Nomads, Eagles RFC, La Liga clinch wins at 15s season opening weekend

Pasig City, Philippines - The Manila Nomads (Premiership), Eagles RFC (Women's), and La Liga (Championship) all registered wins for their first match for the 15s season at the 2023 PRFU Luzon Rugby Cup. The opening weekend was held on 29 April 2023 at Philippine Sports Commission's (PSC) Ultra Philsports Complex in Pasig City. It was the first time in more than a decade that contact rugby matches were played at the prestigious venue.   

In the Men's Premiership Division, the Manila Nomads started the match strong with a number of tries and a lead on the first half. However, the SKF Makati Mavericks showed their never ending grit and determination to claw back at the second match, even leading in the last few minutes of the match. With seconds left, the Nomads were awarded a penalty within the opposition's 22 meters.  Nomads Flyhalf, Adam Baxter, successfully converted a kick from a very tough angle on the left side of the posts. This allowed the men in green to win the match with a narrow 36 - 36 full time score. With his superb playmaking skills and grace under pressure, Baxter, was awarded the Player of the Match.

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In the Women's Division,  2022 Luzon Rugby Cup defending champions, the Eagles RFC, relied on the experience of their veteran players to come away with a 68 - 0 win against the determined Manila Rogues team. Senior player and captain, Kat Andrews, led the women in white as they played their first 15s match after more than 4 years. The Rogues had a number of good runs, broke tackles and tested the defensive line of the Eagles all throughout the match. However, the experience and balanced attack of the Eagles proved too much for the rebuilding Manila Rogues team. For her awesome carries which resulted in a couple of tries her and for her teammates, Eagles Prop Bella Nepomuceno, was awarded the Player of the Match.

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The La Liga Rugby team unleashed a beautiful display of attacking rugby to come away with a 76 - 19 win after 80 minutes of play over the Manila Kalabaws team. The La Liga team, composed mainly of International School Manila, British School Manila, Cararoo Foundation, and Touch Rugby players, had an impressive showing on their very first 15s match played. The Kalabaws, composed of players who've learned the sport in the last couple of years, also scored a number of tries through their burly forwards. Renzo Ismael of La Liga was chosen as the Player of the Match for his awesome display of speed and scoring prowess.

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The PRFU would like to thank the Philippine Sports Commission for its support in the domestic competitions season and the Manila Nomads Rugby Club for hosting the opening weekend of the season. The next round of the 2023 Luzon Rugby Cup is on 20 May 2023 at the Ultra PhilSports Complex in Pasig City. Stay tuned for more details!