Nomads bag first victory in regional tournament

April 10, 2012 | Share

In the first ever match of the South East Asian Club Cup, Manila Nomads required a gargantuan team effort to overcome a well-drilled and tenacious visiting Jakarta Komodos.

Within the Nomads ranks, the early season opportunity to play 15’s was universally welcomed. The vast majority of the club’s players have been brought up on this version of the game and with massive competition for first team places this year, it was no surprise that throughout the entire squad, there was a real buzz and their enthusiasm was plain to see.

The Komodos had only travelled with seventeen players and the empty seats on the bench were taken up by some members of the Manila Hapons. In charge of the game was Harry Wang, newly appointed member of the Asian Referees Panel; as the game progressed, it became clear that he was an official, of a standard the visitors were not used to.

In the opening 15 minutes, both teams set out their stalls and there was no doubt even at this early stage in proceedings that this was not going to be a runaway victory for either side.

On 14 minutes a well worked back-line move saw local hero Danny Williams put over by a perfectly timed pass from Philippine international Sevens player and captain Jon Morales. Williams, who had played 90 minutes of football in the National Premiership only two hours before kick-off, calmly slotted the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Unfortunately a freak accident as the last pass was completed forced Morales from the field having sustained a broken and dislocated finger.

Whether it was their captain’s departure, a lapse in the Nomad’s concentration, or the steely determination of the visitors to get straight back into the game, the crowd did not have to wait long for the next score. Nomads failed to field the restart and then worse still, failed to clear their lines, instead choosing to throw out a speculative pass on their own 5 metre line. The result was a try to the Komodos, courtesy of the scavenging Martijn Decker.

A William’s penalty midway through the half put Nomads 10-5 up, but it was the Komodos, despite being forced to live off scraps of possession, who led at the half-time whistle. A loose pass in midfield was well anticipated by the visiting captain Gareth Rae, who sprinted over from some 35 metres out and then bagged the extras for a narrow 12-10 lead.

Nomad’s forwards, many of whom were at their peak not last decade or even the previous one, but in the eighties, were magnificent all day. The early season fitness work is clearly paying dividends and they dominated proceedings in the loose and in the tight. This is not to say that in any way the Komodos were rolling over and as the second half progressed, their refusal to lie down, brought respect and admiration from the local spectators.

A Komodo’s penalty only minutes into the second period, widened the gap to five points, before Nomad’s pocket dynamo Eric Savina, on his fortieth birthday, (and still by some distance only the third oldest starting forward) proved what an asset he is to the home team’s ranks, crossing the line to level the scores.

Savina, as oft times before seemed to defy the laws of physics throughout the game, managing to consistently get the upper hand of far bigger opponents. If his personal effort and determination could be bottled, the club could make a fortune.

Fifteen a piece, with thirty minutes to play. This was exactly what the organisers of this five team regional tournament had hoped for and it was to take another eighteen minutes before Nomads could finally edge ahead and then round of the victory with a flourish. The visitors sustained several game-ending injuries, but still they soldiered on, with the replacements stepping up to the task valiantly.

Two Williams’s penalties took his personal tally for the day to eighteen and then hard running, hard tackling full-back Sam Fogg, yet again stuck two fingers up to those who think he’s just a pretty boy, by capping a solid performance with a try two minutes from the death.

The final outcome was a 28-15 win for Nomads, but there is no doubt that home advantage, certainly in terms of availability of players, will play a large part in determining results. Any team who can pick up points on the road will make a huge step towards being the first to be crowned club champions of South East Asia.

For Nomads this was a most satisfying win and one of the biggest bonuses for coach Phil Gittus,was that he was able to utilise his entire bench, with no real disruption to the pattern of play. In Barberis and Kesterton they have two safe pairs of hands in the line-out, the scrum is solid and throughout the forwards there is an ever-growing confidence, which will compliment their natural abrasiveness. Out wide Williams is a class act and it will not be too long before their youthful three-quarters really click and the team add a more expansive dimension to their game-plan. - Phil Gittus

LAWN BOWLS President’s Cup

The President’s Cup had 8 teams of 4 last February 11 which the “B” team winning the Championship trophy. The members of the B team consist of Andy Caldwell, Conny Dolonius, Iain Sinclair and NoiNoi. Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the participants. The rest of the story for the Bar Team as defending champions is history... they did not win a game and some of the team did not even last the event.....!! - Paul Bleckly

Swiss Lions win VETS Tourney

The 2012 Annual International Seven-A-Side Veterans’ Football Tournament, sponsored by Sinclair James, Astoca, International SOS and Howzat, took place at Nomad Sports Club on the weekend of 25th and 26th February, 2012.

A total of 16 teams competed in the main competition and in the Henrik Lorenz Plate. Flying the flag for the Philippines were teams from Nomads, Cebu, ADB , Manila All Japan, German Cranes, Dorsoduro FC and Howzat. Six countries were represented including teams from Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

The tournament followed the tried and tested format with the Saturday games devoted to the group stages, involving 16 teams in 4 groups of four. The top teams in each group would advance to the main The Albert Robert Cup competition on Sunday, while the lower placed teams would battle it out for the consolation trophy, Henrik Lorenz Plate.

After the 24 group games had been completed on the Saturday, the line up for Sunday’s knock out games had been settled. The Nomads team had high hopes in this tournament but surprisingly finished 3rd in their group which put them into the plate competition. They had lost their final game on the Saturday 2v0 despite creating more chances than their opponents, Singapore Swiss Lions.

Notable teams that made it to the Albert Robert Cup were Athletico De Wanchai, Anatolia Bangkok who were fancied, Beijing Real Ancient and the ever dangerous Hong Kong Mobsters. Sunday awoke to more sunny skies and the day was duly set up for the players and spectators to witness the climax of the Vets tournament with all matches in the Cup and Plate now down to head to head knock out games.

The goals flowed on Sunday’s knock out matches with many of these having to be decided by a penalty shoot out. In a tense and absorbing Cup battle between the heavily fancied H.K. Mobsters and Anatolia Bangkok, Mobsters looked to be cruising until Anatolia Bangkok pulled their goalie out to make six out field players. He duly scored and then went onto deny Mobsters in a penalty shootout.

A series of hard fought and competitive matches resulted in a strong Cup semi final line up of the Athletico De Wanchai, Beijing Real Ancient, Anatolia Bangkok and Singapore Swiss Lions who’d surprised Nomads Vets on the Saturday.

Unfortunately there was no place for Nomads this year. The eagerly awaited semi final battle between Beijing R.A and Wanchai, Beijing won a close game 2 – 1. They would face the Singapore Swiss Lions who overcame Anatolia Bangkok in a penalty shootout with the Singapore keeper performing heroics.

In the Plate competition, the Nomads Vets had managed to book themselves a place in the final against the Hong Kong Swiss after impressively defeating ADB 4 – 0 in the semi-final. Indeed the Nomads team looked very determined to make up for the disappointment of the day before. The Hong Kong Swiss XI had beaten a very spirited Dorsoduro F.C. team in the semi-final to set up their showdown with the Nomads.

The Finals of the two competitions proved to be worth the wait. In the Plate Final, Nomads Vets ran out convincing 1-0 winners over the Hong Kong Swiss XI with none other than Mark Cocks coming out of retirement to poach the winning goal, to be fair, he hit it really well! Nomads deservedly collected the Henrik Lorenz Plate.

In the Albert Robert Cup, the Singapore Swiss Lions won a very dramatic penalty shootout. Beijing Real Ancient had dominated the game but could not find a way past the Singapore keeper who was an inspiring form as he had been thorough out the tournament. You couldn’t help but feel sorry for Beijing Real Ancient as they have been in three finals and are as yet to win one. In the end, Singapore Swiss Lions lifted the Albert Robert Cup 2012 in their debut season.

It had been a great weekend of football and as the trophies were presented to the winners and the crowds dispersed, there was a collective reflection that this had been a good weekend. The weather was kind, there were goals and saves galore, the beer flowed, the Vets limped on, the Pie and Mushy Peas were scoffed, Bill and Dave crooned, the Refs were always right/wrong, Albie spoke briefly and the best team won, well, certainly the best goalkeeper!

Note: Congratulations and thanks to the tournament committee, the sponsors, the players, Nomads staff and officials for a great weekend and see you next year! – Shane Cosgrove

Nomads StretchMarks FC needs players

Nomad Women’s Soccer team is entering in the first official women’s soccer league under WFL (Weekend Futbol League). WFL is putting together a league consisting of 4 to 6 open ladies teams and are expecting to play their fixtures each weekend.

The current Nomads StretchMarks Team (consisting of mums and youngsters from Nomads) have been training for the last year at Nomads. When the call came if they were interested in joining a proper league, they immediately jumped at the chance. They shot off to a good start, chasing sponsors, getting playing uniforms sorted etc so they are good to go.

They train usually on Mondays / Wednesday s / Fridays (subject to field availability and change) under the professional coaching of Eric Antione.

They are still looking for new players to join and train.

Anyone interested in joining the Nomads Womens Football team should contact Mon Hannam (09162613447 / monhannam@me.com) or Joanna Goita 09209102827 /joanna_goitia@hotmail.com). – Mon Hannam

NOMADS FOOTBALL

Nomads Auction Manila currently sit 6th in the UFL Division 1 table with 5 points from 6 games.

A tough 3-1 loss to top of the table Kaya FC on Wednesday means we have won 1, lost 3 and drawn 2.

Next on the agenda is the two Younghusbands and Meralco Loyola who are second in the league.

We have two more quick games v Stallions and Green Archers then Nomads are on tour to Bangkok over Easter weekend. We have an open age team in the 11 a side an old man’s team in the 7 a side vets. - Mic Denison