Gordon Highlanders from Sydney Australia Win the Amora Hotels & Resorts CNX Dimbulla Rugby 11s Tournament
By: Pat Cotter
They didn’t come with kilts & bagpipes, but they did come with grit and determination, which they showed in abundance, to win this year Chiang Mai Rugby 11s Tournament. Travelling from Sydney Australia with 3 colt’s teams, the Gordon squad were coming off a successful shute shield season and using the CNX 11s tournament, as a springboard for their 2025 preseason preparations. With the 2022 & 2023 defending champions, The Hanoi Dragons and the Bangkok Southerners respectively, in the mix, it wouldn’t be an easy route to the final.
23rd-24th November 2024, and Suthep Stadium, set in the foothills around Chiang Mai, was the venue for what turned out to be another thrilling rugby 11s event. Teams from Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam competed over the 2 days in the Men’s Open, Ladies Open & Men’s Vets O35s. The Amora Hotels & Resorts CNX International Dimbulla Rugby 11s was well and truly under way!
After 2 days of solid fast 11s rugby action the Bangkok Bangers Belles took out the Cup after an entertaining final against the Bangkok Southerners Lady’s, in a game that was evenly contested, winning 15-0. The Lanna Rugby Club Lionesses won the women’s plate beating debutantes, the Singapore Wolves 12-7.
In the Vets cup competition, the Chiang Mai Cobras won the men’s vets Cup O35s in a tight game against their old rivals, the Bangkok Bangers Vets 17-14, in a come from behind win. After going behind early in the game, the Cobras stormed back in the second, to score three unanswered tries, clinching it with the last play of the game. The French Asian Barbarians (FABs) took home the Vet’s Plate trophy.
The highlight of the weekend was the men’s open cup final that saw the Gordon Highlanders taking on the Royal Thai Airforce (RTAF) in a highly anticipated contest. In a high-quality game that had pace and technique aplenty, the superior defensive skills and clinical attack from turnover ball, eventually had the Highlanders prevailing 15-0. The Thai Airforce played brilliantly all weekend and they can hold their heads high, and showcasing, some of the amazing rugby talant that is shining in Thailand at the moment. They contributed to a high quality final, against a high quality opposition.
The GRFC Tartans won the men’s Plate in a tough game against the Bangkok Bangers with the game ending 5-5 but the Tartans, by virtue of scoring first, won the match. The GRFC Stags defeated the Bangkok Southerners 15-7 in the bowl final and the Shield, was taken by the Hanoi Dragons, who just prevailed, over the Chiang Mai Cobras 10-7.
Darryn Mathee was the vet’s players of the tournament. Caroline from Bangers Belles was the lady’s player of the tournament and Khun Ben from the Royal Thai Airforce was the men’s.
Thank you to the Bangkok Chiang Mai Hospital, for the medical services, Hell Energy Drink, Whitesmiths Co. Ltd, Dimbulla Estate and the Amora Hotels & Resorts.
Khun Kiattichai Noptakul and his team for the stadium preparation.
Before the three main Cup finals the Wat Sao Hin school, who are the 2 time Thai Wai Kru Champions, put on a Muay Thai Wai Kru show which had everyone cheering and clapping as they went through their routine.
Last but not least, on behalf of Mr. Dilip Kumar, Mr. John O Brien, myself and the Dimbulla 11s Rugby brand, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the teams & supporters and look forward to seeing you all again next year.
Participating Teams
Lady’s: Bangers Belles, Bangers ReBelles, Bangkok Southerners, Lanna Lionesses, Singapore Wolves.
Vets: Bangkok Bangers Vets, Chiang Mai Cobras, French Asian Babarians, Kowloon Auld Dragons (Hong Kong) & Pot Bellied Pigs/KL Tigers (Hong Kong/Malaysia)
Mens Open: Bangkok Bangers, Bangkok Southerners, Chiang Mai Cobras, Gordon Highlanders, Gordon Stags, Gordon Tartan, (Australia), Royal Tha Airforce & Hanoi Dragons (Vietnam).
For more information on Dimbulla 11 Rugby contact info@11srugby.com
