Western Warriors lose final to Northern Gladiators but win overall title

The 2nd day of the Carlton Super Sevens 2014, Colombo leg commenced with a classic game between Western Warriors vs Jaffna Challengers as the quater-final stage kicked started. Jone Avokia Vota scored the match-winning try for the Warriors as the fighting Jaffna Challengers led by Saliya Kumara went down by 12-05 points. 

Uva Vipers sprung one of the biggest surprises of the tournament when they beat the high-ranked and fancied Southern Sharks by 14-00 in a stellar performance by the green & white jersey Vipers in the 2nd quarter-final match. Kavindu De Costa and Tim Mikkelson scored for the winning team.

Northern Gladiators edged past North Central Typhoons by 19-12 points in the 3rd quarter-final during the extra-time. Jasa Veremalua scored two tries for the Gladiators while skipper Dinusha Ariyapala touched down twice for the Typhoons.

Central Kings easily brushed aside Eastern Eagles by 31-12 in their 4th quarter-final encounter. Nigel Ratwatte planted down two tries while Chula Susantha and Anuruddha Wilwara scored one try each. Apisalome Waqatabu scored  all the points for the Eagles.

The 1st semi-final was played between Uva Vipers and the mighty Western Warriors and they easily won the game by 33-05 points with the Warriors scoring 5 tries. Jone Avokia Vota(1), Emori Waqavulangi (1), Joeli Lutumailagi (1) and skipper Yoshitha Rajapakshe scored the final two tries while George Tilsey scored the only try for Vipers

Northern Gladiators booked their place in the grand final by beating the Central Kings by 26-19 points in the 2nd semi-final. Tongan born David Halaifonua scored the 1st try while pradeep liyanage scored 2 tries for the Gladiators while Anuruddha Wilwara, Leo Naikasau and Richard Dharmapala scored a try each for the Kings.

Play-off 9th – 10th place.

Sabaragamuwa Stallions started brightly as Sashan Mohamed scored off the first kick off to lead 5-0 Sabaragamuwa Stallions. North Western Blacks right back through Anthony Matoto to gain the lead in the game for the first time. 7-0 North Western Blacks. Anthony Matoto scored his second of the game but Sabaragamuwa Stallions scored right on half time to end the half 2 points behind the NWB. 14-12 North Western Blacks. Mohammed Abzal scored right after half time and Jordan Tuapou scored his second try as North Western Blacks ran away winners of this 9th place match. North Western Blacks 26-17 Sabaragamuwa Stallions.

Play-off 7th – 8th place.

Eastern Eagles started strong as Lolo Lio scored off the kick off to hand them the lead in the first minute. 5- 0 Eastern Eagles. Jone Tavaga scored a marvellous try for the Jaffna Challengers as they gained the lead in the game for the first time. 7-5 Jaffna Challengers. Rehan Thiyagaraja scored a run away try for the Eastern Eagles as they ended the first half 12 all. Jone Tuitogo scored a marvellous hat trick as Jaffna Challenger ran away with the game and secured the 7th place. Jaffna Challengers 26-17 Eastern Eagles.

Play-off 6th – 5th place.

Southern Sharks scored tries, as Semi Kunatani scored one and Captain Srinath Suriyabandara scored one as they ended the first half leading the North Central Typhoons by 19-00. Semi Kunatani started the second half just like the first as he scored for the Southern Sharks as they continued to cruise through the game. 24-00. North Central Typhoons scored a solitary try but it was all in vain as  Southern Sharks ran away with the win and claimed 5th place. Southern Sharks 31-05 North Central Typhoons.

3rd – 4th place play-off.

Anurudda Wilwara set up Sitiveni Waqa as Central Kings started the game with a try and lead 7-0. Tomasi Cama stepped his way through the Central Kings defence as he levelled the scores 7-all. Tharindu Chanaka scored a runaway try as Uva Vipers gained the lead in the game for the first time. 14-07 Uva Vipers. Captain Shehan Pathirana scored right on the half time hooter as Uva Vipers ended the first half on a high. 21- 07 Uva Vipers. Sandun Herath ran 50 meters to score the next try as Uva Vipers scored the first try of the second half to extend lead -28-07 Uva Vipers. Captain Shehan Pathirana set up Gillies Kaka to score the 5th try of the game for Uva Vipers as they continued to cruise to a 33-07 lead in the game. Anurudda Wilwara scored a consolation try but it was all too little too late for the Central Kings as Uva Vipers take the game 33-12 and secure 3rd place in the Carlton Super 7s.

Final.

Winners from the first leg Western Warriors took on the Northern Gladiators in the Carlton Super 7s second leg final. Western Warrior Lote Rakabula kicked the game off from right to left. Northern Gladiators started the better team in the game and David Halaifonua scored the first try in the game as the  Northern Gladiators took the early lead. Northern Gladiators 05-00 Western Warriors. Western Warriors hit right back through Emori Waqavulagi to gain the lead for the Western Warriors 07-05 Northern Gladiators. Joseph Dunn Naeqe scored the 2nd try for the Western Warriors as they continued their come back and end the half with the lead. Western Warriors 12-05 Northern Gladiators.

Northern Gladiators Captain kicked off the second half and Jasa Veremalua scored off a bad pass from a Western Warrior player as the  Northern Gladiators levelled the game 12-all. Pradeep Liyanage stepped magnificently to beat the last defender and score to gain the lead in the game. Northern Gladiators 17-12 Western Warriors. David Halaifonua scored his second of the game as the Northern Gladiators set a mountain to climb for the Western Warriors. Northern Gladiators 24-12 Western Warriors. Northern Gladiators defence held firm as they held on to win the second leg of the Carlton Super 7s 2014.

1.       Best Player – Local – Srinath Sooriyabandara

2.       Best Player – Foregin – David Halafanua

3.       Highest Try Scorer – Local – Srinath Sooriyabndara  – 8 Tries (2nd Leg Colombo)

4.       Highest Try Scorer – Local – Anurudha Wilwara  – 11 Tries (1st  Leg Koggal)