Carlton Super Rugby Sevens:

Southern Sharks clinch Cup C’ship

S M Jiffrey Abdeen, Kandy Sports Corr.

Southern Sharks put up a great performance in the cup finals to defeat the strong Central Kings by 19 points (two goals, one try) to 14 (two goals) to win the Cup Championship of the first leg of the Carlton Super Rugby Sevens organized by Carlton Sports Club in conjunction with the Sri Lanka Rugby Football Union and concluded at the Bogambara Stadium yesterday. At half time Southern Sharks led 12-0.

Central Sharks have to blame themselves for this defeat which was the first one in this two-day tournament. They played badly in the first half and conceded 12 points whilst scoring none. Southern Sharks scored in the fourth minute when Dilip Selvam carried the ball and sent a quick pass to skipper Amjad Buksh, who touched down mid right and added the extra points himself.

Three minutes later Southern Sharks three quarters moved the ball Trinity College schoolboy and winger Mohamed Shashan scored far right. This try went unconverted.

The teams changed ends with the Southern Sharks in a strong position leading 12-0.

The Southern Sharks further extended their lead through a try scored by Dinusha Chathuranga and this was converted. Southern Sharks led 17-0 an invincible lead it appeared to be.

But the Central Kings were determined and would not go without a fight.

They came into the game strongly in the last five minutes of play. First flanker Pubudu Kodagoda with a strong run scored under the post and added the extra points.

Next New Zealander Zha Lawrence with a blistering run scored near the post and added the extra points to reduce the gap to 14-19.

Central Kings kept pressing in the last couple of minutes before time ran out for them. Had only the Central Kings exerted the same pressure in the first half, they could have well ended up as Cup Champions.

Central Kings beat North Western Blacks 21 points (three goals) to 19 (two goals, one try). Half time Western Blacks leading 12-5.

Eastern Eagles beat Northern Gladiators 24 (two goals, two tries) to 21 (three goals). Half time 17-14. Uva Vipers beat Jaffna Challengers by 24 points (two goals, two tries) to 19 (two goals, one try). Half time Jaffna Challengers led 14-5.

Southern Sharks beat Sabaragamuwa Stallions 26 points (three goals, one try) to 10 (two tries). Half time 21-5.

North Western Blacks beat North Central Typhoons by 26 points (three goals, one try) to 12 (one goal, one try). Half time 14-12.

Western Warriors beat Northern Gladiators by 26 points (three goals, one try) to 5 (one try). Half time 12-0.

Jaffna Challengers beat North Central Typhoons by 31 points (three goals, two tries) to 7 (one goal). Half time 19-0.

Sabaragamuwa Stallions beat Western Warriors by 47 points (six goals, one try) to 21 (three goals). Half time 28-7.

Cup semi-finals

Central Kings beat Eastern Eagles by 24 points (two goals, two tries) to 5 (one try). Half time 10-0.

Second Cup semi-final

Southern Sharks beat Uva Vipers by 19 points (two goals, one try) to 14 (two goals). Half time 14-7.

Jaffna Challengers beat North Western Blacks by 26 points (three goals, one try) to 21 (three goals). Half time 14-7.

Sabaragamuwa Stallions beat Northern Gladiators by 26 points (three goals, one try) to 12 (one goal, one try). Half time Northern Gladiators led 12-7.

Play off for ninth and 10th places.

Northern Gladiators beat North Central Typhoons by 31 points (three goals, two tries) to 7 (one goal). Half time 17-0.

Play off for seventh and eighth places.

North Western Blacks beat Western Warriors by 19 points (two goals, one try) to 17 (one goal, two tries). Half time Western Warriors led 7-5.

Play off for fifth and sixth places.

Sabaragamuwa Stallions beat Jaffna Challengers by 26 points (three goals, one try) to 17 (one goal, two tries). Half time 12-7.

Play off for third and fourth places (Plate Championship).

Uva Vipers scored a 17 points (one goal, two tries) to 7 (one goal) win over Eastern Eagles to win the third place (Plate Championship). At half time Uva Vipers led 5-0.