Bangkok Lions show their mettle in Singapore

They came, they saw... and they conquered beyond expectations.

The DHL Bangkok Lions junior rugby team have returned victorious from last weekend’s inaugural international rugby tour against the Singapore Centaurs Club in the city state.

In nine games, the Lions recorded six wins, one narrow loss and two exciting draws.

In excess of 200 junior rugby players were involved in the event, and every Bangkok Lion demonstrated a high level of personal commitment, teamwork and spirit. Clearly the last few months of training produced not only scoreboard results but a keen sense of pride.

Both clubs were well supported by hundreds of spectators, who were in turn entertained by a high level of junior rugby and sportsmanship.

Here are some of the highlights.

Fleet footed under nine’s captain Ian Ramsay led his team in scoring four tries, while Max McSherry took the ball and most players from both teams over the line in scoring a memorable try.

Matt Ingram and his under 10s attacked and defended with skill that belied their ages in producing some tremendous flowing rugby to overcome the more experienced Centaurs.

The under 12s combined to produce the tournament’s highest winning margin when they posted 14 tries. Eric Moss, surely one of the region’s most talented juniors, and Dan Buttling stood out in a side full of very strong players.

Club captain Michael Conrad’s under 18s, many of whom were playing above their age, entertained and prevailed through a combination of skill and grit. The ever present Joe Louche was well supported by Robert Hill soaring in the lineouts, while spectators as well as the opposition were in awe of Josh Jones’ covering tackles.

At the ground, the Centaurs provided great hospitality and willing opposition across all teams.

Between games and at the conclusion of the tournament, players, coaches and supporters from both sides were able to meet in a family day atmosphere to discuss rugby in their respective regions.

Centaurs president Tim Lambert congratulated both clubs and commented that the Bangkok Lions had made tremendous progress since being formed in April.

He said the Centaurs would be honoured to make a tour next season to Bangkok.

Lions president Bruce Hill thanked the Centaurs, their coaches and players for the opportunity to compete in Singapore.

However, rumours of his impending knighthood were strongly denied by Hill.

The tour was made possible through the support of Landrover, Chubb, DTC Travel, Diethelm, Food by Phone and the Old Bangkok Bangers.

Two weekends remain of the Bangkok Lions rugby season, with games at the Pattana fields each Saturday morning.

They came. They saw. And they conquered beyond expectation.

The DHL Bangkok Lions junior rugby team returned victorious from last weekend's inaugural international rugby tour against the Singapore Centaurs Club.

In nine games, the Lions recorded six wins, only one narrow loss and two exciting draws. In excess of 200 junior rugby players were involved in the event. Every Bangkok Lion demonstrated a high level of personal commitment, teamwork and spirit. Clearly the last few months training and coaching producing not only scoreboard results but a keen sense of pride.

Both clubs were well supported by hundreds of spectators who were in turn entertained by a high level of junior rugby skills and sportsmanship.

Fleet footed under 9's captain Ian Ramsay led his team in scoring four tries while Max McSherry took the ball and most of both teams over the opposition line for a memorable try.

Mat Ingram and his under 10's attacked and defended with effort belying their ages in producing some tremendous flowing rugby to overcome the more experienced Centaurs.

It was the under 12's who combined to produce the tournament's highest winning margin in scoring a total of 14 tries. Eric Moss, surely one of the region's most talented juniors and Dan Buttling being players of particular note in a great side of very strong junior players.

Club Captain Michael Conrad's under 18's, many of whom were playing above their ages, entertained and prevailed through a combination of skill and grit. The ever-present Joe Louche was well supported by Robert Hill soaring in the lineouts while the spectators as well as the opposition were in awe of Josh Jones' covering tackles.

At the ground the Centaurs provided great hospitality, food and beverages and willing opposition across all teams on the pitch. Between games and at the conclusion players, coaches and supporters from both sides were able to meet in a family day atmosphere to discuss rugby in their respective regions.