(MENAFN- The Peninsula) Blue Thunder won the inaugural Beach Touch Challenge (QTR 2015) at Katara beach on Friday night in front of a thousand screaming crowd after downing the Wu Touch Clan 2-1 in extra time.
Both teams went into the Cup final undefeated and furiously tried to outwit and maneuver each other.
For all their skills and tenacity no team was able to crack their opponents' defense line in the opening half - going into the break 0-0.
The second half of play started with the same firepower but it was WTC who drew first blood from a disciplined settle pattern. The ball was rolled twice up the middle before it went out wide to winger David Dwyer who dived over for a touchdown giving his team the lead 1-nil.
Running out of time and desperate Blue Thunder regained their composure and entertained the boisterous crowd with some enjoyable free flowing touch rugby.
As the seconds ticked on Blue Thunder were praying for a miracle.
Then it happened, a quick play the ball and a late switch just before full time, saw fast man Lahiru Prasad Madushanka penetrate WTC's try line to level the scores 1-1.
The crowd was lifted to their feet as the game was sent into extra time. With both teams refusing to let their guards down the one minute drop off rule was applied leaving three on three.
The minimum player effect created wide open space for the speedy Lahiru Prasad Madushanka who posted his second runaway try. The final touchdown earned Lahiru the man of the match award and the championship cup for his team leaving WTC wondering what might have been. The final score Blue Thunder 2 Wu Touch Clan 1.
Fast man and play maker Ben Johnson from the Wu Touch Clan was rewarded tournament's "most valuable player" while Blue Thunder's new boy Lahiru Prasad Madushanka took out the finals "man of the match". Qatar Touch Rugby issued each player with a participation certificate.
The awards ceremony was conducted by General Services manager of the Cultural Village Foundation- Katara, Hussien Al Bakir.
Participating teams included: Doha Chiefs, CNAQ, Storms, Blue Thunder, Mesaieed, Blue Falcon, Mavericks, Maroons, LGIQ Cedars, Dark Horses, Hurricanes and Wu Touch Clan.
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