Bhubaneswar: The Bengaluru Bravehearts put on a superb display of rugby in their game against the Kalinga Black Tigers, winning 34-26, here in Mumbai, at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, during Season 1 of the GMR Rugby Premier League. The win makes the Bravehearts the third team to make the semi-finals.
With qualification on the line for the Bengaluru Bravehearts, the Kalinga Black Tigers were looking to create hurdles. And on cue, the Tigers took the lead when Ethan Turner bagged a try and Maurice Longbottom converted with ease. The Tigers further extended their lead with Lucas Lacamp’s try and Turner’s conversion.
However, before the end of the first half, the Bravehearts started to mount a comeback with Philip Wokorach and Arpan Chhetri’s tries. At the break the Tigers led by 4 points. After that, the Bravehearts’ Liam Poulton turned up the ante with a couple of tries, to give his side the lead.
The game was well contested, and the Tigers responded well and almost immediately with Ethan Turner’s try. And going into the last phase, the Bravehearts led by 1 point.
The Bravehearts put the foot on the pedal in the final quarter with Philip Wokorach adding a try and converting, along with Iowane Teba’s try and conversion, which gave them some breathing space. The Tigers though were not giving up and Perry Baker added five more to the cause, whilst Maurice Longbottom also scored his conversion kick. But it was too little too late.
