Ashalayam Pirat’Ants

Delhi awaited the Crows in the final.  This was speed and agility against bulk and strength.  Delhi had a couple of 6 foot plus lads and were going to be the biggest and best organised team the Crows had faced.  The game kicked of and for much of the first half both teams had some possession but determined defence meant few chances were created.  As the half ended Delhi kicked a penalty, 3-0 but really very little in it.   The second half continued much the same but with Delhi gaining momentum and becoming increasingly difficult for the lighter Crows to stop.  Eventually it proved too  much and a Delhi try came and was converted, 10-0.  This was to be the final score and see Delhi crowned as the new U20 Champions of India. 

 

 

 

 

The semi final brought together the Crows and Future Hope.  Both teams play fast rugby using speedy backs and clever play to get through bigger opposition - this was expected to be a close encounter with both teams determined to win!  The Jungle Crows got of to a flying start with Sunny being put through for a chase to the line twice in the opening exchanges and at 14-0 up the Future Hope boys were on the back foot.  The momentum never let up and as a final flourish Crows fly half Tarok set up the try of the tournament looping around Monu to set up a blistering Bijoy cutting in to score under the posts, 33-0 and on to the final.

KISS had also made decent progress and though they struggled in the group matches they had got to the semi final of the bowl beating Mumbai Schools to reach the final.  The Cup Final would see the Crows up against hosts Bombay Gymkhana and in the Bowl KISS up against KFANDRA Pune.  In the end the Cup Final was perhaps a game too many for the Crows, much of the boys energy had been exhausted in the Future Hope game and though they played well the Bombay Gym boys were just too big and well organised for the Crows.  In the opening minute our play maker Tarok limped of with a twisted knee and the game never got going for the Crows and they ended up being well beaten 17-0.  The KISS boys however saved their best till last and romped through KFANDRA 20-0 to win another Bowl!

The Stats         

 

 

 

 

 

 

Over four days of rugby the Crows scored 41 tries and conceded 7.  We were the only team to reach both finals and were unbeaten until the finals.  Out of the 16 man squad 12 of the boys were former street children from Ashalayam Don Bosco.  5 Jungle Crows have been named to go forward to the India U20 camp later this year.