Cyprus rugby team won their second match in the 4 Nation competition currently being held on the island by beating Monaco last night in a hard fought game in Nicosia. The final score was Cyprus 19- 10 Monaco. This adds to their beating of Azerbaijan last Sunday in Paphos (29-0).

 

The second game in Nicosia yesterday saw Slovakia beat Azerbaijan by 33 points to 18.

The final games in this tournament will be played on Saturday 3^rd November at Kiniras Ground Geroskipou, Paphos.

Azerbaijan v Monaco will kick off at 11.00
Cyprus v Slovakia will follow at 14.00

At a recent press conference Mr. Costas Mastoroudes, President of the Cyprus Rugby Federation (CRF), said that, “the Cyprus national Rugby team is taking part in its own World Cup'' when he announced the teams taking part in the European Rugby Federation (FIRA AER) league 3D play-offs. The winner would then take part in a play off against the bottom team of division 3C, with the eventual victor playing in the stronger division as from 2008

''This is a wonderful challenge for us'' said Mr. Mastoroudes. '' not only has FIRA AER shown their confidence in us to organize such a prestigious competition so soon after joining the European Family of Rugby in December 2006, but it also allows us to show rugby games at an International level to the people of Cyprus. This will most definitely help our development''

The opening match, between Cyprus and Azerbaijan will be Sunday at 2pm at the Paphiako Stadium, Paphos.

28.10.07 Sunday - Paphiako Stadium, Paphos Cyprus v Azerbaijan 14.00

31.10.07 Wednesday - Makarios Stadium Nicosia Azerbaijan v Slovakia 18.00
31.10.07 Wednesday - Makarios Stadium Nicosia Cyprus XV v Monaco 20.00

3.11.07 Saturday - Kiniras Geroskipou, Paphos Azerbaijan v Monaco 11.00
3.11.07 Saturday - Kiniras Geroskipou, Paphos Cyprus v Slovakia 14.00

The coach of the National Side Mr. Niall Doherty, a straight talking Irishman from Leinster, then announced the squad of players chosen to play in the tournament. The group of 30 players includes 10 new players who will travel from other countries to play.
'' Most of the boys coming from abroad '' said Mr. Doherty, ''have found their own sponsors or paid for their own tickets and expenses to come to Cyprus to represent their country. I applaud their determination and their desire, and this is exactly the attitude of the whole of the squad''

Tickets for all matches can be bought at the grounds at £4 per adult. Children under 12 will be allowed free entry as long as they are accompanied by an adult.

For further information on the games and tickets please call Lawrence Vassiliades for Nicosia game on 99 478348 and for Paphos games, the Keg and Barrel, Paphos 99 408 367

In what promises to be a thrilling meeting of two new rugby presences, the first ever official international rugby match between Cyprus and Greece will be held on Saturday 24^th of March at the Kinyras Sports Centre in Geroskipou.

The kickoff will take place at two thirty (14:30), while the curtain raiser will be a match between Limassol Crusaders’ and Paphos Tigers’ Under 17 teams, promising a good indication of the future players of the national team.

While Greece is relatively new in the rugby arena, they are making waves as a team to be reckoned with, after emerging victorious in their encounters so far.

Cyprus, as the newest affiliated member accepted by FIRA (this also means Cyprus is now also recognized by the IRB), will in fact be playing for the first time as the official Cyprus 15. Last year, a delegation from the Cyprus Rugby Federation which consisted of President Costas Mastoroudes and Secretary Chris Athinakis made an official presentation at the Annual General Meeting of FIRA in Paris in November, after having fulfilled all the admittance criteria. After two years of hard work, it seems to have paid off, as FIRA voted unanimously to accept Cyprus as its newest affiliated member.

This means that Cyprus will now be playing in the international circuit and is even eligible for qualification in the next Rugby World Cup, if they win their group, which includes Greece who are at present top of that group.

The game on the 24^th of March will be sponsored by Artio Brasserie, while the Cyprus Rugby Team’s new official kit is sponsored by Israeli kit-manufacturers Kukri; medical cover to be supplied by HM.

Entrance will be two pounds for adults (three pounds including a programme) and one pound for children. Tickets are available from the Keg and Barrel Pub in Paphos (99408367), Shaka Zulu Bar in Limassol (25 323362) and VRS Hypoallergenic in Nicosia (22878224).

Highlights from the match will also be shown on LTV.

For more information, contact the Cyprus Rugby Federation on 99934315, or visit their website on www.cyprus-rugby.com

So far, obviously not Limassol Crusaders, Akrotiri Flamingos nor Nicosia barbarians. It has been three wins from three so far for Paphos Tigers and an excellent start to the year’s rugby. The first trip out to Limassol bought them a comfortable win and got them underway for what looks to be a very successful season. In their second outing after a delayed arrival against Akrotiri Flamingos it looked as though the lack of time to warm up and the hurried commencement of the match would see the Tigers suffer. They slipped to an uncomfortable 19-6 after half-time, even after pulling in an injury sub from the attending supporters!!!. Okay we are not exactly talking the scrum half’s second cousins girlfriend but nevertheless not an ideal position from which to expect a come back. But, come back they did. Fired up and ferocious were just two of the descriptions and how apt they were. From what must have been an enormous effort both physically and mentally they clawed their way back to lead 27-30. Another injury leaving them with 14 men for the final 15 minutes saw heads forced that little bit higher and tired legs dig that little bit deeper to hold on for the final whistle.

With a much deserved rest weekend in between they then met Nicosia Barbarians for a home match at Happy Valley, Episkopi. From the kick off Tigers took control and never once relinquished it only conceding in the closing minutes of the game.