The North Central Typhoons led by Anurudda Wilwara won the first of the local tournaments of the Carlton Super 7s played in Kurunegala yesterday beating Fazil Marija’s Northern Gladiators 28 – 21 points in a close encounter.
It was a thrilling final as both teams came unbeaten from the pool stages in the first day and won the semifinals comfortably. However, Waqawulagi Emori was outstanding as he displayed excellent 7’s skills, something special he brought to the tournament from Fiji. Emori who was the highest try scorer in tournament with 10 tries under his name, helped Typhoons to win the final game with his two important tries.
At one stage it was 21 – 14 for Typhoons, the Gladiators equalized 21 – 21 with a one man advantage after Hirantha Perera of Typhoons was yellow carded for a high tackle. Lahiru Weerasinghe, Sudarshana Muthuthantri and Pradeep Liyanage scored for Gladiators while Marija added the conversions. Wilawara and Emori scored two tries each for the Typhoons. Weerarathne added the extras.
Player of the tournament in this year’s Mercantile 7’s Anurudda Wilwara was in great form and played up to expectations, Dushanth Lewke, Roshan Weerarathna and Emori utilized their experience for the Typhoons success. On the other hand Marija, Muthuthantri, Mithun Hapugoda and Pradeep Liyanage played well despite losing the final battle.
Notable absentee for Typhoons in the final was Sandun Herath due to an ankle injury he sustained in the semifinals. Dhanuska Ranjan did not play a single match for Gladiators as he is still recovering from the injury he sustained at the club 7’s
Points Table:
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Team |
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Placing |
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North Western Blacks |
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Western Warriors |
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11 |
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Southern Sharks |
7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
3 |
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3rd & 4th Play off
North Western Blacks beat Western Warriors comfortably 26 – 07 to win the 3rd place. Warriors captain Yoshitha Rajapaksa did not play in this game while Sheriff Mohamed of Blacks was rested after having a successful two day run. Lee Keegal, Lavanga Perera and Nuwan Hettiarachi scored for Blacks. Bilal Hasan played some power rugby and most of the time two defenders were needed to put him down but Bilal was sin binned for a late tackle and the Blacks took the opportunity. In the semi-finals, the Blacks lost to Gladiators 10 – 22 and Warriors lost against Typhoons 21 – 26 in yet another close match.
5th & 6th Place
Central Kings outplayed Eastern Eagles 33 – 07. Richard Darmapala and Saliya Handapangoda showed some individual brilliance with their agile foot work. Nigel Ratwatte controlled the game well in the middle and was the highest try scorer for Kings whilst Captain Rohitha Rajapakse did the basics well with some good off loads and support play. Eagles skipper Shenal Dias was left out due to his injury while Chamara Dabare, Arshad Jamaldeen, Lakith Perera and Mohamed Absal played reasonably well to end up 6th for the Eagles.
7th & 8th Place
Southern Sharks beat Uva Vipers 34 – 12 to claim the 7th place. Sharks captain Dinusha Chathuranga did not show off due to his injury he is been rested for International segment. However, all eyes were on Srinath Sooriyabandara as he displayed some individual brilliance which was thrilling to watch. Sahsan Mohamed and Chanaka Chandimal supported the Sharks well. Vipers who finished bottom in the pool on the first day did not make a significant impact. They only beat Jaffna Challenger in the second day 21 – 12. ‘Ashan De Costa had to change 6 jerseys in 2 days as he scuttled for points’. Shehan Pathirana, Rizah Mubarak, Sharo Fernando and Mushin Faleel’s effort was in vain for the Vipers in the first leg as they finished 8th in the standings.
9th & 10th Place
Sabaragamuwa Stallions beat Jaffna Challengers 17 – 14. It is a consolation win for the Stallions as little dynamite Richi Dharmapala played an outstanding game with some great cover tackles. Chula Susantha was only be able to get the 9th place even with the Joseph Dunn’s Fiji blood in the team. Saliya Kumara lead the Challengers brilliantly in the pool games finishing 3rd on day one but was unable to keep the momentum on the second day.
Top try scores
Waqavulagi Emori (Typhoons) 10
Anurudda Wilwara (Typhoons) 08
Mithun Hapugoda (Gladiators) 08
Srinath Sooriyabandara (Sharks) 08
Joseph Dunn (Stallions) 08
