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The Worcester Wanderers
returned from the rugby world outpost of Northern Cyprus last Friday tanned
& tired!
37 Wanderers tourists
drawn from the 1st, 2nd, 3rd & Colt xvs, undertook a week long club
tour at the end of the season as guests of the Cyprus Pumas. Rugby is a
developing sport in a nation dominated by football but, the Turkish Rugby
Federation, formed in 2007, have already created a 5 team league.
Fullifilment of fixtures
involves alot of travelling, organisation and commitment from the players
& administrators.
The Wanderers first fixture was
against a strong United Nations team, the Wanderers played with huge pride in
extremely hot conditions & despite having the territorial advantage went
down by 5 points to nil in a highly entertaining game which flowed from end to
end. The large crowd were enthralled & both sides received a standing
ovation at the end (this was quite an experience!).
The Wanderers second game was
against Turkish side Samson from Northern Cyprus, the Wanderers were determined
to record a win against the side that had lost narrowly to the Pumas in a
league match (refereed by Worcestershires' Martin Watson) the previous
Saturday! This was a full blooded encounter played in an excellent spirit. The
Wanderers dominated possession & territory but, Samson defended doggedly
& were always a threat in possession!
The Wanderers recorded their first
tour win by 22 points to nil, in the evening the Wanderers coaches James Price
& Jon Pecker held a training session with the Pumas who were to be our
final opponents!
The Wanderers approached the
final game against our hosts, the Pumas, with absolute determination.
The game kicked off in glorious sunshine with the large , expectant crowd
hoping for a Pumas win. The Wanderers, however, had other ideas' &
playing some of our best rugby for several seasons ran out
comfortable winners by 87 points to nil. All the players from both sides contributed
to a fast flowing game but, it was to be the Wanderers day as hardly a
pass went to ground or a wrong option was taken!
The large crowd responded with the
now customary post match standing ovation before everyone adjourned to
party into the evening to the tunes of Funky Monkey!
TRNC is a wonderful place to tour,
friendly & hospitable people with an unquenchable thirst for rugby
knowledge & great weather. The Wanderers are proud to have been the first
Club Tour to the region & we hope we have helped to promote the game
of Rugby both on & off the field!
Stuart James
Director of Rugby
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