western Warriors led by Yoshitha Rajapaksa with the advantage of playing two former Fijian rugby stars who are now citizens of Sri Lanka, emerged undefeated champions at the first leg of the Carlton Super Sevens 2014 which ended at Koggala on Saturday. They defeated the Southern Sharks 14 points to 12 in a thrilling final. Anuruddha Wilwara scored eleven tries – the highest by an individual player at Koggala.

In the morning, Rohitha Rajapaksa led the Central Kings to their fifth consecutive win defeating the North Western Blacks 38 points to 7 in the first game of day two. The Southern Sharks overcame the North Central Typhoons 17 points to 12 while the Uva Vipers managed to register a 19 points to 12 win against the Northern Gladiators. The strong Western Warriors continued their winning streak defeating the Eastern Eagles 19 points to 12. The Jaffna Challengers registered their first win of the tournament defeating the North Western Blacks 24 points to 19 while the Sabaragamuwa Stallions suffered their fifth consecutive loss at the hands of the North Central Typhoons losing 19 points to 21. The Northern Gladiators defeated the winless Jaffna Challengers 33 points to 7 and the Eastern Eagles held the Sabaragamuwa Stallions to a 14-all draw. In the semi finals the Southern Sharks ended the five win streak of the Central Kings, winning by 28 points to 14. The Western Warriors continued to prove their strength by defeating the Uva Vipers 36 points to nil the largest margin of victory in the tournament. In the last of the pool games the Northern Gladiators and North Central Typhoons registered wins against the North Western Blacks (34 points to 5) and the Eastern Eagles (20 points to 12). The Eastern Eagles clinched ninth spot by defeating the North Western Blacks 24 points to 7 while the Jaffna Challengers did well to overcome the Sabaragamuwa Stallions 27 points to 12 to clinch 7th place at Koggala. In the playoff for the 5th and 6th places the North Central Typhoons led the Northern Gladiators 17 points to 7 but in a powerful come back the Gladiators won 26 points to 17. The Central Kings did well to overcome the Uva Vipers 19 points to 14 to win third spot.