The Scholarship Program

 The Children's Scholarship Program

The Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10's is not only renowned as one of the most exotic of rugby destinations but also for the fund raising that is associated with the event in the form of the ACF Children's Scholarship fund which was started in the wake of the 2004 Tsunami to benefit children affected by that terrible disaster and also for children from deprived backgrounds. Since its inception the fund has kept upward of 100 children in school annually with 3 of those kids going on to study in university 

The program relies on sponsors to contribute to the Scholarship fund via an annual sponsorship of 10,000 Baht per child. This includes provision for school uniforms, school shoes and bags, study materials, stationary, lunch at school & where possible a summer camp. The impact that these basic necessities, or the lack there of, have in a child’s life is vast and the change that the program has brought about is both heart warming and extremely rewarding.

This program has brought about the enrichment and advancement of up to 400 children since it began.

In 2004 ACF was invited to join hands with Phuket Vagabonds Rugby to raise funds for the project during their annual International Rugby Ten's Competition held in Phuket at the end of each May. The competition sees teams from across globe converge on Phuket to not only participate in the tournament but to also raise awareness and funds for the ACF Scholarship Program. The continued support of the rugby teams involved is invaluable to the Scholarship Program.

Many of the teams past and present have contributed to the program and indeed many teams and individuals continue to do so. A lot of the teams sponsor multiple students and do fundraising events so as to be able to continue to do so, teams such as the Moorabbin Rams, Cottesloe Old Gulles,Pot Bellied Pigs and of course those sponsorship experts the Selangor Dog who regularly excel in their efforts to raise funds for the cause. Then there are our friends from the Bangkok Bangers on Bikes who have been cycling from Bangkok to Phuket annually for the last 3 years to raise funds for the ACF.

Without the generosity of all the teams and individuals (YOU KNOW who you are!!) to help further this program these kids would be in a lot darker place. 

If you need more information on the program or would like to sponsor a child then contact Asia Center Foundation Director Roelien Muller on roemuthai@gmail.com 

or visit the ACF tent at the ground during the weekend.

wwww.asiacenterfoundation.org

Main Tournament - Phuket Vagabonds - Thailand

Phuket Vagabonds Rugby

The Front Row

The Vagabonds after a year of sea, sun & various deviance's & perversions are gearing up for what will be hoped is their best performance in the phuket 10s since reaching the cup final in 2002. With a mix of Thai, South African, British,a bit of French flair & not to mention the flying Fijian, it is certain that this bunch of ugly misfits will scare the pants off the damsels in Soi Bangla but wont exactly have the opposition shaking in their boots. Since the advent of professionalism the Vagabonds have reaped the benefits of that particular idea.However instead of paying players they ended up paying for certain favours of a professional nature whilst enjoying rugby as its supposed to be played, with fun under the sun & plenty of bevvies afterwards!

The Start Of Rugby In Phuket

On a wet Tuesday evening back in November 1995, half a dozen or so, Phuket expatriates and local Thais, met at a bar in Patong, to consider the news that a team from Sri Lanka comprising 12 internationals and 5 “professional” Fijians were visiting Phuket the following month. The trip was a reward for the team, The Kandy Sports Club of Sri Lanka, for winning their national league. Somehow word had reached them that there was a rugby team in Phuket and they were keen for a game. Although, at that time there was no official team, touch rugby was regularly played on the beaches of Patong and Surin. Plus, the year before, a scratch team had played a full game against a Scottish Veterans team returning from a tour to Hong Kong. It was however, not until that fateful Tuesday night, that the Phuket Vagabonds Rugby Club was born. For the following month, frantic training sessions were organized, new players rounded up and players who thought they’d retired persuaded or bribed into cleaning off their boots for one more game. The Teachers College pitch was booked in Phuket Town, the lines marked with lime, wooden posts painted and strapped to the football posts and as many of the larger rocks as possible removed from the rock hard pitch. The game was played in front of a large and enthusiastic crowd and proved a far more competitive game than many had anticipated, with Phuket realizing some genuine talent in their ranks.

It was only a matter of time before other teams made their way to Phuket. Within several months a four way Tournament was set-up, including Abu Dhabi, the Bangkok Southerners, Australian Tigers (Australian Air force from Penang) and of course the Phuket Vagabonds. The tournament proved a great success and with representatives of the Thai RFU observing, paved the way for the entry of the Phuket Vagabonds into the Thai RFU. Unfortunately, the Phuket Vagabonds remained without a victory to their name. This however, changed the following month when the Phuket Vagabonds took the scalp of the most successful club team in Thailand – the International Corsairs, demolishing the touring side with a superb display of running rugby.

Ensuing games included visiting Australian, British and US ships, the US Marines, Singapore Cricket Club and Riyadh. Yet the Phuket team was still without a regular pitch, having to compete against local soccer teams for use of city or school pitches, often in a shocking 

Sybil's Supporters

condition. This changed with the completion of Dulwich International College, who has to this day allowed their excellent facilities to be used by the Phuket Vagabonds. The first game at Dulwich was played 10 years ago and saw the local team defeat the much-fancied British Club Bangkok in what was to become an annual fixture until the dreadful bali Bombing. The opening of Dulwich College also saw an influx of new players from the ranks of the teachers. Unfortunately, completion of Dulwich, also meant it was time for Rod Kerr, Phuket’s inspirational captain and project manager of the Dulwich construction project to return to Bangkok (where he captained the British Club).

Winston Stanley in Full Flight

 As the team continued to evolve, the Phuket Gazette newspaper became the official sponsor of the Vagabonds for a couple of seasons. Tours to Bangkok, the annual Had Yai Sevens and Bangkok Tens tournaments followed. Visiting teams came from as far West as Saudi Arabia and as far East as Japan. Numerous visitors to the Island joined the Vagabonds in training or playing, culminating in 2 Canadian International players, joining the Club for the 1998 Had Yai Sevens tournament.

 Today, the Club remains firmly committed to spreading the rugby word in Southern Thailand, with a strong emphasis on having fun. With the introduction of the Phuket Lomas Rugby Youth Development program the future of rugby on the island is secure with the introduction of the sport within the local community. Regular games & tournaments against Krabi & Surat Thani ensure that the sport is alive and well in the south. The Lomas recently finished runners up in the City of Manchester Touraid Rugby Festival & 3rd place in the Thai National U 17s Rugby championships

With Phuket hosting the Thai Youth Championships in June a girls 7s side has been developed & will become an integral part of the future Phuket rugby scene

New players are always warmly welcomed, as are any visiting teams. Hopefully, the success of the Phuket International 10’s will see a greater awareness of rugby in Phuket and an influx of new talent into the Club, as well as cultivating the potential of Phuket as a premier sports destination.

Main Tournament & Coffin Dodgers- Asian Japanese Dragons

 Asian Japanese Dragons

Asian Japanese Dragons Phuket 2011

"Asian Japanese Dragons" is mixed Japanese team that players from all over Asia. Phuket 10's is the biggest event for Japanese player in middle of the year and it is good opportunities to play together with the member who play for opponent team on our big competition "Asian Japanese Rugby Cup" ends of
every year. 

Please enjoy our "Kamikaze" tackles.

Japanese Dragons are known collectively as "Tatsus". They are referred to in the Shinto religion which tells of the Dragon King Ryu-Wo. Ryu-Wo was a guardian of the Shinto faith who lived in a palace under the sea.

Japanese dragons are serpentine and usually wingless. The dragon of Japan has spines along its back. Like Chinese dragons, those of Japanese tradition are usually wise and beautiful.

Many Japanese dragons, according to legend, have the ability to change size and shape, even becoming invisible at times. This shape-shifting is a common feature of Japanese dragon lore with stories of humans turning into dragons and vice versa.

Main Tournament New Boys - LUMS Rugby Club - Pakistan

In what is another first for the Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10's we will host our first ever team from Pakistan. This just shows that rugby world wide is continuing to grow & gain in popularity as is the Phuket Heineken Rugby 10's

LUMS Rugby Club - Pakistan 

LUMS Rugby CLUB is the best varsity club in Pakistan. Club has recently won the “Islamabad 10’s National Rugby Championship” in Pakistan. This University club has the history of producing national players in Pakistan. Till now more then 15 players of this club has played for national side and recently 5 players got the call from Pakistan Rugby Union for national team screening camp.  Most of the players in this club as a student play rugby as a hobby but some players shine and represent their club at national level. Every year this club participates in international tournament, in 2008 we participated in “DUBAI Rugby 7’s”, in 2010 in “French Riveria” and we were bowl winner there.  

LUMS Rugby Club

The Lahore University of Management Sciences Rugby team participated in the French Riviera 7’s Rugby Tournament, which took place in Cannes, from the 9th to the 12th of April 2010. Bowl Winners

LUMS was also the winner of the Fair-Play trophy for their show of gentlemanly spirit and heart on and off the field. In the Bowl Final, the whole international crowd was rallying for LUMS, flying the Pakistani flag and even invaded the pitch when LUMS won. The LUMS Rugby team was no doubt a great ambassador for Pakistan.

Phuket Rugby 10s Sponsor 2011-2012

Memories are Made of This

Phuket Heineken Rugby 10's…

  Better Memories Than ‘Rugby Special’?

By the time you read this, the ‘Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10’s’ will be over. OK I know you received the magazine on the first day of the tour, but after a quick check to see what bollocks your captain wrote in the team profile and a cursory flip through of the other pages you will have realised that this pamphlet cannot be passed, kicked, drunk or fucked and therefore is of no use to anyone in this tournament. I assume you will then have thrown this in your bag along with your fractionally more useful boots where it will have stayed until your return home. If you saved these pages from meeting their fate in the washing machine I take it you are now sat reading this while nursing a lingering hang-over, an empty wallet, what we’ll kindly call ‘Scrum Pox’ and some excellent, if blurred, memories.

More Beer Anyone?

The good news is the hangover will go, you’ll replenish the wallet and I’m sure that really is ‘Scrum Pox’. Unfortunately for those of you who just toured Thailand for the first time you could now be burdened for the rest of your life with an unbeatable rugby memory. And that isn’t just the biased opinion of a resident local piss-head, it would appear to be the belief of ex-England international turned TV pundit Damian Hopley. In his recent article titled “Rugby in need of increased exposure”, published on 21st April this year in the Electronic Telegraph (www.telegraph.co.uk) Mr. Hopley wrote:
“If you were to ask rugby supporters what they missed most about the game, after that legendary tour to Bangkok and Phuket, it would undoubtedly be Rugby Special”.
For those of you who have never lived in Britain I should explain that ‘Rugby Special’ was an excellent TV programme shown on a Sunday evening that used to cover senior rugby from that weekend. Mr. Hopley’s article questioned the lack of media coverage rugby gets in the UK and asked why Rugby Special has never been adequately replaced. Obviously the complement given to Bangkok and Phuket was very backhanded, but we in the Phuket Vagabonds are proud to accept it anyway. Of course, it isn’t true.

Ohh Arr !!

 If you really asked rugby supporters what they missed most about the game it wouldn’t be a one off tour to Thailand, but touring itself and I mean anywhere and for any reason. Touring is one thing we as amateurs have over the professionals. Naturally professionals do tour, but it’s their job and aside from the money (which would be nice) they have to win to enjoy themselves, now if that were true of the Vagabonds we would be extremely fucked! Amateurs can go on tour with the guarantee of having fun, the same could not be said if we had to suffer curfews, drink restrictions and most cruel of all…training sessions. The British and Irish Lions trip to Australia will be the biggest rugby event of the year; however I’m sure Jon Prichard, legendary amateur with the Bangkok British Club drank more piss on the one hour fight to Phuket than the combined Lions pack will on the whole of their six week tour (when you consider that Thai Air domestic flights are dry and I’m not using the word ‘piss’ as an euphemism, that’s probably not a bad thing).

 The golden rule of a rugby tour is: “What goes on tour stays on tour” so I can’t write too much of times past. However I will mention one incident because it is such a superb example of true amateurism. The team involved were the ‘Pot Bellied Pigs’, the tournament was the brilliant Manila 10’s, hosted by the Nomads and this took place a couple of years ago. The Pigs had cunningly entered the competition with a squad of 15 prop forwards. No problem in the scrum, but they started to lose heavily (no pun) when opposing wingers broke into a jog. At the final whistle of their early exit, with the Pigs losing by shit loads of points to none, straight after the traditional handshakes, their captain shouted out “Last one in the bar pays”. It was the only time in the whole weekend that any member of the team ran anywhere. Naturally this terrific unprofessional act got a deserved cheer from the crowd who were impressed with everyone of the fat bastards.

Those Bloody Rams Again !

 Hopefully as you sit at home reading this, you will remember your tour of Phuket in equally unprofessional terms both on and off the pitch and if like Damian you find your memories of our tournament to be among your rugby favorites, don’t worry the Phuket Heineken International Rugby 10’s will be back next year; less professional than ever!

We would like to thank Damian Hopley for giving us permission to reproduce his work, but we never asked him.

Main Tournament - Emirates Flying Muppets

 Emirates Airlines Flying Muppets

MAIN TOURNAMENT

2012 is here and once again the Emirates Flying Muppets are heading to Phuket.  After playing in the Dubai Rugby 7's it was decided we wanted to head back again in 2012 to try and improve on our 1 win from last year. We have always found Phuket a great place for a rugby tour and am sure that this year will be no different from the last few. A couple training session here and there at the the local establishments in Dubai puts us in good stead to repeat our performance last year and have a ball.  Alot of new faces and some inexperienced boys heading on tour this year but we are ready for a great week doing what we love best and also playing some Rugby too along the way!

Mascot - PAT the Camel

Pat has been in the Squad for 7 years since the inception of the Muppets.  He has been round the world a few time with the boys and gained a few STD's along the way too. 

No time like the present to bring him back to Phuket and hopefully he can raise some cash to sponsor some kid's once again in 2012 !

Teams For the Phuket Heineken Rugby 10's

 14th 

Heineken

Phuket  International Rugby 10s 2012

A True Feast of International Rugby Action returns to Phuket for the 14th year. This year’s event is again sponsored by HEINEKEN & organised in conjunction with Phuket Rugby by Strategic Sports. The venue will be the excellent playing fields at the British International School Phuket Kicking off on Friday May 25th with the Coffin Dodgers Vets tournament. On Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th teams from around the world will compete in the main competition including previous winners Kriel Roosters from South Africa (2010), Morrabbin Rams  from Australia (2002) & the Emirates Airlines Flying Muppets (2007). Along with old favourites The Bucks, Bedok Kings & Wanderers from Singapore, Thai hopefuls The Thai Legends, Prince of Songkhla RFC & Asian Japanese Dragons, there are many newcomers with a strong contingent from Australia, Newcastle's Crockatoos & the Groote Eylandt Mudchooks.

First timers YCAC from Japan will be serious contenders as will Melanins also from japan, INSEAD Barbarians Singapore, Hong Kong Raiders, Al Ain Amblers & Taipei Baboons will all be vying to lift the cup come Sunday. Hosts the Phuket Vagabonds will once again continue their long rivalry with old friends the Bangkok Bangers in both competitions.

Teams 

Open Tournament 
26th & 27th May 2012

   Team Name                                                          Country

Asian Japanese Dragons                                                             Asia

Moorabbin Rams                                                                    Australia

Newcastle Crockatoo's                                                            Australia

Groote Eylandt Mudchooks                                                      Australia

Hong Kong raiders                                                                 Hong Kong

YCAC                                                                                       Japan

Melanins                                                                                  Japan

Wanderers A                                                                         Singapore

INSEAD                                                                                Singapore

The Bucks                                                                            Singapore

Bedok Kings RFC                                                                   Singapore

Wanderers  B                                                                        Singapore                         

Roosters Tours                                                                     South Africa

Taipei Baboons                                                                        Taipei

Thai Legends                                                                         Thailand

Old Bangkok Bangers Colts                                                      Thailand

Phuket Vagabonds                                                                  Thailand

Prince of Songkhla RFC                                                            Thailand

Emirate Airlines Flying Muppets                                                   UAE

LUMS Rugby Club                                                                   Pakistan

Coffin Dodgers Vets Tournament

May 25th 2012

The Coffin Dodgers Vets competition again sponsored by Athena Siam Limited will be a close run affair with previous champs the Moorabbin Rams and Singapore Wanderers Wrinkle’s serious contenders. The two Cottesloe teams from Perth Australia will no doubt be strong and will be looking to get revenge for last year’s early exit and go all the way. The Gulf Legends, Hong Kong Bulls & the Lanka Lions all appear strong and should be in the mix come finals day on Sunday. The Singapore Bucks Stags will bring their strongest vets squad ever & The Bedok Kings will be aiming for top honours. The Taipei Silverbacks fresh from their win at the Manila 10s will look to go all the way and the Asian Japanese Dragons who have graced the tournament over the years with their never say die attitude will be a hard side to beat. The annual Weasel cup will be up for grabs between old....and I mean OLD rivals Phuket Viagrabonds and the old, OLD Bangkok Bangers. The Viagrabonds will hope to retain the trophy they have held for the last two years after a previous barren spell.

Team                                                   Country

Asian Japanese Dragons Gold                                                 Asia
Cottesloe Pirates                                                                Australia
Moorabbin Rams                                                                Australia
Cottesloe Old Gulls.                                                            Australia
Dubai Hurricanes                                                                  Dubai
Hong Kong Bulls                                                                 Hong Kong
Bedok Kings                                                                       Singapore
Wanderers Wrinkleys                                                           Singapore
Bucks Stags                                                                        Singapore
Lanka Lions                                                                        Sri Lanka
Taipei Silverbacks                                                               Taipei
Old Bangkok Bangers                                                          Thailand
Phuket Viagrabonds                                                            Thailand

Coffin Dodgers Tournament - Bucks Stags - Singapore

Bucks Stags - Singapore

Coffin Dodgers

Once again BUCKS RFC, Singapore, are making the annual pilgrimage to what has become the cornerstone and start line of their annual touring campaign. Two squads are on the air lift, a young fit commando shock troop (Bucks – see separate write up), and the seasoned Boers vets (Stags – that’s us) with their long guns and dead eye aim.

Most shooting seasons BUCKS and their like send in 12, maybe 16 bold souls to pit themselves against the best in their age group. This year, BUCKS Stags are coming with strength in depth and a squad so strong, you would need an army of Hercules to stop them coming, on what will seem to be broken old men as far as the eye can see. Whilst previous BUCKS RFC Phuket attendances have been considered LEGENDARY (and they only ever numbered 12), by most mild mannered touring parties and impartial observers alike, this year that adjective may not seem large enough brazen enough  appropriate.

“30!” is the number he/she cried as the Stag pinned ‘it’ to the ground, and like a hoard of Russian serfs in a charge against Jerry guns in the fight for Leningrad, if one Stag goes down, there will be two more to step up from the blood, guts and misery and grab the torch of victory.

Bomber, Schlonger, Podge & Brinny, names that float in the mist and fog that is war in Phuket, together with their fellow soldiers of seasoned old salts are parachuting in to defend to the last man their Coffin Dodgers Plate title, so valiantly won in 2011. But will this be enough for the thirsty gang of touring cut throats? This year, they may have their aim a little higher, targeting their first cup win.

The squad is stronger, older & wiser this campaign. The reserves are being called in from all corners of the globe, UK (Claude Balls & Pieboy), China (Podge) and Melbourne (Rich D) as well as some formerly downtrodden other halves who will FINALLY make it to a Phuket tour, albeit as 40+ (Harry & Slim) or even 50+ (Rick & Keith) year old virgins and we trust they shall bring along enough personal protection and nous to clamber over the booby trapped obstacle course that will inevitably be found on the land that is to be fought over by the opposition and team mates alike.

Hush, an old battle cry can be heard coming in over the airwaves from the ops room:

“oo-ooer, who’ll follow me and take the first wave!”

And off they go to the beat of the drum machine.

YOU

WILL

REMEMBER

THEM

Guns start blazing at about 1800hrs sharp (Zulu Time, of course) on Thursday 24 May 2012, after a spot of tiffin and maybe some tea and a quick soapy bath.

We hope we enjoy the weekend as much as we always do. See you on the beaches.

Coffin Dodgers Tournament - Bedok Kings - Singapore

                                           Bedok Kings 

                     Coffin Dodgers

Who'd have thought it, eh? The Kings return to Phuket after attending the last umpteen years - or at least it feels that way to me. Arrival on Thursday at Changi airport always brings a smile to the faces of the Vets, easily identified by the proud wearing of a variety of Bedok polo shirts.

Now you see us, Now you...em...see us

Blue, with trimmings of white and red, and a distinctive red crown is always a welcome sight for sore eyes (but not for other passengers). The idea of running out onto the field of glory yet again heartens these fellows, even though whisps of hair are all that are left on most of them.

However, Phuket Pat has been a bit of a git this year. 

She'll Do Me !!

The Phuket 10s will not be held at the Karon stadium, instead changing sites to the British school. This will of course confuse the demntia-addled Kings on the the Friday morning, and the members will be walking around not quite understanding what's going on. Does Heineken really cause that amount of dementia? Who knows, but we've a team full of subjects should anyone want to test us!

Our zimmer frames will be put aside, our false teeth removed, the oxygen bottles will have one last breath drawn from them, and onto glory they will go. Surely glory is measured in number of pints drank, pies eaten and just how early one can take the boots off for one more year?

Team Mascots

Since the game of rugby began all those years ago with Mr Ellis at Rugby School it has been tradition to have team mascots from the silly to the totally ridiculous & at the Phuket 10's its no different and its a tradition to try and kidnap the opposition mascots and hold them for ransom with the proceeds being donated to the Asia Center Foundation Scholarship fund. 

Various mascot holders over the years have had their reputations irreparably damaged and who will always be remembered by their team mates when introduced as " ah, the guy who lost the mascot" regardless if he went on to play internationals & it will no doubt be their epitaph when the time come.

              Henley – The Cottesloe Mascot
 

Having survived numerous kidnappings, both perceived and real, the latest of which was by a local Perth based Golden Oldies Club, Henley the much loved and revered mascot of the Cottesloe tourists is in training and readying himself for his annual Phuket jaunt. 

 

In particular he is looking forward to spending time with the Moorabbin Ram's mascot Dolly although there have been some questions raised regarding his intent given recent pictures of his training regime.

 

Dolly

        The Moorabbin Rams Mascot

A misplaced holiday postcard from Dolly the Moorabbin Rams mascot has been intercepted by the Cottesloe Pirates in Perth. The message on the post cards mirrors the photo on the front – Having a great time on this luxury cruiser with Henley and the lovely lads from Cottesloe. I do so wish the Rams were more cultured and spent less time worrying about the "wolf" in sheep's clothing and more time pampering me, after all I am supposed to be the future of the team and not just a lambbag. Looking forward to the 2012 boat trip, Dolly.

 Rams mascot or Wolf?

Indeed the Moorabbin Rams have suffered so many kidnappings over the years during the Phuket 10's weekend that they now deploy decoy mascots to try and lure away would be villains from their true objective but some how it still gets captured, ransomed and abused !

 Vagabonds - King Dong

The Phuket Vagabonds have King Dong who started life as a Go Go dancer in Faulty Towers Bar under the watchful eye of vagabonds No 1 supporter Mike "Sybyl' Spackman ( he has the trophy to prove it ! ) before deciding that becoming a full time rugby moll was far more fun

The Bangkok Bangers - Foxy

The OLD Bangkok Bangers have Foxy & his hat. This mascot is interactive and begs to be kidnapped & threatened with sexual abuse

but alas to no avail. He will however keep making himself available in the hopes of being molested. There is a rumour that he has offered to become the Rams decoy for the weekend

Heneiken

have their mascots too !!

And then there is the South African Roosters mascot

Vickie !!

What more can be said......

Coffin Dodgers Vets Tournament 

" The Older We Get The Better We Were "

Coffin Dodgers Sponsor 2011/2012

As we got older the brain cells finally started to spark into life & we slowly began to realise that we couldn't compete with the youngsters anymore. Where recovery after a match used to take days  suddenly it was taking weeks and the hangovers were ever harder to endure. 2007 was when the Coffin Dodgers Vets tournament was introduced into the Phuket 10's for like minded players who have had their day but still like a bit of the old Bish Bash Bosh all be it at a lot slower pace. The rugby might be slower but the drinking has increased in pace & the hangovers dont get any easier !!

Mein Drunken Fuhrer

We have a dedicated bunch of guys who keep pretending that they are still 27 that come to the 10s every year in various teams and guises such as 3 times Coffin Dodgers winners the Moorabbin Rams from Australia, who in Paul Gascoigne at age 134 still plays 1st grade rugby they have a 1st class finisher & great bloke. 

We always have a strong Australian contingent for this tournament and Cottesloe Olde Gulles & Pirates ( Plate winners 2009) from Perth always bring an able bodied bunch of lost souls who are always in the mix until Soi Bangla takes its toll. The Wanderers Wrinkleys led by their drunken fuhrer Paddy Knight ( Photo )

have been a revelation over the years and played in one of the best finals ever seen here or anywhere else for that matter when going down in the 2009 cup final 5-0 after double extra time to Moorabbin Rams.

Bucks Bunnies

Recently the Singapore Bucks have come to the conclusion that playing vets rugby does NOT make you a puff & have entered the Bucks stags in the last few years. Bedok Kings one of the best dressed tour outfits at the vets will no doubt be contenders somewhere, be it on the field or in Soi Bangla. The Gulf Leg'ends will again be looking to pick up some silverware and the Taipei Silverbacks fresh from their victory in the vets at the manila 10s will be looking to make the cup final on Sunday. One of the sides who have really promoted Asian rugby over the years in the Hong Kong Football Club & they will once again be represented by some of their founding fathers in the form of the Hong Kong Bulls.

Weasel Cup Comes Home

One of the great Asian rivalries of recent times has to be between hosts the Phuket Viagrabonds & the OLD Bangkok Bangers. Going back to the days of the British Club Rugby team from which the Bangers were born a tense and friendly rivalry got even more frivolous with the introduction of the Weasel Cup ( in commemoration of Peter Frodshem ) played for when ever the two teams meet. Over recent years the Bangers had control of the coveted trophy before the Viagrabonds won it back in 2010 & retained it last year.

  

Winners of the Coffin Dodgers

Champions

2011 

Moorabbin Rams ( Australia )

2010 

Moorabbin Rams ( Australia )

 V

Cottesloe Olde Gulles ( Australia ) 

17-10

2009 

Moorabbin Rams ( Australia ) 

V 

Wanderers Wrinklies ( Singapore ) 

5-0

2008 

Extinct Volcanoes ( Philippines ) 

V 

Asian Japanese Dragons 

21-0

2007 

Extinct Volcanoes ( Philippines )