Vets Triumph in Coffin Dodgers O35s Plate Final – Opens Finish 4th in Competitive Opens Division
The Alan Cook Ground was again the venue over the weekend of 6-7 June for the 2025 Aussie Bar Phuket International Rugby 11s tournament. In the lead up during the week there were heavy monsoon storms so it was going to be perfect rugby playing weather.
Many teams such as the Pronto Rugby UK, Moorabbin Rams (Aus), Prebbleton Dinos(NZ) and the Groote Eylandte Mudchooks (Aus), sent in advanced recon teams to secure their watering holes for the lads that were to follow. A commendable plan, though the advanced parties were looking pretty jaded by the time the others arrived, they were, of course, shown no mercy by their comrades so rest & recuperation was out the window!
The Cobras advanced party, consisting of Chair, Dave McRitchie & JB Brown arrived on Thursday June 5th , along with the early arrival of Mark “Bomber” Harris, the stage was set for the Cobras vets to take on the Coffin Dodgers O35s Division. The Cobras Open team were due to arrive Friday, competing in a strong Open division.
Day one of the Phuket Rugby 11s is aways a fun day with the Athena Siam Coffin Dodgers O35s & One Foot in the Grave O45s Vets tournaments. This year the O45s were playing for the Carel Schutte Cup in commemoration of the legendary Kriel Roosters manager Carrel Schutte, who brought the South African side over and helped create a golden era for the tournament whit the rivalry between the Roosters & the Moorabbin Rams over a 5-year period helping put the tournament on the world map.
It was last year’s Coffin Dodgers runners up, Pronto Rugby UK, who started proceedings with a hard fought 10-0 win over tournament debutants, Kamesenryu Rugby Club from Japan. The aptly named Muddy Buffalos, were unlucky to go down 7-0 to the Prebbleton Dinos and the home team, Phuket Viagrabonds, came through 10-5 against a plucky Chiang Mai Cobras side. In round 2 matches the Kiwis Dinos side were unlucky to go down to Pronto UK 7-5 whilst the Buffalos got the better of the Kamesenryu lads 7-0. The Viagrabonds went down to the Dubai Barbarians 14-0.
With the weather showing signs of clearing up and the sun beginning to shine through between the showers, the Pronto lads took control of their group with a 19-5 win over the Muddy B’s, whilst the Dinos & Kamesenryu played out an entertaining 14-14 draw. The CNX Cobras were again on the wrong end of the score line, going down 7-0 to a classy Dubai Baba’s side, before bouncing back to defeat the Dinos 5-0 in their Cup quarter game. In the other quarter final games, Dubai had a strong showing against Kamesenryu 31-5. Pronto Rugby just scraped through in the cup semi beating the Phuket Viagrabonds 7-0, whilst CNX Cobras went down to the Dubai Baba’s side, 19-0.
In the Bowl Final the Kiwi Prebbleton Dinos were too strong for the Muddy Buffalos 12-0. The Chiang Mai Cobras won the plate by the same score against the Viagrabonds. The cup final was a torrid affair with Pronto Rugby and the Dubai Baba’s giving no quarter. In a topsy turvy high quality game, Ponto Rugby came out on top 14-7, to win the trophy that eluded them last year.
The men’s open division started out with Group A action with the UUDS Tuskers, a team of Sri Lankan & Fijian expats based in the UAE, taking on the local Phang Nga Rugby Club. The young Thai lads were excited to take on such iconic rugby players and put heart and sole into the game. Unfortunately for them the bigger, faster and more skillful Tuskers showed no mercy and blew them away 40-0. The beauty of the game was on show as the Thai lads had selfies and swapped contacts. The Tuskers would go through the group games undefeated to make the Cup semifinal, defeating a gallant Chiang Mai Cobras side 19-0 making the cup final as firm favourites. Another team making their debut, the Peak Baba’s, a rugby academy from Hong Kong, showed good form to finish second in the group stages whilst Seoul Survivors from Korea and the Phang Nga lads filled out the minor positions.
In Group B, Pronto Rugby UK had some tough encounters against the Chiang Mai Cobras, 12-0 & the home town Phuket Vagabonds side 5-0, before brushing aside the Groote Eylandt Mudchooks to finish unbeaten to top the group. The CNX Cobras finished a creditable second by virtue of a one-point score differential over the Vagabonds with the Mudchooks propping up the group.
In the minor finals the Groote Eylandt Mudchooks took the Shield, and the Seoul Survivors defeated the Phuket Vagabonds to win the bowl. The plate final was a close game with the Pronto Rugby UK just getting over the line 5-0 against an ever improving Chiang Mai Cobras team.
The Cup final saw the Peak Baba’s up against the UUDS Tuskers with both teams putting on a show. The Tuskers went hard from the start and their flowing rugby, offloads and intricate passing saw them take the lead in a dominant first half performance. The Peak lads came out strong in the second half to reduce the deficit and put some doubt in the Tuskers minds. Constant infringements by the UUDS boys gave the Baba’s field position and saw them further reduce the deficit. The Peak boys pushed hard looking to tie the game up but turnover ball in the midfield let the Tuskers backs loose, to turn on all the skills and score a match winning try under the posts with a final score of 28-12.
A fitting end to a weekend that had it all from torrential rain, sunshine, excitement, on and off the pitch, a classic women’s boat race and a wonderful show performance by the Asia Center Foundation scholarship children, thanking all their sponsors and the wider rugby community.
Chairman Dave had this to say about another successful Cobras tour,
“Another great tournament Phuket International Rugby 11s. Cobras Rugby Chiang Mai entered two teams, one vets and one open side. The vets took the field Friday and played in a tough pool. Highlights included Bomber taking the pitch as well as Chao. Strong work by JB and Matty throughout the day. Capped of by a win against Prebbleton. The Vets went on to beat the Phuket Viagrabonds in the Coffin Dodgers O35s Vets plate final. Our open side captained by Josh Lim, played valiantly all day Saturday against some strong opposition including the tournament winners Tuskers. Their never quit attitude prevailed throughout the tournament with the help of some friends from Southerners and our three LY lads, Harry Norman, Jack Bray and Josh Allard. We were runner’s up in the plate final against a larger and highly experienced Pronto Rugby from the UK. Overall, it was a brilliant weekend of rugby for our club. New friends were made, old friendships renewed and respect was earned by the work of our young club. Our sincere gratitude to our sponsors, families and friends who make this all possible”
The 2025 Aussie Bar Phuket International Rugby 11s committee would like to thank
- Jean Luc our 11s tournament official manager and his team of dedicated referees who stood tall in trying conditions to bring continuity and quality refereeing to the party.
- Roelien Muller and the Asia Center Foundation for all the hard work they do throughout the year. If you are interested in finding out more or sponsoring a child or making a donation contact Roelien on roemuthai@gmail.com
- Baramee Resortel & Events for supplying quality food over the weekend.
- Khun James Carwood and his team from the Bangkok Hospital Siriroj for providing medical services.
- Tournament Management provider Macoocoo.com, the best tournament management system ever!
- Hans at New Madic Media for the excellent quality livestream production.
- Ant and his staff at the ACG. Neil for doing a great job in monsoon conditions, keeping the pitch playable.
- Huw Butler & Athena Siam
- Steven Wood and the Aussie Bar Phuket for always being there, supporting the tournament and rugby in Phuket over the last 25 odd years.
- Thank you to Bubble Bee, Kai, Kik and all the support team that makes everything run smooth.
- Finally massive kudos to you, the teams and supporters who make the tournament possible and who’s engagement whatever the weather makes it one of the most enjoyable tournaments in the region.
“There’s no better sportsmanship than rugby. You will shake the hand of the guy who just flattened you.”
See you all in 2026.
