BHUBANESWAR 16-Feb-2013 353
Delhi Lions and Bangalore Rugby Football Club were declared joint champions of the Callaghan Cup All-India (Division-II) Rugby Tournament after the hard-fought Cup final between the two sides ended in a 5-5 draw at Kalinga Stadium here today.
Chennai Irish won the Plate final, beating home favourites Bhubaneswar Rugby Club 15-5 earlier in the day. Delhi Lions, Bangalore RFC and Mumbai Magicials, who earlier lost in the semifinals, qualified for the Division-I Tournament to be held at Mumbai in September this year.
Local MP Prasanna Patasani and CRPF Bhubaneswar Group Centre DIG Subrat Kumar Mishra handed over the trophies at the closing function. Host Odisha Rugby Football Association president Priyadarshi Mishra and secretary Upendra Kumar Mohanty were present on the occasion.
Though ranked No 1 at the start of the tournament, Bhubaneswar RC flattered to deceive by finishing sixth in the 14-team tournament. BRC entered the Plate final, pulverising Bangalore Bombers 27-0 in the semifinals.
Earlier Bhubaneswar Rugby Club salvaged some reputation by trouncing Jammu & Kashmir 80-7 in a quarterfinal match. Bhubaneswar Rugby Club came a cropper in their opening match as they went down 5-20 to Bangalore Rugby Football Club.
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PHOTO: Players of Delhi Lions and Bangalore RFC pose with the trophy in Bhubaneswar on February 16, 2013.
