Defending champions Future Hope Harlequins progressed through their group by winning all four matches, despite being just 30 seconds away from defeat against the Jungle Crows. A last gasp penalty meant that Future Hope Harlequins won by the narrowest of margins (10-9), just moments after the Crows had edged ahead.

Earlier in the competition, Future Hope Harlequins met the Sergeants' Institute, essentially a Kolkata Police Second XV, and recorded a comprehensive 62-0 victory. There were some notable performances, especially by some of the younger members of the squad. Rugby in Kolkata is played during the monsoon season and this can lead to pitches being unfit for play; for this reason the match against the Army was initially postponed.

The fixture against the Jungle Crows saw Future Hope Harlequins draw on all of their reserves of fighting spirit. The Crows led for much of the game, which never really lived up to expectations. Both sides are known for running rugby, but nerves meant that an expansive game never materialised. Future Hope Harlequins did not concede a try and their solid defence meant that the Jungle Crows could not pull away on the scoreboard. Eventually, the Future Hope Harlequins backs created a try that was converted, which took the score to 7-6.

The final minutes were tense with the Crows edging ahead with their third penalty of the match, only for Future Hope Harlequins to respond in similar fashion to steal the win with the last kick of the game.

The rearranged game against the Army, coming three days after the Crows encounter, was a physical match as expected, although the Future Hope Harlequins scored a number of well crafted tries and two long distance penalties. It was only in the dying moments of the match that the Army managed a try of their own, which proved to be the only one Future Hope Harlequins would concede in the group stages. With the Army beaten 29-11, a place in the semi-finals was assured.

The final group game was played against Young Rugby, who were comfortably beaten 105-0 in a very one sided game. However, a far tougher test will be provided by the Armenians in the semi-finals, whose power and pace will be a real threat for Future Hope Harlequins, with both sides looking to book their place in the final on 4th August.

The full semi-final line-up is as follows:

Future Hope Harlequins Vs Armenian Sports Club
CCFC Vs The Jungle Crows