Delhi Redz Clinch Historic First-Ever Women’s HSBC Rugby Premier League Title with 22-10 Win Over Chennai Bulls
History was created in Hyderabad as Delhi Redz emerged as the first-ever champions of the Women’s HSBC Rugby Premier League (RPL) powered by Avid Season 2, defeating Chennai Bulls 22-10 in a commanding final at the Gachibowli Stadium on Tuesday.
The victory crowned a memorable campaign for the Redz, who combined disciplined defence with clinical finishing to outplay Chennai in the title clash. The inaugural women’s competition featured 48 players, including 24 international stars representing 10 countries, marking a significant milestone for rugby in India and underlining the growing commitment to developing the women’s game.
With the triumph, Delhi Redz claimed the ₹25 lakh winners’ prize, while runners-up Chennai Bulls earned ₹15 lakh from the tournament’s total prize pool of ₹40 lakh.
The final began with Delhi Redz asserting themselves through controlled possession and aggressive defence. Their dominance was rewarded early when Lavena Cavuru broke through on the left wing to score the opening try and hand Delhi an early advantage.
From the outset, Chennai Bulls struggled to penetrate the Redz defence, which remained organised and disciplined while forcing errors in key areas of the field. Delhi’s ability to dictate possession and territory ensured they controlled the tempo during the opening exchanges, placing immediate pressure on their opponents.
Despite their slow start, Chennai Bulls gradually found their rhythm and finally opened their account in the second quarter through Muskan Piploda, who crossed over to reduce the deficit and inject fresh energy into the contest.
However, any hopes of sustained momentum were quickly halted.
Delhi responded almost immediately as Eden Kilgour produced an excellent finish to restore the advantage and maintain the Redz’s control heading into halftime. The quick reply reflected Delhi’s composure under pressure and prevented Chennai from building confidence after their breakthrough score.
One of the defining features of the final was Delhi Redz’s outstanding defensive organisation. Although Chennai Bulls enjoyed long spells of possession, particularly during the third quarter, they repeatedly found themselves frustrated by Delhi’s aggressive tackling and structured defensive line.
Time and again, the Bulls advanced into promising positions only to be denied by well-timed interventions from the Redz, who maintained their composure despite sustained pressure.
The inability to convert possession into points ultimately proved costly for Chennai as Delhi waited patiently for opportunities to strike on the counterattack.
As the final quarter began, Delhi regained complete control of proceedings. Silika Qalo extended the lead with a well-worked try on the right wing, giving the Redz valuable breathing room at a crucial stage of the match. Soon afterwards, Isadora Lopes added another score to effectively put the contest beyond Chennai’s reach.
Although Sheilla Chajira managed to score for the Bulls late in the game, Delhi comfortably managed the remaining minutes to secure a deserved 22-10 victory and write their names into the history books as the inaugural women’s champions.
The celebrations that followed reflected not only the significance of the title but also the importance of the tournament itself in advancing women’s rugby in India.
The inaugural women’s Rugby Premier League represented a major step forward for the sport in the country. Featuring a mix of Indian talent and leading international players from across the globe, the competition provided valuable exposure and high-level experience for domestic athletes while showcasing the growing popularity of rugby among Indian audiences.
Delhi Redz’s championship triumph will now stand as the first chapter in what organisers hope becomes a long and successful history for the women’s league.
Elsewhere on the eighth day of competition, Hyderabad Heroes secured a 26-17 victory over Delhi Redz in the men’s competition. The Heroes started brightly through Diego Ardao before Taitaifono Tavita and Ravuama Seruvakula helped extend their advantage. Wolfram Hacker also contributed a try as Hyderabad built a comfortable lead.
Delhi attempted a late comeback through Lennox Wiese and Alasio Naduva, but the Heroes held firm to collect another important victory.
In another headline result, Bengaluru Bravehearts ended Mumbai Dreamers’ unbeaten streak with an emphatic 41-12 victory. The Bravehearts dominated from the opening whistle, with Zain Davids, Akuila Rokolisoa, Shilton van Wyk, Ngarohi McGarvey, Ganesh Majhi, and Magomederassul Magomedov all contributing tries in a comprehensive performance.
Mumbai managed replies through Ben Lasike and Guillaume Bouche, but Bengaluru’s attacking brilliance proved too much to contain.
In the remaining men’s fixture, Chennai Bulls defeated Kolkata Banga Tigers 12-5. Early tries from Filipe Sauturaga and Taualai Panoa established Chennai’s lead before Ricardo Duarttee scored for Kolkata late in the contest. However, the Bulls’ disciplined defence ensured they held on for victory.
While the men’s league continues to produce thrilling contests, the conclusion of the inaugural women’s competition may prove equally significant for the future of rugby in India. Delhi Redz’s title-winning campaign demonstrated the quality and competitiveness that women’s rugby can offer, while the participation of international stars alongside Indian players helped raise standards across the tournament.
For Delhi, lifting the trophy is a historic achievement. For Indian rugby, it marks the beginning of a new era one in which women’s competition is firmly established on the national stage and capable of inspiring the next generation of players.
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