Dimbulla Estate Rugby 11’s League Rd 2

By Citylife | Wed 6 Sep 2023

Round Two Report

After a week’s delay, the Dimbulla Estate CNX Rugby 11’s League was all set for round 2. With heavy overnight rain dampening the pitch, it didn’t dampen the enthusiasm as the teams assembled, to continue what is becoming a classic league format, that everyone is enjoying.

The first game was CMU Purple/Black v Lanna Rugby Club. Both teams were looking at building on promising performances in Round 1. Lanna were first on the board when a quick penalty by Rufus Whitbooi from his own half, saw the CMU lads out of position. Breaking through to the 22 line the offload to Álvaro Medina saw him break a tackle to go in under the posts. With Whitbooi converting, Lanna were up 7-0 at the break.

The Purple/Black’s started to work their way into the game and put Lanna under sustained pressure, but were unable to get the break through. CMU’s attempted clearing kick didn’t make touch, skewing straight up off the boot and being gleefully gobbled up by Whitbooi, who danced through a static defense to score under the posts. Converting his own try, saw Lanna take a 14-0 lead into half time.

The second half saw CMU creating more and more chances and it was only a matter of time before they finally got over the line. A penalty 5 metres out was taken on and Pongporn (Folk) Piboonsri smashed over the line to register the Purple/Blacks their first score. With the conversion being missed, it was 14-5 Lanna.

Going into the last quarter it was all to play for with CMU in the ascendancy and Lanna beginning to tire. From the kick off, a poor chase from CMU saw Phil Gywther take the ball to the line. Some poor tackling allowed Gywther to power through, and though he was chased all the way to the line, he managed to get it down for a Lanna 19-5 lead. The resulting kick off was an instant replay, this time David Smith breaking through and delivering the bonus point try. For CMU in the space of 2 minutes the game went from being in the balance to game over. To their credit, CMU kept fighting and had the last say when, Dechathorn “Noom” Sumranjai went in at the corner to give them their second. Final score Lanna 24-10.

Lanna Player Coach Matt Hirst said of his team’s performance “It was a frustrating match which we felt never got into a rhythm. We’ll work hard this week to fix some of those problems and go again this Saturday. All credit to CMU Purple Black for their tenacity and never say die attitude. We also wish Dew all the best for a full and speedy recovery”.

The second game of the day was the highly anticipated clash between the CMU Gallant, up for their first game of the league season, against the Chiang Mai All Stars. After a slow start, the Galant’s ran a penalty for a scrum infringement, from their own half and some fancy footwork from Tanawat “Tan” Charuenitiwet, saw him create the space, to race away and score under the posts. The kick went over and the Gallants were leading 7-0.

From an All-Stars scrum centre field, quick hands saw the ball shipped out to the wing and some ineffectual tackling saw Rujipart Tamtamala, brush off two defenders to score. Conversion missed. 5-5 at the break.

The All-Stars realised they were in a game and upped the ante in the second quarter. Some fast-paced attack from both teams kept the crowd entertained, before some slick All-Stars handling in midfield, opened up the gap, which Pudis Sangsu gleefully accepted to speed away and score under the posts. Again, the kick was missed. All stars 10-5.

As the match moved into the second half, the All Stars started to gain control. Gallant fought hard but lack of game time was beginning to tell, as they began to tire. Converted tries by Chatchanan Piaesupong & Thanakit Boonjaroun saw out the game as the All Stars registered their first win of the season, to move into joint second on the ladder.

A great day’s action as we look forward to next week’s matches.

Mike Penistone, the Rugby 11’s coaching consultant said after the day’s action had concluded, that “Good to see team’s improving their attacking play by passing accurately, running straight, and realigning quickly. Winning quick ball at the tackle area makes fast attack possible.”