The Cup stays home

THE Cup finally stays at home.

After failing to win the coveted title in the first two editions, the Cebu Lady Dragons finally got it in its third attempt after winning it all in the 3rd International All Ladies Rugby Festival at the Cebu International School (CIS) pitch yesterday.

The Lady Dragons went unbeaten the whole tournament and crushed the Philippine Lady Volcanoes-laden Manila Mayhem in the Cup final, 10-0.

“I'm very happy. When I heard the whistle I jumped for joy,” Lady Dragons skipper Dixie Yu said with a smile along mix of sweat and grass on her face. “It was a great win because our team has only three players from the national team, while half of their team is composed of players from the national team.”

Aiumi Ono, one of the Lady Dragons' Philippine Lady Volcano players, gave her team the early lead, 5-0, scoring with a quick try with last than a minute in regulation. She, however, missed her conversion.

The Lady Dragons showed impressive defense that forced the Mayhem to just push a few yards but never threatened to score.

Yu, another national team player, ran past the Mayhem defense and scored a second try for the Lady Dragons for a 10-0 lead. She would also miss her conversion.

In the second half, the Lady Dragons got most of the possessions, and would hold the Mayhem to another scoreless half for the victory.

The Lady Dragons finished at the top in the elimination round with 13 points from four wins and a draw, while the Mayhem ended up third in the eliminations with three wins, a draw and a loss.

The Lady Dragons earned a slot in the Cup Finals after a 15-5 win over CWB Phoenix, while the Mayherm got its ticket with a 31-0 upset over NTU Singapore.

NTU Singapore settled for third with a 7-1 win over CWB Phoenix.

The Lady Dragons and the Mayhem fought to a scoreless draw in the elimination round. But in their rematch, the Lady Dragons adjusted and finally kept their composure.

“We didn't switch on them. We had a lot of things in our minds in our first meeting. We were too excited and didn't stick to our structure,” said Yu.

The Lady Dragons finished first runner-up in the inaugural tournament and then ended up fourth last year.

“We really had chemistry and we played with a lot of heart.”

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