Cebu’s promising youngsters closing the gap on big city rivals

Manila Nomads were forced to dig deep last Saturday as the Cebu Dragons sensed they might have the chance of causing an upset. In the end the tiring veteran pack, supported by a far more youthful backline showed resolute defence to hold on for a 31-21 win.

It had been the visiting Nomads, who seemed to be giving the Extinct Volcanoes pack a run-out prior to their trip to the Bangkok Tens Veterans competition later this month, who gained more possession early in the game. Belying the fact that their average age was a shade over forty, the Nomads forwards were rampant in the early exchanges and good support play saw them take the lead through a converted Theo Ashton try.

Cebu Dragons

Their lead was to be short lived however, as Dragons scrum-half Jerry Branzuela picked up ball from a back-pedalling scrum and fed full-back Noel Flowers to exploit an exposed blindside. Flowers then showed that he still has plenty of gas left in the tank and out-paced the Nomads covering defence to run under the posts and ensure the successful conversion brought the scores level.

The remainder of the half saw both sides battle to gain the upper hand. Nomads with a bench consisting of only two spare prop forwards, were forced to work hard and their task was made all the more difficult by a Cebu side who were strong in the tackle and clearly fancied their chances of putting one over their more experienced opponents. National team prospect Lester Loma and former Tongan rugby league star Hola Iketau, both put in some crunching hits and their aggression, along with the confidence of both Flowers and Branzuela, inspired the rest of the Dragons to raise their game.

Referee Phil Mounsey, as much as was possible, allowed both teams to play an expansive game, however some of the contests for possession at the breakdown were open to interpretation and the rules surrounding this facet of play must surely be amended in the near future (for an interesting article on this topic click here).

Late in the half Barberis broke on the left flank and good support play from Phil Gittus, saw captain Aaron Briddon fed through a gap, to run under the posts and nudge Nomads back in front.

With only a slender lead and Jim Garwood now sidelined with a nasty head wound, the visitors drafted former Nomad Pascal Goujon onto the bench for the second period.

Immediately after the break Nomads hit a purple patch, running in three tries within five minutes and ultimately sealing their win. First the ‘boy’ of the Nomads pack Maxwell Stewart, at a mere 36 years of age, was put away wide on the left by Alex Patrick. Next Ashton bagged his second, before Bobby Pitts, who is fast becoming the Nomads playmaker, added his deserved contribution.

Now 31-7 down, a side with less pride and self-belief would have capitulated. However the Cebu Dragons are no such side and they now began to increase the intensity of their game and take advantage of the wearying Nomad’s legs.

Their revival was sparked from an unexpected source. Matt Aspergen, a Nebraskan living in Cebu, was introduced to the game immediately after the final Nomad’s try. He fielded the re-start, his first touch of the ball in a Dragons shirt, sidestepped the oncoming Nomad’s player and proceeded to weave his way through the entire team to touch down and breathe life back into his new team.

With renewed heart the Dragons pressed hard for the remainder of the game and were rewarded when the visitors defence cracked just before the final whistle, allowing Flowers to add his second try of the afternoon.

The final score of 31-21 would have pleased Nomads and this fact in itself is a huge compliment to the ever improving Dragons. Although the visitors were by far the more experienced side, they were light on numbers and the excesses of their Friday night revelries may have contributed to a no more than average showing on their part.

Dragons can take much heart from this performance. They are a predominantly Filipino team who have come on leaps and bounds, in the most part through their own efforts. They must be given the opportunity for more regular competition with other teams in the Philippines.

Text with assistance from: Phil Mounsey