Lomas Put in a Tremendous Performance to Earn Runners Up Spot
Thursday 23rd June 2011
As the UK summer continues to bloom we woke up to almost sub zero temperatures and torrential rain. The lads were off to Wright Robinson school early to take part in a music festival which is all part of the International sports build up to the 2012 Olympics. Bob Wyte of Total Rugby was waiting for us to continue the story of the Lomas & the Asia Center Foundation by following the lads around during the morning as they continued their academics.
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| Lomas & Trinidad & Tobago |
All too soon it was off to Eastland’s Stadium and the excitement amongst the lads was tangible as this was what they had been waiting for, to test their playing skills against international & Local competition in the Manchester Touraid Rugby Festival. 8 teams were drawn into 2 groups, the Lomas in Group B with East Midlands Academy, Trinidad & Tobago & Manchester Creative Tech Academy. The lads looking good in their Tour Kit sponsored by Khun Bim of Spikee were doing plenty of warm ups as the sun was threatening to break through and brighten proceedings. The first game of the group was Trinidad & Tobago taking on the East Midlands Academy and immediately made an impression and showed them selves as title contenders with an easy 5 try win. Next up the Lomas in their international debut against an organized looking Creative Tech side in the first half of the game it was pretty even but then the barreling runs of forwards Buk & Fai eventually began to take there toll on the English lads with Fai bursting through the defense and charging in for a try from the halfway line. From the resulting Kick Off lomas won possession with Nigh making a great break before off loading to Scrum half Sombat who got the backs into motion with Beng & Plerm taking play into the Creative Tech 22 where a great tackle brought the Lomas up short. Ah-med then stole the ball and Fai charged over for his 2nd try of the game. The constant tackling by the Creative Tech side was beginning to take its toll and just before the final whistle prop Buk got in on the act and forced his way over in the corner for a 3 try to nil win. Great start by Lomas.
Next up East Midlands who were totally out classed by the Lomas in a stunning display of attacking rugby with Fai going in for a game breaking 4 try haul, Buk getting 2 & Sombat scoring a great individual try before East Midlands scored a fantastic consolation try right at the end. Lomas win 7 tries to 1.
Last game of the group was Trinidad & Tobago & this was the game that would decide if the Lomas would make the final. From the start the bigger Caribbean lads took the game to Lomas and only a great tackle by Mee kept the lads in the game. The well drilled T & T team kept hammering away but the tackling kills of the Lomas kept them at bay. With the score still 0-0 Plerm put in a big hit on the big T & T prop to save a score but injured his arm in the process & had to leave the field. The break in play seemed to unsettle the T & T team & Lomas, down to 9 men broke through with Buk being forced over in the corner by the Pack to break the deadlock, With the clock running down the T & T boys were pushing for a try but great turn over ball by nigh saw Captain Beng race away for what would prove the match winning score.
3 games played, 3 wins and a place in the Manchester Touraid Rugby Festival final.
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| Manchester Touraid Rugby Festival Runners Up Lomas |
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| Lomas & Wright Robinson Sports Academy |
The lads were all pumped for the final but were carrying injuries & playing against a very good Indian side from the Kulcutu Institute of sport. In a tight opening encounter the Lomas pushed hard for a score but being a man down didn’t help and gaps started to appear as the very well drilled Indian side threw the ball around. The Lomas just couldn’t get their hands on the ball and in the end conceded 4 tries to Lose the final but impressed the many watching in the crowd with their brand of play and never say die attitude. The Lomas cheered on their host school Wright Robinson in their group games who ended up finishing 5th & vice versa Fantastic camaraderie & team bonding which has been a highlight of this tour so far. A great event with some great talent on show & some really good rugby skills & entertaining games. Big thanks to Phil Clarke & the RFU for running the tournament and of course to Andy Berry of Touraid who organized the event
As if the lads weren’t getting enough of the English summer Andy,
Alex & Scott of the WR sports department took the lads & hosts on another winter experience to the Chillout Factor Ski Center where the lads could see real snow for the first time and enjoy some sledging and a few trips down the Luge. Excellent fun & apart from the odd bit of frost bite it will be another memory that the boys will never forget
Friday 24th June 2011
Brilliant sunshine, blue skies with a north westerly straight off the Pennines at least gave the illusion of summer though by the time we reached WR the clouds & artic winds had returned. A special assembly had been scheduled for the Year 7’s where a power point presentation was given highlighting the tour before the Lomas dressed in ancient Thai boxing style did a Thai boxing demonstration before singing the Thai national anthem. We presented the school with a Lomas playing shirt & Thai flag signed by all the participating kids & the WR PE department which will take pride of place in a display cabinet in the schools trophy room.
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| Lomas & Hosts |
Afternoon was given over to Rugby coaching with both teams enthusiastic in their efforts before mixing up and playing a game.
The coaches and organizers will get time to chill out this evening after being invited by winsloe RFC to attend a BBQ & drinks evening at the club.
Tomorrow the lads will have a final day with their host parents before attending the presentation & closing ceremony at the Midland Hotel.
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