Maharashtra team reign supreme

MUMBAI: Maharashtra, led by international Shailesh Devrukhkar, steamrollered Chennai to emerge champions in the first-ever Hutch Inter-State 7-a-side rugby tournament which concluded at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore on Sunday. The tournament was held to decide on the teams that would participate in the National Games in Guwahati later this year.

In the final, Maharashtra packed too many guns for Chennai, blanking them 28-0 after leading 14-0 at half time.

Two tries each by Army man Bikas Jeena and Maharashtra Police commando Ganesh Sawant in either half helped Maharashtra quell the challenge of Chennai. Another Army player, Lama converted from all the four tries.

Maharashtra, who displayed great form throughout the tournament, topped their pool comprising Manipur and Jammu & Kashmir, before defeating Bangalore 40-0 in the semi-finals.

Here too, wing backs Jeena and Sawant were in their elements scoring two tries each, while Hrishikesh Pendse of Bombay Gymkhana also chipped in with two. Lama converted from five tries.

“The final was a tough match, which is not indicated by the scoreline. Hrishikesh and I kept tackling hard and our defence held the fort well,” Devrukhkar said.

“We played as a team and stuck to our gameplan,” he added after the win. The captain had special praise for Bikas Jeena, who was also adjudged the best player of the tournament.