Akrotiri Flamingos defeated by Paphos Tigers
26th January 2008
by Ron James

Akrotiri Flamingos 8   Paphos Tigers  18

Tigers beat the Flamingos on Saturday in a scrappy disjointed game where neither side was able to relax and play to their full potential. The game wasn’t helped by the blustery wind which hampered passing and both sides were guilty of poor handling.

There was a definite slope and wind advantage for Flamingos but they were unable to use either to good effect in the first half. It was Tigers who scored first by George Agathocleous forcing his way over from a stuttering back move with four defenders hanging on to him.

Tigers went further ahead when Tony Thoma kicked a penalty and with the Tigers pack driving Akrotiri back at several scrums. Tigers lineout was also working well but the backs were unable to get going with any fluency.

The Flamingos then started to kick with more effect but were unable to breach the Tigers fiercely defended line. However, continuous pressure from the home team on the visitors line resulted in a penalty being kicked by Andy Cullen which made the score 8-3 at half time.

With the wind and slope advantage things looked set up for a comfortable Tigers victory but the Flamingos were defending staunchly and Tigers were turning over ball on a regular basis leaving the Flamingos always in with a chance.

Tigers fly half Des White was putting in huge kicks which were always driving back the home team. Finally, Agathocleous got the ball again in one of the few fluent back moves of the game and scored under the posts to the relief of the large contingent of traveling Tigers supporters.

The game was then sealed in the last few minutes with a quickly taken penalty by Tigers which led to the ever present Chris Thoma diving over in the corner.

Flamingos scored a consolation breakaway try by Phil Taylor in the last move of the game.

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