Haryana emerged victorious in the men’s category of the 13th Senior National Rugby Sevens Championship, defeating Maharashtra 17-12 in a hard-fought final at the State Sports Complex in Rajgir, Bihar. The final showcased intense rugby action, with Haryana managing to secure the national title after being runners-up last year.
West Bengal claimed the bronze medal by defeating Rajasthan 26-5 in the 3rd place playoff, showcasing a composed performance to secure a podium finish. The knockout stage commenced with the Pre-Quarterfinals on Day 1, leading to Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, and Rajasthan advancing to the semi-finals after a mix of dominant and closely contested matches.
In the semi-finals, Maharashtra overcame West Bengal 36-5, while Haryana defeated Rajasthan 38-0, setting the stage for a repeat of the 2021 final. The closely fought final saw Haryana taking an early lead through Neeraj Khatri, with Maharashtra responding through Sunil Chawan. However, Haryana’s Mohit Khatri and Ajay Deswal, along with a conversion by Deepak Kumar Punia, secured a 17-12 victory.
Rahul Bose, President of Rugby India, praised the progress of the sport in the country, commending the players’ skills and commitment. Rajan Rawat of Rajasthan emerged as the top scorer with 76 points, followed by Shridhar Nigade of Maharashtra with 59 points and Karan Rajbhar of West Bengal with 55 points, highlighting the attacking prowess displayed in the competition.
The 13th edition of the Senior National Rugby Sevens Championship concluded with the men’s competition, signifying another successful chapter in the growth of rugby in India.
