Rugby

Asia Rugby Championships: India women claim first-ever test match victory

Sumitra Nayak's penalty in the death helped India edge out a dangerous Singapore side in Manila. Team India secures a bronze medal in the tournament as a result.

Team Sportstar Team Sportstar
Manila (Philippines) 22 June, 2019 16:03 IST

India Women won its first ever international 15s game after beating Singapore in the Asian Women Rugby Championship in Manila on Saturday.   -  Rugby India

Team Sportstar Team Sportstar
Manila (Philippines) 22 June, 2019 16:03 IST

Team India claimed its first ever international women's 15s victory with a 21-19 win over Singapore in the Asia Rugby Women's Championship Division 1 on Saturday.

Sumitra Nayak kicked a penalty in the death to claim a narrow victory for the girls in blue.

This victory means India finished third in the tournament, ergo claiming a bronze medal.
 

READ : For Sumitra Nayak, rugby is life

Sweety Kumari's sublime form continued, as she scored two first-half tries to comfortably put India on the frontfoot. This comes after she scored twice in the game against Philippines, which India ultimately won.

A Singaporean surge hit back with two tries of its own but a third from India left scores at 15-12.

Indian captain Vahbiz Bharucha opted for a penalty. Nayak successfully converted the penalty, but Annabel Woo Xuj Ni struck back soon enough with her second try of the match, putting Singapore in the lead for the first time in the game.

READ : Advancing past the gain line

However, Nayak's second penalty sealed the deal for the women, also guaranteeing the girls of a medal.

The Championship Division 1 will double up as part of the qualification process for the Rugby World Cup 2021.

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