On Saturday at the Paphiakos Stadium Cyprus commenced the opening game of the European international season by annihilating their opponents from Azerbaijan 59-0. While this match would not affect the home side’s promotion hopes, it was essential that they achieved an impressive win, but more importantly emerge without injury; last year Cyprus suffered some severe injuries at the hands of the very powerful Azeris as a result of poor refereeing, which left them weakened for the remaining internationals, however, the Moufflons came through unscathed. In front of a stacked stadium Cyprus had to overcome a massive pack of forwards that unsettled them for some time, but the indiscipline of the visitors led to three infringements that gave the Marcus Holden the opportunity to slot over three penalties giving Cyprus a 9-0 lead in the first 9 minutes. Five minutes later the immaculate Holden scythed through the opposition in a brilliant solo effort to score in the corner. This was followed by a series of close handling moves by the backs enabling the speedy Moufflon captain Tony Thoma to touch down. At this stage the home side began to compensate for the weight and height advantage of the Azeris by skilful tactical play by Tony Thoma and rapid ball gave Gorgeous George Agathocleous, the veteran centre, who can frighten the opposition just by looking at them, a try near the posts which was simply converted by Holden. It was significant that the Azeris had built their game plan around the forwards because they had no answer to the fast and penetrating Moufflon backs. The most effective Azeris players were the two props, Aliyev and Gasimov, who not only dominated in the set pieces but proved to be dangerous in the loose, however, the defence displayed by the Cyprus back row and backs ensured there was no score. The second half saw the home side grind down the opposition and engage in a try-fest leading to tries by Robert Brown, a brilliant effort by Dino Markou, one under the posts by fly-half, Dan Thrasivoulou, another for Gorgeous George, and culminating in a second for the winger Brown: three of these converted by the estimable Holden who was named ‘man of the match’, and justifiably so. Douglas Carlton, the match coach and team manager, Theo Lenos, used their substitutes wisely, capping the young Turkish Cypriot, Burhan Torgut, and making sure that all the overseas Cypriots got in the game. The brave Azeris left the field without scoring but bravely stuck to the task. The match was expertly refereed by Mr. Joop Zandvlie who left the players in no doubt what the consequence of indiscipline would be: three sin bins. Tony Thoma, team captain, expressed his satisfaction with the game: ‘ This is exactly the result we needed before our crucial game against Bosnia at the end of the month. The guys were brilliant’. Johnny Stavrinou, the Federation president elect, who also officiated as touch judge, stated ‘Our team performed magnificently and it was very satisfying to see so many Cypriots turning out to support the national side’. The match was watched by his Excellency Thomas Brady, the Irish Ambassador who has been a stalwart supporter of the national side, and was guest of honour at the celebration dinner. Loukis Pattihis, Federation president, presided at the dinner and paid special tribute to Mr. Brady, presenting him with a Cyprus international shirt for his outstanding support of the Moufflons. Next game Cyprus versus Bosnia at Paphiakos Stadium k.o. 2-30, admission free.

 

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