Eagles Soar to Victory Over Tigers
16th October 2007
by Chris Mills

I HAVE no idea how Happy Valley acquired its name but it is a place of peace and tranquillity. Flowers bloom, bees buzz, birds twitter and I have no doubt the odd squirrel pops out its head in search of nuts. But this is the Episkopi Barracks sports ground where all sorts of other noises pervade the air when engaged in all manner of activities.

There was a cricket match on at the same time that Tigers took to the rugby pitch in their new 'Chillingtons' kit to face the Episkopi Eagles in a 'friendly' match.

The match that should have been played with Dhekelia will now be played on the 15th December.

The first-half was fairly lively without either side making an impression. Lots of movement forwards and backwards but points were blank on the board until just before half-time.

The Eagles moved well down their three-quarter line and with a slightly lucky break in the action, Ceri Jones took a golden opportunity to go over between the posts. Marcos Holden converted to make it 7-0. There was little time left before the half-time whistle but a second break saw Andy Davie go over with Holden again converting to make it 14-0 at half-time.

Tigers began the second-half with real determination and after a good passing movement George Agathocleous went over and Tony Thoma converted from an angle to reduce the score to 14-7.

The Eagles hooker got 'sin-binned' for kicking the ball away and from the resultant penalty; Tony Thoma converted to reduce the score to 14-10.

It meant that the scrums when the hooker was off were 'uncontested' (neither side could shove). This was Tigers best period and it looked at times as if they could reduce the gap and even take over.

It was not to be and after an off-the-ball incident and a long consultation between a linesman and referee Johnny Stavrinou, Tigers lost 'Deano' to the sin-bin. Eagles then took full advantage of his missing weight to push over in the corner with Dylan Read touching down for a try, which was unconverted, to make the final score 19-10.

David 'Ginger' Caruthers, who is basically a newcomer to the game, gave a good performance for the Tigers who seemed to lack some cohesion and discipline. For Eagles it was revenge for the recent semi-final defeat by the Tigers in the Aya Niks 15's Tournament.

Thanks as always to the loyal band of Tigers Supporters who made the trip to Happy Valley, and thanks to the Episkopi Eagles for giving us a chance to have a run out!