The Amora Hotels & Resorts Phuket International Dimbulla Rugby 11s was held over the weekend of 7-9 June 2024 at the Alan Cook Ground. What a weekend it was. With teams from Australia, China, Dubai, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Malaysia, Reunion Island, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand, UK & the USA, it was an eclectic mix of teams, players & supporters who descended on the island for a wild weekend of 11s rugby and fun.
The weather held fare as the traditional Athen Siam Coffin Dodgers O35s & the Whitesmith One Foot in the Grave O45s kicked off the weekend’s proceedings on the Friday. With plenty of experience on show there was no lack of skill and technique as the group games progressed. It was evident early on in the Coffin Dodgers O35s division, that Barrelhouse Rugby Club from Dubai, had come to have a crack and with their victory over Pronto Rugby from the UK, 5-0, were in prime position to make the cup final. Pronto Rugby, a charity invitation side from the UK, would finish second and would have the chance of revenge in the final. BROB Parametric Peregrine, from Malaysia fought their way through some tough matches and would play Chiang Mai Cobras in the Plate Final, whilst the Phuket Viagrabonds would contest the Bowl against the HK Bulls.
In the Whitesmiths one foot in the grave division, a strong Taipei Silverbacks side, battled through to the cup semi final where a tense 7-0 victory over the Asian Japanese Dragons took them to the Sunday Cup final slot, where they would play an equally determined opponent, the KL Tigers, who overcame the Pally Pigs 7-5, in a tight encounter. The Pigs & the Asian Japanese Dragons would play off for the Plate & the HKFC Contemptable’s would take on old adversaries, San Miguel Wanderers Wrinklies, in the Bowl final. The Morrabbin Rams from Melbourne, shocked themselves by playing out a 0-0 draw with the Pally Pigs then to their utter horror, beating the Grafton Big River Bullrouts, which put them on the cusp of making the finals! Fortunately, a loss in the semi final against the HKFC Contemptables, spared their blushes, and the spot in Sundays finals.
In the O45s finals, San Miguel Wanderers Wrinklies got a walk over against HKFC Contemptable’s to take home the bowl. The Pally Pigs were made to work hard against a strong Japanese Asia Dragons side and, with extra time looming, got the score to win the Plate, 7-0. The final was a game of two halves with the KL Tigers doing everything in the first half but score. The second half saw the Silverbacks begin to get more possession, and their more ruthless play saw them put in two tries, both converted, to beat the Tigers 14-0 and be crowned One Foot in the Grave champions.
The finals of the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers O35s were just as entertaining with local team, the Phuket Viagrabonds taking out the bowl with a walk over win against the HK Bulls. BROB Parametric Peregrine, were the bowl winners after a tough fight against a tenacious Chiang Mai Cobras team, 10-0. The final was a close affair with both teams giving it their all. The heat was beginning to tell on the UK lads and as they began to wilt in the second half, Barrelhouse took advantage to score twice for a 12-0 win and crowned O35s Champions.
Saturday saw the Women in action kicking off the day’s proceedings. The Sandy Phoonanis, from Hong Kong made the early running and were looking in good shape for a run at the Cup. Debutants Kafrine Lakour from reunion, were struggling with the pace early on, but grew into the day and put in some strong performances. The Bangers belles, are always contenders, and had come down with a strong squad, hoping to make it 3 in a row. The SEA Barbarians, a new invitational side, performed well, though struggled against the more established teams. A fine 19-0 win against an experimental KL Tigers side, and a narrow 10-7 win over Kafrine Lakour would see them go on and compete for the Plate against the same opponents. The plate final between the two couldn’t be separated after two halves of extra time with the game finishing 5-5. Rather than take the win using other criteria, both teams decided to share the title. The SEA Barbarians, to their credit gave the trophy to Kafrine as they had travelled so far to join the tournament.
The Bangers Belles, had won all their group games and were favourites going into the final against the Sandy Bay Phoonanis, whom they had beaten in the group games by the narrowest of margins, 7-5. In a tight affair, both teams probed for the opening but solid defense kept the score at 0-0. Both teams came close in the second half, with desperate defense at both ends. With almost the last play of normal time, and with extra time looming, the Phoonanis worked the ball wide, and a two on one overlap sow them score to be crowned the Aussie Bar lady’s Open champions, 5-0. Women’s rugby has come a long way in a short time, and the tournament wouldn’t be the same without them.
The much-anticipated men’s open tournament with 12 teams, was too close to call. In group A, defending champions, Bank Maumalat Bullets were looking strong and won all their group games. Local team the Phuket Vagabonds finished a creditable second with debutants SCAA Causeway Baywatch from Hong Kong & Swampdog rugby from Australia bringing up the rear.
In group B, the other contenders from Malaysia, South Klang Dragon Rugby Club, who were looking good, finished the day with three wins including an impressive 14-12 win over UK’s Pronto Rugby, who finished second. Raw Dogs Rugby from USA were 3rd in a tough group and Ningbo Rhinos from China, on their first ever international tour, found the going hard and finished the day battered and bruised in bottom place, but happy with the experience.
In Group C, Bangkok Southerners edged out the Chiang Mai Cobras to claim top spot. The Groote Eylandt Mudchooks, put in some stirring performances to finish the group in third place, whilst the Hyde Street Gulls from New Zealand were on the end of some close losses to prop up the group.
In the Cup quarter finals, the Bullets made the semis with a comfortable win over the Mudchooks, whilst the impressive Cobras team battled to a 5-0 victory over the Vagabonds. The Southerners went down to Pronto Rugby, missing a conversion with the last kick, which would have taken the game to extra time, 7-5. The South Klang Dragons continued to show their pedigree, easing to a win over the Raw Dogs. The losers dropped down into the Bowl competition. The bullets were slipping up a gear as they beat the Cobras in the semis to reach the final and South Klang were equally impressive as they took out Pronto. An all Malaysian final whilst Pronto & Cobras would play off for the Plate.
In the Bowl quarters, Causeway Baywatch, overcame a determined Mudchooks 12 -5 & the Vagabonds beat Ningbo Rhinos. Swamp Dogs went down to a resurgent Southerners and the Raw Dogs saw off the Hyde Street Gulls in another close one for the Gulls, 7-5. The Vagabonds produced one of their best performances of the weekend to take down Causeway Bay and the Southerners blanked the Raw Dogs to make the final against the Vagabonds. The swamp Dogs made the final of the Shield taking on the Hyde Street Gulls.
If there was an award for the unluckiest team of the tournament then the Gulls would surely have won it as they went down in the Shield final in another nailbiter 15-10 to the Swamp Dogs. The Bowl final was another cracker with the Southerners edging out the Vagabonds 7-5. In the Plate, both teams had taken a battering over the weekend and Pronto proved the strongest as they won the plate beating a plucky Cobras, 12-0.
The Cup final was all that a tournament organizer could ask for. End to end stuff with last ditch tackles, missed opportunities, with fast, skillful players giving their all. At the end of the half, it was 0-0 with all to play for. With full time it was still 0-0. Extra time golden point would surely separate these outstanding teams. Extra time half time and still 0-0. Both teams had given their all and as the clock ticked down a mistake at the breakdown by the Dragons gave the Bullets the opportunity to finish it and they dually slotted the penalty to win the match and the cup 3-0. A breathtaking final, that will take some beating in the years to come.
The awards were presented by Amora Hotels & Resorts Group Director Mr. Narej Farik along with 11s CEO Mr. Dilip Kumar and Whitesmiths John O Brian. Koji Tokumasu of Japan Rugby fame was on hand to present the Women’s Champions Trophy.
The Asia Center Foundation was on hand all weekend raising funds for the Scholarship program and the afternoon show to thank sponsors and supporters, brought tears to the eye. If you want to know more about the foundation contact Roelien Muller on roemuthai@gmail.com.
The weekends winners at the 2024 Amora Hotels & Resorts Phuket International Dimbulla Rugby 11s
Men’s Open Champions – Bank Maumalat Bullets – Malaysia
Women’s Open Champions – Sandy Bay Phoonanis – Hong Kong
Coffin Dodgers O 35s Champions – Barrelhouse Rugby Club – UAE
One Foot in the Grave O 45s Champions – Taipei Silverbacks – Taipei
Men’s Plate Winners – Pronto Rugby – UK
Women’s Plate Winners – SEA Babarians/ Kafrine Lacour – Reunion (Shared)
Men’s Bowl Winner – Southerners Rugby Club – Thailand
Men’s Shield Winners – Swamp Dogs Rugby – Australia
One Foot in the Grave Plate Winners – Pally Pigs – Australia
One Foot in the Grave Bowl Winners – San Miguel Wanderers Wrinklies – Singapore
Coffin Dodgers O 35s Bowl Winners – Phuket Viagrabonds – Thailand
Coffin Dodgers O 35s Plate Winners – BROB Parametric Peregrine – Malaysia
Tour Virgin Beauty Pageant winners – Pally Pigs – Australia
Men’s Player of the Tournament – Muhamad Nilam – Bullets
Women’s Player of the Tournament – Mandy Lam – Sandy Bay Phoonanis
O35s Player of the Tournament – Kurt Michael – Barrelhouse Rugby
O45s Player of the Tournament – Dave Lee – Taipei Silverbacks
We would like to thank the sponsors for the weekend. Amora Hotels and Resorts. Dimbulla Estate. Whitesmiths. The Aussie Bar Patong. Athen Siam Co Ltd. Phuket News. Hell Energy Drink. Bangkok Siriroj Hospital with James Cawood and his medical team. The Fourpoints Sheraton for sponsoring the refs and providing the food trucks. Macoocoo Tournament Management systems. Big thanks to Jean Luc and his team of officials who put in a huge shift all weekend. Thanks to Anthony and the Vagabonds for providing a quality venue. To Kai, Bubble Bee and the team for providing refreshments during the weekend.
Next up for 11s Rugby
Amora Hotels & Resorts Da Nang International Rugby 11s – 31 August 1st September
Colombo International Rugby 11s – 26-27 October
Amora Hotels & Resorts Chiang Mai International Rugby 11s – 23-24 November
