Sully conquerors in invasion of Prague (From Penarth Times)

Sully conquerors in invasion of Prague

SULLY Sports RFC undertook a successful and enjoyable tour to the Czech Republic last weekend - and the highlight came when they won the rugby tournament hosted by Sparta Prague Rugby Club.

The tournament games consisted of 15-a-side teams playing 20 minutes each way.

In their first game the Sports played Leigh RFC, and it was obvious in the early minutes that both sets of players had enjoyed the Prague nightlife and beer on the two previous evenings.

The Sports scored a converted try halfway through the first period, and added a second before the break.

In the second period they ran amok and scored four more tries, adding three conversions to win 40-0.

Tries: Graham Burke, James Stafford, Leigh Walters (2), Doug Powell and John Thomas.

Conversions: Martyn Young (2) and Doug Powell (3)

In the final, Sparta Prague proved a stronger challenge, with at least a sprinkling of Czech Internationals in their ranks.

The tackling, rucks and mauls were hard with no quarter given, and the hosts had the better of the early exchanges - but the Sports got better as the period went on, and the game was scoreless at the interval.

Within two minutes of the restart winger John Thomas weaved his way over for a try, and two minutes later lock Scott Mills crowned his 55 metre bulldozing run with a try at the posts.

Both tries were converted by Doug Powell and the tournament was won.

The Sports controlled the rest of the game, although right at the death the hosts, Sparta Prague, scored a consolation try to bring the final result to a 14-5 win.

Sully Sports Touring Squad:

Players: M Young, L Walters, J Thomas, A Gaffney, M Gaffney, R Gully, P Mees, M Mees, G Mathews, D Powell, A Williams, J Thomas, N Thomas, S Mills, R Franks, D Russell, John Stafford, James Stafford, W Storey, G Burke, P Wade.

Non-players: R Gallivan, R Owens, T Healey, P George, L Prince, D Ward, G Seldon, M Tadecicco, D Robinson, P Taylor, M Underdown, M Stafford.

The club returns to normality with two more home games and a 10-a-side tournament to close the season.

This Saturday, the visitors to the South Road Clubhouse in Sully are Whiteheads RFC, kick-off 2.30pm.