Mumbai: Maharashtra state Police (MSP) won the ‘Bombay Cup 2012’ Rugby title defeating Bombay Gym Rugby team by 14- 12 at the finals, held at Bombay Gymkhana ground on Saturday. A total of 6 teams battled for the honors in the championship.
The Bombay Gymkhana Rugby Club had hosted the event, as part of a series of similar initiatives to promote Rugby in India.
The game was tightly contested. Hosts Bombay Gym was very aggressive right from the start and built pressure on MSP scoring 12 points in the first half of the game. But, in the second half MSP came back very aggressively.
The first try was scored in the 40th minute by Ranjit Jambhle, who was playing flanker for MSP, and 15minutes later full back Suhas Benke scored the second try for MSP.
This time, loose forward, Dayanand Sutar successfully booted both the conversions and secured the match for MSP. The final score was 14-12.
The captain of the MSP team, Kiran Patil said, “We are excited to win the title. Winning Bombay Cup is a tribute to the passion of our players towards Rugby. The team appreciates the support from the Maharashtra Police sports department and our seniors. It was not possible without their support.”
He further said “now the team is focussing on the ‘All India & South Asia Rugby Championship 2012’, which is starting next weekend in Kolkata.'
The 79th edition of ‘All India & South Asia Rugby Tournament’, India’s Annual Premier Division-1 Rugby Tournament will be held between Sept 8-15, 2012 at CCFC ground, Kolkata. The tourney will be hosted by The Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC) and see top 12 Division-1 teams across the country battle for the honors.
As per the Indian Rugby Football Union (IRFU) ranking the participant teams are, (1) Army Red, (2) Bombay Gymkhana, (3) Army Green, (4) Delhi Hurricanes, (5) Tamil Nadu Police, (6) RFS Pune, (7) Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS), Orissa, (8) CC&FC, (9) Jungle Crows, Kolkata, (10) Sergeants Institute, Kolkata, (11) Maharashtra State Police (MSP) and (12) Maidan Hazards, Kolkata.
By Indian Sports News Network
