(2PWRR)
Kiniras Sports Ground 30th Jan 2010.
This table topping clash followed a cracking little 9 a side match between the Colts teams of Paphos & Limassol. Only 20 minutes each way but a good clean and well mannered match, with Paphos Colts running out eventual winners 37 – 17, but full marks to both clubs and their coaches and players for an excellent display of open running youth rugby.
The big match kicked off and within the opening minute a penalty was awarded to 2PWRR with their big army pack forcing errors from the Tigers. Although the kick was missed more pressure from the 2PWRR forwards resulted in a great kick hanging near the Tigers posts which was not properly cleared by the Tigers and the Army winger ran through to collect and sprint the final few metres to the posts to score a good try, duly converted, so taking them into an early 7-0 lead.
Although the army had the bigger forwards the Tigers pack handled them well, with great skills and techniques making up for size, and in the next 30 minutes in a very tight match 2 out of 3 penalties were missed by 2PWRR but Tiger George Agathocleous pulled one back and the score at half time was 2PWRR 10 Tigers 3.
At the start of the second half the Tigers threw everything at the Army and young Scrum half Kyle Kleyn was denied a try and held up just inches short of the line and, unusually, Tiger George missed 3 penalties in the opening 15 minutes as well, as the cross breeze was making accurate kicking awkward.
The score stayed the same until 20 minutes had passed when the Tigers conceded a penalty under their posts for holding on the ground and the easy kick was converted by the Army No15 making the score 13- 3, the Tigers now 10 points adrift.
The pace of the game was frantic, and some fantastic moves by the Tigers were just being foiled at the last moment, and a fast and furious end to end match ensued with neither side being able to make their hard work into points, and yet again the Tigers missed another penalty, denying them the chance to chip away at the Army lead and keep themselves in the match with the clock winding down and only 10 minutes left to play.
Then two tries were scored in 10 minutes.
The first was for the Army when they were under huge pressure from the Tiger forwards they won their scrum on their 10 metre line and cleared with a massive kick up field which fell between the Tigers winger and full back and bounced up beautifully for the Army winger who was chasing up the field and sprinted 60 metres to run in a try totally against the run of play, which was converted taking the Army 20 points to 3 in the lead.
But the Tigers were not dead yet and repeatedly refused to lie down and a 5 metre tap penalty taken by vice Capt Tony Thoma, dummied a pass and drove for the line himself and took three Army forwards with him, but they weren't enough to stop him scoring a great forward's try, converted by George Agathocleous.
The final whistle blew and the score was 2PWRR 20 Tigers 10, and a great match was enjoyed by the two hundred plus supporters.
Although the Tigers lost and were disappointed to do so they showed great spirit, skills and technique and know they could have won this match with better use of the hard won ball. Considering they only had 19 players fit for this massive encounter they did themselves proud and still have a chance to win the league With no match on the 6th Feb the Tigers are hoping the extra week will get 6 of their currently injured players fit and ready for selection for the remaining three league games in February, and the Cup matches in March.
Nigel Jarvis
Secretary PTRFC
Paphos Tigers are sponsored by M1 Lux Cyprus, Horizon Group & Mercato del Golfo.
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