IMPERIAL 1s TRIUMPH FOR THIRD YEAR RUNNING

Just like the last two years, Imperial As were the winners of the NHSF Nationals 2017.

The 1s were drawn against a comfortable group with UoB Bs, LSE Bs and Kings As in their Group. In the first half of the first game against UoB saw some consistent raiding from Keshav Gupta and Karmanya Singh. Felix Li, Riccardo Pelle and Joshua Enson pulled off some fine tackles to keep the score moving forward while the points came in from the raids. The second half on the other hand saw the game almost take a turn with only two players remaining on the pitch for IC As. It was recovery raids from Karmanya Singh and some good show of defensive understanding that then ensured a smooth sailing to victory as the all out was avoided.

The second game against LSE Bs was a straightforward win. LSE’s raider Chan did pose some problems every now and then, but the defence coped well. And the raiding duo of Keshav Gupta and Karmanya Singh was again on it, with consistent escape and touch points. Covers Joshua Enson and Felix Li ensured their corners were never threatened. This game also saw a good introduction of Roland Rousselot in the raiding role, obtaining a couple of points in the game.

The last group game against Kings As was a resounding victory. With the score finishing at 38-3, the grit of the Imperial defence was seen at its peak, with no points given in defence. All the players were on top of their game. Great raiding, amazing defence and support.

Finishing at the top of the group, Imperial As were now drawn against Brunel. The first half of the game saw some rapid following tackles by Joshua Enson. The raiding duo got steady points throughout the half and Brunel were all out within the first half. Things were going well until a raid by Tejas Depala that costed Imperial 4 points. But tackles from Joshua Enson, Felix Li and solid raids from Keshav Gupta and then Karmanya Singh ensured the re-stabilisation of the Imperial team. The game ended with an unconventional tackle from Riccardo Pelle supported by Felix Li.

On the other side of the hall, UoB had beaten previous Runners Up LSE As and were now to face Imperial As in the final. This game started with Imperial As going down to 0-3, seeing Karmanya Singh tackled by Vinay Gupta and Joshua Enson, Felix Li getting caught out by UoB raiders. But Keshav Gupta rose up to the occasion and revived co-raider Karmanya Singh, whose 2 point raid later revived the Imperial As covers. The end of the first half saw Riccardo Pelle pull of a double leg grab on Vinay Gupta, unsettling the UoB team. The second half saw the all out UoB, giving Imperial As a good lead to sit on. After some strong tackles by Felix Li, and stable raiding from Keshav Gupta and Karmanya Singh, Imperial lost a few points defending. But time was not on UoBs side and Imperial finished with a comfortable win of 15-9.