New Zealand clinch rugby event

Pakistan Whites collect bowl championship title.

KARACHI: The two-day rugby action at the International Sports Festival culminated with New Zealand’s College Rifles Raiders taking the honours after defeating Pakistan Greens in the final at the DHA Rugby Stadium, Lahore.     

The Auckland club swept the match 38-0 as Pakistan Greens looked hapless against the experienced side.

Earlier in the day, Greens avenged their opening day defeat by beating Cambodia Rugby Club 22-12 in the semi-final.

The Ireland-based Hollywood Rugby Club, after being thrashed 19-7 in the semi-final at the hands of College Rifles Raiders, claimed third position by beating the Cambodia side in the classification match.

Pakistan Whites took the bowl championship title after overcoming Hong Kong-based Chinese University Rugby Club 12-5, while the Uzbek Rugby Club won the plate championship after defeating Kabul United 12-5.

The Pakistan Rugby Union will organise an exhibition match between Pakistan 15s and World 15s today. The rugby event attracted the highest number of foreign teams in the ongoing sports festival with eight outfits taking part.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 10^th, 2012.