The weather was cool, but the action was hot as the Dragon Courier CNX International Rugby 11s kicked of at Suthep Stadium on 29 November 2025.
The day kicked off with the old blokes in the vets division going at it, after some heavy socialising the night before. Though bleary eyed and bushy tailed, it didn’t distract from the silly skills and skullduggery, honed over many a year and many a debrief, at the local. The Bangkok Southerners prevailed over a spirited Lanna Rugby Club, and set the tone for the proceedings. With further wins over the CNX Cobras and their 2nd game against the Lanna lads it was the Bangkok Southerners who took the honours defeating a combined Lanna-Cobras team in the final.
In the ladies Open Division, defending champions the Bangkok Banger Belles, opened their defence with a compelling 25-0 win over the Hanoi Dragon Ladies, competing in their first tournament. In the other opener, a resurgent Bangkok Southerners side downed the Local Lionesses 21-5. With both the Belles just getting over the line 5-0 against the Lionesses & the Southerners winning their next game against Hanoi Dragons, it was a make or break game between the two for top spot in the group. In a game that ebbed and flowed, the teams couldn’t be separated at the final whistle 10-10. With both teams finishing on 12 points it was down to points difference and the Southerners had the better by 3 points.
In the semi finals Bangkok Southerners defeated Hanoi & the Lionesses squeezed past the Belles. The final was preceded by a minutes silence and the playing of the Thai National anthem as a show of respect for the recently departed queen mother. The action on the field was intense and only a Southerners’ score at the end of the 2nd half could separate the teams at the end 12-7. A great advert for the ladies game.
In the men’s open, both groups were tightly contested. In Group A, Moni Plus Nova RFC, finished top to go into the Cup Final. The Bangkok Bangers finished 2nd for a crack at the Plate. After a good showing by Lanna Rugby Club in 3rd, they were in the Bowl final, with SWU in the shield and Mae Fah Luang going for the Tea Cup.
Group B Southerners and Hanoi Dragons dominated with Southerners finishing top by virtue of a 7-0 win over Hanoi in the group game. The local Chiang Mai Cobras finished third. After losing 3 games by less than a score, it could have been a different story. Thonburi were into the shield final and the Manila Barbarians, the Tea Cup.
Mae Fah Luang, after a day of impressive performances finally got a win to take home the Tea Cup. Thonburi put in a strong performance to beat SWU and Lanna Rugby Club defeated local rivals Chiang Mai Cobras with a score with the last play to take the Bowl 5-0. The plate was another hotly contested match with the Hanoi Dragons just edging out the Bangkok Bangers.
The Cup Final was a pulsating affair with the lads from Papua New Guinea dominating the Southerners in the first half racing into a 19-0 lead by half time. The second half saw the Southerners getting their hands on the ball and putting together some impressive drives. The Nova team were solid in defence, but with all the pressure coming to bear it was only a matter of team before the Southerners drove over. Game on. The Nova boys, ever the showmen, came bouncing right back and scored the try of the tournament with off loads in the tackle and serious support play, they eventually found a gap to get the final score and be crowned the 2025 Dragon Courier Chiang Mai International Rugby 11s Champions.
Men’s Player of the Tournament
Rudigar Tomati – Moni Plus Nova RFC – Papua New Guinea
Women’s Player of the Tournament
Jeeraporn Peerabunanon – Bangkok Southerners – Thailand
Vet’s Player of the Tournament
Xavier Mahdavian – Bangkok Southerners – Thailand
Men’s Champions
Moni Plus Nova RFC – Papua New Guinea
Women’s Champions
Bangkok Southerners Ladies – Thailand.
Vet’s Champions
Bangkok Southerners – Thailand.
