JSRFU Cup Semi-Final
28th March 2009
by Nigel Jarvis

Paphos Tigers 16  Dhekelia Lions 17

On a warm, sunny but very windy day this battle commenced. Having played each other twice in the League and come away with both sides winning one, this was going to be a hard test for both teams.

The Lions got off to a great start and from an early scrum broke away and scored a try in the far corner in the first minute of the game, and although the conversion was missed they led 5 – 0 and gave the Tigers an early wake up call.

The Tigers duly got back into the game and started to put pressure onto the Lions and some good handling moves ended with an excellent grubber kick by Tiger Matt Lowe gaining them over 30 metres, but this advantage was lost when the Tigers were penalised for going over the top in a ruck and the Lions kicked them back into their own 22 metres.

The Lions reasserted pressure and were yet again stopped short of the line by great Tiger defence and a penalty conceded by the Lions this time for over the top and a great clearance by Tigers Marcus Holden put the Lions back another 40 metres. The resulting Line out won by the Lions resulted in a fracas on the floor and the Lions second row was yellow carded and sin binned for 10 minutes. The penalty given to the Tigers was taken really well by Marcus Holden who allowed for the blustery conditions and converted it taking the score on 25 minutes to Tigers 3 Lions 5.

The Tigers excellent pack were now starting to dominate the scrums and a scrum on the Lions 5 metre line resulted in a great blind side break and a try for Chris Thoma, and another hard conversion succeeded for Marcus Holden and the score was now Tigers 10 Lions 5.

Even more pressure was put onto the Lions and a line out won by them turned into a ruck and then the Lions were penalised for handling in a ruck and Marcus Holden was on target again and made the score now Tigers 13 Lions 5. Another good backs move using George Agathocleous was only inches short of another try and good defence by the Lions kept out the Tigers who were looking rampant now and creating numerous chances, but the Lions held on and the half time score was Tigers 13 Lions 5.

The Tigers started the second half as they finished the first and a good break by George Agathocleous supported by Jack Bilton was only just held up short of the line, and a counterattack by the Lions pushed them back up to the halfway line, and even more good backs moves were thwarted by a strong Tiger defence. A scrum to the Lions was wasted by them when they were penalised for taking the scrum down, and a good clearance pushed them 50 metres back down the pitch.

From the line out the Lions attacked and a brilliant miss pass by their backs gave their left winger a chance to run in and score in the corner, and this was duly converted taking the score now to Tigers 13 Lions 12, and still another 30 minutes of this exciting match to go. Tiger Marcus was only just short of a 40 metre penalty, and now Michael Beetge got sin binned for 10 minutes for attacking around the base of the scrum, although their player did have both hands on the ball and this was a harsh judgement, the Tigers were now down to 14 men in this tense and tight match.

The Lions then took advantage of this and a breakaway try by their excellent backs gave them a good score near the posts, and although they missed the conversion this now put the Lions in front for the first time and the scores now Tigers 13 Lions 17. The game was now flowing from end to end and it was an exciting encounter and the noisy crowd were thoroughly enjoying this great game, and a penalty was awarded to the Tigers and Marcus Holden still had his kicking boots on and converted a long range attempt now bringing the score back to Tigers 16 Lions 17, and another 10 minutes to go.

Another penalty to Tigers for handling in a ruck, and this was only narrowly missed from 50 metres out and kept this game very tense and exciting and still wide open and anybody’s to win. There was great attacking and counter attacking and the crowd were thoroughly enjoying a spectacle of open running rugby with no quarter asked or given, with very hard tackles going in from both sides, and a real end to end type of game which was so exciting to watch.

The Final whistle was blown and the Lions had clawed their way back into winning this great game of rugby, and although the Tigers lost they should hold their heads high and be proud of the style and guts and determination that they had shown in this match.

The Tigers have won the League for the first time in four years and had a very successful season, it was a shame to lose this match and the "League and Cup double" didn’t happen this year maybe it will happen next year. Watch this space.

Nigel Jarvis Secretary Paphos Tigers

Paphos Tigers are sponsored by www.icedevelopers.com