South-West Rugby League: Racing defeats Police to set up final clash with Cowrie

RACING Rugby Football Club fly half, Monday Alex inspired his team to victory against a resistant Police Rugby side in the CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited sponsored South-West Rugby League decided at Main Bowl of the National Stadium on Saturday.

The young fly half kicked over three penalties in the first half to give his team a 9-0 advantage within 20 minutes. He later collected a fine pass from the line out in the opponent’s 22 meters and set up winger Imeh Okon for the opening try in the 35th minute.

Police fly half, Samson Yahaya broke through the Racing defense line in the 25th minute but couldn’t connect with speed star and winger, Malik Salihu. Racing persistently played their territorial game which had Police on the back foot all through the game as full back, Ifeayin Arinze struggled to cope with the high balls.

Police lost steam in the second half after Alex kicked in another penalty after Malu Godwin of Police was sent off by central Argentine referee, Marcelo Blanco  for 17-0 it ended in favor of Racing. 

They are at the top of the table with point advantage and will now face defending champions, Cowrie in the last league match with both teams on 18 points each.

Earlier in the day, Cowrie Rugby Club defeated Gosar 38-0 whilst the young and enterprising side from Ajegunle, Eco II Rugby Club beat Royal Stallions of Ilorin 13-6 in Division II. 

Lagos Rugby Club now sits at the top of Division two with one match to play against second placed Royal Stallions on the final day.  The match determines who gets promoted to Premier division next season.

The South West Rugby League will have its final game at the Onikan Stadium on the 18th of June.

Northern Rugby Union League:

The northern league game kicked off with the first game between host Sabon Gari RFC and Barewa RFC in Zaria.

Sabon Gari put up a good attacking play as their forwards crossed the gain line with swift phases. Barewa held their ground and defended well and were more tactical in their backline which gave them a 5-0 lead into the first half.

As the second half resumed, Sabon Gari came back with a vigor that curb the dominance of a more organized Barewa side. Barewa’s defense held on for the 5-0 win.

Meanwhile, the game for Zaria RFC vs Kieprince RFC was a free week game. The league game would be coming to a break due to the Ramadan to resume after the break.

The NNRFA technical director, Eusebius Yayock solicits for sponsorship of the game in the North and Nigeria in general. We are pleading with cooperate bodies to come to the aid of Rugby in Nigeria as solely, the burden has been on the club's and passionate Rugby supporter's. Rugby is a fast developing sport in Nigeria and Africa indeed, as identifying with such game would ever be a great investment for the future.