Samurai RFC retain Independence Sevens Rugby title

Samurai Rugby Football Club based in Britain has emerged back to back winners of Nigeria Rugby Football Federation flagship tournament, Independence Sevens Rugby Tournament by defeating Cowrie Rugby FC of Lagos by 26-0 points in the final match played at the prestigious Nigeria Polo Club ground in Lagos.
The much-talked about tourney lived up to its billing as the anticipated Rugby event which has since inception eight years ago taken up an international status saw many foreign teams jostling for the top prize.
This year’s event witnessed the defending champions Samurai Baracudas return, alongside the British Marlins Rugby FC from Cambridge, United Kingdom.
The home front was led by perennial champions Cowrie Rugby FC, Racing Rugby FC and Delta Dragons Rugby FC of Lagos respectively, while the North has Barewa Rugby FC from Kano, Sabongerri Rugby FC of Zaria in Kaduna State and Nasarawa Rugby FC.
The South South was represented by Delta State Rugby Team & Warri Rugby FC and a South of the Niger team completed the 12-team formats championship for the men.
The tourney also witnessed the return of the Women Rugby on the National scene with the defending champions, Edo defeating the host state Lagos by 10 points to 5 in the finals.
In the School Cup category Barewa defeated Edo by 17 points to 12 in the final match.
In the Plate finals, Delta Force defeated Nasarawa by 15 to 12 points, while Sabongerri whitewashed Warri Wolves by 14 points to 0.
A special highlight of the 2017 Lagos Independence Sevens Rugby Tournament was the Veterans match which featured professional rugby players from a United Nations Team made up of citizens from United Kingdom, United States, South Africa, European Union countries residence in Nigeria playing against Nigerian Veterans.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation and Managing Director of CMB Building and Maintenance Company, Mr. Kelechi Mbagwu who was the principal sponsor of the tournament gave out mouth-watering cash prizes for this year’s winners.
He promised a brighter future for rugby in the country and called on well-meaning captains of industries and international bodies to come forward by sponsoring the beautiful game of rugby which will go a long way in the development of game in the country.