South-West Rugby Union League Ready To Resume April 25th

Southwest Rugby League

Organizers of the South-West league; Friends of Rugby held a meeting last weekend to review the phase of the league and they have announced 25th of April as the resumption date of the second phase of the league.

The resumption of South-West rugby league is a great way to end April and it promises to be a fascinating opening weekend with second placed team on the log; Racing RFC facing off with the oldest club in Lagos, Lagos RFC. Spectators will witness a local derby between Gosar RFC and EcoII RFC with both teams based in Ajegunle. Defending champions and league leaders Cowrie RFC are billed to face Hawksters Athlethics RFC although the match may not hold as Hawksters Athletics is yet to appeal the sanction placed on them by the NRFF since October 2014. The last match of the opening day will be between Police RFC and Ilorin based Royal Stallion RFC.

The chairman of Friends of Rugby; Mr Kelechukwu Mbagwu announced at the meeting that a Preparatory/Enablement fee from league sponsors; CMB Building Maintenance & Investment Co. Ltd will go to all participating teams. Mr Mbagwu also congratulated the Northern League organizers for a job well done on the completion of their 2014 League Season.

An anti doping seminar will be held at the press conference before the start of the League to be handled by Doctor Bukola Bojuwoye with all team coaches and captains mandated to attend.

Independence 7’s: Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC And Gosar RFC Grab Playoffs Spot

Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC and Gosar RFC booked a place at the fast approaching Independence 7’s tournament alongside last year’s champion Police Machine of Lagos and runner up, Cowrie Rugby Football club who were handed an automatic ticket for the rugby fiesta scheduled for 10th and 11th of October 2014 which promises to be bigger and better with eleven local team and five international teams expected to battle for the trophy, at the Onikan stadium.

Independence 7’s: Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC And Gosar RFC Grab Playoffs Spot

Hawster Athletics and Racing RFC were the first to qualify from the playoffs but still had to battle for supremacy in the final of the playoffs with Hawster crowned the play-off king after a very entertaining and mind blowing match characterized by unprecedented display of pure adrenaline

The aged but experienced Racing RFC could not withstand the youthfulness of Hawster Athletic who tore into them several times with their lightening and blazing speed with the final scores at 14 -10 making it the first time Hawster Athletic recorded a win over Racing RFC.

After a round robin game by six teams divided into 2 groups decided on Sunday 24th 2014 at the Main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Royal Stallions of Ilorin lost their slot in this year’s tournament losing 17-12 to Gosar RFC in the third place match of the playoffs with Gosar RFC which is the most improved club in southwest league giving a good account of themselves.

Speaking after their qualification, the head Coach of Gosar RFC, Gbenga Hammed said
, it was a great honor and achivement to book a place in the most prestigeous sevens tournament in West Africa.

Independence 7’s: Hawster Athletics, Racing RFC And Gosar RFC Grab Playoffs Spot

The former Nigerian international and Captain of the Black Stallions emphasized that his team will immediately hit the gym in their preparation for the 2 day rugby fest as they are determined to win a silverware at this year’s tournament.

Meanwhile, Northern clubs will also battle to claim three slots allocated to the region while South South, South East region and the Capital territory clubs will play for a slot each in the event.

Speaking with journalists after the play-offs, the Technical Director of the Nigeria Rugby Football Federation, Fasimoye Olatunji commended all participating teams for their high level of discipline and expressed satisfaction over the standard and performance of the southwest teams while predicting that the trophy is likely to be retained in the zone considering the standard of the matches he witnessed during the playoffs

Judgement Day: As Teams Battle For Limited Independence Rugby 7’s ’ Slot

As the organisers of this year’s independence Rugby 7’s tournament sponsored by CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co. Ltd have announced Sunday, 24th of August 2014 as the judgment day for teams that are going to participate in the annual rugby event staged to commemorate Nigeria’s Independence anniversary since 2009.

According to the Organisers, the Southwest region has been allotted 5 team slots in which 2013 finalists, Police Machines and Cowrie RFC have been awarded automatic spots at this year’s tournament while the remaining three playoff spots will be contested for between six other teams namely; Lagos RFC, Racing RFC, Gosar RFC, Hawkster Athletic, Eco II and Royal Stallions of Ilorin.

The Play-offs for this Spots will will be held at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos where the pretenders will be separated from contenders.

The playoff became necessary a due to expression of Interests from European, South African and West African teams which will increase this year’s international representation to a level never before witnessed before in the country.

The Friends of Rugby organised event has grown to be the biggest Rugby 7s party in Nigeria with the 2013 edition enjoying a better and wider participation with clubs from the UK, Egypt and Ghana adding the much needed International flavour.

However, clubs from every zone in Nigeria performed extremely well and this culminated in two local teams making into last year’s final which the Police Rugby Football club of Lagos won by beating Cowrie RFC 12-7.

According to the organisers, this year’s edition promises to be bigger and better with eleven local team and five international teams expected to battle for the trophy, at the Onikan stadium between the 10th and 11th of October 2014

Northern clubs will also battle to claim three slots allocated to the region while South South, South East region and the Capital territory clubs will play for a slot each in the event

Women Rugby Impresses Fans, As Southwest League First Phase Comes To An End

Rugby has always been regarded as a man’s game. But women are making their presence felt not just as spectators but as participants too. The side attraction clash between Police select and Lagos select During Saturday’s League match day was no doubt the main attraction at the National stadium’s main bowl, Lagos.

Funmilayo Aladeyelu is being tackled by an opponent during the women select match on saturday

The first league match of the day saw Police Machines cross the line seven times to win 35-0 despite first half resistance from Lagos RFC. Police no 8; Adebambo Remilekun opened the scoring before Captain Ramon Bakare and a host of others made their markers.

Meanwhile, Hawkster Athletics full back; Stephen James inspired his team to a 71 -0 win against Eko II.

Hawksters players enjoyed themselves against EcoII on Saturday afternoon with an impressive performance from Solomon Cockeye and young fly half, Nelson Sunday.

Young fly half Nelson Sunday impressed as his team beats Eco II on Saturday

In other games, Royal Stallions RFC of Ilorin lost 0-15 to Racing RFC and the last match of the day between Cowrie RFC and hard fighting Gosar RFC would not be easily forgotten. Gosar’s young center; Sodiq Akanni drew the first blood with his boots in the 36th minute, Cowrie scored their first try right on the clock through winger Christian Ogar to keep the score at 5-3 before the break.

Police RFC vs Lagos RFC

Cowrie’s resilience in the second half ensured victory for the league leaders with tries from new winger; Onor Jato, Frank Adedeji and Hafis Ayinla. the match ended 24-3 points in favour of Cowrie RFC.

Southwest League First Phase Comes To An End:

Southwest Rugby League

The first phase of Southwest League has ended. Cowrie RFC still maintainS its position at the top of the Table with 35 points, Racing RFC are second with 25 and are being trailed closely by Police RFC with 24 points.

Eco II RFC still sits at the bottom of the log with no point.

The Technical Director of the NRFF Olatunji Fasimoye expressed his satisfaction over the CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd sponsored league, he emphasized that the league across the regions will help the development and awareness of the sports in the country; he also commended the administrators of the league Friends of Rugby and the sponsors CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd a leading real estate firm in the country for their support towards Rugby development in Nigeria.

Racing Fly half

South-West League: Friends Of Rugby Commends CMB Building Maintenance And Investment Co Ltd.

South-West League: Friends Of Rugby Commends CMB Building Maintenance And Investment Co Ltd.

As the first phase of South West League comes to an end on Saturday 16th of August, The league administrators, “Friends of Rugby” commends CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd for its continual support towards the development of rugby in Nigeria.

CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Co Ltd, a leading real estate firm has been behind the promotion and sponsorship of rugby in Nigeria for over ten years.

They have helped clubs grow, supported female rugby and grassroots development.

According to the president of NRFF; Sir Edward Fom CMB’s sponsorship is essential and provides opportunities for teams to participate in all three regional leagues in the country.

They also work closely with the NRFF in supporting our National team “The Black Stallions”.

NIGERIA’S NATIONAL RUGBY TEAM-THE BLACK STALLIONS

The last games of the first phase of the South West League matches will hold at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Saturday 16th August 2014.

Lagos RFC will take on The Police Machine in the first game; Racing RFC who disposed Police Machines to claim second spot on the league table will play against Royal Stallions of Ilorin in a bid to retain their spot.

The whooping boys, Eco II RFC will pitch up against Hawkster Athletics while the defending champions Cowrie RFC will defend their 7 years 15s unbeaten run in West Africa against the most improved side in the league Gosar RFC in the last game of the day.

Cowrie RFC still maintains its position at the top of the Table with 30 points; they are being trailed by Racing RFC who defeated Police Machine to claim the spot by 21 points; Eco II RFC sits at the bottom of the log with no point.

Northern League

Zaria RFC Remains Unbeaten After 4 Games

AS the northern league progresses to week four, two games were played last weekend , Zaria RFC registered a home win against Kaduna RFC by 21 to 7 points, Barewa RFC also defeated Kano RFC by 53 to 3 points while the game between Sabongari RFC and Jos RFC was postponed due to security reasons.

Considering the fact that Jos RFC and Sabongari RFC have two outstanding matches each while Kaduna RFC and Kano RFC have one outstanding match each. Zaria RFC remains at the top of the table after four games with 18 points; they are being trailed by Barewa RFC who have also played
four games with 15 points while Kano RFC sit at the bottom of the table after three games with no points.

South-West League: Cowrie Rugby Club Sets New Record As Racing Climb To second on Log…

Captain of Cowrie RFC Azeez Ladipo in Action

Racing Rugby Football club moved up to second on the South-West Rugby Union League table after beating Police Machines in a hard fought match at the Main bowl of the National Stadium on Saturday the 2nd of August 2014.

Their forwards dominated all areas of the park and they remained the dominant force throughout the game.

Racing winger, Imeh Okon raced away in the 20th minute for their first try while Abdul Adeshina went over the line for another try in the second half.

Tunde Olukorede of Gosar RFC delivering a superb tackle to an Hawkster Athletics player

It was not until the second half before Police Machines managed to hold onto the ball long enough to win a penalty which full back, Sulymon Oyebola converted to earn them a consoling 3 points.

Meanwhile, Cowrie Rugby Football Club turned in a record 151-0 points over Eco II RFC. The Defending Champions Cowrie RFC opened the scoring barely 4 minutes on the clock and added much more tries in both halves as they signaled their intent with some ambitious running rugby.

Wing sensation; Christian Ogar scored 4 tries while Onor Jato raced in 2 tries on his league debut. However forward players; Olatunji Oduntan, Emmanuel Chijioke, Samuel Ekpo and Hafis Ayinla are amongst try scorers.

Ekpo Williams of Racing Been rougffled by the Police Maching

Other games saw Hawster Athletics beat Gosar RFC 12- 3 while Lagos Rugby Club (the oldest club in the South-West league) retained their unbeaten run against Royal Stallions of Ilorin with a 15-10 victory.

Christian Ogar and Azeez Ladipo both of Cowrie Rugby Club are on top of the highest try/points chart with 95 and 89 points respesctively. They are being followed closely by Sulymon Oyebola of Police Machines with 71 points.

Christain Ogar of Cowrie on the move

The South-West league continues in a fortnight, thats the 16th August 2014 to be precise.