Ayia Nik Stags vs. Paphos Tigers

Ayia Nik Stags vs. Paphos Tigers
15th November 2008
by Barrie Hattam

Ayia Nik Stags 0 Paphos Tigers 60

The 45 players and supporters who made the 2 hour bus ride to Agios Nikolaos near Famagusta were entertained by a very amusing character profile of all the players by coach,Graham Boyle.

Suitably relaxed the Tigers took to the field and within 40 seconds of Marcus Holden’s kick off were awarded a penalty 30 metres from the posts, Marcus sent the ball wide. The stags made the restart from their 22 into the hands of Warren Dean (Deano) who with his characteristic high stepping gallop took the ball up to within a metre of the stags tryline,a scrum was awarded to the Stags and in a demonstration their scrummaging dominance the Tigers pushed them off the ball,a quick pass to Chris Thoma saw him score in the corner.

The Stags responded with some good forward pressure and took the ball well into the Tigers 22 and were awarded a penalty 20 metres out in front of the posts, the easy 3 points were ignored and a kick to touch 5 metres out was taken.The Tigers stole the lineout and moved the ball up field, with both sides now making errors the game seesawed to and fro until from another Stags dropped pass the ball was hacked on by the Tigers who were awarded a penalty 15 metres out for the Stags killing the ball,the scrum option was taken and scrum half “Jimmy” Maratheftis made a quick break from the base of the scrum popping the ball to Deano who again was held up just short, the Tigers won the ensuing ruck and a good dummy run by Chris Thoma and miss pass to George Agathocleous saw George score under the posts.

10 minutes later after a “hand bag throwing” fracca the Tigers were awarded a penalty 20 metres out, Jimmy Maratheftis took a tap penalty and spun the ball wide for Marcus Holden to score in the corner. The Tigers were now well in control and within the last 2 minutes of the first half Kyle Oleofe and George Agathocleous both scored tries. Score at half time 27-0.

A great catch by Tony Thoma, Tigers Captain and Man of the Match, saw the Tigers carry on where they had left off and soon were camped on the Stags line, great defence by the Stags moved them back to half way but again the Tigers forwards took control and worked their way up field for Kyle Oleofe to score his second try. A few minutes later Chris Thoma made a great steal in a crushing tackle sending the ball wide and Marcus Holden was over for his second try. Adam Moffit took over the kicking and successfully converted all remaining tries.

Just 5 minutes later and the Paphos pack were at it again with Tony Thoma crashing over under the posts to score. The Stags now upped the physicality managing to slow the ball down and even with a man sin binned for a dangerous tackle held the Tigers back for next 25 minutes, but eventually with only 3 minutes left Deano picked up from the base of a scrum passed out to Jimmy Maratheftis who sent the ball wide to Adam Moffit on the wing for him to run in to score. As time ran out the forwards once again worked the ball up to the Stags 5 metre line with George Agathocleous running in at pace to score his hat-trick .

The game finished with a 60 point win for the Tigers and a rousing chorus of happy birthday to Janine Rakin the club physio.

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