Defending champions Odisha Rugby Club (Odisha RC) and Future Hope Harlequins secured their places in the Women’s Final of the National Rugby 15s Championship 2026 Division 1 after two intense semi-final encounters at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on Tuesday.
Both matches delivered exciting contests, highlighting the rising competitiveness of women’s rugby in India. Odisha RC managed to edge out Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC) in a thrilling match, while Future Hope Harlequins staged an impressive comeback to defeat Delhi Hurricanes Women.
The final, scheduled for March 12, will see the defending champions Odisha RC face a determined Future Hope Harlequins side for the national title.
Odisha RC Hold Off Late CC&FC Comeback
In the first semi-final, Odisha RC produced a strong first-half performance to defeat CC&FC 24–22 in what turned out to be one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament. Playing in front of their home crowd, Odisha RC began the match with confidence and quickly established control through aggressive attacking play and strong defensive organisation.
The hosts dominated the opening half and built a 19–3 lead going into the break. Arati Murmu, Sanjukta Munda, and Poonam Singh all crossed the try line during the first half, while Sumitra Nayak added valuable points with the boot to give Odisha a commanding advantage.
At that stage, the defending champions appeared firmly in control of the contest.
However, the second half produced a dramatic shift in momentum. CC&FC responded with renewed energy and began to apply pressure on the Odisha defence. The Kolkata side launched an impressive comeback effort as Debasri Ghosh, Sumandeep Kaur, and Teena each scored tries.
Meanwhile, Latisha Madhu Khedekar contributed important points through conversions and kicks to narrow the deficit. The late surge brought CC&FC within touching distance of the hosts, turning the closing stages into a tense battle. Despite the relentless pressure, Odisha RC held their composure and defended strongly to secure a narrow 24–22 victory. The win ensured that the defending champions would once again compete for the national title.
Future Hope Harlequins Produce Comeback Victory
The second semi-final between Future Hope Harlequins and Delhi Hurricanes Women was equally competitive, though it unfolded in a different manner. Delhi Hurricanes made a strong start to the match and quickly gained control of the early exchanges. Isha and Anjali scored tries to give the Hurricanes an early lead and place them in a promising position.
However, Future Hope Harlequins gradually found their rhythm and began to respond with determined attacking play. The turning point came as the Harlequins launched a spirited comeback led by Namista Oraon, Tanuja Oraon, and Lachmi Oraon. All three players crossed the try line to swing the momentum in favour of the Harlequins.
Lachmi Oraon also added a successful conversion, ensuring that Future Hope Harlequins capitalised on their scoring opportunities. Their disciplined defence in the latter stages of the match prevented Delhi Hurricanes from mounting a response, allowing the Harlequins to secure a 17–10 victory and book their place in the final.
The result reflected the resilience and determination of the Future Hope side, who recovered from an early deficit to claim a memorable semi-final win.
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Earlier in the day, the Plate Final saw Chandigarh United defeat Rugby Warriors Kerala 10–0, securing a fifth-place finish in the tournament. Chandigarh United produced a disciplined performance in both attack and defence to control the match and prevent their opponents from scoring. With the semi-finals completed, attention now turns to the Women’s Final, which will take place on March 12 at the Kalinga Stadium.
Defending champions Odisha RC will face Future Hope Harlequins in what promises to be a competitive contest between two strong teams. Earlier in the day, CC&FC and Delhi Hurricanes Women will compete in the third-place playoff.
For Odisha RC, the final presents an opportunity to successfully defend their national title in front of their home supporters. Future Hope Harlequins, on the other hand, will be eager to build on their impressive semi-final comeback and claim the championship.
The National Rugby 15s Championship is the premier club rugby competition in India and plays a crucial role in developing the sport across the country. Organised by the Indian Rugby Football Union, the tournament is conducted with support from the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, and the Odisha Rugby Football Association.
The competition serves as a vital platform for identifying emerging talent and strengthening the pathway to the Indian national rugby team.
Following the conclusion of the women’s semi-finals, the focus of the tournament now shifts to the men’s division, where the semi-final matches will be played on Wednesday. Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) will face Delhi Hurricanes, followed by a clash between Bombay Gymkhana and Future Hope Harlequins.
As the tournament approaches its final stages, the action at the Kalinga Stadium continues to highlight the growing competitiveness and popularity of rugby in India.
