SAMURAI Bulldogs emerged new champions of the 2016 edition of
Independence Rugby 7s invitational tournament after dethroning Cowrie RFC by
27-10 in a keenly contested final held on Sunday, October 9 at the Onikan
Stadium, Lagos, Nigeria.
It was an atmosphere of exciting and scintillating rugby as
12 teams took part in this year’s edition of the tournament organized by
Friends of Rugby and sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co.
Ltd.
The tournament which was partnered by the Lagos State
Sport Commission saw rugby lovers trooped out en-mass to grace the prestigious
occasion which also has dignitaries like Special Adviser to the Governor/ Chairman
Lagos State Sport Commission, Deji Tinubu; Chairman Friend of Rugby and MD, CEO
of CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd, Kelechukwu Mbagwu; President Nigeria Rugby Football
Federation, Sir' Fom Edward Pam; Chairman Lagos State Rugby Association, Kofo
Coker; Olympic gold medalist, Chioma Ajunwa and a host of others were present
at the event.
Samurai Bulldogs and Cowrie RFC met in the final after
sending off ten teams between them on their way to the final. Cowrie started
the match strongly with two quick breaks by Onoru Jatto and Azeez Ladipo but were both
stopped by the hard tackling Morocan international sweeper, Adil Achabar.
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| 2nd place winners Cowrie RFC |
Homeboyz Rugby Club's Cyprian Kuto bagged a brace in the 6th and 8th minute of
the first half while Dan Sikuta, Adil Acharbar and Billy Odhiambo scored one
try each with Sikuta completing one conversion.
Cowrie launched a comeback with tries from John Oladele and Christian Ogar in
the second half but it was too late as Samurai held on for their win.
 |
| Adil Achabar receiving his MVP award |
Prior to the final, Samurai beat Nigeria Police 43-0 in
the semis after it had beaten Sabongari 61-0 in the quarters on Sunday morning.
They beat Racing 17-0 and Panthers Select 52-0 in the pool matches played on
Saturday. Cowrie were the only Nigerian team that scored against Samurai who
had a clean sheet all through the tournament and the Samurais acknowledged
Cowries tough challenge with a guard of honour on their way to picking up the
runners up trophy.
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| Governor Select RFC (Green shirt) vs Cosar RFC (Brown top) |
Racing RFC won the Plate by beating Governors Select 5-0
while Panthers beat Royal Stallions 12-5 to claim the Bowl.
Kenyan boys Oscar
Ouma, Leonard Mugaisi, Billy Odhiambo, Dan Sikuta, Alvine Otieno, Brad Owako,
Dan Sikuta, Felix Ayange Alex Olaba and Cyprian Kuto featured for the Samurai
side while Nigeria's Black Stallions; Azeez Ladipo, ThankGod Okafor, Christian
Ogar, Onoru Jatto and John Oladele featured for Cowrie Rugby Club.
Nigerian international based in the Uk, Temitope Okenla,
Younes You and Adil Acharbar from France were the other players in the team as
Antony Maina came in as the physio in the Mourant Ozannes sponsored team. Jamie
Good was the tour director.
Final
Samurai 27-10 Cowrie RFC
Cup
Semis
Samurai 43-0 Nigeria Police
Cowrie 29- 0 Barewa RFC
Cup
Quarters:
Barewa RFC 10-7 Governors Select
Nigeria Police 17-10 Racing RFC
Cowrie RFC 29-0 Gosar RFC
Samurai 61-0 Sabongari
Round one of matches:
Cowrie RFC 43-0 Royal Stallions
Barewa RFC 47-0 Gosar RFC
Nigeria Police 36-0 Buffalo RFC Abia
Samurai Bulldogs 17-0 Racing
Round
two results:
Governors Select 27-0 Royal Stallions
Sabongari 22-0 Buffalo RFC
Samurai Bulldogs 52-0 Panthers Select
Samurai
Bulldogs
1. Oscar Ouma 2. Alvin Otieno 3. Dan Sikuta 4.Felix
Ayange 5. Billy Odhiambo 6. Cyprian Kuto 7 .Leonard Mugaisi 8. Alex Olaba 9.
Temi Onkale 10.Younes You 11.Adil Cherab 12.Brad Owako
Cowrie
Rugby Club
1.Christian Ogar 2.Olatunji Oduntan 3. Samuel Ekpo
4.ThankGod Okafor 5. Azeez Olanrewaju 5. Hafis Ayinla 6. Oladipo Olawale 7.
Abiodun Oladele 8. Azeez Ladipo 9. John Oladele 10. Onoru Jatto 11. Alfred Oche
12 Isaac Sani.
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