Kenya’s Patrick Odongo delivered a stunning late try to hand his side, Delhi Redz, a dramatic 14-7 victory over Kevin Wekesa’s Hyderabad Heroes in the second semifinal of the Rugby Premier League (RPL) on Friday evening at the Andheri Sports Complex in Mumbai.
The two teams had met earlier in the week on Tuesday, June 26, when Hyderabad dominated with a 40-19 win. But in this high-stakes rematch, it was Delhi who had the final say.
After a tight and scoreless first quarter, Hyderabad broke through at the end of the second via Fijian Terio Tamani, who converted his own try for a 7-0 lead.
Kevin Wekesa, who started on the bench, was brought on in the third quarter. Shortly after, Germany’s Robin Plumpe evaded the defense to score for Delhi, with Matias Osadczuk converting to tie it at 7-7 heading into the final quarter.
The deciding moment came when Patrick Odongo sprinted down the right wing in the dying minutes, grounding the ball just before Wekesa could stop him. Deepak Punia added the conversion to complete the comeback and seal Delhi Redz’s spot in the final.
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In the first semifinal played earlier, Uganda’s Philip Wokorach scored for Bengaluru Bravehearts, increasing his tournament tally to 11 tries, but it wasn’t enough as they lost 31-12 to Chennai Bulls, led by top scorer Vaafause Apelu Maliko (14 tries).
Odongo now has 8 tries, trailing Maliko by 6, while Wekesa remains on 6 tries as the tournament heads into its final day.
As a result of the semifinal outcomes, Delhi Redz will face Chennai Bulls in the RPL final, while Bengaluru Bravehearts will meet Hyderabad Heroes in the third-place playoff. Both matches are scheduled for Sunday, June 29, at the Andheri Sports Complex.
Rugby Premier League fixtures
June 15, 2025
Match 1: Bengaluru Bravehearts 21 – 21 Delhi Redz
Match 2: Chennai Bulls 24 – 5 Mumbai Dreamers
Match 3: Hyderabad Heroes 24 – 14 Kalinga Black Tigers
June 16, 2025
Match 4: Kalinga Black Tigers 10 – 35 Bengaluru Bravehearts
Match 5: Mumbai Dreamers 17 – 31 Chennai Bulls
June 17, 2025
Match 6: Delhi Redz 7 – 21 Chennai Bulls
Match 7: Hyderabad Heroes 43 – 7 Bengaluru Bravehearts
June 18, 2025
Match 8: Chennai Bulls 26 – 26 Kalinga Black Tigers
Match 9: Mumbai Dreamers 7 – 20 Delhi Redz
June 19, 2025
Match 10: Bengaluru Bravehearts 12 – 7 Mumbai Dreamers
Match 11: Kalinga Black Tigers 12 – 43 Hyderabad Heroes
June 20, 2025
Match 12: Bengaluru Bravehearts 26 – 0 Chennai Bulls
Match 13: Kalinga Black Tigers 7 – 21 Delhi Redz
Match 14: Mumbai Dreamers 12 – 19 Hyderabad Heroes
June 21, 2025
Match 15: Chennai Bulls 31 – 24 Bengaluru Bravehearts
Match 16: Hyderabad Heroes 24 – 17 Mumbai Dreamers
Match 17: Delhi Redz 15 – 19 Kalinga Black Tigers
June 22, 2025
Match 18: Bengaluru Bravehearts 26 – 21 Hyderabad Heroes
Match 19: Chennai Bulls 24 – 7 Delhi Redz
Match 20: Kalinga Black Tigers 17 – 17 Mumbai Dreamers
June 23, 2025
Match 21: Delhi Redz 22 – 12 Bengaluru Bravehearts
Match 22: Hyderabad Heroes 28 – 7 Chennai Bulls
June 24, 2025
Match 23: Mumbai Dreamers 5 – 33 Kalinga Black Tigers
Match 24: Chennai Bulls 0 – 17 Hyderabad Heroes
June 25, 2025
Match 25: Bengaluru Bravehearts 34-26 Kalinga Black Tigers
Match 26: Delhi Redz 19-19 Mumbai Dreamers
June 26, 2025
Match 27: Kalinga Black Tigers 21-40 Chennai Bulls
Match 28: Hyderabad Heroes 40-19 Delhi Redz
June 27, 2025
Match 29: Delhi Redz 7-31 Hyderabad Heroes
Match 30: Mumbai Dreamers 26-14 Bengaluru Bravehearts
June 28, 2025
Semis
Match 31: Chennai Bulls 31-12 Bengaluru Bravehearts
Match 32: Hyderabad Heroes 7-14 Delhi Redz
June 29, 2025
Final
Match 33: Bengaluru Bravehearts vs Hyderabad Heroes
Match 34: Chennai Bulls vs Delhi Redz
