Jaffna prevails in challenge

It was a remarkable turn around for the Jaffna Challengers who were sitting third out of five at the end of the first day's rugby

The Jaffna Challengers emerged Champions of the first international leg of the Carlton Super Sevens when they overcame a spirited North Western Blacks franchise 22-19.

It was a remarkable turn around for the Jaffna Challengers who were sitting third out of five at the end of the first day's rugby, but wins over the Sabaragamuwa Stallions and Northern Gladiators helped them book a place in the grand final.

The North Western Blacks meanwhile were lying in fourth place in their pool, behind the Challengers, but two wins, over the Western Warriors and North Central Typhoons earned them their place.

At the other end of the table, the Eastern Eagles, who had done better than the grand finalists on day one ended the first leg in last place, after defeats to North Central Typhoons, Uva Vipers and Southern Sharks meant they faced the Central Kings in the wooden spoon final, and the Eagles were left some way behind, losing 40-10.

The Sabaragamuwa Stallions were in contention for the seventh place, with just a win, against the Central Kings, on the second day - sandwiched between close defeats to the Jaffna Challengers and the Western Warriors, but fell to the Southern Sharks in the play-off game, 24 points to 05.

In the fifth place playoff, the Western Warriors closed out a 26 points to 19 win over the Uva Vipers, who catapulted themselves out of the last place in their pool with wins over the Eastern Eagles and Southern Sharks.

The North Central Typhoons meanwhile took down the Northern Gladiators 31-12 in the play-off for third place, having a 50 per cent record on the second day.