- Patrick Odongo and Kevin Wekesa scored as their teams picked up points in the Rugby Premier League opener on Sunday, June 15, at Andheri Sports Complex.
- Odongo, playing for Delhi Redz, touched down twice. Wekesa sealed Hyderabad Heroes’ 24-14 win over Kalinga Black Tigers with a late try.
- Both players rest on Monday. They return on Tuesday, June 17, as Delhi Redz face Chennai Bulls and Hyderabad Heroes meet Bengaluru Bravehearts.
Kenyan sensations Patrick Odongo and Kevin Wekesa made their mark on the scoreboard as the Rugby Premier League (RPL) kicked off in spectacular fashion on Sunday evening at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex (Andheri Sports Complex).
Rising Star Odongo, representing Delhi Redz, crossed the whitewash twice, both tries successfully converted as his side battled to a thrilling 21-21 stalemate against the Bengaluru Bravehearts.
Despite an early setback, Delhi mounted a spirited comeback. Bengaluru’s Akuila Rokolisoa opened the scoring with a brace of tries in the first and second quarters, adding all three conversions.
Philip Wokorach extended their lead with a third try in the final quarter.
Delhi Redz, however, rallied back with Daystar Falcons ace Patrick Odongo registering his two tries in the first and third quarters.
Argentine dynamo Matias Osadczuk added another in the second quarter, keeping the momentum alive. Osadczuk and Deepak Punia executed the conversions well, leveling the contest by the final whistle.
ALSO READ: Kenya 7s ace makes history after being drafted in first-ever Rugby Premier League tournament
Kevin Wekesa heroes
In another fixture, Kevin Wekesa sealed Hyderabad Heroes’ 24-14 win over Kalinga Black Tigers with a late try.
Joji Nasova had earlier given Hyderabad the lead, only for Maurice Longbottom to draw Kalinga level.
The sides continued trading scores in a fiercely contested second quarter, with Manuel Moreno dotting down for Hyderabad and Harry McNulty replying in kind for Kalinga.
Moreno and Longbottom converted their respective tries, leaving the match finely poised at halftime.
Hyderabad emerged from the break with renewed intensity. Javed Hussein and Wekesa each scored in the third and fourth quarters, ensuring their team clinched a convincing victory.
Meanwhile, in the second game of the evening, the Chennai Bulls cruised past the Mumbai Dreamers with a commanding 24-5 win.
Wekesa and Odongo will now have a rest day, with their next appearances scheduled for Tuesday, June 17. On that day, Delhi Redz will lock horns with the formidable Chennai Bulls, while Hyderabad Heroes face off against the resilient Bengaluru Bravehearts.
ALSO READ: Kenya 7s powerhouse Kevin Wekesa becomes second Kenyan headed to new Rugby Premier League in India
Rugby Premier League format
The Rugby Premier League, India’s pioneering franchise-based rugby sevens competition, features a groundbreaking structure:
- Each match spans 22 minutes, divided into four-minute quarters with two-minute intervals.
- The tournament follows a double round-robin format, comprising 30 pool-stage matches.
- Teams will compete in 10 pool games before advancing to the playoffs, which include two semi-finals, a bronze medal match, and a grand finale which will be totaling 34 matches.
- Over the 15-day event, squads could play up to 12 matches.
Players selected for Rugby Premier League
Two-time Olympians Baker, Specman, Curry, Gonzalez, Harry McNulty, Jordon Conroy have all committed themselves to the maiden season of RPL. There are other Olympic gold medallists, Rugby Sevens World Cup champions, and SVNS Series title-winners among the marquees.
Additionally, 18 players from Germany, Hong Kong China and Canada will be drafted into one of the six teams. 30 Indian players chosen from an auction pool of 71 will also play a part in this historic tournament alongside some of the world’s best sevens stars.
Rugby Premier League Fixtures
June 16, 2025
- Match 4: Kalinga Black Tigers vs Bengaluru Bravehearts
- Match 5: Mumbai Dreamers vs Chennai Bulls
June 17, 2025
- Match 6: Delhi Redz vs Chennai Bulls
- Match 7: Hyderabad Heroes vs Bengaluru Bravehearts
June 18, 2025
- Match 8: Chennai Bulls vs Kalinga Black Tigers
- Match 9: Mumbai Dreamers vs Delhi Redz
June 19, 2025
- Match 10: Bengaluru Bravehearts vs Mumbai Dreamers
- Match 11: Kalinga Black Tigers vs Hyderabad Heroes
June 20, 2025
- Match 12: Bengaluru Bravehearts vs Chennai Bulls
- Match 13: Kalinga Black Tigers vs Delhi Redz
- Match 14: Mumbai Dreamers vs Hyderabad Heroes
June 21, 2025
- Match 15: Chennai Bulls vs Bengaluru Bravehearts
- Match 16: Hyderabad Heroes vs Mumbai Dreamers
- Match 17: Delhi Redz vs Kalinga Black Tigers
June 22, 2025
- Match 18: Bengaluru Bravehearts vs Hyderabad Heroes
- Match 19: Chennai Bulls vs Delhi Redz
- Match 20: Kalinga Black Tigers vs Mumbai Dreamers
June 23, 2025
- Match 21: Delhi Redz vs Bengaluru Bravehearts
- Match 22: Hyderabad Heroes vs Chennai Bulls
June 24, 2025
- Match 23: Mumbai Dreamers vs Kalinga Black Tigers
- Match 24: Chennai Bulls vs Hyderabad Heroes
June 25, 2025
- Match 25: Bengaluru Bravehearts vs Kalinga Black Tigers
- Match 26: Delhi Redz vs Mumbai Dreamers
June 26, 2025
- Match 27: Kalinga Black Tigers vs Chennai Bulls
- Match 28: Hyderabad Heroes vs Delhi Redz
June 27, 2025
- Match 29: Delhi Redz vs Hyderabad Heroes
- Match 30: Mumbai Dreamers vs Bengaluru Bravehearts
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