Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Cebu Dragons leave burnt Pot Belly
AFTER an unsuccessful campaign last year, the Cebu Dragons finally reached championship as they edged the Pot Belly Pigs in Shield competition of the 2008 AMEC Manila 10’s Rugby Tournament last April 5 to 6 in Merville Subdivision Parañaque City.
The Dragons were trailing, 10-5, behind the tough and experienced Arabian team with less than a minute before the end of regulation after a number of costly mistakes.
A much needed lineout was secured by Adrian Cosido with 80 meters separating the Cebu team from the try line to give them one last shot for a goal.
Chance
Kim Fardy found an opening in the tough defense of the Pigs from a pass from team captain Noel Flowers, but was then tackled short of the try line.
Fardy was able to find Flowers who was near the goal post to tie the game, 10-10, as the buzzer sounded.
With the game tied at 10-10 and with no time left, a successful conversion by Jerry Branzuela sealed a 12-10 victory for the Dragons in the shield competition.
“It was a great result for Cebu rugby and Philippine rugby all round.” said Dave Smith, President of the Cebu City Rugby Football Club in a press release. “In just our third year as a club, to win an event as prestigious as the Manila 10’s means that we are doing something right, and the boys are on the right track. I can’t express how ecstatic I am with this result.”
Pace
The Dragons had a sluggish start losing three games in the Bowl competition which led to their relegation to the Shield competition.
The tournament had 29 from 12 different countries namely Australia, Singapore, UAE, Guam, Japan, Taipei and the Philippines.
The Dragons will be having an exhibition game against a United States Military team based in Zamboanga next month here in Cebu and will be also having an practice match with the Dragon’s Team B in preparation for the visiting Zamboanga team. (EKA)
