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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2045] |
Mon, 22 June 2009 01:26   |
 Barack Obama
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Latest results
NC 21 JUN 2009 France A 12 - 22 Scotland A stadionul National Arcul de Triumf
NC 21 JUN 2009 Italy A 24 - 13 Romania stadionul National Arcul de Triumf
NC 21 JUN 2009 Russia 29 - 26 Uruguay stadionul National Arcul de Triumf
CHU 21 JUN 2009 England Saxons 22 - 49 Ireland A Dick's Sporting Goods Park
CHU 21 JUN 2009 Canada 29 - 44 Jaguars Dick's Sporting Goods Park
TODD CLEVER emerged drenched in champagne after leading the USA National Team to a world-ranking 31-13 Churchill Cup victory over Georgia at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on Sunday.
Moscow 7s final:
Italy 24 Moldova 12
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2053] |
Mon, 22 June 2009 15:52 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
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The IRB Sevens World Series' leading try-scorer this season Collins Injera scored four more in the Tusker Safari Sevens final as Kenya retained their home title by beating the Emerging Springboks.
Benjamin Ayimba's side put in a masterful display to beat the South Africa second string 40-19.
Seven other African nations - Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Morocco, Botswana and Tunisia - took part in the tournament played at the RFUEA grounds in Kenya's capital Nairobi.
Kenya, who finished sixth in the IRB Sevens World Series this year, also won the competition last year by beating the Emerging Boks in the final, 31-12.
Lewis Marlon's converted try put the Boks ahead before Injera's first pulled the hosts level. Innocent Simiyu's try then made it 14-7 to Kenya before Injera's second and third put them three scores clear at the break, 26-7.
Jacobus Schobart and Dean Scholz scored for the Boks after the break but indiscipline cost them a penalty try before Injera's fourth capped an outstanding personal performance for the wing, who now looks likely to try out at Western Province.
Hamilton Raiders won the Plate final with a 19-12 win over the Chairman’s select, Bristol were Bowl winners courtesy of a hard fought 5-0 victory over France's Les Bleus Sevens, while Japan won the Shield with a 22-0 win over Zambia.
Kenya Harlequins FC won the veterans category with a 17-5 over the RVA Vets, Western Province took the schools title with a 19-0 win over Nyanza, while Mwamba I won the ladies title with a 54-0 win over Vivi.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2055] |
Tue, 23 June 2009 02:16 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
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Samoa made the most of their opportunities to score four tries against island rivals Tonga for a 27-13 win in the Pacific Nations Cup on Tuesday.
The Junior All Blacks have beaten Japan 52-21 in Lautoka, scoring eight tries to three, in the Pacific Nations Cup.
[Updated on: Tue, 23 June 2009 02:24]
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2058] |
Wed, 24 June 2009 04:37 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
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Following the completion of the sixth and final qualifying heat in Moscow, the 10-team line-up is now complete for the climax of the European Sevens championship in Hannover, Germany on 11-12 July.
Italy won the sixth heat in Moscow, beating the hosts Russia in the semi finals and then Moldova 36-12 to clinch the title, and qualify along with defending champions Portugal, France, Russia, Moldova, Spain, Georgia, Romania, Germany and Poland.
The Hannover winner will be crowned FIRA's European Sevens champion, emulating Portugal's feat of 2008.
The Portuguese won both of the qualifying heats they contested, in Sopot and Ostrava, as did France, in Athens and Split. The other tournament winners were Russia, in Odessa, and finally the Italians in Moscow.
With the participants now decided, organisation in Hannover can enter its final promotional phase.
"We're going to try and continue on from our success story last year, when we had 26,000 spectators for the first Hannover Sevens," said organiser Achim Behring-Scheil. "German television also came on board as a supporter, we had a super atmosphere and great sport.
"Reigning champions Portugal, France, Russia and Italy are all established teams but the rest will give them a tough competition."
European women's championship
Hannover also provides another showpiece for the women's game, which has gained in momentum since the inaugural Rugby World Cup Sevens for women in March 2009.
Hosts Germany will compete for the European title alongside nine others in Italy, Spain, Russia, Portugal, Moldova, Netherlands, France, Sweden and England.
"I saw the women compete at the World Cup in Dubai and was very impressed by the standard of women's Sevens and I'm confident that our tournament will provide it with another milestone," added Behring-Scheil.
"Next week we start our regional campaign with about 150 giant posters promoting the event all over the city and Hannover will then be a rugby town for 14 days."
Tickets
Tickets can be ordered for the event at www.hannover-sevens.de (website in German, English and French)
FIRA European Sevens circuit - qualifying heats
Event 1: 16-17 May – Sopot (Poland) – winners Portugal
Event 2: 23-24 May – Athens (Greece) – winners France
Event 3: 30-31 May – Split (Croatia) - winners France
Event 4: 6-7 June – Odessa (Ukraine) - winners Russia
Event 5: 6-7 June – Ostrava (Czech Republic) - winners Portugal
Event 6: 20-21 June – Moscow (Russia) - winners Italy
Final: 11-12 July – Hanover (Germany)
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2061] |
Thu, 25 June 2009 01:23 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
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The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) today announced its full support for a Great Britain team should the International Rugby Board (IRB) be successful in its campaign to see Rugby Sevens introduced as an Olympic sport for the 2016 Games.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2064] |
Sat, 27 June 2009 01:46 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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 LAUTOKA, Fiji (AFP) - Japan stretched their Pacific Nations Cup winning streak against Tonga in a tight 21-19 victory after a last-minute Tongan conversion attempt went astray.
A second-half try by Vereniki Goneva lifted Fiji to a 19-14 win over Samoa in rugby's Pacific Nations Cup on Saturday, maintaining Fiji's top-10 world ranking.
Cook Islands defeated Niue 29 - 7 in Pukekohe
Papua New Guinea defeated Vanuatu 86 - 12 in Port Moresby
(Niue beat Thames Valley, an amateur representative union in New Zealand, 21-0 in a warm-up game)
[Updated on: Sat, 27 June 2009 03:49]
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2069] |
Sat, 27 June 2009 13:40 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
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Tunisia 38 Uganda 13. Namibia 54 Ivory Coast 14. Tunisia to play Namibia for a sport at RWC 2011. Loser goes to the repechages.
[Updated on: Sat, 27 June 2009 13:42]
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2072] |
Sun, 28 June 2009 03:38 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Italy suffered no embarrassing defeats on its 3-test tour Down Under - rugby's Everest. This is undoubtedly due to the experience and general battle-hardness they have attained through regular competition in the 6 Nations. That's the only way forward for international rugby - opening up the elite competitions to more teams.
Costarica - Two friendly match during the tour of Pegasus Rugby Club coming from Florida. Costarica Barbarians-Pegasus 13-87. Costarica-Pegasus 19-44.
Costarica: Rodolfo Araya, Matt Albherg, Simon Bekke (two tries), Pierric Beras, Oscar Bogantes, Alvaro Castro, Roberto Castro, Juan José Chacón, Germán Gallini, Pablo González, Keylor Mora, Gerardo Quirós (one try), Alvin Soto, Steve Thompson, Isaías Vargas.
Substitutes: Daniel Rodríguez, Pedro Madriz, Patricio Herrera, Derix Guevara, Ramón Cole, Noah Castro.
Target of the costarican federation is to join, when the team will be ready, the Consur B.
Greece - South african coach Nicolaos Petropoulos has been fired by the greek federation. He was the sixth coach of greek national team in just 12 matches. Next coach will be foreign, as the other six. http://www.sportingreece.com/kb/article.asp?fIndex=3333
Kazakhstan - Not updated since long time, the kazak rugby website is now (definitively?) down. For some "embedded" news we may look at http://rugbynomad.blogspot.com/
Papua New Guinea - Three people have been killed and several injuried in PNG after the match of rugby (league) between Queensland Maroons and New South Wales Blues, on this week. It's mad to die for sport but it's even more mad to die for sport played in an other country.
Olympic rugby - The subscription of olympicrugby.org is near quote 35.000. Usa is the leader country in terms of votes. Italy is just 19th. http://www.olympic-rugby.org/
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2077] |
Sun, 28 June 2009 09:24 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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The race to qualify for Rugby World Cup qualifying finally got underway in Oceania with one-off matches in the East and West divisions of the Oceania Cup, while the Africa Cup semi final second legs mean that only two nations can still dream of playing at New Zealand 2011.
Tunisia and Namibia both enjoyed convincing victories over Uganda and Ivory Coast on Saturday, while Papua New Guinea and Cook Islands came out on top in their Oceania Cup matches with Vanuatu and Niue.
In their one-off match in the West division of the Oceania Cup, Papua New Guinea proved too strong for Vanuatu, running in 14 tries before a crowd of nearly 5,000 to triumph 86-12 at the Lloyd Robson Oval in Port Moresby.
They are now only a victory over Cook Islands – the 29-7 conquerors of Niue at Growers Stadium in Pukekohe, New Zealand, the same day – away from a two-legged play-off with Samoa to determine Oceania’s qualifier for Rugby World Cup 2011.
The 74-point margin did not reflect the efforts of a brave Vanuatu side, who must have been feeling a sense of déjà vu – having lost 97-3 to PNG in a RWC qualifier in 2005 – when flanker Alex Haija crashed over the try-line in the first minute.
Comfort zone for PNG
Papua New Guinea’s fast rucking and phase play put Vanuatu on the back foot practically from the first whistle and within 10 minutes the score had increased to 12-0 after prop Adam Hill barged his way over for the try, which diminutive full back Jack Maraha converted.
The Pukpuks ran in a further six tries in the half to Vanuatu’s lone effort by wing Rometi Usamoli, who showed a glimpse of the pace in the visitors’ backline when he latched on to a loose PNG pass deep in his 22 to outpace the cover defence on a 90-metre run.
With the half time score at 52‐7, Papua New Guinea could have been forgiven for shifting back into low gear with the game virtually in the bag, and for the first 12 minutes it certainly looked that way as the flat Pukpuks committed unforced errors allowing Vanuatu more possession.
Papua New Guinea, though, crossed for another six tries to a consolation score from fly half Kaltonga Kalsau six minutes from time. In total 11 players scored PNG’s tries with Maraha claiming a hat-trick and Edwin Noki a brace in the victory.
However while happy with the win, Papua New Guinea captain Raymond Romalus was not too getting carried away and admitted his side have plenty to work on before facing Cook Islands at the same venue on Saturday.
“We’ve still got improving to do as a team,” admitted Romalus. “I felt the boys played well but we were never really pushed out of our comfort zone. We’d like more structure to our play and for the next match we’ve got a few areas to work on.”
Two remain in Africa contention
Tunisia’s dream of qualifying for their first Rugby World Cup remains on track following a 38-13 victory over Uganda in their Africa Cup semi final second leg at the Stade El Menzah in Tunis on Saturday.
They now face Namibia, the 54-14 conquerors of Ivory Coast in Windhoek, in the Africa Cup final in November with the winner qualifying for RWC 2011 to join defending champions South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Oceania 1 in Pool D. The loser will enter the final place play-off.
Tunisia went into the second leg with a 24-point advantage having beaten the Ugandans 41-17 in Kampala a fortnight ago and first half tries from centre Amor Mazgar, scrum half Sabri Gmir and fly half Lofti Ben M’sallem ended any hopes of the visitors overturning the deficit.
Leading 25-8 at half time, Tunisia gave their home fans more reason to cheer by crossing for two tries in the second half, the first from captain Kais Aissa before Gmir grabbed his second of the match after prop Ronald Adigasi had touched down for Uganda.
Second half key for Namibia
The other place in the Africa Cup final had been in the balance going into the second leg with Ivory Coast having twice come from behind to earn a 13-13 draw with Namibia in Abidjan, but the Namibians ultimately ran out convincing winners.
Namibia, who are bidding for a fourth successive Rugby World Cup appearance, did open the scoring in the second minute with Chrisander Botha’s penalty, but the sides locked at 6-6 after 15 minutes at the Hage Geingob Rugby Stadium on Saturday.
Full back Botha scored the only try of the first half to ensure the hosts went in leading 16-9 at the break with the dreams of Rugby World Cup qualification still very much alive for both sides at that stage.
However four unanswered tries from number 8 Tinus du Plessis, replacement Eugene Jantjies, wing McGrath van Wyk and centre Piet van Zyl ensured it would be Namibia looking forward to the Africa Cup final later this year.
Ivory Coast hooker Olivier Diomande did cross for their only try of the match, but there was still time for Botha – who would end the qualifier with a personal tally of 29 points – and flanker Jacques Burger to cross and bring up the half century for Namibia.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2081] |
Mon, 29 June 2009 02:16 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Mexico have been awarded the 2009 NAWIRA men's & women's sevens championships, the tournament will be played in Mexico City on November 14th & 15th 2009.
Trinidad and Tobago won the 2009 NAWIRA/Caribbean women 15s rugby championship with an emphatic 48-nil win over Cayman Islands in the clash of the two teams who were unbeaten heading into the game at the Garrison Savannah,Bridgetown,Barbados.
The title of the best Polish rugby team is going back to Lodz. Although Budowlani Lodz finished at 4th place in regular season, in the semi finals they managed to beat Lechia Gdansk -favorite to win the league.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2087] |
Mon, 29 June 2009 07:34 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Bamako, june 27th, Mali 3-22 Senegal XV local (Mali 1P - Senegal 3T, 2C, 1P)
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2102] |
Wed, 01 July 2009 01:53 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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The U19 North American West Indies Rugby Association Caribbean Championships take place in Cayman between Sunday July 5th and Saturday July 11th 2009 at the Rugby Club.
Cayman are the defending U19 Champions and will face a strong and determined Jamaica on Wednesday July 8th at 4:30pm after having a bye on the opening Sunday and a chance to wacth all of the other teams.
Cayman have previously lost both encounters to the Jamaican U19’s in 2007 and 2006. Cayman did not play them in the 2008 championships when Cayman beat Guyana, tied with Trinidad & Tobago and beat Mexico 22 – 3 in the finals and qualify for the 2009 Junior World Trophy.
All seven of the U19 teams are expected to be very strong and much improved from the 2008 championships and the level of the international should be extremely high. Bermuda and the Bahamas are playing in the tournament for the first time and will be complete unknowns but much is expected from both sides with long and strong traditions in Rugby.
Sixteen of the current Cayman U19 squad also travelled and played in the U20 Junior World Championships in Kenya this April so have had a good few months of preparation. The U19 team also recently played a three match series against the Emerging Cayman U25 team loosing the first game 19 – 18 and then winning the series two games to one with 21 – 12 & 17 – 3 wins.
The coaches expect to announce the starting team on Monday July 6th for the Wednesday July 8th match. The team continues to train this week with live sessions against Cayman U25 on Tuesday and Thursday at the Rugby club at 6:15 pm.
Teams:
Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2103] |
Wed, 01 July 2009 02:50 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Asian 5 Nations Division 3, final score Guam 23 Indonesia 3
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2109] |
Thu, 02 July 2009 02:24 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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The Junior All Blacks have wrapped up the Pacific Nations Cup with a 47-25 win over Tonga in the final match in Suva.
Wellington breezed through their first Ranfurly Shield defence of the rugby season as expected, dominating Wairarapa-Bush in all aspects of the game in Masterton for a 90-19 win.
Also:
Orkan Sochaczew win in the Polish under 20 rugby championship.
Orkan Sochaczew defeating Budowlani Lodz 16:12 in the final game of a National Under 20 Rugby Union Championships which was completed in Sopot.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2115] |
Thu, 02 July 2009 04:54 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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The following is the Kenya 15s Team that will represent the country at this year’s Confederation of Africa Rugby Trophy tournament to be held in Casablanca, Morocco from Wednesday 8th July – Saturday 11th July 2009.
The team is due to depart on Sunday 5th July 2009 at 1500hrs and return on Monday 13th July 2009.
1 Vincent Ongera - Kenya Harlequin FC
2. Lawrence Buyachi – Nakuru RFC
3. Vincent Mose – Impala RFC
4. Andrew Amonde - Kenya Commercial Bank RFC
5. Michael Aung – Nondescripts RFC
6. Gray Cullen – Nondescripts RFC
7. Anthony Ogot - Kenya Commercial Bank RFC
8. Benedict Nyambu – Nondescript RFC
9. Charles Kanyi – Nondescripts RFC
10. Innocent Simiyu [Captain] – Impala RFC
11. Patrice Agunda – Kenya Harlequin FC
12. Daniel Kiptoo – Kenya Harlequin FC
13. Paul Oimbo – Impala RFC
14. Linus Simiyu – Impala RFC
15. Naftali Bondo – Kenya Harlequin FC
16. Dennis Abenga – Nakuru RFC
17. Joel Nganga – Kenya Harlequin FC
18. Leon Adongo – Kenya Harlequin FC
19. Wilson Kopondo – Mean Machine RFC
20. Edwin Alubaka – Kenya Commercial Bank RFC
21. Kelvin Omiyo – Nakuru RFC
22. Gibson Weru – Nakuru RFC
23. Victor Oduor – Kenya Harlequin FC
24. Peter Kepha Odera – Strathmore RFC
25. Owiro Asiko - Head of Delegation
26. Michael Otieno – Head Coach
27. Edward Kinyany - Assistant Coach
28. Charles Ngovi - Assistant Coach
29. Christopher Makachia - Team Physio
30. Leonard Wangila - Team Manager
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2124] |
Fri, 03 July 2009 02:01 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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With five games down in the 2009 season it is fair to say Coach Kieran Crowley has a firm handle on who is his team is and what he thinks they are capable of heading into this weekend’s Rugby World Cup qualifier against the USA in sweltering Charleston, South Carolina. It is the first of a two game, home and away series with the next leg taking place in Edmonton on July 11th.
Crowley has had his team on the go since the first week of May when they met to prepare for a match against Ireland in Vancouver – followed by a test match against Wales in Toronto. While those were both losses the team improved immensely from the first week to the second week – and that had a lot to do with the opening win of the Churchill Cup against Georgia in Denver, Colorado – a 42-10 victory that propelled Canada two ratings points on the International Rugby Board rankings to 13th place.
“It’s time together and knowing the systems and those sorts of things,” explains Crowley on the team’s development over the past few weeks. “And coming together as far as how we want to play. Obviously there is a certain way we want to play against the States and we have been working hard on that in the (meeting) room as well as out on the field.”
“It’s also being able to adapt to different things each week and you have to change your lineout calls each week because of all the analysis that takes place.
All of the games – including hard fought efforts against Ireland A and the Argentina Jaguars to close the Churchill tournament, were dress rehearsals for this key home and away series against the arch rival Eagles. Win this two game total
point series – and the reward is a spot as the Americas 1 winner – in a pool with Tonga, New Zealand , France and the top Asian qualifier, likely Japan .
Lose and it is a difficult home and away series against Uruguay and likely placement in Pool C of the World Cup with Australia, Ireland, Italy and the Europe 2 qualifier ,
With that in mind he has selected his first twenty-two man squad weighing his options against the solid performances he has seen in the past seven weeks.
One of the clear contenders to have cemented a starting spot has been DTH van der Merwe – the former wing who has found a new home in the centres – this weekend playing outside veteran Ryan Smith. Van der Merwe has been a polished performer – scoring two tries against Argentina and also getting a solo effort against Georgia.
Smith, in particular, is pleased to have a player of van der Merwe’s ability on his shoulder.
“DTH goes quite well,” said Smith. “He is fast and he is fit. It makes it easy for inside backs when you have guys that can run lines off of you like that.”
He also has his big partnership of Tyler Hotson and Mike Burak in the engine room – giving him a stable lineout platform.
In the front row Canada welcomes back Kevin Tkachuk for his 48th start – the Glasgow Warrior player back from a slight leg knock at the Churchill Cup. Pat Riordan will Captain the side from the hooker spot and Dan Pletch wins his 20th
Cap at tight-head prop.
In the back row Crowley has lost the services of Stan McKeen’s size in the lineup, with the Oxford law student suffering a calf injury this week. Jebb Sinclair – who made his debut as a second row against Argentina at the Churchill Cup, will return to his favoured flanker spot and will work with the outstanding Adam Kleeberger. Aaron Carpenter doggedly hangs onto the No. 8 jersey for a fifth straight week, showing he is deserving of his first pro contract at Coventry after the summer series concludes.
Ed Fairhurst is the scrum-half working with Ander Monro and making his 46th test appearance. Monro has emerged as the man for the job in the out-half spot- and he will distribute to Smith and van der Merwe – with Justin Mensah-Coker and Matt Evans locking down the wing spots.
Evans had four tries in three games at the Churchill Cup and has put his hand up as one of several young players that will most certainly figure into the very 2011 World Cup they are qualifying for now – and beyond.
The front row is heavy with front row cover as a hot day is expected to be taxing on the big men – with Frank Walsh, Mike Pletch and Andrew Tiedemann all holding down replacement spots.
Stu Ault and Nanyak Dala are second row/back row cover respectively with Phil Mack and Ciaran Hearn expected to slot into the back line with some on field movements allowing for total coverage.
The match will be available for viewing live on TSN - 4 PM EST - 1 PM PST on Saturday.
Canada vs USA
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)
3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON)
4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)
5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)
6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry RFC/Brantford, ON)
9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)
15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)
Replacements
16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London, ON)
17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB)
18. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD)
19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON)
20. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)
21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC)
22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)
Staff
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Assistant Coach: John Tait
Skills Coach: Morgan Williams
Strength and Conditioning: Tyler Goodale
Video Analyst: Peter Huigenbos
Physiotherapist: Mike Racine
Massage Therapist: Sadie Deschenes
Medical: Dr. Ken Arthur
Manager: Rodger Swany
Communications Manager: Doug Crosse
USA Lineup
IRB Rugby World Cup Qualifier
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic)
13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)
12. Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)
11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach)
10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)
9. Tim Usasz (Nottingham RFC)
1. Mate Moeakiola (Park City Haggis)
2. Chris Biller (California)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
4. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
5. Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)
6. Louis Stanfill (New York Athletic Club)
7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) Captain
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
Replacements
16. Brian McClenahan (Olympic Club)
17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)
18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)
19. J.J. Gagiano (Univ. of Cape Town)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club)
21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore RFC)
22. Alipate Tuilevuka (Provo Steelers)
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2128] |
Sat, 04 July 2009 02:42 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Iran 48 defeat Indonesia 13
Meanwhile, sad news: France full-back / winger Maxime Medard has been diagnosed with swine flu. Gecmis olsun.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2131] |
Sat, 04 July 2009 14:06 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Papua New Guinea 29-21 Cook Islands
PNG to face Samoa for place at the World Cup. I don't think the loser goes to the repechages.
Philippines 25 Guam 0
Winner: Japan
2 Kazakhstan, 3 South Korea, 4 Hong Kong, 5 Singapore
div.I: 1 Arabian Gulf, 2 Taiwan, 3 Sri Lanka, 4 Thailand
div. II: 1 Malaysia, 2 China, 3 India, 4 Pakistan
div. III: 1 Philippines, 2 Guam, 3 Iran, 4 Indonesia
Regional tournament:
1 Laos, 2 Brunei, 3 Cambodia
1 Uzbekistan, 2 Kyrgizistan, 3 Mongolia
Jordan, Qatar, Macao withdrew
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2135] |
Sun, 05 July 2009 01:52 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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The USA has won the opening match of the home and away World Cup qualifying series – beating Canada 12-6 in stifling 34 C conditions in Charleston, South Carolina.
The two teams now head to Edmonton, Alberta for the crucial second match – and the USA holding a six point advantage. The winning team gets a berth in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand.
A penalty against the USA in the 74th offered James Pritchard a chance to tie the match – but his effort was just left as the July 4th crowd screamed madly for a missed kick.
In the 77th minute Canada gave away a crucial penalty with the score 9-6 – setting up Hercus for a straight shot from 35 metres which he struck easily to put the match out of reach at 12-6.
Hercus hit for one first half penalty and a drop goal while Ander Monro slotted two penalties to cause a 6-6 tie at the break.
Canadian Coach Kieran Crowley tipped his hat to the effort the USA put out on that nation’s highest holiday.
“They just out-passioned us and they deserved the win,” said Crowley after the match. “That’s what this series is about – and today we just weren’t good enough.”
Crowley says the US managed to get on the front foot more often and that began to provide an advantage.
“They got good go forward ball and our ball was slow,” offered Crowley. “In the first half we got sucked into their game a little bit and the pressure just kept on.”
Crowley’s counterpart Eddie O’Sullivan who has been at the helm for just six games was ebullient but also realistic about what the result will mean as both teams head north for Alberta this week.
“Look – I am happy to have those six points in my pocket but we are going into Canada’s backyard now and it is going to be another dogfight, you can be sure about that,” he said with a knowing smile.
Canada did not have may offensive opportunities but played the opening ten minutes of the match inside the USA half, only to be re-buffed time and again at the rucks and mauls. Justin Mensah-Coker had a couple of big runs including a chip and chase that saw him nudged into touch as the ball crossed the line.
At one point in the second half referee Alan Lewis of Ireland was playing advantage and Canada appeared to have scored a try through DTH van der Merwe only to have the play brought back for a knock-on.
Aaron Carpenter, Canada’s No. 8, played amazing defense making a number of key tackles on the afternoon before leaving the game with fifteen minutes to go.
Canadian Captain Pat Riordan was clearly dejected after the match, but said the team would be able to process what had happened and reset for next weekend’s return match at Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton.
“We’ve got to approach next week like any other test match and go out to win it,” he said. “(The USA) will be looking at it the same way. They don’t care about a few points here or there – they want to win the game as well.”
Mike Hercus downplayed his role, which saw him win man-of-the-match honours and he feels it is an historic win for this Eagles team.
“I just happen to be the kicker,” said the affable fly-half. “The forwards did all the hard work. It was a tough game and they played very well.
“We only had five guys on the team, including myself, who had ever beaten Canada before and of course this is our biggest game of the year. This is about as good as it gets.”
Scoring:
Canada: 6 (6)
Penalty: James Pritchard (2)
USA: 12 (6)
Penalty: Mike Hercus (3)
Drop-kick: Mike Hercus
Referee: Allan Roland (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Franciso Pastrana, Javier Mancuso (ARG)
Canada vs USA
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)
3. Dan Pletch (Niagara Thunder/London, ON)
4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)
5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)
6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB) Blood Sub 29 – 39 mins
7. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)
8. Aaron Carpenter (Coventry RFC/Brantford, ON)
9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)
15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)
Replacements
16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/London, ON) for 8 Carpenter @ 72 mins – Kleeberger moves to No 8
17. Frank Walsh (Vandals RFC/St. John's, NFLD) for 1 Tkachuk @ 76 mins
18. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB) for Dan Pletch @ 79 mins
19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON) for 4 Burak @ 66 mins
20. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK) for 6 at 28 mins Blood (for Sinclair 59 mins)
21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC) for 9 Fairhurst @ 70 mins
22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2144] |
Mon, 06 July 2009 02:00 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Barely 3000 at the US v Canada World Cup qualifier.
10,000 watched PNG edge the Cooks. Not sure why there is no away leg...
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2146] |
Mon, 06 July 2009 08:49 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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| Quote: |
Fixtures of 2009-2010 edition of the European Nations Cup are now available on the FIRA-AER website.
Fixtures of the 75 matches split in seven divisions of the European Nations Cup for next season, have been confirmed by the General Meeting held in Moscow (Russia) on June 26 and 27, 2009.
New thing: for the first time, all matches of Division 1 have been scheduled during the February and March International Window. Nations will be able to select their best players playing in the foreign Professional Championship.
http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/categorie_detail.php?id_categ_ select=1
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This years’ Nordic Cup took place in Helsinki on 26-28 June. Unfortunately Aarhus Rugby Club, Denmark and Stockholm Exiles, Sweden withdrew from the tournament which left Oslo Rugby Klubb battle against Helsinki Warriors for the title.
Oslo wasted no time in getting on the score sheet through A.Harrington who showed his strength and speed to score early in the first half. He also scored a further 2 tries during the game. Oslo dominated the set play with strong performances from their front row and aggressive rucking from all the forwards. B.Rowlands and R.Slabbert from Oslo benefited from the platform the forwards had provided to well contest Helsinki ball possession on lineout. It certainly was a one sided contest and showed on the scoreboard as well with Oslo leading 28-0.
Helsinki Warriors didn’t give up and came out fighting in the 2nd half to give Oslo a real run for their money. The Warriors scored 4 wonderful tries through their backs who were well orchestrated by their fly-half P.Davies and captain and full back T.Finnell. Warriors substitutes L. Ylonen, I.Visser, T.Richards and P.Dolan added more aggression and dynamism to the side. Oslo missed an easy opportunity to score which would have sealed the game only for a knock-on 1meter out form the line. But J.Stoltz did manage to breach the Warriors line to score the ultimate try which saw Oslo safe from a dramatic 2nd half comeback. Late substitutes with Oslo saw P.Balauze and B.Seigneur give the team more energy and ball carrying ability to make sure of the result. It finished 33-24 to Oslo Rugby Klubb.
Both teams congratulated match official, Vincent Bouchet who did and excellent job in ensuring the game was played in good spirit. Oslo’s players and officials were welcomed by the Warriors and had a great weekend in the capital.
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The Cyprus Rugby Federation organised a rugby training camp for Cypriot and Israeli youths in mid-June 2009. The camp was designed to enhance the ability of players, coaches and referees from Cyprus and Israel. It was held at the Paphiakos Stadium in Paphos , which was kindly donated by the Cyprus Sports Organization, and the educators were Pierre Villepreux and Christophe Graviou who were flown in from France especially for the occasion. Rugby enthusiasts will recognise the name Pierre Villepreux as he was one of France's greatest rugby players in the 1970s.
The forty young players and ten coaches had four days to under Villepreux's guidance and the improvement in their performance was dramatic. They toiled away under the blazing heat with obvious enthusiasm and commitment. Villepreux never stopped running and encouraging the players and everyone watching enjoyed the display of talent on show. His philosophy of open rugby was honed when he was coach of Toulouse and he exposed the lads to this style of play. They played a continuous running game and, despite the bumps and bruises, they loved every minute of it. Not one scrum or line out was practised which again, was in the Toulouse philosophy.
The course ended with a controlled game where the improvement in performance of all the boys was obvious.
Jack Bilton from Cyprus won the award for 'Best Player' and Tarboush Galeel from Israel the award for 'Most Improved Player.'
Christophe Graviou provided expert guidance for the referees and all were tasked with refereeing the practice games over the weekend.
It was a great social and sporting experience for all concerned. All helped by the sponsorship of the Early Learning Centre.
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Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2147] |
Mon, 06 July 2009 16:18 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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28 samoan men for the first match against PNG
FORWARDS: Andrew Williams, Mahonri Schwalger, Census Johnston, Fosi Palaamo, Ernest Skelton, Heroshi Tea, Daniel Leo, Filipo Levi, Semo Sititi, Jonathan Faamatuainu, Ofisa Treviranus, George Stowers, Misioka Timoteo, Simaika Mikaele
BACKS: Tauafao, Alatasi Tupou, Ki Anufe, Eliota Fuimaono, Seilala Maposua, Gavin Williams, Henry Faafili, Lolo Lui, Esera Lauina, Reupena Levasa, Uale Mai, Pesamino Alauni, Titi Esau, Mikaele Pesamino.
 Vietnam (but mostly for kids, seniors are european or australian: http://vietnamstreets.blogspot.com/2008 ... ading.html)
Syria (there's a team, the "Damascus Zenobians", and a tournament, the "Damasco 7s"; Rugbyinasia says that the team is formed at 70% by local players: http://www.rugbyinasia.com/syria/club-scene.php)
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2154] |
Wed, 08 July 2009 02:10 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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| Quote: |
The 2009 NAWIRA U19 Caribbean Championship's kicked off on the South Sound Rugby Pitch on Sunday 5 July 2009 with the opening match of Jamaica taking on new comers Bahamas. Jamaica, a usually quick team which thrives on the chaos of open play were a much changed side... having won this competition 2 years ago on this very same ground and then progressed onto the Junior Rugby World Trophy in Chile it was thought that the men in dark green and gold would make little work of the inexperienced Bahamians. The truth was that the Jamaicans were trying a new style of play which clearly didn't suit them. The Jamaicans had opted for a forwards driven game which starved their speedy backline of ball and with which their forwards were neither fit enough not strong enough to play.
The Bahamians, whilst still undersized compared to their Jamaican counterparts were steadfast in their determination to stop the Jamaicans at every breakdown and indeed the men in black and blue put in some big hits at every opportunity... The ferocity of the tackles ensured long pauses in the game to allow the medics to tend to Jamaican players who were dropping like flies in the heat. However, the long pauses in the game when added to the fact that the Jamaicans seemed almost reluctant to run the ball out wide where their true speed and athletic ability lay meant the that 80 minute game left the spectators wanting! The final score of 34-9 in favour of Jamaica was never in doubt but it wasn't until the Jamaicans started to run and move the ball out wide that they saw points flow in their favour! Indeed it was still anyone's game at half time when Jamaica were only leading 10-3 when their game plan seemed to favour the Bahamians!
The Bahamas, whilst unable to penetrate the Jamaican line with any real fervour were unlucky to not put more points on the board. The Bahamian inexperience showed when deciding to take a tap penalty in front of posts instead of a safe 3 points with the boot. But the excitement of playing their first game at this level against an experienced team will have subsided in time for their second encounter of the tournament against Bermuda on 7 July.
GAME 2
The second game of the day between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago ("T&T") promised to be a fierier affair... T&T and Guyana are both “old hats” to this level of competition and indeed the record between the 2 has been historically more in favour of the Guyanese... Guyana have won this tournament twice and T&T, with the successes of both their men's senior team and women's team were looking to finally seal their Islands domination of the sport of Rugby in the region.
Whilst the kick off was set back due to the overrun of game 1, the pace was fast and furious from the get go. T&T were intent on setting down their dominance of the game early on and they did so with the opening points of the game... T&T using their greater size in the tight five won good line out ball to drive within the Guyana 5 yard line where they were awarded a penalty only for a quick tap and the T&T big unit no. 5, Michael Augustos to power over the line for the opening score. It wasn't long before T&T were to score again and this time make the conversion to find themselves 12-0 up in the first quarter of the game.
Guyana were certainly not out for the count and looked for the counter attack opportunities where available and came close to scoring early on having stolen a T&T lineout to lead a 40 yard charge up field only to be ended by a last gasp tackle 10 yards out.
Buoyed by the break in the play Guyana camped out in the T&T 22 for the next 10 minutes but the prolonged period of pressure was only soaked up by T&T to lead another downfield charge.
The Guyanese lineout was ineffectual due to poor throwing in and good defensive jumping from T&T which meant that Guyana were lacking in attacking set piece weapons against their bigger, faster and better disciplined counterparts. the half time score of 12-0 to T&T was an omen for what was to be unleashed in the 2nd half with 11 more points being added to the T&T tally before Guyana found the break in the play they needed to find the opportunity to put 5 points on the board through their Lock forward Soren Cox.
T&T were unfazed by the Guyanese points and reacted immediately with another 3 points to bring up the final score of 26-5 but Guyana were not to leave the field without giving a parting shot of their own... clearly frustrated by the lack of attacking flare from his own team a Guyanese forward lashed out with the boot to the head of a T&T player laying prone on the floor in plane sight of the crowd and the match official to see an automatic red card to leave his already struggling team a man down for the remainder of the game and more so saw his rugby tour to the Islands come to abrupt end! Overall the 2nd game of the day was a far better spectacle of Rugby and led the way to what was to be the highlight of the day, the final match between Mexico and Bermuda.
GAME 3
Mexico have been playing on this stage for a while now and being the only non-English speaking nation has made them a crowd favourite with their collection of colourful coaches on the sidelines shouting orders to their players in Spanish.
Again, with the experience of Mexico taking on newcomers Bermuda the result would never be in doubt but it was the way in which Mexico took apart the Bermudan defence which lit up the crowd.
In the early exchanges Bermuda and Mexico swapped field position either side of the halfway line and it was in fact Bermuda who had the first opportunity to put points on the board but a failed penalty kick left proceedings at 0-0.
Mexico managed their first points of the game after a huge charge from their massive and hairy tight head prop lead to the opportunity for a quick pick up from the break down for the Mexican fly-half Miguel Carner to cut through a flat footed Bermudan defence to score and then convert his own try to make the score 7-0. It was to turn out to be a Miguel Carner afternoon on the pitch who, when given any space would virtually do a Mexican hat dance through the Bermudan back line to either score himself or share points with Mexican outside centre Christian Henning.
Bermuda had no answer for the Mexican attack and the final result was a 33-0 score line in favour of Mexico but the Bermudan’s showed much heart against the onslaught of points with fierce tackling!
NEXT GAMES all at the Cayman Islands Rugby Club
Tuesday 7 July 4:30pm Bahamas vs. Bermuda (Bowl)
Wednesday 8 July 300pm Mexico vs. T&T (Match 4)
430pm Cayman vs. Jamaica (Match 5)
Thursday 9 July 430pm Guyana vs. Bermuda (Bowl)
Saturday 11 July 130pm Bahamas vs. Guyana (Bowl)
430pm CUP FINAL – Winner Match 4 vs. Winner Match 5
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Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2156] |
Wed, 08 July 2009 15:57 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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- The bigger one: Georgia vs Russia, return match of ENC1 (20 march 2010, probably a sort of final game of the tournament) will be host in a neutral venue: Trabzon, in Turkey! I suppose Fira and russian federation fear some consequence after the sort of war happened between Georgia and Russia few months ago.
- On november 14 in Bruxelles the French Barbarians will play against an european selection to celebrate the 75 years of Fira-Aer.
- The lithuanian coach is under judgment: he risks a 1 year suspension (but I don't know because of what; probably he made something not too correct during the match won 6-3 against Netherlands).
- Catalonia continues to pursuit the objectif to become a separate member of the Fira-Aer (I like the nations that I learned when I was a kid -Spain, France, Yugoslavia, Cecoslovacchia...- so I'd prefer that spanish federation didn't split)
- From 12 to 23 July 2009, Israel host six nations come to play the Rugby Tournament of the Maccabiah Games 2009. USA, Canada, Chile, Great Britain, Australia, South Africa and Israel on the field. It seems a XV tournament. No mentions on the partecipating countries' websites: perhaps it's reserved to jewish players.
Iliesa Tanivula has named a 15-man squad brimming with seasoned IRB Sevens World Series campaigners to defend Fiji’s World Games title in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, later this month
http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/news/newsid=2032655.html#fiji+n ame+strong+squad+world+games
The International Rugby Board has announced the dates for the eight events which comprise the 2009/10 IRB Sevens World Series, starting once again with the two events in Dubai and George, South Africa, in December 2009.
http://www.irb.com/irbsevens/news/newsid=2032654.html#200910 +irb+sevens+world+series+schedule
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2160] |
Thu, 09 July 2009 02:08 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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| Quote: |
With day 1 of the NAWIRA U19’s Caribbean Championships over and the 7 competing nations split into the Cup and Bowl competitions as a result of the wins and losses from the opening matches, the first game of the bowl competition kicked off at 430pm local time on the South Sound Rugby Ground with Bermuda taking on the Bahamas. It was anyone’s guess as to which team would earn their first win of the tournament as both teams had done admirably well against bigger, stronger and more experienced adversaries in their opening games against Jamaica and Mexico.
Both Bermuda and Bahamas are competition newbies so the game promised to be a close affair.
Bermuda however broke that promise from the outset. Within 15 minutes Bermuda were 11 points clear of the Bahamas thanks to an early penalty and a total mismatch in size and strength on the field. Bermudan behemoth prop Brynley Toms earning Bermuda’s first try with a bulldozing run through the Bahamian pack which was unconverted and then followed by another cleanly taken penalty.
It was quickly becoming clear that unless the Bahamas changed their style of play Bermuda would simply use their size to pile on points and the Bahamas would have the unenviable task of a chasing an ever growing points tally for the rest of the game.
Bahamas were not without their own advantages on the field, indeed the Bahamian backline is one of the quickest in the competition and their flay half adept with the boot when given space but with the Bermudan pack averaging an advantage of 6 inches in height and 10 lbs in weight per forward it was to the bewilderment of the spectators that the Bahamas were drawn into a battle of strength as opposed to a battle of speed and guile. The Bahamian chant of “what it is? Easy!!” became almost laughable as the game drew on when it clearly dawned on the team that nothing is easy when you make it hard for yourselves.
Bermuda rung in the half time whistle after more bullying from the Bermudan pack allowed quick distribution out wide for the tall Bermudan inside centre Mark James to score again and bring up the half time score of 16-0.
The second half was much the same as the first with Bermuda dictating the pace of the game and winning back any lost ball through their pack but it was little wonder why the Bahamas came into the 2nd half playing the exact same game as the first?! The Bahamas were not without opportunity to play the ball thanks to numerous unforced errors from the Bermudan back line but at every opportunity afforded the Bahamians they ran into the bigger Bermudans in isolation and allowed easy turnovers.
When not gifting the ball to the Bermudans at the breakdown the Bahamians chose to kick the ball downfield into the waiting arms of Bermudan full back Rory Kelly who, when given time to spot the numerous gaps in the Bahamian back line could pick and chose where he wanted to score.
As the points piled on for Bermuda the final nail in the coffin was hit when Bermudan scrum half, Shauntino Simmons added to his ever increasing points tally by taking a quick tap penalty whilst the entire Bahamas team watched intently at what looked to be a small scuffle breaking out at the bottom of a ruck. Simmons ran unscathed 50 yards up the field and at one stage almost stopped to check with the referee that he was okay to continue on! With Simmons’ final points on the board the final score was 31-0 to Bermuda.
Bermuda, now face 2 time champions Guyana in their quest for the bowl and Bahamas will have to erase the memory of the game and build on their much stronger showing against Jamaica in their final upcoming match against Guyana in the round robin bowl competition.
Next games:
July 8, 2009
Mexico vs. Trinidad & Tobago @ 3pm
Cayman vs. Jamaica @ 5pm
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Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2163] |
Thu, 09 July 2009 04:22 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Gray Cullin marked his debut by scoring two tries as Kenya defeated Senegal 22-7 in an Africa Rugby Confederation Trophy match in Morocco. Kenya led 8-0 at half time with Cullin scoring a try and Vincent Mose adding a penalty. In the second half, Cullin and Innocent Simiyu added a try each and Mose converted both. Senegal replied with a converted try.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2164] |
Thu, 09 July 2009 05:59 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Morocco 12 - 0 Cameroun
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2165] |
Fri, 10 July 2009 02:50 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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| Quote: |
The Cayman U19 repeated as Caribbean champions after a historic win over rivals Jamaica 28 points to 22 making them the highest placed Caribbean finisher in the North American West Indies Rugby Association Regional Championships after Mexico defeated Trinidad in the tournaments other semi final.
It was the third time that Cayman and Jamaica have met at U19 level in the last four years and the first time that Cayman have managed to overcome their local rivals who boast some 35,000 players.
Mexico will now meet Cayman in a repeat of last year’s regional final when Cayman ran out winners 22 - 3. However Mexico have made tremendous strides over the past twelve months and an epic encounter is expected on Saturday.
The game will take place at the Rugby Club at 4:30pm on Saturday July 11th.
Also on the 11th at 1:30 Guyana play Bermuda in the 5th/6th place playoff and Jamaica play Trinidad in the 3rd/4th playoff at 3pm.
Tournaments debutantes Bahamas are now ranked in 7th place but will play a final match tonight at 5pm against Guyana at the Rugby Pitch.
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Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2166] |
Fri, 10 July 2009 02:57 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Canada has named its side to face the USA in the second leg of the home and home Rugby World Cup Qualifying series – and like the States there are very few changes in the lineups for the match that takes place at 1:30PM Ellerslie Rugby Park in Edmonton this Saturday.
Only Aaron Carpenter, who broke his arm in the 12-6 loss to the USA last week, is out of the Canadian lineup, with Adam Kleeberger moving from the flanker spot to No. 8. Nanyak Dala will start, working with Jebb Sinclair in the feisty back row setup.
The Americans made no changes to their starting fifteen – making only a replacements change – with Joe Welch backing up hooker Chris Biller this week .
The USA holds a slim six point margin going into this qualifying match, meaning that Canada must win by seven or more to hope to qualify for the 2011 World Cup in this round.
Failure to do so means a rugged home and home series against Uruguay in August and September.
At a press conference in Edmonton on Thursday, neither coach believed the other was concerned about the points difference.
“If we went into a game thinking that six points would be enough to see us through we would be laughed off the park, “ said USA coach Eddie O’Sullivan.
His counterpart, Canadian coach Kieran Crowley agreed.
“It is a test match and we need to win it outright,” he said. “If it gets down to the last twenty minutes and we need a specific number of points we look at it at that point, but until then it is like any other game.”
Canadian team Captain Pat Riordan, when asked about the 18 degree temperature difference between last weekend in Charleston, South Carolina, and the cool temperatures in Edmonton, he admitted the boys are preferring the Alberta climate – but notes, “as far as I know its nice and cool for the USA as well – so it is not much of a factor.”
Riordan says the new attacking style of rugby Canada has been playing should net some positive results.
"I think creative is the right way to look at it," Riordan said. "We've got some speed and we like to play a fairly attacking type of rugby.
"In the past, we were a bit more conservative. We kind of got away from that a bit last week and that's why we didn't have the success we were looking for."
Canada vs USA
1. Kevin Tkachuk (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
2. Pat Riordan (University of Victoria/Burnaby Lake, BC)
3. Dan Pletch (Oakville Crusaders/Lucan, ON)
4. Mike Burak (Unattached/Vancouver, BC)
5. Tyler Hotson (UBC Old Boy Ravens/Vancouver, BC)
6. Jebb Sinclair (Castaway Wanderers/Frederiction, NB)
7. Nanyak Dala (Castaway Wanderers/Saskatoon, SK)
8. Adam Kleeberger (University of Victoria/White Rock, BC)
9. Ed Fairhurst (Cornish Pirates/Victoria, BC)
10. Ander Monro (Colorno, Italy)
11. Justin Mensah-Coker (Moseley/Vancouver, BC)
12. Ryan Smith (Calgary Irish/Caledon, ON)
13. DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow Warriors/Regina, SK)
14. Matt Evans (Hartpury College/Duncan, BC)
15. James Pritchard (Bedford RFC)
Replacements
16. Mike Pletch (Velox Valhallians/Lucan, ON)
17. Andrew Tiedemann (University of Victoria/St. Albert, AB)
18. Chauncey O’Toole (Castaway Wanderers/Belle Isle, NB)
19. Stu Ault (Mosely RFC/Perth, ON)
20. Bryn Keys (Moseley RFC/Abbotsford, BC)
21. Phil Mack (James Bay AA/Victoria, BC)
22. Ciaran Hearn (Castaway Wanderers/Conception Bay, Nfld)
Staff
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Assistant Coach: John Tait
Skills Coach: Morgan Williams
Strength and Conditioning: Tyler Goodale
Video Analyst: Peter Huigenbos
Medical Therapist: Mike Recine
Massage Therapist: Sadie Deschenes
Medical: Dr. Shelby
Manager: Rodger Swany
Communications Manager: Doug Crosse
USA Team to Face Canada
1. Mate Moekiola (Park City Haggis)
2. Chris Biller (California)
3. Shawn Pittman (Bayside RFC)
4. John Van der Giessen (Denver Barbarians)
5. Hayden Smith (Saracens FC)
6. Louis Stanifill (New York Athletic Club)
7. Todd Clever (Xerox Lions) ©
8. Nic Johnson (Denver Barbarians)
9. Tim Usasz (Nottngham RFC)
10. Mike Hercus (Sunshine Coast Stingrays)
11. Kevin Swiryn (Old Puget Sound Beach)
12. Roland Suniula (Pearl City RFC)
13. Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma)
14. Takudzwa Ngwenya (Biarritz Olympic)
15. Chris Wyles (Saracens FC)
Replacements
16. Joe Welch (Belmont Shore)
17. Mike MacDonald (Leeds Carnegie RFC)
18. Alec Parker (Gentlemen of Aspen)
19. JJ Gagiano (University of Cape Town)
20. Mike Petri (New York Athletic Club
21. Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore)
22. Salesi Sika (Castres Olympique)
Coach Eddie O’Sullivan
USARFU's moves toward junior representative teams based on the school system imply a summertime competitive calendar, when students are available.
Compared with the cost of recreating a Commonwealth-style age-grade system, the efficiency of leveraging American schools is growing more and more apparent, but an effective transition will require breaking away from the current focus on springtime, when the International Rugby Board stages its Under-20 championship. It also would mean prioritizing financial support for schoolboy teams at the end of the fiscal year.
Led by Kevin Swiryn, 11 2008 Collegiate All-Americans have become 2009 Eagles or 7s Eagles, while 9 of this year's All-Americans will be invited to try out for the World Games 7s team. But high school and college teams, not the three-week tours mounted by All-American teams, are the locus of player development, which means if Boulder is to build on the work done on campus, it has to schedule its all-star programs when the most promising student-athletes can compete.
This week's introduction of new management teams for the Under-20 and High School All-American teams gave no details of future scheduling. 'I will now be discussing the playing program for each team with the coaches and management,' chief executive Nigel Melville said in a press release. Melville did not reply to a followup query.
Three factors are combining to encourage the shift to school-based teams as the primary pathway to the Eagles. First, Commonwealth-style academies intended to house and support both senior national teamers and junior hopefuls are too expensive to build from scratch. In this economy, the IRB-favored approach is a dead letter.
But every one of USARFU's 1,000 or so school teams can potentially draw upon privately or taxpayer-funded facilities and resources. At high-level colleges such as Cal or BYU, the so-called daily training environment can add up as many as 2,000 hours of supervised, sport specific training and competition -- all without costing the union a dime.
Second, the Collegiate All-Americans are demonstrably outperforming the U-20s in identifying next-generation Eagles, while also providing the union a ready-made commercial brand. Thus combining the U-17 and U-18 teams into a new High School All-American team saves money and creates a product instantly recognizable to mainstream sports culture.
Third, the schools system supplies the two-thirds of USARFU's 2009 dues payers. So there is a moral obligation to create outlets that are truly accessible to the membership.
Guided by newly appointed Scott Lawrence, recently director for the abortive eastern HP region, the high schoolers might resume their past practice of scheduling matches against suitable opponents in Australia and New Zealand. In the late 1990s, Eagles such as Kevin Dalzell and Kurt Shuman regularly got their international start this way.
But this week's delayed confirmation of the Collegiate All-American tour to South Africa made clear that the union has underinvested in the 2009 program. At the start of the decade, the union's annual budget was $3 million budget and Eagle monies paid for roughly 70 percent of All-American tour expenses. Now, with the board of directors trumpeting a yearly turnover of $9 million, Boulder has been unable to find the final $50,000 or so for a fully funded tour. On a percentage basis, All-American allocation has decreased, speaking either to lower priority or waste.
Meanwhile, in that there will likely remain political pressure from the IRB to run a U-20 program, the high schoolers could become perpetual afterthought. The union is hoping to persuade Dublin to revisit the timing of its junior championship, according to people familiar with the matter. College underclassmen, who by age and demographics should naturally constitute the core of the American team, can't afford two to three weeks out of their spring semester.
However, the IRB recently announced that it would reduce the size of its U-20 tournament, limiting North America to one qualifier. In 2010, with Ray Lehner in his first year at the helm, Canada will be favored to claim that spot. Thus Dublin too may inadvertently be encouraging the US to turn toward summertime representative play.
Also this week, Boulder tapped management for a USA 'A' team, officially styled the Select XV, which is expected to be the country's entry in the Americas Rugby Championship. Although the competition, which replaces the expensive and ineffective North America 4, is approximately two months from kickoff, there have been no details about the domestic matches leading to selection for Paul Keeler's team.
USARFU has agreed to ARC scheduling that may preclude the participation of collegians or high schoolers, since the competition falls in September and October, the start of the academic year. If so, the 'A' team's older demographic could reduce the players' future value to the senior Eagles.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2172] |
Sat, 11 July 2009 01:51 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Trinidad and Tobago Under19 Rugby Team fought to the end, but still came up short. The team competing in the North America West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA) U19 Championships in the Cayman Islands was beaten by Mexico 22-14 in a semi final encounter on Wednesday July 7, 2009.
Bahamas 39 Guayana 10
The Toyota sponsored Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) League competition kicks off this weekend with games in both the Championship and Senior divisions.
Feature game of the weekend will see last year’s champions Caribs RFC taking on arch rivals Stag Trinidad Northern RFC in what is certain to set the tone for this season’s rugby, on Caribs pitch.
Other games in the Championships Division will see Harvard Sports Club take on Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club I, on Harvard's pitch and Police Sports Club will host Defence Force I at the Police Training Academy, St. James. All games kick off at 4:30 p.m.
On Sunday July 12, 2009 the Senior Division games will be played with last year’s Champions, Rainbow Sports and Cultural Club II travelling to the Queen’s Park Savannah to take on runner’s up Defence Force II.
Royalians RFC host Caribs RFC II at Savannah II pitch and UWI host Tobago RFC at St. Augustine. All games kick off at 4:30 p.m.
Wales' Invesco Perpetual Series opener against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday 7th November (KO 1715) sold out within an hour of going on public sale today (Friday 10th July).
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2178] |
Sun, 12 July 2009 02:26 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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African champs:
Senegal 11 - 3 Cameroun
Morocco 29 - 11 Kenya
Togo 6 - 5 Mali
EDMONTON, Alberta – Playing with only 14 players for three-quarters of the match, the U.S. Men’s National Rugby Team struggled to stick to its pattern and fell to the Canadians, 41-18, in the second game of their home-and-away Rugby World Cup Qualifying series in Edmonton on Saturday.
Even though the U.S. beat Canada, 12-6, on its home turf last week, Canada wins the point differential overall and clinches the Americas 1 spot in Pool A of the Rugby World Cup in 2011. The Eagles, on the other hand, will now look to play Uruguay, the winner of the South American Qualification Playoff, in a two-game series to determine the Americas 2 qualifying side. Those match details have yet to be set.
Hannover 7s
Grupa A
Germania - Franta 7-29
Rusia - Moldova 40-5
Franta - Romania 49-7
Rusia - Germania 19-14
Moldova - Romania 14-14
Franta - Rusia 15-12
Moldova - Germania 22-19
Rusia - Romania 31-17
Franta - Moldova 28-12
Romania - Germania 38-19
Clasament
1. Franta 4 4 0 0 +83 12p
2. Rusia 4 3 0 1 +49 10p
3. Romania 4 1 1 2 -37 7p
4. Moldova 4 1 1 2 -46 7p
5. Germania 0 0 4 -49 4p
Grupa B
Polonia - Portugalia 0-19
Italia - Spania 7-7
Portugalia - Georgia 7-12
Italia - Polonia 5-5
Spania - Georgia 26-10
Portugalia - Italia 22-14
Spania - Polonia 45-0
Italia - Georgia 33-5
Portugalia - Spania 7-14
Georgia - Polonia 26-21
Clasament
1. Spania 4 3 1 0 +68 11p
2. Italia 4 1 2 1 +20 8p
3. Portugalia 4 2 0 2 +15 8p
4. Georgia 4 2 0 2 -34 8p
5. Polonia 4 0 1 3 -69 5p
Semifinalele competitiei – Duminica 12 iulie
Locurile 1-4
S3: Franta (Loc 1 grupa A) – Italia (Loc 2 grupa B)
S4: Rusia (Loc 2 grupa A) – Spania (Loc 1 grupa B)
Locurile 5-8
S1: Romania (Loc 3 grupa A) – Georgia (Loc 4 grupa B)
S2: Moldova (Loc 4 grupa A) – Portugalia (Loc 3 grupa B)
Finalele competitiei – 12 iulie
Loc 9-10: Germania (Loc 5 grupa A) – Polonia (Loc 5 grupa B)
Loc 7-8: Pierzatoare S1 – Pierzatoare S2
Loc 5-6: Castigatoare S1 – Castigatoare S2
Loc 3-4: Pierzatoare S3 – Pierzatoare S4
Loc 1-2: Castigatoare S1 – Castigatoare S2
Summer is time for many brief international tournament. Here is someone
4 july
South american 7s championship (2nd edition) in Guatemala, final ranking:
1 Tasmania (club from Mexico, lot of foreigners)
2 Diablos Rojos (club from Panama, perhaps the only in the country; so a sort of national team)
3 Guatemala RC and Santa Rosa (both from Guatemala)
5 Costarica (national team) and Tasmania B (from Mexico)
http://www.panamarugby.com/centroamericanodesevens.htm
12-22 july
Maccabiah Games in Israel. Rugby XV M
Competing: USA, Canada, Chile, Great Britain (!), Australia, South Africa and Israel.
14-18 july
Copa Colsanitas in Colombia. Rugby XV M&F
M: Venezuela, Guatemala, Colombia, "Las Rozas" (club from Spain)
W: Venezuela, Bogotà selection, Antioquia selection, Santander selection (from Spain)
24-25 july
World Games in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Rugby VII M
South Africa, Argentina, Portugal, USA, Japan, Hong Kong and Taipei
6-9 august
World Police&Firefighters' Games in Vancouver, Canada. Rugby VII M (well, it's mixed. Theorically also women could play)
Competing: Italy...
http://www.2009wpfg.ca/
10-11 october
Bali Sevens in Indonesia. Rugby VII W
In memory of the 2002 terroristic attack
[Updated on: Sun, 12 July 2009 02:29]
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2179] |
Sun, 12 July 2009 03:29 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Samoa 115-7 PNG
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2183] |
Sun, 12 July 2009 09:24 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Niger 10 - 3 Bénin
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2184] |
Mon, 13 July 2009 01:49 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Russia beat France 26-19 in the final at the Hannover 7s.
Moldova beat Portugal 17 - 12 in the Plate.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2188] |
Mon, 13 July 2009 06:42 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Ghana 44 - 0 Togo II
From my agent in Caracas:
Copa Colsanitas will be contested for by Venezuela, Colombia, Guatemala and Ingenieros Industriales Las Rozas - a Spanish club side. Matches will be played sometime between 15 and 19 July in Bogota, Colombia. It's strange that Peru, Costa Rica and Panama are not participating; I am therefore assuming that this is not an official CONSUR divisional tournament, rather an impromptu tournament acting as a development competition. At least, I am hoping this because the CONSUR B tournaments have been pretty good over the last few years.
There is still no confirmation whether the matches will be full tests (i.e. with 80 minute halves and seven subs), but with experienced test playing nations involved, namely Colombia and Venezuela, one would expect that this will take a different format to the Central American tournaments of previous years which had 40 minute matches.
There seems to be an international woman's tournament occuring simultaneously, though I am not aware of the details.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2198] |
Tue, 14 July 2009 07:05 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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Yesterday: Ghana 5 - 5 Nigeria, Burkina Faso 17-7 Nigeria, (Saturday?) Burkina Faso 43 - 0 Togo II
From my agent on Grand Cayman:
It has been a long year since the famous victory over Mexico in Barbados last July 22 to 3 when Cayman won its first Regional championship and a place to the Junior World Trophy among the top 24 U20 teams in the World.
Training resumed as soon and the celebrations ended at the fantastic DART international school facility. Rugby was found a slot in the full schedule and preparations for Kenya began. The long term goal however was just one match, the Championship game that would take place on July 11th 2009 at the South Sound Rugby Pitch for the North American West Indies Rugby Association Regional championship.
Members of the CRFU and sponsors alike dug deep into their pockets to help the squad members afford discounted memberships at Kings Gym and regular sessions began on and off the pitch. Players, parents the Cayman Government and sponsors all helped finance the forthcoming campaign with expectation in their eyes. Seasoned players and veterans alike offered advice and support to the squad during training sessions and the coaches gave up no less than four evenings a week to hone the players fitness, skill and understanding of the game.
The squad formed the Heineken Surge team in the 2009 Alex Alexander Memorial championship and played eight hard bruising matches against their senior counterparts, learning all the time and setting individual goals and objectives for each match, many that were not related to simply winning but playing with a certain style, a method and a means to an end.
The squad travelled to Fort Lauderdale in February and played three of the top men’s super League teams in the USA. Each game was a daunting task, with our young players facing a wall of muscle, power and skill un-precedented within the boundaries of Cayman. Again the players rose to the occasion and while they suffered two heavy defeats physically and literally they bounced back on the Sunday to win their last match. As it turns out it was a good preparation for what was to come in Kenya with the exception that if anything the sides in Kenya were bigger, stronger and better than those met in Lauderdale.
Two hundred and forty of the world’s top five hundred players showed why they had been selected into national, professional & regional academies worldwide and why they would soon represent their countries in the full international team, a feat many have achieved since April and the Junior World Trophy.
The squad worked very hard in the UK for the six days they were there in preparation for Kenya but that work was overshadowed with the training, video analysis, chalk board, tactical meetings and team building sessions that were to be undertaken in Kenya.
The Junior world Trophy consisted of twenty one days in Kenya, a total of half a day was spent at leisure the other twenty and a half days were spent getting up at 7am and eating as a team, meeting for an hour, training for 2 hours, eating as a team, video analysis, tactical meeting, training for an hour, eating as a team, video analysis and then bed around 9:30pm when the management would evaluate performance from the day and plan the next. There were no complaints from anyone, we were all focused on the end goal.
The matches were incredibly difficult but at no point did any of the twenty six players complain, give up or become despondent, everyone accepted that we were in a very tough spot and the only way out was to work together as a team and ensure that we left with all that we could learn and carry forward with us.
On return to Cayman training took on a new intensity and yet more sessions each week. The team played its last three matches in the AA Cup before taking on Emerging Cayman in a three series competition in which the U19 won two matches to one, The problems encountered over the past year, the areas of weakness for the team had been identified, worked upon and overcome and after a long sixteen months the team was finally peaking at just the right time.
The 2009 championships commenced and Mexico, Trinidad and Jamaica showed just how much they had improved since 2008, the gauntlet was thrown down and the Cayman players knew that they would have to be at their best to repeat as Caribbean and Regional champions.
It very nearly all went wrong after Cayman had shown just how skilled they were in the first half against Jamaica to then lose focus and nearly the match. Undoubtedly the year before Cayman would have lost the game but instead of in-fighting and accusation the team simply fell back on the past years experiences and as one replied to the Jamaican onslaught to ensure that they won the game. As Mexico beat a game Trinidad with a come- back of their own this meant that Cayman’s win gave them their second Caribbean championship which was nice but had not been the focus for the past sixteen months.
On Friday night at 7:30pm the team got together under the lights at the DART international school and had their final session prior to the final of the tournament. It was a great session, everything went well, everyone was confident, everyone knew their part in the game plan and everyone was 100% confident. Everything over the past sixteen months had come together at the perfect moment.
The final itself went as planned, the players fulfilled their parts and the plan came together as a whole, it was a famous day for the Cayman Islands.
The team will now look to the next round which is expected to be against USA and Canada the two super powers of our region and again the going will be very tough but without doubt not as tough as Kenya as the lessons have been learned and the realities accepted. Now we can really start to move forward with these players development into top class international athletes.
Twenty three of the twenty six man squad are off to Universities in Canada, USA and Europe, all will continue their rugby at the schools of their choice and during holidays or for international competition we will bring them all back together.
In Cayman we continue to develop our players at all ages and levels. Not all will make elite level and that is as it should be as Rugby is mainly a game to be played and enjoyed for what it is, a social amateur sport with excellent community and moral standards. Cayman will however soon have its share of professional rugby players earning education scholarships and full time employment contracts with clubs worldwide. Josh and Joel Clark are off to Canada to represent the West Indies at sevens in a couple of weeks, McGrath has been accepted to Galway University where his rugby career will take on whole new meaning, Wilson will almost certainly make the West Indies sevens team this year and the list goes on and on. It has been an interesting nine years for me, not always smooth sailing by any stretch but then trying to live up to a vision that few if any share is difficult. We are not there yet but with this great win we have definitely come a lot closer.
& from Bwana in Nairobi:
The national 15's team returned from Morocco yesterday after losing 11-29 to Morocco on Saturday in the final of the Africa Rugby Confederation Trophy (Northern Zone) competition where teams that did not make it to the last four of the Africa Zone of the Rugby World Cup qualifiers competed against one another.
When they re-assemble on July 22 to continue preparations for the first leg of the annual Elgon Cup on August 15, the focus would be that of retaining the trophy.
Coach Michael 'Tank' Otieno and the rest of the team are upbeat about the current buzz in the team and will make only minimal changes when they resume training.
On arrival from Morocco, the former Kenya fullback said the final against Morocco was great. "We played according to plan but could not take advantage of a wicked breeze in the first half. We scored in the opening five minutes but conceded a try because of a defensive blunder. The scores stagnated at 7-5 for a long time and they only led 12-8 at half time," the coach explained.
The breeze made it difficult for Kenya to come back. "Morocco played a defensive game and rarely contested the rucks. They also rushed our backs and denied us possession because they were wary of our backs," he added. Otieno noted that the only way Kenya could improve was to play more matches away.
Morocco won 29-11 while Senegal beat Cameroon 11-3 to finish third.
The team's captain, Innocent Simiyu echoed the words of Otieno but added that the first leg of Elgon Cup should have been played before the CAR Trophy. He argued this would have helped Kenya prepare for the CAR Trophy.
Players and the technical bench were unanimous that there was no substitute to playing more matches to ensure that the team was adequately prepared for national assignments. Otieno suggested a minimum of 10 matches per year for the national 15's team. He supported an idea, which was mooted by national seven-a-side coach Benjamin Ayimba of a Southern Zone circuit involving Zimbabwe, Namibia, Madagascar, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia.
Ayimba had said this was a viable tournament to which teams from the Northern Zone could be invited as guests on a rotational basis. Simiyu however added that playing top South African club sides could be a ready answer because of the quality and proximity. "What we need are quality matches," he said. The circuit, if made attractive to sponsors could see the level of 15's game rise.
Mike Aung, the team's assistant captain said the confidence level was up for the team. "I have never worked with such a disciplined and focused team. We had very challenging matches in Morocco and we should play more away games," he suggested. The Nondescripts RUFC utility forward had no doubt that Kenya would retain the Elgon Cup.
He explained that the match against Senegal and Morocco opened the eyes of most of the players to what is expected. The forwards of Senegal and Morocco were quite big and physical. Aung attributed the loss against Morocco to a weak defence, which gifted the host's soft tries.
But, the immediate focus would be for the Kenyan players to bulk up according to Lawrence Buyachi, Dennis Abenga, Kelvin Omiyo, Wilson Kopondo and Gibson Weru. "We gave away at least 10 kilogrammes to our opponents per player. They did not contest the rucks but instead rushed our backs," explained Simiyu.
Overall, Otieno was satisfied that there was some distinct gap between the seven-a-side and 15's team. Even the debutants, Omiyo, Gray Cullen and Patrice Agunda agreed this was a good outing.
When the team re-assembles on July 22, focus will be on retaining Elgon Cup, a feat that has been helped by playing in the CAR Trophy.
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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| Re: SIMON DICKONS GLOBAL RESULTS THREAD' [message #2204] |
Tue, 14 July 2009 15:05 |
Barack Obama
Messages: 2935
Registered: January 2009 |
Senior Member |
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The International Rugby Board has announced the pools and match schedule for the eight-team Rugby Sevens tournament to be played at the World Games in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei, on 24-25 July 2009.
http://www.irb.com/rugbyandtheolympics/news/newsid=2032712.h tml#world+games+sevens+pools+schedule
Some look at things that are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were and ask why not?
George Bernard Shaw
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