10S TOURNAMENT

Navy sail past British Club for title

By Edward Thangarajah

The first Nakhonpathom Rugby 10s tournament took place at the Royal Sanam Chant ground yesterday.

The tough-tackling, fast-moving Navy Communications 10 won the competition by defeating the British Club 33-10. They beat Technology N.Bangkok 19-0 in the semis.

The Britishers had beaten Ramkhamhaeng 10-5 in the semi-finals and they too enjoyed tremendous exposure with their attacking rugger.

Wins over Thonburi A and Technology N.Bangkok stamped their class and ability.

In the Division Two competition the honours went to Ratnabandit, who beat Mahidol 26-12 in an exciting encounter. Ratnabandit's speedy, flawless play earned them success. They had a tough match against Old Ratchavith whom they beat 7-5.

Mahidol had eliminated Thonburi A 14-0.

Though Chulalongkorn and Kasetsat Universities didn't play in the tournament, the organisers accommodated British Club and Srinakarinwirote in the four group competition.

Group A had four teams with Groups B, C and D having three each.

Group A top seeds Navy Communications got off to a flying start by registering a runaway 29-0 win over Old Chulapornvitayalai, Chonburi in the curtain-raiser.

Third seeded Ratanabandit out-paced all first round teams with a totally one-sided performance against Old Chulaporn, chalking up a 41-0 victory.

Three first round matches ended scoreless. Group B top seeds Ramkhamhaeng were held to a draw by Old Ratchavith, with no team crossing each other's goallines nor did they succeed in putting over penalties. Navy Communication had to face the same fate in their match against Ratanabandit and British Club were kept at bay and stalled from scoring by a tough-tackling Technology N.Bangkok team.

The most exciting match in the round turned out to be between Silpakaron University and Srinakarinwirote which ended in a thrilling 7-7 draw with both teams enjoying the honour of scoring a goal each.

Fifteen matches were played in the first round and Navy Communication enjoyed the honour of winning two matches with ease. After their warm-up win over Old Chulaporn. They beat PT Samutsakhon 12-0 in their second outing .

In the second round Ratanabandit enjoyed the honour of registering three good wins. They beat Old Chulaporn by a try then thrashed Mahidol 33-0 and Thonburi B 17-0.

The British Club scored an impressive 14-7 win over the tough Technology North Bangkok and beat Silpakorn University 12-0.

The most exciting match was unfolded by Old Chulaporn which held Thonburi B to a 12-12 draw.

Navy Communications the ultimate winners of the Division One, British Club the runners-up, Ramkhamhaeng third and Technology North Bangkok fourth.

In Division Two the champions were Ratanabandit who beat Mahidol while Old Ratchavith finished third.

Dr.Ram Wongprasert of the Silpakorn University was chief guest.

Bangkok Post
Sunday February 11, 2007