PRFU 10s LEAGUE KICKS OFF FOR 2011
The first games of Rugby Union have been played for 2011 and it was the oldest club in the Philippines, Nomads Rugby Club that began in style with two comfortable wins over their cross town rivals the Alabang Eagles. This year the PRFU 10s league started in late January to allow all club teams at least two months to fully prepare for the Manila 10s which will be held at Nomads on March 19/20th.
The season opened with the Nomads slowly taking the pitch after the Alabang Ibons had undertaken a 20 minute warm up, this may have done more good than harm and it was the Carabaos that started more aggressively to take a halftime lead of 14 – 5. Carabaos Captain Sean Georget led by example and scored the opening try for his team and then out of the blue, Steve "Scotty" Mitchell managed throw away the years and at 55 scored a double when he threw a dummy to know one and everyone fell for it, including the referee and then stormed like a raging bull from the back of an attacking lineout to force a dropped ball behind and the Ibons tryline and dive on the loose ball to score his second try in the season's opening game. Steve has obviously laid early claims to Nomads players of the year by scoring a double at 55 years of age in the first game of season. On the back of" Steve the Scotsmans" attacking raids the Carabaos ran out easy winners by 45 – 5.
The second game of the day saw a rejuvenated Manila Hapons show up to Nomads with more than the usual 10 players and the new players also proved that they can play quality rugby by defeating the Philippine Development Team by 29 – 19. The Hapons have obviously spent the off season recruiting new Japanese players to their team and up to 18 players were ready to play in the first game of the season, this bodes well for the Hapons and they definitely looked like they mean business in 2011, with all their new recruits having an impact on the game. The Development team were depleted with a majority of the National Development team playing for the Eagles in the last game of the round. Take nothing away from a new Hapons team; they will be a new force to reckon with in 2011.
The last game of the round had the Alabang Eagles v Nomads in a replay of last year's A division final. National Team Players David Carman and John Morales went head to head and led their teams into the first game of the season, unfortunately for both players they would have to leave the field during the game with David sidelined in the first half after scoring the Eagles solo try and John coming of the field late in the Second half after having a try disallowed. Overall it was a dominant display by the Nomads with Sam Fogg scoring a hat trick of tries to lead the Nomads to a convincing 45 to 22 win. The Nomads forwards outplayed the Eagles and once again penalties would be the Eagles downfall with two of Nomads first half tries coming on the back of high tackle penalties.
PRFU 10s League table after RD 1:
Nomads 3 pts (45 F 22 A)
Eagles 1 pt (22 F 45 A)
Hapons 3 pts (29 F 19 A)
Dev Team 1pt (19 F 29 A)
Carabaos 3pts (45 F 5 A)
Ibons 1pt (5F 45A)
