The Chennai Bulls and Bengaluru Bravehearts made strong statements on a rain-soaked Monday at the Shahaji Raje Bhosale Sports Complex, as Season 1 of the GMR Rugby Premier League (RPL) gathered pace.
The Bulls, with their second straight win, moved to the top of the table, while the Bravehearts, unbeaten in two matches, climbed to second.
Bravehearts Blitz Past Black Tigers
The day’s opening fixture saw the Bengaluru Bravehearts deliver a clinical performance, brushing aside the Kalinga Black Tigers 35–10. Despite falling behind early to a try from Lucas Lacamp, the Bravehearts responded in emphatic fashion.
Philip Wokorach led the charge with a brace of tries, while Akuila Rokolisoa, Iowane Teba, and Mohit Khatri crossed over once each. The Bravehearts’ superior kicking game made the difference, as they slotted in five conversions—three from Teba, one each from Wokorach and Rokolisoa—while the Black Tigers failed to convert any of their attempts.
This dominant victory means the Bravehearts now have one win and one draw from their opening two games, keeping their unbeaten record intact.
Chennai Bulls Outmuscle Mumbai Dreamers
In the second match of the day, the Chennai Bulls continued their impressive form with a commanding 31–17 win over the Mumbai Dreamers. The Bulls took control early and maintained a safe margin for most of the contest.
Vaafauese Maliko and Joseva Talacolo were the standouts with two tries each, while Filipe Sauturaga also got on the scoresheet. Joaquin Pellandini added two successful conversions, and Sauturaga chipped in with another.
The Dreamers showed late resistance, scoring three tries through Waisea Nacuqu, James Turner, and Briar Barron. Nacuqu also converted once, but the Bulls snuffed out any hopes of a comeback with a decisive counter-attack in the final quarter.
With two wins from two, Chennai Bulls sit atop the standings, while the Mumbai Dreamers remain winless after back-to-back losses.