I realise this is a bit late but I got some press releases from BARLA (British Amateur Rugby League Association). I know its a bit long but please bare with me and have read as it has match reports and results of various matches, including that utmost rarity in Rugby League the 0-0 draw! BARLA are in Dubai for the Dubai Rugby 7s tournament.
Unison BARLA Great Britain Lions and BARLA Bulldogs Head Coach John Fieldhouse has named the captain and vice captains of the respective teams with two days to go to the start of the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens on Thursday 2nd December.
Stand off Lee Gudor of Siddal who was vice captain when the side entered the event last year has been elected to captain and his vice captain will be Trevor Penrose of Skirlaugh when they play in the International Open competition.
Peter Livett of Woolston Rovers, who captained the side here last year, is again in this year’s squad and has retained the captaincy and his number two is Mark Hewitt of West Hull as they compete in the International Veterans event.
On their appointments and prospects the quartet gave their views,
Lee Gudor,
“It’s an honour; there are not many people who have been captain of a BARLA side. The squad are a great bunch of talented lads with great running and ball handling skills and hopefully I can pass on my knowledge from last year to the new lads in this squad.
“We didn’t really get time together last year but this time we have. Having said that we didn’t do to bad with the line outs and scrums. It was the rucks and mauls that let us down. The other thing we struggled with was our body shape in the tackle, we were running in as if we were playing rugby league.
“We have had a lot of coaching this week and prior to coming here to get our body shape right and we should be a lot better this year. We have the talent and our aim is to play to our best and go all the way.”
Trevor Penrose,
“I am over the moon with being made the vice captain of the Lions and will be supporting Lee and the rest of the squad throughout the tour and during competition. Since we arrived here everyone has worked hard in training and what we have had to get used is the heat in the morning and afternoon when we will be playing our games.
We are representing and promoting rugby league in Dubai and are confident that we can give a very good account of ourselves for everyone back home.”
Peter Livett,
“I was captain last year and I’m very proud to have retained the armband this year and hopefully we can do better in the competition this year.
“The preparation side this year for Dubai has been excellent, starting with the Three Counties Championship and the train on selections squad following that. It was short notice for the team last year so we stepped it up and it’s definitely been more organised. We have someone in the squad who also plays rugby union so we have benefitted from his knowledge in the technical aspects of the game.
“Our event is a ten a side competition as we are in the International Veterans competition and I hope the weather and high temperatures don’t work against us. We have some very good lads in the squad who are still playing regular first team rugby league and given the fitness side of our lads we have set a goal to come home with some silverware.”
Mark Hewitt
I’m pleased to been made the vice captain of this squad and there are some great guys in the squad and it’s all set up nicely for us for Thursday when we kick off. The training has and is going well on the technical aspects of rugby union that we need to know about which is the hardest part of the game.
“In league we just get up and play the ball, in union you have got to retain possession of the ball. It’s a must, if you don’t retain you’ll fail but we are getting there. We are all positive here and want to go further than last year and that is our goal.”
BARLA BULLDOGS 0
TPK 0
On a hot sunny morning the BARLA Bulldogs came away with a draw in their opening game of the International Veterans competition with a 0-0 scoreline as they struggled against a technical rugby union side in TPQ who played it the union way.
They concentrated on winning the rucks and mauls and on the back of a lopsided penalty count were camped almost exclusively in the Bulldogs half in the first stanza. It equalled itself in the second half but further penalties and lack of possession saw the Bulldogs under the cosh.
The side as a unit also had to defend manfully on their own line for long periods and were not helped by the sin binning of Gary Woodcock (Crigglestone All Blacks) in the first half and Stephen Long (Egremont Rangers) in the second for harsh technical penalty offences.
TPQ played to their strengths and had half chances to score in the first half when they threw the ball out wide but knocked on scenting the line.
In the second half the Lions Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers) intercepted 60 metres for the line, pinged his ears back and went for the corner. From nowhere TPQ chased back and Perry was tackled metres from the line. Keeping the ball alive he offloaded but the referee deemed a forward pass and back came TPQ.
In fact TPQ could have pinched the game with the last play of the game when Gareth Allum kicked for goal 20 metres out but the ball went wide
BARLA BULLDOGS: 1. Peter Livett (Woolston Rovers), 2. James Bell (Woolston Rovers), 3. Steve Morton (Queens), 4. Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers), 5. James Walker (West Hull), 6. Mark Hewitt (West Hull), 7. Joseph Harte (Bolton Mets), 8. Stephen Long (Egremont Rangers), 9. Johan Windley (West Hull), 10.Andy Eatock (Wigan St Patricks), 11. Terence Reid Crossfields), 12. Gary Woodcock (Crigglestone All Blacks), 13. Paul Dean (Barrow Island), 14. Stephen Reed (Cockermouth Titans), 15. Sean High (Kells).
TPQ: 1. Gareth Allum, 2. Bede Williams, 3. Ian Johnson, 4. Richard Lively, 5. Michael McKnight, 6. Angus Moir, 7. Timothy Nunan, 8. |Paul Rimmer, 9. Aaron Salmon, 10. David Spraggi, 11. Christopher Sullivan, 12. Graham Brookside, 13. Sean Byrne.
BARLA BULLDOGS 33
SHAHRDARI TABRIZ CLUB 5
The BARLA Bulldogs came back with a bang in their second game delighting the well attended crowd with their rugby league running skills to score five tries before conceding a late score to a gallant Shahdari Tabriz Club. How crucial that late try might come back to haunt them will only become clear at the end of the group games as TPQ will play them in their final game.
The Bulldogs scored from the kick off when Andy Eatock (Wigan St Patricks) drove the ball superbly making 30 metres, he then passed the ball out which must have gone through a dozen pair of hands before Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers) found Steve Morton (Queens) out wide who strolled under the posts to make the conversion easier for Perry on 45 seconds.
Perry kicked the goal the first of his four from attempts.
From the restart Tabriz Club got the ball back but dropped it and hooker Johan Windley (West Hull) picked up the loose ball and then hacked it forward, caught the ball and unselfishly passed to captain Peter Livett (Woolston Rovers) to go over after he had drawn the last line of cover to double the lead to 14-0 on 2 minutes.
The Tabriz Club had no answer as the Bulldogs continued to press and they forced them to knock on three minutes later and from the scrum the ball was sent out wide and Morton completed his brace to make it 19-0.
On the last play of the half the Bulldogs forced yet another mistake and Stephen Reed (Cockermouth Titans) picked up the loose ball to go under the posts for a six pointer.
Three minutes into the second half it became 33-0 when winger James Walker (West Hull) finished off another delightful move.
Tabriz Club came back into it and their outstanding player Seamonios Siamaik crossed the whitewash with three minutes remaining after being held a minute earlier.
The Bulldogs continued to press but couldn’t add to their tally but they go into their final qualifying group game tomorrow against the Wooden Spoonists full of confidence as they aim for the top spot in their group and progress into the main part of the draw.
BARLA BULLDOGS: 1. Peter Livett (Woolston Rovers), 2. James Bell (Woolston Rovers), 3. Steve Morton (Queens), 4. Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers), 5. James Walker (West Hull), 6. Mark Hewitt (West Hull), 7. Joseph Harte (Bolton Mets), 8. Stephen Long (Egremont Rangers), 9. Johan Windley (West Hull), 10.Andy Eatock (Wigan St Patricks), 11. Terence Reid (Crossfields), 12. Gary Woodcock (Crigglestone All Blacks), 13. Paul Dean (Barrow Island), 14. Stephen Reed (Cockermouth Titans), 15. Sean High (Kells).
Tries: Morton 45secs, 5, Livett 2, Reed 7, Walker 10
Perry 4/5
SHAHRDARI TABRIZ CLUB: 1.Sadoui Mohamed, 2. Amobi Jamal, 3. Ahrabi Kamol, 4. Afashbar Davinish, 5. Khikbough Farhap, 6. Sardeghi Ghasam, 7. Tabachi Bahran, 8. Seamonios Siamar, 9. Davods Sitons, 10. Narenzi Behranz, 11. Taleb Hosskan, 12. Mirza Mohamed, 13. Hamida Mohamed.
Tries: Siamar 1/1
UNISON BARLA GREAT BRITAIN LIONS 24
KUWAIT SARACENS 12
After having a bye in their first game after the late withdrawal of a side the Unison BARLA Great Britain Lions got onto the field after a five and half wait in the hot sunny weather in Dubai.
In a ding dong first half against the Kuwait Saracens, which saw the sides level at half time the Lions closed out the game with two converted tries in the last four minutes of the game and know that victory over Ukraine tomorrow morning will see them top their group going into the knock out stages in the main competition.
The Lions got off to a sensational start scoring the quickest try of the day after 25 seconds. From the kick off Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh) jumped high to take the ball and instinctively passed it down the blindside to Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons). He passed outside to Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks) seventy metres out. From nothing he burst down the wing and put a delicate chip over the defence. Accelerating past a static defence he collected his kick and scorched down the wing before going under the posts.
But the Saracens hit back on two minutes when they counter attacked, kept the ball alive and Dane Lynch went over in the corner to pull the lead back to two points.
Three minutes later the Saracens took the lead on the back of back to back penalties and from the second a quick tap by Laitia Vateitei saw the ball go out to Lynch who beat the cover and then went under the sticks. Aminiasi Umu added the extras and his side led by two points.
The Lions responded and a bit of magic from skipper Lee Gudor (Siddal) levelled the game up. There seemed nothing on as he took the ball on the halfway line but his sublime chip kick left the Saracens defence flat footed. He hacked the ball on and won the foot race over the tryline. His conversion unluckily hit the post and bounced back into play.
The Saracens had the better of the opening of the second half and were camped on the Lions line and stout defence held them out and they were then undone on the Lions line. Pressing they dropped the ball and Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh) collected the loose ball. He ran crossfield before straightening up to run around the defence going 60 metres before drawing the fullback and passing unselfishly to John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers) went 40 metres untouched under the posts and Gudor’s extras made it 19-12.
This deflated the Saracens as the Lions took control and they cemented the win in the last minute when Brett Phillips ((Seaton Rangers) bust downfield before passing outside to Smith who this time put his winger Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh) in at the corner for their fourth and final try of the game.
UNISON BARLA Great Britain Lions; 1. Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks), 2. Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh), 3. Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh), 4. Rhys Davies (Egremont Rangers), 5. Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders), 6. Lee Gudor (Siddal), 7. Ryan Robinson (Queens), 8. Brett Phillips (Seaton Rangers), 9. Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons), 10 Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh), 11. John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers), 12. Thomas Radley (West Hull).
Tries: Foulstone 30secs, Gudor 7, Brocklebank 10, Johnson 14
Goals: Gudor 2/4
KUWAIT SARACENS: 1. Kaminieli Balesaga, 2.Matthew Hendricks, 3. Dane Lynch, 4. Waldonoordermeer, 5. Saimoni Rokini, 6. Waisake Panoui, 8. Aminiasi Umu, 9. Laitia Vateitei, 10. Amena Vateitei, 11. Josefa Yacokilodoni, 12. Buresova Joeli.
Tries: Lynch 2, 5
Goals: Umu 1/1
The BARLA representative sides got off to a great start today in the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens with the Unison BARLA Great Britain Lions 24-12 victory over the Kuwait Saracens in the International Open competition and the BARLA Bulldogs drew 0-0 with TPQ before hammering Shahdari Tabriz Club 33-5 in the International Veterans competition.
Lions and Bulldogs Head Coach John Fieldhouse gave his thoughts on the opening day of the tournament,
“Unbeaten today so you can’t ask for much more than that one draw, two victories in baking hot conditions it not to warm at home so we are taking all the positives and we hope we are doing our rugby league family proud as ambassadors of the game. Both sides have performed to all my expectations so it’s so far so good.
“The Bulldogs opener was played against a technical rugby union team so they had the edge on us their, that’s why we were penalised so much. Without the ball in hand you can’t score tries in any form of rugby league or union so we did need to get the ball in hand. We didn’t get it although we had a couple of opportunities that we couldn’t take. One a big interception, but we got our just deserts after defending superbly throughout the game.
“In the second game we showed the rugby league style that we can play against a team that wasn’t the best but we did what we needed to do and did the job so that was great.
“I was confident all the way through the Lions opening victory, we have got class, pace but also a little bit of individualism and Pat Foulstone showed that in abundance at the start of the game when I shouted for him to go inside. He did everything I didn’t want him to do but he came up with the right result a try under the sticks.
“If we can play as well tomorrow as we have done today and add a little bit towards that say with individuals performing to their highest standards and getting collectively as a team up to the standard of rugby union rules we will reach the semis and final. If we don’t we will probably fall short but we will see what comes tomorrow.”
BARLA BULLDOGS 7
WOODEN SPOONISTS 15
The BARLA Bulldogs lost their unbeaten record in loss to the Wooden Spoonists; a side packed with former internationals but still went through into the quarter finals of the main International Veterans competition rather than playing in the plate competition.
Only 10-7 down at the break a converted try in the first minute of the second half proved to be their downfall but the whole squad fought to the last minute.
The Bulldogs started off well and forced the Wooden Spoonists to drop out after 30 seconds following a grubber into the ingoal. The Bulldogs continued to press but their lack of experience at line outs told on two minutes.
They had one twenty metres from their own line but the Wooden Spoons won it and immediately threw the ball down the line and Alex Bennett beat the sliding defence in the corner for a 5-0 lead.
On six minutes the lead was doubled following one of many penalties against the Bulldogs and former St Helens winger and Samoa Rugby League Coach Fereti Tuilagi bustled his way over in the opposite corner.
In the final minute of the half the Bulldogs hit back with a magnificent try. There seemed nothing on as Steve Morton (Queens) took a long punt downfield and was thirty metres from his own line. He strode forward and as the cover was coming towards him he accelerated through a hole and left the opposition chasing in his wake as we went under the posts. Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers) added the extras and there was three points in it.
From the restart the Spoonists put pressure on the Bulldogs and got yet another penalty and Bennett went in for his second and Kingsley Jones added the extras.
The Bulldogs tried to reply but they were smothered out by the Wooden Spoonists who got in the faces and try as they did they couldn’t add further points.
BARLA BULLDOGS: 1. Peter Livett (Woolston Rovers), 2. James Bell (Woolston Rovers), 3. Steve Morton (Queens), 4. Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers), 5. James Walker (West Hull), 6. Mark Hewitt (West Hull), 7. Joseph Harte (Bolton Mets), 8. Stephen Long (Egremont Rangers), 9. Johan Windley (West Hull), 10.Andy Eatock (Wigan St Patricks), 11. Terence Reid (Crossfields), 12. Gary Woodcock (Crigglestone All Blacks), 13. Paul Dean (Barrow Island), 14. Stephen Reed (Cockermouth Titans), 15. Sean High (Kells).
Tries: Morton 7
Perry 1/1
WOODEN SPOONISTS: 1. Steve Begley, 2. Alex Bennett, 3. Aaron Collins, 4. Jonathon Hawker, 5. Scott Hutton, 6. Kingsley Jones, 7. Eric Mangiardi, 8. Mark Manton, 9. Peter Mauritzen, 10. Stewart Wayne Morris, 11. Richard Michael Rees, 12. Fereti Tuilagi, 13. George Eleaupepe.
Tries: Bennett 2, 8, Tuilagi 6,
BARLA BULLDOGS 5
CHRISTINA NOBLE VETS 26
The Bulldogs crashed out at the quarter finals stage of the International Veterans competition against the favourites for the competition the Christina Vets which included several international from all over the world including World Cup winner Dan Lugar and former St Helens forward and conditioner Apollo Perelini.
But the Bulldogs gave them a fright as they took the lead after three minutes but were undone by two converted tries in the last two minutes of the half and two second half tries.
The Bulldogs took the game to the Vets and literally legally knocked them out of their strides with busts from the forwards, with Andy Eatock (Wigan St Patricks) and Sean High (Kells) to the fore.
They deservedly took the lead on three minutes following a penalty and a quick tap reaped their rewards as the ball went out wide and Steve Morton (Queens) went in at the corner for a 5-0 lead.
It was nip and tuck as both sides went for it and the Vets struck following a move began by Lugar, Kieron Dawson scored and Richard Smith added the extras on five minutes.
The Vets doubled their score in the last minute with some superb handling as they kept the ball alive and Kenny Yates finished it off.
The Bulldogs tried to battle back but the Vets composure in the mauls and rucks stopped them from getting any good ball to form an attack.
The Vets then showed their class with two tries in a minute. Dave Lougheed took a long ball out wide to score with Smith adding the extras and from the restart they got the ball back and funneled the ball left for Jim Jenner.
The Bulldogs battled gamely but were outdone on the day by a superb outfit and can be proud of their efforts over the last two days albeit it as ended this way.
BARLA BULLDOGS: 1. Peter Livett (Woolston Rovers), 2. James Bell (Woolston Rovers), 3. Steve Morton (Queens), 4. Steve Perry (Roose Pioneers), 5. James Walker (West Hull), 6. Mark Hewitt (West Hull), 7. Joseph Harte (Bolton Mets), 8. Stephen Long (Egremont Rangers), 9. Johan Windley (West Hull), 10.Andy Eatock (Wigan St Patricks), 11. Terence Reid (Crossfields), 12. Gary Woodcock (Crigglestone All Blacks), 13. Paul Dean (Barrow Island), 14. Stephen Reed (Cockermouth Titans), 15. Sean High (Kells).
Tries: Morton 3
CHRISTINA NOBLE VETS: 1. Kevin Yates, 2. Jim Jenner, 3. Isaac Feaunati, 5. Marcus Seuseu, 5. 6. Joss Baxendale, 7. Apollo Perelini, 8. Jon Evans, 9. Dan Luger, 10. Kieron Dawson, 11. Mike Friday, 12. Richard Smith, 13. Chris Sheasby, 14. Dave Lougheed, 17. Tim Stimpson, 18. Mal O’Kelly.
Tries: Dawson 5, Yates 7, Lougheed 10, Jenner 11
Goals: Smith 3/4
UNISON BARLA GREAT BRITAIN LIONS 0
UKRAINE 27
The Lions went down for their first defeat in the tournament but moved into the quarter finals of the International Open competition rather than the plate. To make matters worse they failed to trouble the scorer for the first time since they entered the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens.
They were hit by the penalty count and a try against run of play on the stroke of half time as they battling to get back into the game. Having said that when Ukraine opened up and attacked and were slick with the ball in their hands and scored five unanswered tries.
In the opening minutes following a penalty Ukraine took the lead from the tap by Alexsey Novrreschenos. The ball went to Oleg Kosariev who put Sergey Yanghiy in at the corner for a 5-0 lead.
The Lions responded and on three minutes kept the ball alive and Chris Walker’s (Oulton Raiders) kick and chase was kicked dead forcing a drop out.
But Ukraine forced the Lions to do the same and Lee Gudor’s (Siddal) 70 metre drop out bounced into touch.
Then in the last seconds of the half as Ukraine attacked they appeared to knock on but the referee allowed play on and Kosariev doubled their lead.
In the opening minute of the half Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons) kicked the ball dead but this time Ukraine made them pay and Taras Marchenko’s arching run saw him score in the corner.
Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks) tried to hit back with a quick fire sprint down the middle for a forty metre run but was well tackled by the Ukraine.
The Lions were then hit with a brace of tries in the last two minutes both coming off penalties. On 12 minutes Sergey Monastrev scooted over and also added the extras and Marchenko drove over for his brace in the final seconds.
UNISON BARLA Great Britain Lions; 1. Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks), 2. Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh), 3. Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh), 4. Rhys Davies (Egremont Rangers), 5. Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders), 6. Lee Gudor (Siddal), 7. Ryan Robinson (Queens), 8. Brett Phillips (Seaton Rangers), 9. Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons), 10 Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh), 11. John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers), 12. Thomas Radley (West Hull).
UKRAINE: 1. Pavel Masurov, 2. Denis Masurov, 3. Sergey Tsboroyni, 4. Sergey Monastrev, 5. Oleg Kosariev, 6. Sergey Yanghiy, 7. Vitaliy Krasnodemskiy, 8. Taras Marchenko, 9. Alexsey Novrreschenos, 10. Georgi Gegipze, 11. Sergey Garravyi, 12. Artur Fserasimchur.
Tries: Yanghiy 1, Kosariev 7, Marchenko 8, 14, Monastrav 12,
Goals: Monastrev 1
UNISON BARLA GREAT BRITAIN LIONS 14
GOAL ATTAINED SELECT 24
The Lions went out at the quarter final stage of the International Open to Kenyan side Goal Attained Select but gave their all in a superb effort against a side who had wracked up 104 points in their previous three qualifying group games.
The Lions played some superb attacking rugby but were once again done by the techniques of the game at the rucks, mauls as well as the hot conditions and penalties.
It was from a penalty in the opening minute that the Lions went behind as the Select ran the ball and Theo Cronje went in at the corner.
The Lions responded a minute later after Lee Gudor (Siddal), John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers) and Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks) forced the Select to kick dead.
The Select knocked on as the Lions attacked and from the scrum scored a cracking try as Gudor found Brocklebank and Foulstone crashed onto his pass and go under the posts and finish it off with a crowd pleasing somersault. Gudor added the extras and the Lions led by two points.
On five minutes Select regained the lead as they kept the ball alive looking for the opening as the Lions tried to mark them man for man. But Alshaun Gerswon went forward before slipping an inside ball to Cronje for his second and Egon Seconds added the extras.
On the stroke of half time the Lions were badly done to as Foulstone chased and caught a Gudor chip with clear grass in front of him, but the referee called it back for offside against Foulstone.
From the penalty Lionel Curtis broke away but was superbly tackled by Brocklebank but Curtis flicked the ball up for Benjamin Adams to take and score to make it 17-7 at the break.
In the opening minute of the second half the Lions were undone by yet another penalty and this time Adams registered his second and Seconds added the extras to make it 24-7.
Two minutes later Foulstone made a superb 60 metre break down the middle of the field and was tackled 20 metres out but the supporting Lions failed to form the ruck in time to get the ball and Select took possession of it.
Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh) then took a pass with the ball and his arms behind him and as he drove forward he juggled the ball to the front of him before losing possession with him in a good position to score.
The Lions battled away and they were rewarded for their superb effort a minute from time when Gudor did a run around with Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders) to score under the posts with Gudor adding the extras.
The referee blew for time as the Lions attacked once again and although beaten they gave their all and the rugby league family can be proud of their efforts for the code.
UNISON BARLA Great Britain Lions: 1. Pat Foulstone (Shaw Cross Sharks), 2. Michael Johnson (Skirlaugh), 3. Stuart Smith (Skirlaugh), 4. Rhys Davies (Egremont Rangers), 5. Chris Walker (Oulton Raiders), 6. Lee Gudor (Siddal), 7. Ryan Robinson (Queens), 8. Brett Phillips (Seaton Rangers), 9. Kevin Brown (Eastmoor Dragons), 10 Trevor Penrose (Skirlaugh), 11. John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers), 12. Thomas Radley (West Hull).
Tries: Foulstone 3, Gudor 13
Goals: Gudor 2/2
GOAL SEAL SELECT: 1. Benjamin Evans, 2. Lionel Curtis, 3. Theo Cronje, 4. Alshaun Gerswon, 5. Terry Jacobs, 6. Jonathon Mokuena, 7. Abongo Nkwelo, 8. Neil Parker, 9. Wilfred Whilhelm Pieterse, 10, Gareth Rowe 11. Egon Seconds, 12. Jeffrey Williams.
Tries: Cronje 1,5, Evans 7, 8
Goals: Seconds 2/4
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