The Philippine national rugby team scored a convincing victory over the visiting Guam side on Wednesday afternoon.

Victorious Volcanoes down Guam 39 - 03

Playing in front of a sizeable crowd at the Nomad Sports Club, the home side controlled the game throughout the first half with inside pairing of Gareth Holgate and Michael Letts marshalling the backline and each bagging a try. The first came after a sustained period of pressure and twelve phases of play. The quick recycling of ruck ball by the Philippine side was superb all afternoon. Both tries were converted by Sydney based Filipino Ron Pena. As expected the Guam team proved to be formidable opponents in the tight and only determined defense by the visitors restricted the score to 14-0 at the break.

The National selection panel have announced the 22 players to represent the Philippine National 15s Team for the Asian Nations Series 2007 game against Guam.

The series begins for the Philippines with the game against Guam on Wednesday 27th June at the Nomad Sports Club in Paranaque. 

The board of the PRFU would like to congratulate those selected and know that you will make every effort to be prepared for the game and once on the pitch will perform to your highest levels both as individuals and as a team.

The Philippine national team are preparing for their upcoming two international games, firstly against Guam on June 27th and then against India on July 1st. Both games are to be played at home in Manila.

The Philippine Rugby Football Union recently announced that the management team would comprise of Phil Gittus retaining his position as Team Manager, Matt Cullen being promoted from Assistant Coach to Head Coach and Denny Meredith coming in as Assistant Coach.

Phil Gittus

Hails from England where he played for his local side Newport, Shropshire before representing military and police teams in the UK as well as Ruislip RFC and Wembley RFC. Has also played for Manila Nomads, Bangkok Corsaires, and  Koh Samui Simians whilst in Asia, captaining the Nomads in 2000. Has almost hung up his boots but will turn out for the Philippine Vets team later this month in Thailand. A level 2 referee and last years Team Manager of both the Senior and Under 19 teams.


 

Matt Cullen

Started his rugby with Redcliffe RFC in Australia and was a member of the 1987 Queensland Colts team. Moved to Seoul, Korea in 2000 and played with Seoul Survivors RFC for two seasons before moving to the Philippines. Firstly a member of Manila Nomads and then Alabang Eagles he has seen much success locally as a player and a coach. Still playing for the Eagles and also a member of the Philippine Vets team bound for Thailand. An IRB level 2 Educator he is promoted to Head Coach of the senior team this year having coached the undefeated Under 19 national team in last years Asian Games.

Denny Meredith

Started his playing career back in 1969 with the US Air Force and played and coached wherever his military service took him. Was the Head Coach of the all conquering US Air Force Team of the early eighties and then Head coach of the US Combined Services Team from 1986 until 1998. Has toured with military teams worldwide on numerous occasions. Has been coach of the Manila nomads for the last year.

Alabang Eagles Rugby Club win the Alabang 10’s Rugby tournament in a dramatic fashion against old rivals Nomads Rugby Club 10-7.

The Eagles blazed through their pool games and semi-finals with a breeze until facing off with Nomads in the finals. Nomads, looking to turn the tables and again become the number one team in the Philippines since their loss to the Eagles at the Sinulog 10’s, came in with all guns firing. As usual, a hard knocking game up front was to be expected, even with the sudden down pour of rain which gave the game more intensity.

Alabang Eagles vs MAAP Warrioirs

 

Sinulog10s Champions

New and old spectators to Rugby crowded the field in anticipation as they witnessed hard tackles and quick passing by both teams but the fired up Eagles started the game with a bang and ran in two quick tries in the 1st half. The Nomads, led by Romain Barberis, sparked in the 2nd half and fought back to score 2 tries to equal the game in full time. Eagles stepped up a gear in extra time and scored another 2 amazing tries utilizing there speed advantage against the Nomads. Nomads, with the never say die attitude, kept coming back but to no avail as they met the Eagles tough defense which was led by there captain, Tom Egerton, who had an amazing try saving tackle in the dying seconds of the game.

The entire week has been a resounding success for the Philippine U19s squad and Philippine rugby in general.

The team topped the Division B table with three straight wins. A spectacular perfect winning record in the Philippines first ever attendance of such a high profile International Tournament.  Highlighted by the fact that the Philippines were able to score 13 touchdowns, while only allowing 1.  Giving an emphatic For & Against of 97 - 13.

The success now paves the way for the possibility of the Philippines being promoted to Division A in next years Under 19s Asian Championships, where they would come up against such Asian rugby powerhouses as Japan and Korea.

At the Championships awards ceremony captain Jake Letts was presented with the Division B trophy - Philippines first ever international silverware.

Results