National Sevens Rugby: Chand shines as Army lift trophy

Scores the final’s only try to down Islamabad 5-0.

KARACHI: Army clinched the 23rd National Sevens Rugby Championship as they defeated Islamabad 5-0 in the final at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore yesterday.

Khalid Chand, who was also the player of the tournament, scored the game’s only try, and even though Islamabad defended well in the second-half and kept Army from scoring further, they failed to find an equaliser.

Army were the best team in the two-day tournament as they made the final by outclassing Police 31-0, whereas Islamabad outplayed Punjab White 17-0.



“The final was an exciting one and both sides battled hard,” tournament director and national head coach Shakeel Ahmed told The Express Tribune.” The quality of the game was very good and the standard of our sevens is really improving. The top four teams, especially, contested well.”

Ahmed added that the National Sevens Championship brought new players forward and he would like to select some of the Army players in the national side.



“The talent is there, I hope that an Army player can come to the national camp too. Last time they couldn’t manage to be a part of the side. But I’ve taken notice of a few new players and I’d like to try them for the national team,” said Ahmed.

Meanwhile, in the third-place match, Punjab White defeated Police 5-0 on a sudden-death try scored in extra-time.

Nanu Niazi was named the player of the match, whereas the fair-play trophy went to Sindh.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4^th,  2016.

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