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Thursday, 20 May 2010 05:53
Pumas V Bracknell
Touring side Bracknell will be playing the Pumas on Saturday May 29 at the Alsancak Stadium.
Kick off will be at 4.30pm, however there will be a fun day taking place on the training pitch from 3pm. Along with stalls for the adults to browse, there will be plenty to keep the children occupied. There will be a bbq and bar all day with entertainment planned for after the game.
Everyone welcome to come along and enjoy a family day and support the Pumas in their last game of the season.
There is a boat trip planned with the Bracknell players on Monday May 31, some tickets are still available for £20 a head, contact 0533 866 2758 for information.
The Pumas end of season ball will take place on Saturday June 5 at the Altinkaya Rooftop bar; ticket price 50TL includes a three course meal, three free drinks and entertainment. Player’s awards for Best Rookie, Most Improved Player, Best Forward, Best Back, Player’s Player, Club Person and Player of the Year will be presented. Contact 0533 866 2758 to book your tickets.
Thursday, 20 May 2010 05:50
Pumas AGM
The Pumas will be holding their AGM on Monday June 7 starting at 7pm at the Altinkaya Rooftop bar.
Everyone welcome to attend
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 12:55
Pumas v ODTU
The Pumas will kick off against Ankara side ODTU on Sunday May 16 at the Alsancak Stadium at 4pm.
This will be an important game for the Pumas in their bid to retain the title of Turkish League champions.
Gates will open at 3.30pm, entry and programmes cost 5TL for adults, 2TL for students and free to membership card holders.
Come along and support the Pumas
Thursday, 18 March 2010 12:25
Ottomans v Pumas
Nazlıgül broke through and scored a try in the corner. The Pumas defended well and managed to stop the home team from scoring again, then Can Özyürük set up a try for himself after a great chip and chase. The try was converted but not enough to take the Pumas into the lead and at full time the Ottomans celebrated their 21-12 victory.
“It was tough, physical game, the Pumas missed a lot of tackles in the first half, giving the Ottomans the momentum to score,” said Team Manager Steve Knight. “The Pumas rallied in the second half, played a lot better, getting more tackles in and having most of the possession, but just couldn’t get the final score to equalise.”
Friday, 12 March 2010 08:28
Pumas v Northampton
Pumas v Northampton Casuals The Pumas suffered their first defeat of the 2009/10 season on Saturday. Northampton Casuals, on tour from the UK, beat the home side 43-19.The game started with the Casuals keeping the game in the forwards and picking and driving the ball up field, it was only due to some great tackling by the Pumas that didn’t score. The home team took the lead initially when Man of the Match Can Özyürük made a break and kicked ahead, scoring under the posts and then converting the try taking the Pumas to a 7-0 lead.The Casuals made it a very physical game, fielding a very strong pack. Although most of the touring side were veterans, they also had two young back row players, one of whom plays for the Wasps academy side. It wasn’t long before their talent paid off with three tries in quick succession. The Pumas came back with Can setting Hilmi Kocak up for a try, which Dinçhan Kilercioğlu converted. At half time the score stood at 17-14 to the Northampton Casuals.In the second half the Pumas once again took the lead with Batuhan Öksüzal chasing down a kick and putting Emre Taşkın in for the score. However the Casuals upped their game scoring a further four tries before the final whistle.The Pumas continue their bid to retain the Turkish Champions title playing their next league game on Saturday (March 13) in Istanbul against the Ottomans.
Friday, 26 February 2010 11:42
Pumas v UK touring side
The Pumas will play a UK touring side on Saturday March 6.
Kicking off at noon at the Alsancak Stadium. Gates will open at 11.30am. Entry 5TL for adults, 2TL for students and free for Pumas members.
Come and support the Pumas
Friday, 26 February 2010 09:15
Pumas v Bakirkoy February 20
Pumas v Bakirkoy match report The Cyprus Pumas scored their highest ever win on Saturday, 90-0 against visiting side Bakirkoy.Playing on the ground at Esentepe due to the usual home ground being unavailable, the Pumas took advantage of the wider pitch. The backs kept the ball in play at all times and passed well enabling winger Batuhan Öksüzal to score his second hat trick of the season and opposite winger Michael James two tries in the first half. A further try and three conversions took the half time score to 36-0.Despite a valiant attempt by the Bakirkoy team, the Pumas were unstoppable in the second half, team captain Sam Butcher setting up a couple of the eight tries that ensued, seven of which were converted. Final score 90-0.“This is the best we have played,” said head coach George Armstrong. “We kept the ball alive and we played as a team going forward and in defence.”Yavuz Ergün was awarded man of the match for his brilliant tackling and controlling the backs from behind.“This is an excellent score for the Pumas,” said club captain Sebastien Crebier. “However, we must give credit to Bakirkoy, they never gave up, they were worthy opponents, even when they were down two players, they kept going.”The Pumas next game will be against a UK visiting side on Saturday March 6. They will be kicking off at noon at the usual home pitch in Alsancak. Everyone welcome, entry fee 5TL for adults, 2TL for students and free to Pumas members. Gates will open at 11.30am.Try scorers: Batuhan Öksüzal 3, Michael James 2, Kurşat Canbaz 2, Emre Taşkın 1, Dinçhan Kilercioğlu 1, Joseph Ömer 1, Mehmet Ozan Ozmen 1, Hilmi Kocak 1, Ilkay Demirtaş 1, Can Özyürük 1
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Thursday, 11 February 2010 09:27
Open Letter to Federation President
Open Letter to Şahin KÖMÜRCÜ, President of the Turkish Rugby Federation
Dear Mr. President,
I would like to start by introducing myself and stating the reasons why I am writing to you. My name is Yannick HEBERT, and I am 34 years old French citizen married to a Turkish citizen and currently living in Istanbul. I played Rugby in France from the age of 10, and as I moved to Istanbul in October 2009, I joined the Ottomans Rugby team.
You learned and probably saw on national television, newspapers, and on the internet that the game of Sunday 01/02/2010 between Samsun and Istanbul Ottomans was stopped due to the invasion of the field and subsequent violent acts by a substitute player of the Samsun team.
Following this incident which unduly ended the game and the extensive media coverage, I have decided to write you this open letter as the victim of the above mentioned incident and also relay it to all Turkish Rugby clubs and the media who covered the event.
As a result of this incident, I had to stay in the Samsun Hospital for intensive eye care for 3 days and got 4 stitches above my eyebrow. I am still on heavy eye treatment and will have to be monitored for my eye condition and eventual post traumatic problems in the following days.
I have obviously lodged complain to the local police and hired a lawyer to follow the case. I am naturally expecting a strong reaction from the Federation towards that player, and hope that this incident will lead to regulations that will be “case law” to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
As you are probably aware, it is not the first time that major violence occurs during a rugby game in Samsun. But I don’t believe the Samsun club should be punished too severely for this new incident. There are people in the Samsun club with good intentions, who are actively participating in the development of Turkish Rugby. Banning them from the league would not be the solution.
We lack well trained and experienced referees, who are the people to control the field and ensure a safe practice of Rugby during game. Also as most of the players are new and do not know the rules well, coaches should have all the necessary tools to teach rugby by the book to the largest group, both kids and adults. The incident of last Sunday could probably have been prevented with a better knowledge of the rules and spirit of Rugby. and by a better refereeing .
In my point of view, the solution would be to join the IRB.
By joining the IRB, we would obtain professional refereeing and coaching trainings (and plenty of other advantages), and supply the Turkish clubs with all the necessary material they are presently missing. However, as you know, Mr. President, the first step would be to establish a dedicated Rugby federation.
In the last decade, countries like Greece, Georgia, Ukraine, Portugal, Spain, and even countries in Africa have developed their own Rugby Federation and are now competing in official international events. It is a pity that Turkey is not yet represented. It is also sad for the youth of Turkish Rugby to be deprived of the honor to represent their country in such a prestigious international Rugby events
After the unfortunate publicity of last weekend, I believe you have a unique opportunity use the media coverage to show the whole country and the Rugby world indeed, that Turkish Rugby is not limited to such incidents, and that you are determined and dedicated to making Turkey a major nation in the international Rugby scene.
The entire Turkish rugby community is looking to you and relying on your efforts to reverse the negative impact of this incident, Mister President. We all trust your understanding and goodwill to achieve all these necessary changes.
With my sincere respect and sportive friendship,
Yannick HEBERT
Dear Mr. President,
I would like to start by introducing myself and stating the reasons why I am writing to you. My name is Yannick HEBERT, and I am 34 years old French citizen married to a Turkish citizen and currently living in Istanbul. I played Rugby in France from the age of 10, and as I moved to Istanbul in October 2009, I joined the Ottomans Rugby team.
You learned and probably saw on national television, newspapers, and on the internet that the game of Sunday 01/02/2010 between Samsun and Istanbul Ottomans was stopped due to the invasion of the field and subsequent violent acts by a substitute player of the Samsun team.
Following this incident which unduly ended the game and the extensive media coverage, I have decided to write you this open letter as the victim of the above mentioned incident and also relay it to all Turkish Rugby clubs and the media who covered the event.
As a result of this incident, I had to stay in the Samsun Hospital for intensive eye care for 3 days and got 4 stitches above my eyebrow. I am still on heavy eye treatment and will have to be monitored for my eye condition and eventual post traumatic problems in the following days.
I have obviously lodged complain to the local police and hired a lawyer to follow the case. I am naturally expecting a strong reaction from the Federation towards that player, and hope that this incident will lead to regulations that will be “case law” to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
As you are probably aware, it is not the first time that major violence occurs during a rugby game in Samsun. But I don’t believe the Samsun club should be punished too severely for this new incident. There are people in the Samsun club with good intentions, who are actively participating in the development of Turkish Rugby. Banning them from the league would not be the solution.
We lack well trained and experienced referees, who are the people to control the field and ensure a safe practice of Rugby during game. Also as most of the players are new and do not know the rules well, coaches should have all the necessary tools to teach rugby by the book to the largest group, both kids and adults. The incident of last Sunday could probably have been prevented with a better knowledge of the rules and spirit of Rugby. and by a better refereeing .
In my point of view, the solution would be to join the IRB.
By joining the IRB, we would obtain professional refereeing and coaching trainings (and plenty of other advantages), and supply the Turkish clubs with all the necessary material they are presently missing. However, as you know, Mr. President, the first step would be to establish a dedicated Rugby federation.
In the last decade, countries like Greece, Georgia, Ukraine, Portugal, Spain, and even countries in Africa have developed their own Rugby Federation and are now competing in official international events. It is a pity that Turkey is not yet represented. It is also sad for the youth of Turkish Rugby to be deprived of the honor to represent their country in such a prestigious international Rugby events
After the unfortunate publicity of last weekend, I believe you have a unique opportunity use the media coverage to show the whole country and the Rugby world indeed, that Turkish Rugby is not limited to such incidents, and that you are determined and dedicated to making Turkey a major nation in the international Rugby scene.
The entire Turkish rugby community is looking to you and relying on your efforts to reverse the negative impact of this incident, Mister President. We all trust your understanding and goodwill to achieve all these necessary changes.
With my sincere respect and sportive friendship,
Yannick HEBERT
İstanbul, 4 Şubat 2010
Türkiye Ragbi Federasyonu Başkanı Sayın Şahin KÖMÜRCÜ’ye Açık Mektup
Sayın Başkan KÖMÜRCÜ,
Öncelikle size kendimi tanıtıp, bu mektubu ne sebeple kaleme aldığımı belirtmek isterim: Benim adım Yannick HEBERT, 34 yaşında bir Fransız vatandaşıyım. Bir Türkiye vatandaşı ile evliyim ve şu anda İstanbul’da oturuyorum. 10 yaşımdan beri Fransa’da Rugby oynuyorum ve Ekim 2009’da İstanbul’a taşındığımda Ottoman Rugby Klübü’ne katıldım.
1 Şubat 2010 tarihinde Samsum’daki maçta yaşanan olaylardan haberiniz vardır, ve sanıyorum ulusal television kanalları, gazeteler ve internetten olayları takip etme fırsatınız olmuştur. Samsun ve İstanbul Ottoman’lar arasındaki maç, Samsun yedek kulübesinden bir oyuncunun sahaya çıkıp şiddet içeren hareketlerle bana saldırması sebebiyle durduruldu ve tamamlanamadı.
Bu talihsiz olayda mağdur kişi olarak medyadaki mütakip haberleri de göz önünde bulundurup, size bu açık mektubu yazmaya ve görüşlerimi Türkiye’deki Ragbi klüplerine ve konuyu izleyen medya mensuplarına iletmeye karar verdim.
Bu saldırı sonunca üç gün Samsun Devlet Hastanesi’nde yatmak ve yoğun bir göz tedavisi görmek zorunda kaldım. Aynı zamanda kaşıma üç dikiş atıldı. Göz tedavim devam ediyor, ve hem gözümün durumu hem de olası travma sonrası komplikasyonlar için hala doktor gözetimindeyim.
Yerel polise olayla ilgili şikayette bulundum ve bir avukat davayı takip etmekte. Doğal olarak Federasyon’dan söz konusu oyuncuya karşı gerekli cezayı vermesini bekliyorum. Ayrıca bu olayın emsal teşkil edeceğini ve ilgili yönetmeliklerde gerekli değişikliklerin yapılarak tekrarlanmamasının sağlanacağını umuyorum.
Sizin de bildiğiniz gibi bu tür bir olay Samsun’da ilk kez yaşanmıyor. Öte yandan Samsun klübünün çok ağır bir ceza almayacağını umuyorum. Samsun takımında iyi niyetli ve Türkiye’de Ragbinin gelişmesi için çalışan bir çok insan var. Takımı ligden çıkarmak bu sorunun çözümü olmaz diye düsünüyorum.
Maalesef hakemlerimiz sahayı kontrol altında tutabilecek ve maçın güvenli koşullarda oynanmasını sağlayacak donanım ve deneyime sahip değiller. Ayrıca oyuncuların çoğu yeni oldukları için kuralları iyi bilmiyorlar ve antrenörlerin hem çocuklara hem yetişkinlere bu sporu kuralları çerçevesinde öğretecek materyallere ihtiyacı var. Geçtiğimiz pazar yaşanan olay Ragbi ruhu ve kuralları daha iyi bilinse ve daha iyi hakemlik yapılsa önlenebilirdi diye düşünüyorum.
Bu sorunun çözümü IRB’ye katılım ile sağlanabilir görüşündeyim. Böylece profesyonel hakemlik ve antrenorlük eğitimlerine (ve bir çok başka avantaj) erişim sağlanır ve halihazırda eksik olan materyaller temin edilebilir. Ancak, sizin de bildiğimiz gibi bunun ilk adımı bir Ragbi Federasyonu kurmak.
Geçtiğimiz on yıl içerisinde Yunanistan, Gürcistan, Ukrayna, Portekiz, İspanya ve Afrika’da bir çok ülke kendi Ragbi federasyonlarını oluşturdular ve resmi uluslararası turnuvalarda oynuyorlar. Türkiye’nin bu uluslararası arenada temsil edilmemesi bir kayıp diye düşünüyorum. Ayrıca Türkiye’deki gençlerin de ülkelerini böyle prestijli uluslararası Ragbi müsabakalarında temsil etme onurundan mahrum kalmaları üzücü bir durum.
Geçen haftaki olayların getirdiği olumsuz yankıları Türkiye’de Ragbi sporunun desteklenmesi ve yaygınlaşması için bir fırsata çevirmek sizin elinizde. Medya aracılığı ile bütün ülkeye ve Ragbi camiasına Türkiye’de bu sporun bu tür şiddet olayları ile anılmayacağını ve Türkiye’yi uluslararası Ragbi camiasında ses getirecek bir konuma getirmekteki kararlılığınızı gösterebilirsiniz.
Türkiye’deki Ragbi camiası olarak sizin bu olayın olumsuz etkilerini tersine çevirmek için göstereceğiniz çabaya inanıyor ve güveniyoruz. Bu konuda gerekli anlayış ve iyi niyeti göstererek bekleğimiz adımları atacağınızı umuyoruz.
En derin saygılarım ve sportmence bir dayaşıma ile,
Yannick HEBERT
PS: Facebook group: “Türkiye’de Rugby Federasyonu kurulması için Talep”
Tuesday, 02 February 2010 08:09
Pumas on tour
Pumas on tour
The Bakirkoy v Pumas game began with an early start for most of the team, with the flight to Istanbul taking off at 8am.
The planning for the trip had been fraught with problems, heavy snow in Istanbul on Thursday had been a major concern; a lack of Props being available until the last minute; no accommodation being booked by the opposition; frantically completed medicals to register the players; the opposition were insisting on a 12.00 kick-off and the hat to be awarded for ass of the day had gone missing.
On the positive side, a meeting with Pegasus airlines had resulted in discounted flight prices.
However, 18 set off from Ercan to be met by Ozzy flying in from Izmir, Dinchan coming from Ankara and Yavuz, Emre and Hakan, already in Istanbul, at Sabiha Gocken airport at 9.45am.
The Bakirkoy organised coach eventually turned up at 11.15am and they were expecting a kick-off at noon! Despite knowing they were collecting 24 rugby players and their kit, they sent a small mini-bus, barely big enough to shoe-horn 18 people in, fortunately Yavuz had his car!
During the wait, Martin, who had found a seat behind a taxi stall was approached by a member of the public for a taxi, to which he replied: “taxi yok!” Understandable he could be mistaken for a Turkish taxi driver wouldn’t you say!
The Pumas refused to go straight to play, insisting that they required something to eat and a warm-up before playing. The answer from Bakirkoy was “ok but the ambulance we booked leaves at 2pm.”
In the end, kick off was at 1.30pm, with no ambulance having turned up at all. After a few phone calls it was established that they were busy having lunch and had then attended another emergency. They finally turned up 10 minutes before the end of the game at 2.50pm! Fortunately they had not been required.
On arrival at the ground it became apparent that Bakirkoy were not very prepared at all. They had no rugby balls, luckily the Pumas had brought a couple to practice with them; there was no padding around the posts, the lines were being done as the Pumas arrived and none too straight and no water was provided. Fortunately the team manager had the foresight to purchase some water at the Hyper-market near the ground when he’d bought the after-match beers! The opposition’s water was kept in one of their cars until half time.
So far not much of a rugby spirit going on with the Bakirkoy boys! One of which appeared to be auditioning for Phantom of the Opera judging by the mask he was wearing to protect his broken nose. A first on a rugby pitch that any of us had encountered. Was it even legal?
Despite a scrappy start to the game, the Pumas took the lead 3-0 with a penalty kicked by Can. This was followed by a try from Dinchan and two tries by Batu, the second of which was converted by Dinchan, taking the score to 20-0 at half time.
In the second half Batu got his hat trick try which was converted. Can got sent off for high tackling; a Bakirkoy player got sent off for giving Sam a Chinese burn (although didn’t seem to understand the concept of the sin bin as he came straight back on again! Kev the ref soon put him right!) There wo further tries by Dinchan and Seb followed by a penalty try which took the final score to 44-0.
And there was a first for Ozzy, he managed not to get sent off!
The Pumas were good in the rucks, despite a Bakirkoy player continually trying to pull them down. Martin eventually got fed up with it and there’s no doubt that player will be nursing quite a few stud marks for a while! The backs looked good when they got the ball and there was no doubt that the Pumas were the stronger side and it was very apparent they understood more of the rules than their opposing side.
“We are pleased with the result and that we didn’t have any points scored against us,” said Sam, team captain. “Although it was scrappy game from both sides, our experience paid dividends. The backs had a good game and the forwards played well, it was a good result all in all, but there is still room for improvement.”
After the game and an hour’s drive, the team arrived at the Hush Hostel in Kadikoy, where they were to be entertained by the new team in Istanbul, Khalkedon, run by previous Pumas chairperson Naci.
The night’s entertainment included the award of man of the match to Batu and the jester’s hat for his comments on the field to Martin, a round of Yogi Bear led by Sam, a convincing victory in the boat race by the Pumas, gate-crashing a wedding party, a fight and copious amounts of alcohol!
Mirunalan, who somehow landed a double bed, ended up sharing it with an extremely drunk ex-Puma player, after he had been convinced not to drive.
Thanks to Hakan, a coach was organised to pick up the weary team at 6am for the return journey, which was pretty uneventful.
Tour comments:
Michael – what seat number are you?
Sam – 28F
Michael – oh great I’m, 28 too, I must be behind you.
Martin – is Steve driving the mini bus?
Claire - No Martin, they drive on the other side of the road in Turkey
Steve on going to the toilets in MacDonalds – am I a Bay or a Bayan? How long have you lived in Cyprus Steve?
On the pitch:
Martin with his fists up after studding a Bakirkoy player for pulling down the rucks, who then decided to have a go back: “Don’t touch me boy!”
Sam after an attempted Chinese burn on his leg and attacking one of the opposition number 12s – there were two for some reason: “You know what you */!*@#!* did!”
Fortunately the ref saw what he had done and the Bakikoy player got sin binned.
On the walk returning to the hostel after the night out:
Jon: 2TL for a gay? Hakan, why are they selling gays for 2TL.
Hakan: Jon that’s çay!
Martin at the airport to come home putting his luggage down – Claire, can I leave this here in charge of you?
And finally, the story of Kevin and the mystery Germans:
After struggling to sleep due the snoring of Steve (it couldn’t have been me I didn’t sleep at all!), Kevin decided he would try sleeping in the hostel lounge. Armed with his blankets, he curled up on a settee until being woken by some mystery Germans. Asked how he knew they were Germans he replied they had asked him in a German accent if they had woken him.
“One of them had a flat hat on his head too.”
Kevin decided to return to his room, which he shared with Sam, Steve, Jon, Seb and Joe, at 4am, where all five were apparently snoring in harmony.
Since the Pumas had occupied the entire hostel and the front door was locked, no one can understand where these Germans appeared from at 4am, however, Kevin will not have it that he dreamt the whole thing and continues to maintain they were for real!
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Monday, 11 January 2010 10:10
Pumas Valentine's Ball
Pumas Valentine's Ball
Friday February 12, 7.30pm at the Acapulco Hotel
45 TL three course meal and live entertainment
We have negotiated special discounted drinks prices
Support the Pumas and enjoy a great night out
Everyone welcome
Contact 0533 866 2758 or 0533 870 9896 to book tickets or for more information
Bus service available from the following locations, price will be approximately 10TL for return journey depending on numbers using the service.
Simena Hotel Karşiyaka
Starling Lapta
Starling Alsancak
Temp Karaoğlanoğlu
Astro Girne
Lemar Karakum
Erdener Ozanköy
Supreme/Tempo Catalköy
Starling Lapta
Starling Alsancak
Temp Karaoğlanoğlu
Astro Girne
Lemar Karakum
Erdener Ozanköy
Supreme/Tempo Catalköy
A bus from Esentepe can be arranged if enough people are interested.
