This year Chiang Mai & Northern Rugby were well represented with the Chiang Mai Cobras, CNX All Stars and Lanna Rugby Club, all entering teams. The format was a little different with 14 teams divided into 2 groups of 7. Each team would play the other with the top 4 finishers in each group playing off for a trophy.
The CNX All Stars got the proceedings under way with a 17-5 victory against the BOAB Vikings from Australia. Followed up by a close loss 7-5 to the Bangkok Japanese. In the 3rd game they took out the Phuket Vagabonds in a feisty game 19-7. In the fourth game, Surin Nation were the opposition and a fine All Stars performance saw them prevail 10-0. A tougher game was expected against the French Asian Barbarians (FOBs), but youth and exuberance with the energy and that desire to win was too much for and aged and depleted FABs side and they went down fighting 19-0. That left the CNX lads playing against tournament favourites Southerners Gold, for a place in the cup final. The Southerners were too strong and relegated the All Stars to a Plate Play Off final against the Bangkok Bangers after losing 19-0.
The Cobras had a mixed tournament, playing some sublime rugby at times but unable to close out games they should have won. A 22-0 win over the BC Legends and a hard fought 12-7 win over the hosts, Pattaya Panthers, set up the day wonderfully. However consecutive defeats against the Southerners Black, 17-5, Lanna Rugby Club, 10-0 and the Bangkok Bangers 7-5, in games that could have been won, tarnished the previous good work. The final group game was against the Hong Kong Scottish. After leading 10-0 at half time, the Cobras were lucky to hold on for the draw 10-10 after a strong fightback by the HK guys. This meant that the Cobras would play for the Shield against the Surin Nation. After a half which saw the Surin guys play some of their best rugby of the weekend, the Cobras were down 10-0. With Josh Lim leading from the front, the Cobras clawed their way back into the game, eventually running out 15-10 winners and Shield Champions.
A great advertisement for Chiang Mai Rugby, to have 3 teams and close to 70 players representing the province and returning with accolades. Congratulations to the Pattaya Panthers organisers for a job well done and to the Southerners Gold for being crowned Champions. Next up is the Phuket International Rugby 11s for the CNX Cobras 6-8 June where they will field a vets & men’s open side.
The Chiang Mai Rugby 11s League is due to kick off in July followed in November by the TRU North CNX Cobras Chiang Mai International Rugby 11s. The Lanna Rugby 7’s is scheduled for September and the national 7s Championships in October. Plenty of rugby coming your way through to the end of the year.
