Bhubaneswar, Odisha, March 10: Defending champions Odisha RC and Future Hope Harlequins booked their places in the women’s final of the National Rugby 15s Championship 2026 – Division 1 after two hard-fought semi-finals at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
In the first semi-final, Odisha RC held their nerve to defeat Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC) 24-22 in a thrilling encounter. The home side dominated the opening half and went into the break with a 19-3 lead, with Arati Murmu, Sanjukta Munda, and Poonam Singh among the scorers. Sumitra Nayak added further points with the boot.
However, CC&FC mounted a spirited comeback in the second half. Debasri Ghosh, Sumandeep Kaur, and Teena crossed the line, while Latisha Madhu Khedekar added crucial points to bring the Kolkata side within touching distance. Despite the late surge, Odisha RC managed to hold on to secure a narrow 24-22 victory and advance to the final.
The second semi-final saw Future Hope Harlequins produce a strong comeback to defeat Delhi Hurricanes Women 17-10. Delhi Hurricanes started well with tries from Isha and Anjali, taking control of the early exchanges.
Future Hope Harlequins responded with determination, as Namista Oraon, Tanuja Oraon, and Lachmi Oraon led the comeback effort. Lachmi Oraon also added a conversion as the Harlequins overturned the deficit to seal a 17-10 victory and book their place in the final.
In the Plate Final, Chandigarh United defeated Rugby Warriors Kerala 10-0 to secure a fifth-place finish in the tournament.
The Women’s Final will now see defending champions Odisha RC take on Future Hope Harlequins on March 12, while CC&FC and Delhi Hurricanes will compete in the third-place playoff earlier in the day.
The focus now shifts to the Men’s semi-finals on Wednesday, where Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) will take on Delhi Hurricanes at 6:30 pm, followed by Bombay Gymkhana facing Future Hope Harlequins at 8:00 pm.
Organised by the Indian Rugby Football Union with the support of the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha and the Odisha Rugby Football Association, the National Rugby 15s Championship remains the biggest club rugby tournament in the country, providing a vital platform for emerging talent and strengthening the pathway to the national team.
