RYDE 'A' WIN PLATE WHILST OLD RYDIANS CLAIM HONOURS!!!!
Contrary to local rumour Ryde Rugby Club is alive and thriving. They hosted
their annual Beach Rugby 7's at Appley Beach on Saturday and it was, by popular
consent, the best yet. With ten sides competing for honours it was a busy
schedule with two preliminary pools of five teams playing on two pitches; the
assembling fleets of Naval shipping producing a splendid back-drop to the days'
events
In warm, but mercifully overcast, conditions each and every game was a
full-on spectacle of speed, skill, and bruising contact with no quarter asked or
given. Tournament favourites, 32nd Army Regiment, stormed through
their half of the draw to win their group. Meanwhile, in the other half of the
draw, the dark horses of Old Rydians were quietly battering every other side
into submission to set up an intriguing final.
This turned out to be an absorbing clash with the two sides exquisitely well
matched. The Army set the early tempo with savage assaults on Rydians line.
Rydians absorbed it all and countered toward the end of the half. It turned
round all square, with three tries each, but with Rydians looking the stronger.
The second half saw Rydians simply refusing to give ground. They both bludgeoned
and finessed their way into a four try lead before surrendering a consolation
try in the final play to give a 7 - 4 result.
Hosts, Ryde RUFC `A', won the plate competition demonstrating just how far
they had evolved as a team with a particularly satisfying win over local rivals,
Hurricanes, in the pool matches. Ryde RUFC `B' were runners up in their pool
loosing out by just a single try to Army `B' the final score standing at 4 - 3.
The Warrens Design Limited player of the day award went to Ryde `A' star Simon
Maine for an outstanding display of all round talent.
Everyone attending expressed the wish to return next year for what is
becoming a fixture in the rugby calendar.
Clubs Attended include:
Overton
Paxton Pumas
Fareham Heathens
Old Rydians
32 Regiment
Isle of Wight
Sandown & Shanklin
Ryde RUFC wishes to thank the Isle of Wight Council, the
Royal British Legion Ryde Festival committee, and Adams-Morey for all their
support. Special thanks go to:
Warrens Display Limited
for their generous
sponsorship.
RFU.com 
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