Paphos Tigers v Dhekelia Lions
Saturday 24 February 2007
Kick Off 14:00
Match Report by Terry Forrest

This game was played in a spirit of no quarter and as a result the injury count was a bit like that of a major battle with cuts, blood and stitches everywhere. It was not the best day for handling and both sides should be praised for trying to play entertaining rugby and doing so with a deal of success.

Tigers kicked off deep into Lions territory where a Lions forward knocked on. Tigers got a clean but slow heel and began a neat passing movement which was thwarted by some powerful tackling. Lions were awarded a penalty for Tigers going over the top. Lions failed to find touch and the kick back went straight into touch. Lions won good line out ball but then knocked on. Tigers won the ball and an exchange of kicks ended with Lions finding touch 35 m from the Tigers line. Lions won good ball and started a passing movement. The ball went loose and Lions knocked on. At the scrum the Tigers front row was penalised and Lions converted the penalty. (0-3).

Tigers kicked off deep to Lions 22 and chased well only to knock on. At the Lions scrum, Tigers turned the ball over but in the handling that followed were continually forced backwards. Lions were awarded a scrum which Tigers again turned over by turning through 90. Some very scrappy play followed then Tigers were awarded a penalty for off side. Tigers decided to tap and drive but were driven back and gave away a penalty. Another ten yards was given away for back chat. Lions found touch 15m from the Tigers line. Lions took the line out and moved the ball quickly to the inside centre who made a half break to put his outside partner over near the Tigers posts. The conversion was successful. (0-10).

At a ruck from the re-start Tigers were penalised for going in from the side. A Lions player got in front as the penalty was taken and Tigers were awarded a scrum. Tigers broke close to the scrum and made 20m before being held up. Lions were awarded a penalty for Tigers of side. The kick failed to find touch, but Tigers knocked on fielding the kick. Tigers intercepted a pass in the ensuing move which broke down in another ruck. Lions were caught off side and the penalty attempt was successful.

The Lions drop out bounced into touch 23m from the Tigers line. Lions knocked on in the line. At this point there was an off-the-ball incident resulting in a yellow card for a Lions player and a penalty to Tigers. This time Tigers were not successful so the score was unchanged. From the long Lions drop out the Tigers full back ran at the Lions defence and then kicked ahead and gave chase. Lions were caught behind their goal line giving Tigers a five metre scrum. Tigers were penalised for not straight and Tigers knocked on fielding the kick. Lions heeled and found touch off a Tigers player near the Tigers 10m line. Lions won good ball. There were a series off handling errors by both sides as each tried to throw the ball around giving the other side scrums. Almost inevitably this passage of play was corrected and Tigers found themselves 5m from the Lions line after a concerted drive by the forwards. Tigers were, however, penalised for running over the maul (dangerous play) and had a forward spoken to by the referee. Lions found a good touch almost on half way. More scrappy play followed with the initiative first with one side then the other but with neither side making real progress. When Lions were penalised for going in from the side, Tigers ran the ball at the Lions and handled well until a final knock on. Lions got a quick, clean heel and, the move was broken down by Tigers and Lions kicked on in the tackle. Tigers won the scrum and the scrum half sliced an attempted kick ahead. This was fielded by a Lions three quarter who ran 35m before giving the ball to one of the centres to score. The conversion was good. (3-17).

Tigers re-started and won the ball but knocked on. The Lions scrum was spoiled by Tigers but then Tigers were penalised for going in from the side. Lions failed to find touch and Tigers ran at them. Tigers were penalised for not releasing. Lions found touch 2m from the Tigers line. Tigers won the lineout and cleared as far as the 22, only to have the Lions run back at them to score near the corner. The conversion was successful. (3-24) At this point the referee blew for half time.

Lions re-started and Tigers kicked back to touch 30m out. Tigers drove from the lineout and Lions were caught off side. A Tigers attempt at gaol was  unsuccessful. Some more scrappy play followed but a good drive by Tigers took them close to the Lions den. Lions knocked on giving Tigers a scrum a few metres from the Lions line. Tigers produced a magnificent drive and went over for a try. The conversion was good. (10-24).

Fielding the restart Tigers kicked deep into Lions territory. Lions ran the ball back but Tigers turned over at the maul. Lions were penalised for crossing in the next move and Tigers tapped and ran, only to knock on. Tigers turned the scrum over but again knocked on giving the advantage back to the Lions. Lions relieved their position by finding touch 10 metres from their line. Tigers knocked on after a good heel and Lions ran the ball before getting touch near half way. Tigers were penalised for lifting. Lions took a quick tap and run then kicked ahead. The ball was dropped by a Tigers defender and picked up by one of the Lions who went over under the posts. The conversion was good. (10-31).

Tigers restarted deep into Lions territory and a maul was formed. Tigers were penalised for not releasing. Lions failed to find touch and more scrappy play with neither side making progress followed. Lions found touch 20m from the Tigers line, won the line out ball and started a good passing move. The last pass was forward and Tigers got the scrum. From the scrum the ball went loose and Lions who by now were rampant found touch 5m from the Tigers line. Lions won the ball but again the ball went loose. A Lions player was tackled without the ball and Lions found touch 10m from the Tigers line. The Lions move was stopped in mid field resulting in a Tigers scrum. Tigers kicked to touch, failed to find touch but benefited from a Lions knock on. It was at this point that a Tigers player was given a yellow card for foul play. The Lions attempt to convert the penalty failed and Tigers won the ball from their drop put. A knock on gave a scrum to Tigers but they lost the initiative when Lions turned the scrum. Lions tried a blind side move but passed forward. Now Lions were penalised for deliberately turning the scrum. Tigers tapped and ran into a stout defence creating a maul at which Lions knocked on. Lions took the scrum down and Tigers found touch 20m from the Lions line. Lions were penalised at the line out and Tigers found touch in the corner. Tigers attempted to drive and were awarded a penalty for an infringement at the maul. Tigers took a tap and drive but went over the top. This gave Lions the chance to ease the pressure by finding touch on their 22. From the line out we had one of the best moves of the game from the Lions until the inevitable knock on. The Tigers scrum was turned through 90 giving the ball to Lions. The Lions heeled quickly and tremendous acceleration saw one of the backs over in the corner. The conversion attempt failed. (10-36).

Lions knocked on the re-start but turned the scrum over. The move was promising but the knock on ended it. This was the final act. (10-36)