Match Report - 14/10/11 Dhekelia Paochers Vs Paphos Tigers

What a busy weekend it is that the Tigers kick off their first match of the season

It’s the semi final of the Rugby World Cup ( Wales v France) its almost National Fiji Day and preparations in Dhekalia are being made big time for these weekend celebrations and Paphos Tigers have to kick off early to accommodate all these changes, and leave home before 9 am to arrive in time to kick off at 12 noon.

The Tigers are building a new squad and over a third of the team travelling have not started a full match before, but they are enthusiastic, hungry and excited about their first game of the season but know to have due respect for their opposition.

With new Captain and “old boy” Cyprus International prop Tony Thoma back from playing in the UK at Fylde, and new Vice Captain Nathan Pring leading the backs there is a lot of potential for the future.

The “Poachers” aka The 2^nd Royal Anglian Regiment are not going to roll over and they lead at half time by 10 points to nil. This is totally against the run of play as the new Tigers are basically in the opposition half for over 80% of the time, but basic handling errors and a little rustiness allow the Poachers to rush into two interceptions and kick on towards the Tiger’s line and take a 10 nil lead at half time. Neither of the two trys was converted.

HT, Dhekalia Poachers 10 – Tigers Nil

The second half is very much the same as the first with great defence by the “ Poachers” but as the game progresses the new Tigers are gaining more confidence and the handling, passing and interchanging are improving all the time and the Tigers forwards are still dominant but not quite able to cross the Dhekelian line.

It is a full 30 minutes of hard rugby before the Tigers score, when four great phases of passing from the forwards to the backs resulted in a great try for young and new recruit and local Cypriot Panyiotis Charalambous running over for a well deserved try in the corner. Young “veteran” Jack Bilton getting the conversion to make the score with 10 minutes to go Dhekelia 10 –Tigers 7.

Unfortunately this is the final score despite massive surges by the brilliant Tigers forwards but the great defence by the Poachers holds out and the first win goes to the Poachers. This no disgrace for the new young Tigers and although they have lost today they will learn from this game and go on to even greater things in future.

Coach Nick Bilton stated “After the Tigers’s performance today I see no reason why these young lads should not be pushing for League Champions by the end of this Season”

The Paphos Tigers are sponsored by The Lodge, Misbehavious Ltd, Sit Down With Bob, The New Horizon, Shadeports +, and Premier Cleaning and Coatings

Sue Rolfe,

Secretary,

Paphos Tigers Rugby Football Club