Paphos entertain US and vice versa!

A Game with a twist...
9th May 2009
by Author

Paphos Tigers 32  United Services Portsmouth 5

These guys arrived 9.30 pm on Friday night and were well into the spirit of rugby. Spirit being the operative word, for I don’t believe they personally landed until 5.30am the next morning when they eventually found their rooms at the hotel after a night out in the famous Bar Street in Paphos..

Touring sides are about rugby and fun and they certainly were going to enjoy both, so just before the kick off the crowd were entertained with the United Services hilarious version of a "Ha Ka", and so this set the tone for their team on this hot and sunny day.

A proper game of rugby started and it took the Tigers 10 minutes before the first score appeared, following a good backs move along the line with Tiger centre George Agathocleous going over, giving them a 5-0 lead. The United Services fought back and put some serious pressure onto the Tigers with scrums and line outs for 10 minutes, but good defence kept them out, and they were driven back up into their own 22 metres when against play Luke Peters made an interception and would have been clean away for a try for the Services but he knocked on and lost the opportunity to level the scores.

After a much needed water break on 20 minutes, the Tigers took the lead with a great crash ball by centre George Agathocleous ably supported by Matt Lowe who scored the try and converted by Marcus Holden, now put the Tigers 12 – 0 up. Team changes were made by both sides and it was another 5 minutes before the score changed with young Jack Bilton running in a try on the near side of a scrum making the score now on 30 minutes 17 – 0 to Tigers.

More pressure was put on the tourists by scrum half Matt Landers after some good defence and clearance work by the Services, and his grubber kick through their defence followed up by good pressure by young debut making Tiger Fidderias , made the resultant scrum easily won and another try for Tiger centre George Agathocleous taking the half time score to 22 – 0 to the Tigers. United Services kicked off right into the hand of No.8 Warren Dean who kicked it back 70 metres down field and although a great follow up and try was scored by Matt Landers the referee disallowed for a knock on.

Due to last minute hitches the Services had only one replacement and so the Tigers lent them several players as subs and there were some very hard tackles Tiger on "Tiger", and their game improved as the Tiger subs helped out and a more even game was being played with good end to end plays and great defending tackles by both sides, and the Services got really close to a try on 15 minutes but their full back Andrew "Awol" Marsh was held up over the line but no try scored.

More pressure was brought onto the Tigers but a good breakout by Marcus Holden and "AJ" Pugh was called back for a forward pass, but this was quickly followed up a quick kick through and follow up by AJ and a try scored on 20 minutes now making the Tigers 27 – 0 , but the Services were not rolling over without a fight yet. More subs were lent and brought on and a good try by Craig "The Miracle" Chance deservedly brought the game alive again and the score to 27 – 5.

Another whistle some how appeared in the match and caused some merriment and confusion for the crowd and the players but this was not to put the Tigers off "too much" and they finished off the match with another score after some good forwards work led to a scrum and great handling along the backs for Jack Bilton to score under the posts, making the final score Tigers 32 United Services 5.

This game was played in the true spirit of rugby and was a credit to both sides and the crowd of over 200 went away very happy.

Here is an unusual twist to the match. Gary Thomson should have been playing in his Testimonial, but due to a last minute cancellation by the appointed referee meant he, being duly qualified had to step in and fill the gap, so he refereed his own Testimonial, that must surely be a first.!! Well done Gazza, enjoy your playing retirement and your new role as a referee.

Nigel Jarvis

Secretary Paphos Tigers.