12th Sandie Beach Rugby Festival: Lagos RFC, Kaduna RFC, emerge winners

Posted : 16 December 2024

Another memorable feast of rugby-laced entertainment was served in Lagos as the 12th Sandie Beach Rugby once again brought together lovers of the game in West Africa.

The two-day event, held across two venues — the National Stadium Lagos and SOL Beach, Lekki — attracted attention with the Sevens tournament on Day 1, while Day 2 offered a more relaxed atmosphere with additional rugby engagements.

Watch NPFL Matches LIVE: https://www.africasport.net/livetv/nigeria

Seven teams, grouped into two pools, featured Lagos RFC, Titans (a combination of Cowrie and Racing players), and Bayelsa RFC in Pool A, while Pool B consisted of Accra Rugby Club, Kings RFC, Ogun State, PH Scale RFC, and Kaduna RFC.

After the round-robin format, both Lagos RFC and Titans RFC made their way into the semifinals, where they were matched against Accra RFC and Kaduna RFC, respectively.

After the dust settled, Lagos RFC recorded a 26-14 victory over Kaduna RFC, while the visiting Accra Boys were defeated 0-10 by the explosive display of the Titans, setting up an enticing final match against Lagos.

Both sides did not disappoint.

Lagos and Titans put on an excellent advertisement for the sport, as both teams aimed for the title.

The two teams each scored two tries, but it was Lagos who successfully made the conversion kick, with the final score standing at 12-10 in their favor, making them the winners.

In the women’s exhibition match, Gosar defeated ECO II 17-115.

As part of the organizers’ contribution to school rugby development, secondary school students also enjoyed their day in the sun, as Toyibat School and Wolverine Rugby Academy, Aguda, competed before spectators that included Nigeria Rugby Football Federation (NRFF) General Manager Azeez Ladipo.

SOL Beach, on Day 2, saw more rugby action as fun-seekers were treated to some running and tough tackling on the sands, with Kaduna RFC earning the top medals.

Sydney-born Michael Archer, who has been a key administrator of Nigerian rugby, was elated at the upward trend the tournament has enjoyed over the years.

"Great news about the growing reputation of West Africa’s top beach rugby festival," the former NRFF General Manager commended.

"Congrats to the Turbo Crest team, players, clubs, and sponsors."

The convener, Tubosun Johnson, who has been pulling all the strings to ensure the success of the 12th Sandie Beach Rugby, expressed his gratitude to all participants for showing up despite the challenges of organizing one of the most exciting rugby events in West Africa.

"We are quite happy that the 12th Sandie Beach Rugby has come to an end with international participation from Ghana," he said.

"We would have had teams from Togo and Benin Republic, but for some unexpected logistical issues, which we had hoped to overcome.

"We are glad that Nigerian teams came from the north, west, and south, which also gives the 12th Sandie Beach Rugby a national outlook.

"We want to commend all participants, including our women, who also turned up."

"We also appreciate the students who found the platform to be a fertile ground for expressing their talents. This is one of our ways of developing the game at the school level."

"There were challenges, no doubt, especially with the economic situation, but we will make improvements," he stated.

"We at Turbo Crest can’t thank our key pillars of support enough for propping us up — Mariteam, Nido SG, Whassan, KTS Oil & Gas, Nimbus Media, and Famboss, especially at this time. We hope for more timely intervention as we prepare for the next edition."

12th Sandie Beach Rugby Festival: Lagos RFC, Kaduna RFC, emerge winners

ADD A COMMENT :

Hot Topics