Rain fails to damp spirits at Phuket Rugby 10s kick off

PHUKET: The 14th installment of the Rugby 10’s tournament kicked off today with the over-35s Coffin Dodgers Competition.

Jody Houton

Friday 25 May 2012, 12:02PM

Both teams 'try' hard to become victors.

Despite the first game being postponed owing to the Hong Kong Bulls’ late arrival, the fixtures were quickly swapped around and the Asian Japanese Dragons took to the new tournament’s venue at the Kata Sports Ground to take on the Wanderers Wrinkleys.

Tournament director Pat Cotter said that the last-minute cancellation of the Karon stadium venue – owing to its hosting of the Phuket Youth Games – was disappointing, but he was pleased with the new ground.

Heavy rains held off for the opening few games, but returned with a vengeance before lunch, but Pat said it would not put a damper on the spirits of the teams or tournament.

“People will soldier on and slop through. It’s not a problem.”

The Coffin Dodgers competition will play until 16.45 today (Friday May 25), with the final to be played on Sunday, May 27 at 3pm, along with the other finals from the main Rugby 10s tournament.

Phuket resident Dan Ashburn, who is playing for both the Phuket Vagabonds team in the main competition and, for the first year, the Coffin Dodgers-competing Phuket Viagrabonds said he was hopeful in the chances for both teams.

“We [Phuket Vagabonds] are hoping to get into the play-off stages at least. I think we’ve got the best team we’ve had in more than three years.”

The Phuket Vagabonds are hoping to top their previous best performance, when in 2002 they reached the final.

For more information and scheduling, click here.