Zappia seals hard fought victory

The heavens opened over the Wetengel field a couple of hours before the Philippine Volcanoes eagerly anticipated clash with home side Guam. Although the rain had subsided somewhat prior to the game the slippery condition of the pitch, coupled with their opponents physicality made for an entirely different match up after Wednesdays cruise against Brunei.

The teams had been introduced to VIPs including Norberto ´Boy´ Dinglasan of the Philippine Sports Commission and had faced up to Guam’s Haka, before a partisan crowd of over 500 saw referee Mr. Aso of Japan get the game underway.

Guam came out all guns blazing and dominated the first 15 minutes. Their forward pack were fired up and only committed defence by the Volcanoes ensured no score in this period.

After 20 minutes the Philippines went ahead 3-0 after a successful penalty from full back Oliver Saunders. Having soaked up their opponent’s initial pressure the Volcanoes began to play more expansively however Guam soon levelled the score with a successful penalty following an infringement.

Well into the first half an opportunistic blind side break by scrum half Jake Letts put Harry Morris clear and the Wales based winger showed his pursuers a clean pair of heels. The try went unconverted leaving the score at 8-3. The match remained evenly poised and no quarter was given. Of particular note was an outstanding try saving tackle by No 8 Max Stewart.

Second half

The second half was no less bruising than the first. Both sides put their bodies on the line and the physical demands put on the forwards in particular began to take their toll. Both Max Stewart and Romain Barberis, great servants of the development of the game in the Philippines and the only two none Filipino players in the starting line up were forced to leave the field with injuries.

Midway through the half the Philippines stretched their lead to 13-3 after sustained pressure had seen Matthew Saunders being put through out wide to cross for an unconverted try.

As the Philippines know from recent previous encounters with Guam it is not in their nature to roll over easily and they soon narrowed the gap with a try following a tap penalty close to the Volcanoes line.

The game remained on a knife edge at 13-8 until the late introduction of 18 year old Rupert Zappia who plays his rugby for Paramatta in Sydney. Taking up his position on the left wing and after only 30 seconds on the field he sprinted through to ground a perfectly weighted kick from stand off Oliver Saunders. He followed this up by converting his own try from the left touchline.

The final score stood at 20-8, and both sets of players had given their all, in what at times was not free flowing rugby but could not be faulted for shear grit and determination. The entire Philippine team tackled ferociously, but of particular note were Andrew Wolff, again Man of the Match and the find of the series, and Gareth Holgate who despite having a patchy day kicking out of hand put immense pressure on his opposite number.

The future certainly looks bright for Philippine Rugby, as veterans Stewart and Barberis aside the average age of the starting line up was only 22. The Philippines now await the decision of the Asian 5 Nations Committee as to whether they will be promoted next season. They have certainly given them something to think about.