 Round 2 of the JML 15s league took place at Nomad Sports Club last Saturday and it was fantastic to see all the local teams out playing the traditional 15s format of Rugby Union. This was the first time that a number of the players had played 15s Rugby and it was obvious that they relished the opportunity to play the more physical style of the game.
In very hot conditions it was the women that kicked off the first game with a number of the players starting to prepare for the upcoming Women's International games:
June 2 - Philippines v Singapore to be played in Cebu
June 13 - 17 - Asian Women's 15s Division 2 Championships against Laos, Singapore and Uzbekistan to be played in Manila
 The Women played two games of 7s style rugby and it was Team Xena team that took victory in both games. Several National team players showed that they are ready to fire up for the Philippine team in June, with Rose De La Cruz scoring both tries for Team Xena and Cassie Umali scoring and converting for Nomads in the first match, which left team Xena the winners in a very tight battle by 14 - 10.
The second game saw National team second rower Reena Novero busting the defence open with several block busting runs which paved the way for the Team Xena backline to run in two unanswered tries and eventualy win the second game by 10 - 0.
National team coaches Susan Konstanty and Expo Mejia were very pleased with the quality of Rugby that they witnessed. With the Asian Women's Championships being held in Manila in a months time, they explained that all the women need to be playing top level, competitive Rugby from now until the June 13th tournament to be able to be contenders in these championships.
The next game was the Plate Division match between the Nomads Carabaos and Manila Hapons which saw a number of expats take the field. The game was extremely close in the first half with the Carabaos taking an early lead through a try by veteran player Nigel Barrett. To the Hapons credit, they kept the pressure on the Caraboas which finally paid dividends when they scored just before the halftime break to take a 10 - 7 lead. The Hapons came out in the second half and continued to apply the pressure and it looked they were going to surprise their more fancied opponents when Jun Park scored a great solo try. However, this seemed to spark the Carabaos into the game and the second half became a one-sided affair with the Carabaos scoring the next eight tries, Nigel Barrett led the way with his second try of the game and National U20s player, Daniel Melrose also scored and converted three times for the Carabaos to win the game comfortably by 38 - 12.
 The Bowl game, was by all observers the best game of the day with the Globe Immortals taking on the Tarsiers/Bison team. It also saw Cassie Umali referee her first game of 15s Rugby and what a game to make debut. Both teams were certainly fired up for a win and it was Chester Anin from Globe that scored the first try to help Globe begin the first half with a 5 - 0 lead.
The Globe team seemed to have the upper hand in the first half and both teams were playing an open style of rugby trying to outflank each other with their speedy backs. Globe finally realised that 15s Rugby must be dominated in the forwards before running wide and Rafael De Colnet scored the second try for Globe and extended the lead to 10 - 0.
The Tarsier/Bisons under coach Paul Churchill rallied at halftime and came out with a more focused gameplan. They started to control the ball in the forwards, and this new tactic paid off when Bisons flanker Noel Villa scored and game was hung in the balance at 10 -5. This certainly gave the Tarsier/Bisons a new lease of life and they immediately went straight back at the Globe team with some strong runs up the middle of the field from National U16 player Tim Churchill. This time it was the Tarsiers/ Bisons hooker Merick Magdarang who scored on the back of some good ruck work by the Tarsiers/Bison forwards to equalize the game at 10 - 10. Tim Churchill converted the try and the Tarsier/Bisons team took the lead for the first time in the game with two minuted left to play. Globe had one last shot at scoring but lost possession and the Tarsier/Bisons celebrated their first victory of the season with a score of 12 - 10.
The last game of the day was plalyed between the Manila Nomads and a touring side from Hong Kong, the Discovery Bay Pirates. The Nomads had defeated the Cebu Dragons last weekend in the opening round of the JML 15s League by 53 - 0 and were primed to take the game against the newly formed club from Hong Kong.
The Nomads have had an outstanding year so far, winning the Bostik 10s League and the Plate Final at the Manila 10s International Rugby Festival. They have been looking forward to playing the 15s season as most of their big forwards relish the hard physical nature of 15s Rugby. Under new coach, Phil Gittus who himself is a front row player, the Nomads have come up with a very forward-orientated gameplan which worked to perfection on Saturday with Nomads scoring their first three tries through the forwards mauling the ball through the Discovery Bay opposition.
 Chris Anderson and Paul Ingram were on the back of two 15m mauls to crash over for tries which was followed by a third try by prop Nick Treweeke. The Nomads never looked threatened as they took a 38 - 0 lead into the halftime break. The Discovery Bay team asked a few of the local players to help in the second half but the Nomads machine was in full throttle as they eventually won the game by 55 - 0. This looks ominus as the Nomads take on their cross town rivals next week, the Alabang Eagles. After two games of 15s this season, the Nomads have scored 108 points and have not reliquished a point against them.
Round 3 will be played next Saturday, May 26th at the new home of the Alabang Eagles, The Eagles Nest. Situated in the Southern Plains development, the Eagles Nest is accessible via the Silangan Exit on the South Luzon Expressway.
 Manila Nomads On May 5, the Manila Nomads travelled to play the Cebu Dragons in the opening round of the 2012 JML 15s League.
In 37 degree heat, the teams took the field at the Cebu International School field for a fierce battle of territory and possession as the game remained without a try for the first 15 minutes. The Nomads took a clear size advantage into the game and it was a credit to the smaller Dragons players who continually pulled their larger opponents to the ground with Homer Bangay and Noel Flowers making several try-saving tackles to stop the ominous Nomads forward pack. Finally Nomads were awarded a penalty in the attacking quarter of the field and put on a tactful decoy move which allowed Aussie front player Nick Treweeke to steam onto the ball and set up a ruck only meters from the Dragons line. The biggest player on the field, Saki Tuisolisia, then picked up the ball and was impossible to stop as he took three Dragons defenders across the line with him to score the opening try of the game.
The Cebu restart did not make the 10m line and consequently this allowed the Nomads to go straight back into the Dragons territory. The Nomads were able to register their second try at the 26th minute of the game with veteran player Sam Chittick running onto the ball to score out wide and take the lead to 12 - 0. The Nomads then realized that if they kept the ball tight, they could dominate in the forwards.
The blistering heat was ceratinly taking its toll, as the Dragons players had to make twice as many tackles as the Nomads in the first quarter of the game. After the Dragons gave up successive penalties, the Nomads again found themselves in the attacking quarter and this time it was the Frenchman Eric Savina who actually passed the ball wide and then ran into the pursuing ruck to pick up a loose ball and score the Nomads third try.
This sparked the Dragons into a revitalized comeback with National A-team player Geoffrey Veracos showing some deft footwork, taking on the Nomads defensive line and beating some of the tackles by the Nomads forwards to set up some good field position for the Dragons to attack. The Nomads quickly regrouped in their own quarter and were able to thwart the attacking raid. Out of nowhere, Nomads speedster Sam Fogg decided to take on the Dragons defence from inside his own half and he split the field wide open as he ran 60m to score under the posts and give the Nomads a convincing 24 - 0 halftime lead.
With the temperature reaching 38 degrees, the halftime break was much appreciated by all the players and the match official Richard Radier, who then donned a hat for the second half.
 JML's Steve Payne & the Dragons' Homer Bangay The Nomads' size advantage was the difference between the two teams and time and again the Nomads won scrums against the feed which allowed them to both dominate possession and field position. Chris Anderson then scored from a push over scrum and the Nomads were never in doubt as they took the score to 31 - 0. Both teams then used all seven substitutions with the Nomads backs starting to run the ball wide against the less experienced Dragons defenders. This allowed Sam Fogg and Raphael De Colnet to both score on opposite wings. Danny Williams had plenty of kicking practice with the Nomads scoring nine tries and taking the opening round of the JML 15s Cup division by 53 - 0.
The awards function was attended by Steve Payne from JML with Nomads' Nick Treweeke & Dragons' Homer Bangay receiving best player awards and a bottle of wine for a hard hot day of rugby:
The next round of the JML 15s league will see all divisions play at Nomads on Saturday May 12th from 2pm.
 Cebu Dragons |  Match Officials Beekay delos Santos, Richard Radier & Rose Mae Lanticse |
 Round 2 of the PRFU Bostik 10s League was completed on Saturday, February 11, 2012. The day emphasised some key elements of the growth of rugby in the Philippines, given that there was competition in Cebu where Nomads played two games against the Cebu Dragons. Whilst this did not form part of the official Bostik 10s league, it is a sign of the increasing regional aspect of our sport.
On a beautiful day at Nomads, there was a feast of rugby as the now well-established CBRE junior rugby, held monthly, took place in the morning with seven clubs fielding fifteen teams, playing 18 games of touch. There were some notable initiatives with the participation for the first time of the Bulacan Rugby Club in three age groups, showing that the PRFU is starting to spread the rugby word, which we can now support with the provision of coaches and development officers, even outside Metro Manila. There were also four games of junior tackle rugby and our first ever U12 tackle match. In all, more than 100 kids enjoyed the morning. This reflects the desire of our younger rugby players to step up and play full contact.
 In the afternoon, in the Plate Division of the Bostik 10s, whilst there was just one game, we were treated to a great match. The scores were tied at 10-10, with just a few minutes to go, but the Alabang Ibons steadied and took out the game 22 – 10. Young Jake Batuhan’s rugby is going from strength to strength and he came away with a hat-trick of tries to take the Hardys man-of-the-match award. The Hapons played with great spirit, and came very close to recording their first win in the league.
There were two games in the Bowl Division, with the two winners from last week, Globe Immortals against the Vipers (who are growing their relationship with one of our new junior clubs, the Makati Mavericks). It was a very physical match, with Marcus Skeen and Jason Loch providing their experience and aggression to each side and helping out our developing Pinoy players. The Vipers came away with the win, 15-7, three tries to one. The Tarsiers and Bisons played in the second match and the Bisons recorded their first victory, running out 20-0 victors.
Man-of-the-match in the Bowl Division was Zaldy Baylen.
 The ladies played two matches, which were, unfortunately, lopsided as the Ultra Team GL boasted a number of international players and they showed their experience and won both games comfortably (32-0 and 42-0). To their credit their Nomads Bullettes never gave up. Manila Santos was at her bruising and busting best in the first match and Rozie Morala was unstoppable in the second and the shared the player of the match award.
The updated table is attached. Next week promises to be a great show of rugby with the Cebu Dragons visiting Nomads to commence their participation in the competition, with a full range of matches in the other divisions. A big thank you to Nomads for hosting the competition and we also offer our gratitude to the match officials who give up their time to keep rugby growing in the Philippines.
Off the pitch the PRFU is extremely pleased to announce the renewal of two important sponsorships, firstly Leighton, who have increased their contribution (to become bronze sponsors of the PRFU) in renewing their relationship with the Tuloy Foundation and Hardys (Future Trade) who are also renewing their bronze sponsorship with us.
| PLATE DIVISION
BOWL DIVISION
WOMEN'S DIVISION |
MAN OF MATCH
Jake Batuhan, Ibons
Zaldy Baylen , Vipers
Rozie Morala and Manila Santos, Team GL
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 The Philippine Rugby Football Union in conjunction with BOSTIK kicked of 2012 year with the Bostik 10s league at Nomads Sports Club last Saturday, January 28th.
Tournament organiser, Matt Cullen commented that "It is amazing to think that just three years ago the PRFU only had four teams competing in the annual 10s league and now we see 11 teams competing in three divisions in an 8-week tournament."
Cup - Alabang Eagles, Cebu Dragons, Nomads
Plate - Alabang Ibons, Carabaos, MAAP Warriors, Manila Hapons
Bowl - Bison, Globe Immortals, Tarsiers, Vipers
Women's - Team GL, Team Nomads, Cebu Pink Dragons
Each of the four divisions reflects the level of competition and participation that has developed amongst the PRFU teams in the last two years of compeition. Most of the Cup players have represented the Philippines in either the Volcanoes or National Development Teams, the Plate Level being players who have played for the last 3 - 5 years and have a good experience of the game of Rugby Union, the Bowl level being made of of the four new Filipino teams from Rugby 101 that are now playing in their second PRFU league and showing signs that they to will produce players worthy of representing the Philippines in the sport of Rugby Union. The Women's division is also made of of a combination of National Team and Rugby 101 players and the PRFU are confident that the Women's league teams will continue to grow and develop in 2012
 This year sees the first PRFU regional Rugby Union Tournament with the Cebu Dragons also participating in the Cup Division of the league for the first time. Cebu will travel to play in Manila on February 18th and then return to participate in the World Famous Manila 10s on the weekend of March 17/18th. Round one of the league pitted last years finalists and cross town rivals, the Alabang Eagles against the Nomads. This game was always going to be a fierce battle with both teams boasting a number of current and ex National Team players. Last year the Nomads were victorious over their younger opponents in both the PRFU 10s and 15s leagues and under new coach Phil "Stinger" Gittus, the Nomads were always going to play a traditional aggressive style of Rugby. The Alabang Eagles have also appointed a new coaching staff in 2012, with Dan Moutin and David Carman taking on the new roles and offering the younger Eagles a new focus and direction that has been lacking for the past couple of seasons.
The Cup game started at a blistering pace with both teams throwing everything into what would be the first of many games played between the two teams in 2012. The winner of this game would take an advantage into the finals and Manila 10s rugby tournament in March. The Eagles showed some very good composure and capitalized on two Nomads errors to score the first two tries. The Eagles were playing a dynamic game and ran at pace and were not afraid to use the ball wide to attack at the Nomads all over the field. The Nomads tried to use the basic style of attacking through the middle of the ruck but time and again the Eagles stood firm and turned over the Nomads attacking raids with some effective defence. Two of the current Philippine National Team players David Carman and Kit Guerra showed their youth, skill and passion and constantly put the Eagles in attacking positions with accurate passes and good support play and both led from the front and scored a try each in the first half of the match. The midfield combination of Tim Bheheni and Andrew Wolf were also in dominant form and constantly made ground to to place the Eagles on the front foot. The Eagles enjoyed the return of a former Fijian player Veve who was happy to move into the forwards and he certainly helped to lead the younger Eagles players to take on the bigger Nomads forward pack.
It was not until the second half that the Nomads started to control possession especially at the ruck/maul area and they started to roll the ball up the field, this did result in two second half tries and allowed the Nomads to regain some composure after the first half blitz by the younger Eagles. Coach Phil Gittus was not happy with the Nomads ball retention stating that "When we actually played to our gameplan of strong rucking and mauling through our forwards and actually held onto the ball, we looked like we could wear the Eagle pack down, unfortunately we dropeed to much ball". The Eagles ran away with the first win of the season by 38 - 12 and the Nomads will have to regrup over the next month to challenge the youthful team in the BOSTIK 10s finals on March 3rd.
 The Plate games were dominated by the Nomad Carabaos who convincingly beat both the Manila Hapons (39 - 0) and Alabang Ibons (15 - 0) in the same afternoon. The MAAP Warriors were not available for the first round of the Bostik 10s league and will play in the remaining rounds on Feb 11th, 18th and the Finals on March 3rd. It was the elderly statesmen of the Carabaos who proved that age does come before beauty as they gave their younger opponents a lesson in how to play controlled aggressive Rugby.
The Carabaos were led from the front by ex National team front row player Paul Ingram who scored twice in the first half against the Hapons. The Carabaos proved to be to strong all over the field and Nomads shone with several strong runs upfield to set up many of the Carabaos attacking raids.
The Alabang Ibons beat the Hapons by 24 - 5 and the U20s National team combination of brothers Jovic and Jaypee Paypon were far to elusive for their opponents and continually made incisive runs that led to the Ibons scoring some great attacking tries.
In the Bowl Division the Globe Immortals turned up at Nomads at 2pm and started their extensive warm up routine, led by National team player Andrew Wolff. The Globe players were certainly well prepared for the first game of the BOSTIK 10s season and took no time in scoring against the Bison. Globe player Angelo Mayo was voted the Bowl player of the day which was quite amazing as he has only been playing rugby for three months and caught the eye of the National team Coach Matt Cullen, who commented on his skill and speed as he scored the opening two tries for Globe.
The second game of the Plate division proved to be the toughest battle of the day with the Vipers narrowly beating the Tarsiers by 5 - 0. The Tarsiers scored an early try and this was to then become an epic arm wrestle with neither team allowing their opponents any leverage, the score remained 5 - 0 until the fulltime whistle.
The 2nd round of the Bostik 10s is on February 11 at Nomad Sports Club.
| CUP DIVISION:
PLATE DIVISION:
BOWL DIVISION:
WOMENS DIVISION:
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MAN OF THE MATCH
David Carman - Eagles
Paul Ingram - Carabaos
Angelo Mayo - Globe
Melanie Cassie Umali
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The PRFU CBRE Juniors Tournament kicked off last Saturday September 10 with up to 120 junior players attending the competition at the British School Manila. After a long summer break it was fantastic to see the children back on the field playing touch rugby (Under 6 to Under 14 years old) and then watching the National team trials for the U/14 and U/16 Philippine Boys teams.
 This round of games saw the inclusion of the newly formed U/6s division with a number of excited parents supporting the little ones and assisting them to learn touch rugby. The day also introduced the classic encounter Fathers vs. Sons game with the Dad’s holding out for two draws 5-5 and 3-3 in the first competition of the year.
The inaugural Philippine National U/14 and U/16 teams will travel to play International games against Hong Kong on the weekend of November 5 and 6. These National teams have been selected from the various schools, clubs and foundations that participate in the monthly CBRE Juniors tournament and they are currently training every Saturday to prepare for what will be a great weekend tour to play Hong Kong.
PRFU coach Matt Cullen is excited about selecting and sending the first Philippine National Underage teams to play Hong Kong and explained that the sport of Rugby Union is a game for everyone. “We have players from all walks of life, some boys have selected from the PRFU Foundations program, some from Clubs and finally some from schools.”
 As the sport of Rugby grows in popularity in the Philippines so will the CBRE Juniors competitions and this will set up for Rugby Union to be the next growth sport in the Philippines. If 6 year olds can play touch rugby then what will happen when they turn 14 and 15, they will want to play tackle rugby and play for their country.
The next round of the CBRE Juniors league will be played at Nomads Sports complex on the morning of Saturday October 8.
All teams and players are welcome to join a juniors club and you can contact the PRFU office to find out where you can start to learn Rugby Union.
Round 2 of the Globe PRFU 7’s League exploded at PhilSports Stadium on Saturday September 10 as the new teams, the Raging Bison and Teambog Vipers picked up the pace and displayed a new spirited level of the competition. In hot, sunny conditions, the new boys on the block threw out the challenge to the Globe Immortals against whom they will compete for the Globe-sponsored trophy.
Globe started the day with a 5 – 5 all draw against the Bison and then beat the Vipers 15 –0 in their second game. The Bison then improved on their record and came out to defeat the Vipers 10 – 5. All games were very close and the Bison have sent a clear message to the Globe Immortals that they have the players and talent to compete for the Plate Trophy.
In the Cup Division, the Nomads threw their hat in the ring by defeating the more fancied Alabang Eagles by 10-0 to draw even with the Eagles as the leading teams in the top division. Saturday also saw a host of National Team players
joining the local teams and getting in on the action.
The next round of the GLOBE PRFU 7s League will be played at Philsports Stadium this Saturday September 17, with Rd 4 at Cuenca field on Saturday, September 24 and the league finals at Nomads Sports Club on Saturday, October 8 at Nomad Sports Club.
 Round 1 of the Globe PRFU 7s League kicks off at PhilSports Stadium on Saturday, August 13. Seeing action in the Cup Division are the Alabang Eagles, Alabang Ibons, Hapons, Manila Nomads and Nomads Carabaos. The Plate Division features the Globe Immortals and two newly-formed teams -- Raging Bison and Teambog Vipers. There will also be a Women's Division with Team GL and MAAP Ladies.
The two new teams are a direct result of the PRFU's free Rugby 101 Sessions held every Monday and Wednesday at PhilSports Stadium. Heightened interest in Rugby Union over the past couple of months has produced a record number of Rugby 101 attendees every week. While admittedly still very green, the members of Raging Ox and Teambog are making up for it with their enthusiasm and dedication to learn the skills needed for Rugby.
The PRFU invites everyone to watch the games and learn more about the sport of Rugby Union.
Globe PRFU 7s Season Schedule:
Round 1: Aug 13, 1:00pm - 6:00pm, PhilSports Stadium, Meralco Ave. Pasig City
Round 2: Sep 10, 1:00pm - 6:00pm, PhilSports Stadium, Meralco Ave. Pasig City
Round 3: Sep 17, 1:00pm - 6:00pm, PhilSports Stadium, Meralco Ave. Pasig City
Round 4: Sep 24, 1:00pm - 6:00pm, Cuenca Field, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa
Finals : Oct 8, 1:00pm - 6:00pm, Nomad Sports Club, Merville, Paranaque City
The Nomads Rugby club once again proved that they are the local champions at 15s Rugby in the with a hard fought win over their cross town rivals the Alabang Eagles by 36 – 19. The game started with a torrential downpour that did not let up throughout the afternoon and the Nomads Rugby pitch turned into a mud bath as both teams scrambled to win the slippery ball.
During the first period of the game, Nomads played in the Eagles territory which resulted in David Feeney and Pierre Fallourd scoring the first two tries for Nomads to take a 12 – 0 lead. The Alabang Eagles finally realized that they could not win the game from their own quarter and punched the ball downfield to capitalize on a Nomads mistake and Rimex Davai beat two defenders in the slippery conditions to score the opening try for the Eagles. The Eagles attacked again immediately from the kick off and Tim Bweheni scored to give the Eagles the lead 12 – 10. Nomads then kicked the ball deep and the Eagles once again tried to run from their own quarter only to knock the ball on and give Nomads possession again, which resulted in a Kevin Ogley try out wide that left the halftime score at 17 – 12 to Nomads.
As the rain came down it was obvious that whichever team played the territorial advantage, would benefit in the second half. Nomads dominated the second half and scored three unanswered tries with Nomads Captain Jon Morales crossing first, to be followed by Kevin Ogley and finally Nick Treweeke. Danny Williams had a successful day with the boot in the wet conditions and converted three tries to take out the PRFU 15s league trophy.
The game was played in a competitive and fair spirit and the Alabang Eagles fought hard and without their injured star players David Carman, Chris Hettel, Andrew Wolff and Eric Tai it was always going to be difficult to win against a full strength Nomads outfit.
The PRFU 15s Division 1 “Most Valuable Player” was awarded to Nomads newcomer Kevin Ogley.
ALABANG IBONS TAKE OUT THE PRFU 15s DIVISION 2 TITLE
Meanwhile, it was hard to decipher the teams in the Division 2 PRFU 15s Final with the field becoming a sea of mud and rain. The Alabang Ibons had remained undefeated coming into the Div 2 final and once again proved too strong for the Globe Immortals, winning the final by 34 – 5. This was the Globe immortals first years at playing 15s style Rugby and they will make improvements for next year’s competition. The Ibons were led by Philippine National u20s brothers Jovic and Jeepy Paypon who both played and scored tries in the backs, while PRFU local legend Gabby Roque and up and coming u18s National player Ross “Barnaby” McLeod led the forwards up the middle of the field.
The PRFU Division 2 “Most Valuable Player” was awarded to Ross McLeod.
The PRFU will now host the HK u21s team to play a two game series against the Philippine National Development team here on Aug 17th and 20th. The National Development team is selected from locally based Filipino players who have learnt and played their Rugby here in the Philippines.
 The Zephyr Communications 15’s League got underway at the Nomad Sports Club last Saturday, May 14 and early markers were put down in their respective divisions by the Alabang Ibons and Nomads.
In the B Division match-up, both teams were brimming with youthful promise, however the major and telling difference, which was reflected in the one-sided score line, was experience. Both of the Paypon brothers have represented the National Under 20’s in the last two seasons and the lessons learnt at that level allow them to dominate in a game such as this. MAAP, not to put too fine a point on it, were chasing shadows as Jovic and elder brother Jeepy attacked relentlessly throughout the entire game.
With no obvious leader and a complete lack of defensive structure, MAAP were sliced open time and again and one had to feel for veteran referee Jay Savage in his valiant attempts to track to the weaving runs of the Ibon’s three-quarters.
Note worthy contributions were made by Jared Harrison, who bagged three tries, Buboy Biazon,Jr. with two and the visiting Cebu scrum-half Jerry Branzuela, playing in the dark environs of the front row, who chipped in with a popular brace.
 It was though a day for the two brothers who learnt their rugby at the Tuloy Foundation in Alabang. They put on a stunning display of running rugby and notched six tries between them, in a final score of 87-0. The Hardy’s man of the match award went to Jovic Paypon, who then delivered the bottle of fine red to his mentor Father Rocky at Tuloy; no doubt with the same broad smile on his face as can be seen when he plays the game of rugby.
The second match, in the A Division, was a more traditional hard-fought encounter. The Nomads and the Eagles have had some ferocious battles over the years; at times games have been played with an intensity and focus bordering on the psychotic. That thankfully was not the case on this occasion. The passion was certainly there, but the nastiness, which has crept into these derby games all too often, was totally absent.
The first twenty minutes were scoreless as the younger Eagles pack stood up well to their experienced counterparts. Chris Hettel, a hero of the Philippines’ first ever international game back in 2006, seems to have found his way out of the rugby wilderness and playing at number 8, proved to be a handful with some strong ball carrying. He was well supported in particular by the ever improving Daniel Melrose, who yet again played with maturity beyond his years and game experience.
 The Nomads team has undergone a much needed make-over in recent times. Many of the stalwarts of countless campaigns have sought the calmer waters of the Extinct Volcanoes, or have found themselves playing supporting roles from the bench. This has in no small part resulted in a sharper and more exciting outfit, which utilise their backline more than any other team to represent the club in more than a decade. No surprise then, that six of the seven tries run in by Nomads on the day, were contributions from the three-quarters.
On twenty minutes powerful wing Kevin Ogley touched down for the first of what was to be an individual try scoring bonanza for the American Yorkshireman. He clearly had the measure of his opposite number and within five minutes had bagged number two. One conversion and a penalty from outside half Danny Williams, meant the score line at the interval stood at 15-0.
It was the Eagles who shot out of the blocks in the second half, with speedster Billy Lionel scoring a try, converted by David Carman. Any thoughts of a comeback were soon extinguished as Nomads then hit a purple patch for twenty minutes, during which Ogley added two more tries, the first of which was a fine individual effort and showcased his full range of skills, with the ball in hand and with the boot. Aaron Briddon coming off the back of national trials and the evergreen Nigel Barrett added two more and the game, with the scoreboard showing 39-7, was almost done. Or was it?
The Eagles have great character as a team and their never-say-die attitude resulted in them narrowing the gap in the last ten minutes to a very respectable 39-26. The first try by Timothy Bweheni was absolute class. Electrifying pace and a monster handoff, which catapulted Nomads fullback Bruno Vergnes backwards, saw him cover seventy five metres for the touchdown. He must surely be in the minds of the national coaching staff come Sevens season.
The equally quick Rimex Davai then ran in two tries in the dying minutes as Nomads dug deep to protect a win, which although no walk in the park, was well deserved, on the balance of play over eighty minutes. Kevin Ogley’s superb contribution to the Nomad’s cause earned him the Hardy’s man of the match award.
Both teams will now face the Hapons / Carabaos All Stars in the coming weeks, but don’t bet against these two teams clashing again in next month’s final.
Report by Phil Gittus
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