Future Hope Harlequins were crowned champions of the Women’s Championship at the National Rugby 15s Championship 2026 – Division 1 after a heart-pounding victory over defending champions Odisha Rugby Club in the final at Kalinga Stadium on Thursday.
The match lived up to its billing as a classic, with both sides exchanging leads in a contest that had the crowd gripped from start to finish. Odisha RC drew first blood through Arati Murmu’s try, followed swiftly by Soni Mandangi’s score to establish early dominance for the title holders.
Future Hope Harlequins fought back valiantly. Sadika Khatoon crossed for a crucial try, converted by Lachmi Oraon to narrow the gap. Momentum swung further when Anisha Oraon dotted down, putting the Harlequins ahead and igniting hopes of an upset.
As the clock ticked down, Odisha RC reclaimed the lead with under ten minutes remaining, seemingly on track to defend their crown. But rugby’s unpredictability delivered one final twist: with just over four minutes left, Future Hope Harlequins broke through for the match-winning try, sealing a dramatic and deserved championship triumph.
Earlier on Thursday, Calcutta Cricket and Football Club (CC&FC) claimed third place in a tense playoff, defeating Delhi Hurricanes Women 10-7. Neha opened the scoring for Delhi Hurricanes, with Kritika Raghuvanshi adding the conversion. CC&FC responded through Sara Yusuf Khan’s try, converted by Latisha Madhu Khedekar. Khedekar then slotted a decisive penalty in the closing stages to secure the narrow victory.
The trophy presentation followed, graced by dignitaries including Yeddula Vijay, Director – Sports, Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha; Sudhanshu Sekhar Khora, Chief Executive, Regional Plant Resource Centre; Bijaya Kumar Swain, Additional Secretary, Department of Sports & Youth Services, Government of Odisha; Sonali Subhadarshinee, Officer on Special Duty, Government of Odisha; Ashish Kumar Rout, Officer on Special Duty, Government of Odisha; Sashwat Kumar Raut, Officer on Special Duty, Government of Odisha; and Upendra Mohanty, Vice-President, Odisha Rugby Football Association.
Attention now turns to the Men’s Finals Day on Friday at Kalinga Stadium. The schedule features the 7th Place Playoff (Rebels Rugby Club vs Sergeant Institute Rugby Club at 8:00 AM), Plate Final (Bangalore RC vs CC&FC at 9:30 AM), Third Place Playoff (Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences Rugby Club vs Future Hope Harlequins at 4:00 PM), and the Cup Final (Delhi Hurricanes vs Bombay Gymkhana Rugby Club at 6:00 PM).
Organised by the Indian Rugby Football Union in partnership with the Department of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, and the Odisha Rugby Football Association, the National Rugby 15s Championship remains India’s premier club rugby competition, paving the way for talent to reach the national stage.
