Haryana Edge Maharashtra in Thriller to Lift Rugby 7s Crown

Haryana produced a composed and determined display to emerge as the men’s champions at the 13th Senior National Rugby Sevens Championship , defeating Maharashtra 17-12 in a tense final on Tuesday.

In a closely fought summit clash, Haryana held their nerve in crucial moments to edge past a spirited Maharashtra side and reclaim the national title , after finishing as runners-up last year. The final remained evenly poised, with both teams showing strong intensity and physicality throughout.

Haryana made an early impact through Neeraj Khatri , setting the tone with an important breakthrough. Maharashtra responded quickly, with Sunil Chawan bringing them back into the contest. However, Haryana once again shifted momentum as Mohit Khatri restored their advantage, which they managed to protect until the final whistle.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal secured the bronze medal , defeating Rajasthan 26-5 in the third-place playoff. The side delivered a disciplined performance to finish on the podium once again.

In the semi-finals, Maharashtra ended West Bengal’s title hopes with a commanding 36-5 victory , while Haryana registered a dominant 38-0 win over Rajasthan , setting up a repeat of one of the most competitive rivalries of the tournament.

Individually, Rajan Rawat of Rajasthan stood out as the top scorer of the championship , finishing with an impressive 76 points , including eight tries and 18 conversions.

Rugby India President Rahul Bose praised the overall growth of the sport, noting clear improvements in quality and competitiveness. He highlighted that players are now faster, stronger, and more technically sound , with better structure and tactical discipline across teams.

Haryana’s victory once again underlined the rising standards and growing depth of rugby sevens in India , marking a well-earned triumph in a tightly contested championship.