CCRFC Calendar

The Cebu Dragons just released their calendar for 2009, and there's a lot of rugby on the cards.

15's tours from Olney RFC (UK) and the Easts Toothless Tigers (Brisbane), should be some exciting matches, but the highlight has to be the continuation of the Sinulog 10's Rugby Festival scheduled for April 25 at the Aboitiz Sports Complex in North Reclamation Area Cebu.

The club also plans to attend all major local tournaments and to have more players involved in the Asian 5 Nations Division 3 Tournament to be played in Manila, and the U19's ARFU Tournament in Hong Kong.

Another highlight is the recent acceptance of the PRFU as a full IRB member, which means that a contact women's program is also on the cards.

If you're interested to join contact the club liaison at ceburugby@yahoo.com.

Go the Dragons!!!

North Vs. South Rugby Challenge

South Claims The Honors in Inaugural Clash


Cebu International School played host to an emotional affair over the weekend, with the South taking home the trophy in the first Region of Origin match played in the Philippines.

With a squad made up of veteran players from mostly the Nomads rugby club, the North came to Cebu confident in the fact that they had never lost to a team from the south. A bit short on numbers, but by no means lacking in rugby know how, they looked to dominate the game up front, and keep the ball out of the hands of the southerners backline. In a classic match of contrasting styles, it was the South who came away victorious, scoring 5 tries to the North’s 2.

This fixture is slated as an annual event, and will be a great platform from which to prepare for the annual mid-year international season. With the game growing fast in the Visayas, the Region of Origin match is the perfect showcase for young talent, and will be a source of invaluable playing experience for up and coming ruggers in the years to come.

Asian Nations Rugby

The Asian 5 Nations has been a big step forward for rugby in the region and has gained some much-needed exposure for the sport in the region.

Japan once again proved that they are just way ahead of anyone else at this point in time, but i do believe the gap is narrowing.

As you may, or may not know, Div. 2 of the tournament will conclude in Bangkok on Saturday, June 14. The final will be played between top-seed Malaysia and second seed Thailand, with the winner moving up to Div. 1 next year and keeping their dreams of a World Cup berth in 2011 alive. The 3rd/4th place playoff will be decided between India and Pakistan, with not much on the line, this will be more of a grudge match than anything else, and I'm sure the two countries have many differences to work out.

Whilst i am a big supporter of the tournament, i can't help saying that there is a major glitch in their promotion and relegation strategy. Relegation and promotion only exists in the top 3 divisions, whereas the 4 regional competitions, which include twelve teams (including the Philippines) currently have no chance of breaking into Div. 2 and proving themselves. This is particularly tough for the Philippines, as we played both Pakistan and India in the years prior to the competition and while defeated were not outclassed by any stretch. With developing teams like this, there needs to be some kind of carrot offered by the ARFU to motivate them to get better and eventually move up the ranks and challenge for a spot in Div. 2. Until this is devised, i will stand firm on the ideal that this tournament is ultimately flawed, and while closing the talent gap between the higher ranked teams, will leave a vast canyon between the teams playing in the Division competitions and those playing in the regional ones.

Philippine rugby is very much on the rise, a silver medal in the recently concluded SEA Games in Thailand, where we beat Malaysia en route to the final, and a core group of young, talented players, means that we are only going to get better and aim for bigger and brighter things. The team will come together within the next fortnight to train and prepare for the regional tourney against Guam and Brunei in Guam. A competition that we must win convincingly to attract the attention of the ARFU to the need to develop a promotion and relegation system between Div. 2 and the regional games.

So, from this very staunch Volcanoes supporter, i want to say to all the boys going to Guam --- give 'em hell lads...

The Low Flying Dragons Want More Punishment

The third installment of the Low Flying Dragons against the Black Dragons will take place this Sunday (June 1) at Camp Lapu-Lapu parade grounds in Lahug, Cebu. The Black Dragons have taken the first two games, but the Low-Flyers are getting antsy and looking for revenge. Their recently appointed "captain" has resorted to hip-hop intimidation for assistance. See his latest e-mail and the lineup for the low-flying drag-queens:


Dear High Flyin dragons

Here comes the pain

We're the Low Flyin dragons, we got muscle and rhymes,
U're gonna be chasing us round the field at lapu 2 times,
No mo messin round, no mo for a while;
See u at the game, clock's deuce on the dial

High fliers, bayot buyers, dirt riders, bounce off the floor,
You about to front the low flyin gangsta hardcore,
We'll be pumpin those boots like V8 pistons,
Goin through Dragons like lions through Christians,
Stick em up mofo's! we come for whats ours,
we gonna Rain down tries like Cebu May showers,

Light that shit up, set the field on fire,
Takin guys down, like a priest in a choir,
So drop 10 extra joss, u'll need the enhancers,
We"ll be turnin more tricks than the lonestar dancers,
We'll be hearin ya screams and hearin ya moans
Coz we packin more tackle than John C Holmes

We're the big rugby pimps, for all to see,
ur skills came with the burgers from jollibee,
If u cant dig our moves, u must be retarded
assassins on the scene like a Dresden bombardment
So read up well, recognize our PimP names
Scope ya On Sunday and ya better bring ur game!


Pimps on Parade

Manager: Diamondtrim T. Dogg North

Referee: Funk Master Phil Fresh

Props: Treacherous D
Macktastic Bob Shizzle

Hooker: Gfunk Dunc

Locks: Papa Delmore Dazzle
Magical Mike Loco Tyler

Scrum half: Suede Dave Tickle

Fly Half: Pimptastic

Inside centre: Vicious Craig Von Flavour

Center: Snake Eyes Caeser Squeeze

Wing: Big Playa Jarman Glide


Supersubs:Forwards
Trick Tickler Slim Simon,
Bishop Dave M Rock,
White Chocolate Trey Slick,
Devious Honey Booth Dogg,
Deacon Dr. Geoff Flex

Backs: Delicious Johnny G,
Ghetto Fab Roland Beautiful

Go The Waratahs!

As an ex-NSW resident and staunch supporter of Waratahs rugby, I could not be happier with the result of last weekends semi-final matches. The Tah's have finally lived up to their potential, and I have to say it's on the defensive side of the pitch.

Kurtley Beale, ex-Joeys boy has really matured this season, and with the young center field, the future looks bright, especially considering the exodus of All-Black players leaving for Europe next season. But, I really have to tip my hat to Phil Waugh and the entire forward pack. A solid lineout and scrum has been the cornerstone of the Waratahs success, and with their crunching tackles and stifling defense, the number of turnovers they create has enabled them to score a number of easy tries all year long.

I have to admit that the prospect of facing the Crusaders in Christchurch is a daunting one, but I sincerely hope that the Waratahs can take their first Super 14 championship and really prove all the naysayers wrong, especially in regards to McKenzie.

I know one crazy rugger in Cebu who'll be barracking for them come this Saturday.

Go Tahs!!!!!

Victorious at Manila 10's

Cebu Victorious in Manila Rugby Tourney

The 2008 AMEC Manila 10’s Rugby Tournament was contested on April 5 and 6, 2008 in Merville Subdivision, Parañaque City. In sweltering conditions, 29 teams from 12 countries, including Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Guam, Japan, Taipei, vied for glory across four divisions.
After being knocked out in the semi-finals last year, this year the Cebu Dragons were able to emerge victorious in the Shield competition after 2 days of intense rugby.

The Dragons started slow with losses on the opening day to an experienced Singapore Barbarians outfit, local rivals and hosts, the Nomads Carabaos, and a strong Japanese team in Tokyo Gaijin. Despite an improved scrum led by Jethro Estimo, Francis Berizo and Marc Redija, the Dragons could not compete with the sheer physicality of their more experienced rivals and ended the round robin matches scoreless, after having conceded five tries to the opposition.

The results of the first round meant that Cebu was relegated to the shield competition finals for Sunday’s round of knockout matches. Knowing that any lapse in concentration would mean returning to Cebu empty handed, the Cebu team rallied behind two tries from fly-half Kim Fardy and one from speedster Marlou Luceño and led the Manila Hapons 19 – 0 at half time in the first semi-final. The second stanza was a more closely fought affair, with the Hapons team camping in the Cebu half of the field and exerting sustained pressure on the try line. The Hapons finally broke through the determined Dragon’s defense to score their first and only try of the match. Final score, Cebu 19, Hapons 7.

The win against the Hapons meant that Cebu would be pitted against the much favored, much larger and more experienced Arabian Potbellied Pigs. A renowned touring team and hosts of the Fat Boy 10’s Tournament held annually at Clark Airbase. The match was a seesaw battle between two very different teams. The Pigs using their bulk to try to break through the line, and Cebu relying on well-worked set plays to try to breach the opponent’s defense. A try to Kim Fardy in the first half was matched by the Pigs and scores were tied 5 – 5 at half time. In the second half, a number of mistakes cost the Dragons dearly and they found themselves trailing 10 – 5 with less than a minute to play. With time running down and 80 meters between the Dragons and their try line, Adrian Cosido secured an important lineout ball and gave the Cebu boys one final shot. With the opposition defender over committing to a tackle, captain Noel Flowers was able to pass the ball to Fardy who found a hole in the tough Pig’s defense. The Potbelly’s defense gave chase and was able to tackle him just short of the try line. But, with the buzzer sounding in the background and with two defenders hanging off him, Fardy was able to pass the ball back to Flowers who scored right beside the posts to tie the match at 10 points apiece. With no time left in the game, Cebu’s fate lay with the boot of Jerry Branzuela, whose successful kick at goal clinched the championship for the boys from the south.

“It was a great result for Cebu rugby and Philippine rugby all round.” Said Dave Smith, President of the Cebu City Rugby Football Club. “In just our third year as a club, to win an event as prestigious as the Manila 10’s means that we are doing something right, and the boys are on the right track. I can’t express how ecstatic I am with this result.”

The Dragons are taking a weeks rest after the victory, before resuming training for an upcoming match against a U.S. Military team based in Zamboanga. After the form exhibited at the Manila 10’s and recently concluded Alabang 10’s, there is a good chance that a number of the Cebu players will be called upon for international duty in July for the ARFU test matches against Guam and Brunei to be played in Guam.

In the other three division finals, the Alabang Eagles were narrowly defeated by the HKFC Scorpions in the Bowl, while hosts the Manila Nomads were convincing in their victory over the Taipei Giants in the Plate final. The Cup final saw the three-time winners; the Singapore Barbarians against the crowd favorite Black Watch team from Papua New Guinea. In a thrilling encounter, which featured some bone-crunching tackles and dazzling passing sequences, the Black Watch were able to emerge as champions much to the delight of the spectators.

For more information on how to become a part of the sport they play in heaven, e-mail the club at j_branzuela.prfu@yahoo.com or text Jerry Branzuela on 0922 714 4307.

The Low Flying Dragons Match

The club recently concluded the second monthly match between the predominantly Filipino players of the Cebu Dragons, and the mostly expat players from the Low Flying Dragons last weekend.

The first match was one by ten tries to one by the Philippine ruggers, and we followed up with a hard fought 8-4 victory in the latest game.

This has been a great venue for philippine rugby players, and more importantly Cebu ruggers to get some much needed match practice and enjoy the hard knocks and semi-concussions that only a rugby game can deliver.

It goes without saying that the rehydration effort after the match was memorable in itself, with a total of 262 beers consumed by the teams in the span of a couple of hours.

We look forward to the next game scheduled for May 25th, which may involve teams from Zamboanga and Manila.

As always, new players are always welcome to try their hand at causing physical pain on both themselves and the opposition.

Hello to the crazy ruggers out there

I finally thought that i might as well start a blog for the rugby club here in Cebu.

Not much to say in this first post, but just wanted to get the ball rolling.

Not enough people know that we play rugby in the philippines, or that cebu has a great club - the Dragons.

I hope that this blog will get more players involved...