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Perry Baker and Lucas Lacamp turned back the clock and turned up the heat in Mumbai as they delivered a sensational performance in the Rugby Premier League (RPL), leading the Kalinga Black Tigers to a resounding 33-5 victory over the still-winless Mumbai Dreams. With the race to the RPL semi-finals heating up, the Black Tigers’ dynamic duo of American Sevens stars left no doubt about their form and intent.
This commanding win, held at Mumbai’s Andheri Sports Complex, keeps the Black Tigers firmly in the hunt for a semi-final berth, trailing just behind the Hyderabad Heroes and Chennai Bulls, who have already sealed their places in the next stage of the competition. But more than just a team win, it was a match that underscored the continuing brilliance of Perry Baker and the rising star power of Lucas Lacamp.
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Baker’s Sevens Brilliance Lights Up Mumbai
At 37, Perry Baker has done it all in the world of Sevens. A two-time World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year, a three-time Olympian, and a consistent performer on the HSBC SVNS Series, Baker has made a career out of breathtaking speed and clinical finishing. And on Sunday night under the Mumbai lights, he showed exactly why he’s still one of the most electrifying players in the game.
The opening try of the match came courtesy of Baker late in the first quarter. In a refreshing twist to traditional sevens rugby, the RPL has introduced a format based on four-minute quarters instead of the typical seven-minute halves — and it was in the dying seconds of the opening stanza that Baker pounced.
After some slick work from playmaker Maurice Longbottom, who drew in defenders before executing a precision pass, Baker exploited the narrowest of gaps in the Mumbai defensive line. Accelerating into open space, the American sprinted toward the try line, then coolly decelerated just inches before the dead ball line to ensure he remained in play.
“He pins the ears back, puts on the accelerator, and there is Perry Baker at his best,” exclaimed commentator Greg Clarke on the RugbyPass TV broadcast.
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Baker’s Legacy, Lacamp’s Ascent
It’s not often that a rugby match features a legend and a future legend combining to such devastating effect. Perry Baker’s ability to defy age and still dominate at the highest level is a testament to his conditioning, mental focus, and sheer talent. His role in mentoring younger players like Lacamp only enhances his already-glittering legacy.
Lacamp, meanwhile, is showing signs of being the USA’s next global star in rugby sevens. His understanding of space, coupled with creativity and composure, is helping him stand out in every match. The RPL is offering him consistent minutes against international-caliber opposition — and he’s making every opportunity count.
As the RPL progresses toward its semi-final and final stages, all eyes will remain fixed on the Kalinga Black Tigers — and on the two Americans who have lit up India’s rugby scene with flair, finesse, and firepower.
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