Post Season Tour Matches

Saturday, April 9th 2005
Paphos Tigers 31 - Oxford University Officer Training Corps 27

The Tigers traveled to Akrotiri last Saturday to play The Army Officer Corps, a group of young under-graduates from the UK.
After 6 minutes of play and 10-0 down a comment from the supporters summed up the performance so far “ I think the Lads are still on the coach” ! Slowly waking up the Tigers clawed their way back into the game and with tries from Tony Thoma and Marios Shataoola and half-time came with them trailing 12-17.
8 minutes into the second-half and George Agathocleous crashed over for a try, Cone converting, and the Tigers had a slender 2 point lead. The Tigers pack were now working well and began to dominate but the advantage in the scrum was soon nullified when the UTOC lost a prop and set piece scrums were uncontested. This was the real wake up call and soon Tony Thoma was over for another try from a clever quick penalty. A few minutes later and brother Chris touched down and the score looked comfortable at 31-22. The fit and quick young men from the UK had other ideas and soon the score was 31-27. As the clock ran down the Tigers pinned the UTOC in their own half but the tension remained high to the final whistle.

Tuesday, April 19th 2005
Paphos Fangs Vets 12 - Mad Dogs Vets (UK) 12

In a rather fiercely contested Vets game that surprised everyone with the pace and stamina shown by both Vets sides, it was only fitting that the game ended in a draw, as there were no losers on the field that night.

The game was free flowing and the lead changed hands time after time, keeping the spectators on the edge of their seats (even though half of them were practically standing on the field!).

This was a taste of what to expect on Thursday when the two 1st teams play each other.

Thursday, April 21st 2005
Paphos Tigers 15 - Mad Dogs (UK) 13

In a game of two halves, the Tigers came from 13 - 0 down at the break to run out 15 - 13 winners. The Tigers showed that size does not matter, as their smaller pack dominated the bigger and heavier Mad Dog pack, both in the tight and in the loose.

It was a very physical game with big hits, strong driving and excellent defense from both teams.

The two tries for the Tigers were scored by George Agathocleous and Dimitri Maratheftis, with Cone kicking a conversion and a penalty.

 Paphos Tigers V Nicosia Barbarians

This match was expected to be hard and close, we were not disappointed. The game was played on a cool but very windy day making conditions tricky for both sides.1st half: 6th minute, Tigers score a try in the corner with Gideon touching down. Barbarians rise to the challenge and up the tempo putting Tigers on the defensive for almost the rest of the first half, Tigers defence held firm with exceptional work being done by Chris and Mike Thoma.
2nd half:  3rd minute and Barbarians kick a penalty, 17th minute and Barbarians pick up on a Tigers mistake and score in the corner to take the lead 8-5. Tigers dig deep being rewarded with a great try from Mark Atkinson in the 27 minute after Barbarians gave away a penalty and Dimitri Maratheftis threw a superb long pass to exploit the Barbarians disorganisation, Tony Thoma just missing the conversion.

The match was enjoyed by some 250 spectators, who yet again managed to consume all the Tiger Burgers and Dogs superbly prepared by John and Colin."Deano" was awarded the man of the match award by Rona owner of Artio's Brasserie our main Sponsor. Dai Taylor was awarded a special drink from the Tigers symbol of life for his sterling work in the front row after not having played for 9 years.

Winning this game secured the Championship for the Tigers with an unassailable lead!

 Paphos Tigers Break their Record !

Saturday, January 29th 2005
Paphos Tigers 138 - Limassol Crusaders 0

The Tigers outclassed Crusaders on Saturday with Tigers winger Andreas Themistocleous scoring 5 tries! The traffic was all one way although Crusaders showed great courage and perseverance under heavy pressure from Tigers. The home team have improved steadily over the season and their hard work at training is obviously  paying dividends.

It was a great afternoon at the Cypria Maris ground with the Tigers sporting a new set of posts thanks to the hard work of Barrie Hattam and Dick Brunyate during the week. 
A good crowd of around 200  enjoyed the increasingly famous 'Tiger Burgers' and liquid refreshment.

Crusaders got some revenge by winning the 'boat race' at the 'Keg' after the game. We shall have to practice harder.

 Ay Nick Stags V Paphos Tigers

On another rainy Saturday the Tigers overcame a tough Stags team to take the points at Famagusta. The injury plagued Tigers were helped by the inclusion of 'Rocko' and Ben Thomas from Nicosia in the pack and were able to get a number of forward drives going. 'Rocko' scored in the first half after a forward charge and Tony Thoma scored a second in similar fashion. By this time ‘Rent a crowd’ were now thoroughly soaked but were cheered up when Cone had a run through the opposition pack and powered over for a good score. Further tries from Chris Thoma and Demitri Maratheftis sealed the win for Tigers. Cone kicked four of the five conversions; this week using a conventional kicking tee instead of his left boot.

The cold and wet crowd were warmed up in the Stags clubhouse and a great evening ensued. The whole of the front row shared the ‘Man of the Match’ award for their powerful performance.

 Akrotiri Flamingos - Paphos Tigers

Saturday, January 8th 2005
Akrotiri Flamingos 6 - Paphos Tigers 21

Tigers won again on a overcast day at Akrotiri. The first half was a scrappy affair with Akrotiri taking an early lead with two penalties. However, the Tigers defence held firm and the home team failed to cross the visitor's line and capitalise on their early pressure.  The Tiger’s forwards could not get their usual driving game started until the second half when the substitution of the experienced Gary Thompson and Deano finally got the pack going.  Tony Thoma peeled from a ruck close to the opponent’s line to score a try to the relief of the frozen Tiger's spectators. The game then livened up with a few flowing moves from the visitors and they were rewarded by two fine tries from three quarter inter-play by Mark Atkinson and Andreas Themistocleous. Cone kicked all conversions in his usual nonchalant manner and has created a new fashion by removing his left boot and using it as a kicking tee.
The Tigers were all warmed up after the game with the Flamingos hospitality and Tony Thoma won ‘Man of the Match’.

 Paphos Tigers' First Loss

Saturday, December 11th 2004
Episkopi Eagles 19 - Paphos Tigers 17

A good crowd of travelling supporters witnessed the Tigers’ first defeat on a wet and miserable day at the misnomered Episkopi Happy Valley Stadium. The game developed into a carbon copy of the first fixture between the two sides where the Tigers’ forwards dominated the tight and the Eagles backs always looked dangerous in broken and open play. However, the Tigers failed to capitalise on their scoring opportunities.

The scoring opened for Tigers with George Agathocleous scoring from a tapped penalty and drive by the pack. There was a reply from the Eagles with a typical searing run from their backs which ended with their winger scoring. Gideon then added to the visitors score by gathering a kick ahead from Speedy and scoring under the posts. The intensity of the game was typified by the Eagles dashing out and charging down the conversion.

The Eagles again replied with another breakaway try and the second half developed into a fierce struggle with the Tigers pack nearly scoring on several occasions but the Eagles defence held firm.

The Eagles then were awarded a penalty try when they capitalised on a Tigers attacking breakdown and kicked ahead. One of their players was impeded close to the Tigers line and the resulting penalty try and conversion put the home side in front.

The Tigers then battled on with one forward surge after another and were finally rewarded with a push over try in the last minute but the wide conversion attempt just shaved the wrong side of the post and the game was won by the jubilant home side in the not so Happy Valley.

The Tigers are now equal top with the Eagles in the league with everything to play for!

George won the man of the match for the Tigers.

 Limassol Crusaders V Paphos Tigers

Saturday, November 27th 2004
Limassol Crusaders - Paphos Tigers 92

Tigers were too powerful for a plucky Limassol side and finished comfortable winners. The forwards provided a steady flow of ball for the Tigers backs who took full advantage by producing some wonderful rugby. The visitors were treated to fine hospitality by the home side after the game.

 Paphos Tigers V Ay Nick Stags

Saturday, November 13th 2004
Paphos Tigers 59 - Ay Nick Stags 3

The Tigers continued their winning ways on Saturday 13^th November by comprehensively beating Ayios Nikolaos Stags. The visitor’s pack was gradually worn down by the Tigers relentless driving mauls and rucks. Victor Ttappous in his first full game performed well and the regular, quality possession from the forwards was fully utilised by the Tiger’s backs who again produced some fine flowing rugby and opened the scoring. The two centres, Michael ‘Speedy’ Maratheftis and Chris Thoma were cutting the opposition defensive line to shreds which resulted in tries for both players. A typical storming run from George Agathocleous resulted in another. The best try of an entertaining game was scored in the second half when Gary Thomson picked up from the back of a ruck and fed Daryl Richards who it turn passed to Mark Atkinson.  Atkinson ran incisively and passed inside to Speedy for a classic touchdown. Further tries by Demitri and Speedy sealed the game. Tony Crassas and Cone kicked conversions well to add further points. The Stags were able to score with a penalty with the last kick of the game.

Speedy was awarded ‘Man of the Match’ for his repeat performance of scoring four tries in the match.

  QLR V Paphos Tigers

Saturday, November 6th 2004
QLR 8 - Paphos Tigers 55

The Tiger’s travelling ‘rent a crowd’ was treated to another fine display of rugby in Dhekalia on Saturday 6^th November. The QLR presented a physically challenging game for the Tigers but the lads showed great composure and gradually dominated after the QLR’s opening score of a penalty. Demitri Maratheftis opened the visitors account after a typical Tigers forward drive. Then it was the turn of the Tigers backs to impress with deft handling and dynamic running by Michael ‘Speedy’ Maratheftis and Gideon Becking finishing off excellent three-quarter tries. The backs were in full flow and the elusive ‘Speedy’ had a field day scoring three tries in 15 minutes! The Tigers pack were again supplemented by Fijians on loan from the UN in Nicosia who also impressed adding their experience and drive to the now efficient visitors pack. Further tries by Phil Batikora, Stavvi, Daryl and a last score again by ‘Speedy’ rounded off the touchdowns. Tony Crassas converted 7 tries and Cone also managed a nonchalant single conversion. The QLR managed one try by their fly half.

Man of the match was Cone for his athletic line-out jumping and general all-round effort. Again, an excellent celebratory sing song on the way home on the bus.

 Paphos Tigers Win Again

Saturday, October 30th 2004
Nicosia Barbarians 0 - Paphos Tigers 41

The lads beat Nicosia Barbarians 41-0 on Saturday  30^th October. The score doesn’t really reflect the intensity of the game as the Tigers took on a Nicosia team that was supplemented with some very able players from the UN detachment in Nicosia. However, the well oiled Tigers driving pack took control and fed the backs who rewarded the pack with two tries from Gideon Becking and one from Tony Crassas. This gave the Tigers a useful lead at half time.

The Tigers ran out in the second half to face a completely changed Nicosia side who had replaced virtually all their players. The lads were unfazed by the change and continued to dominate with excellent driving runs by George and Deano and a couple of guest Fijians from the Army. Cone performed with determination and athleticism in the lineout and disrupted most of the opposition ball. Further tries by Tony Thoma, Cone, one of our Fijians subs’ and Tony Crassas sealed the game for the Tigers in the second half.

Gideon won ‘Man of the Match’ and the now growing crowd of 21 travelling supporters were treated to some fine singing by Richard on the bus trip home!!!! Speedy has been advised not to give up his day job for a singing career.

 Paphos Tigers Win First Game

Saturday, October 23rd 2004
Paphos Tigers 30 - Episkopi Eagles 24

A crowd of around two hundred were at the Cypria Maris Sports Ground on Saturday to witness an exciting and intense rugby game.
They were treated to some dazzling running by the Fijian backs of the Eagles who started strongly with some early scores but Tony Crassas kept the home side in touch with a fine display of kicking. The driving game of the Tigers forwards was rewarded by a try from Tiger’s Captain Tony Thoma which was converted by Crassas. There were many fierce forward encounters but fine work by Thoma, Dean and Burroughs kept the visitors pegged back. The rip roaring game was always finely balanced between the two playing styles of the teams.
The visitors always looked dangerous in open play with their backs producing some sizzling runs and always looked capable of taking the game but the Tigers tenacious forwards denied them possession.
A try in the last ten minutes by Tigers winger Gideon Becking won the day for the Tigers.

Tony Crassas won the ‘Man of the Match’ award chosen and presented by Rona, our sponsor from Artio’s Brasserie.

This was a great day out complete with rugby, hamburgers (Chef John) and liquid refreshment.