U19 First Pacific Volcanoes secure Bronze over China

Junior Volcanoes hold off a spirited China - Photo Credit. Thailand Rugby Union

At 14 points to 0 in the opening half, the First Pacific Philippine National U19 Rugby Team, backed by MVP Sports Foundation, rallied together and fought their way back to record a third place finish in the 2018 U19 Division 1 Asia Rugby Championships last weekend, their best result in the last 5 years.

The Philippines faced a competitive China, it had taken the Junior Volcanoes 20 minutes to break the Chinese barrier to score their first points. The Volcanoes found themselves deep in Chinese territory when Tom Canon Coleman provided a strong ball carry to set up James Halasan Ryan for the first five pointer, with Owen Gasgonia Wakeham securing the extra two points. From here the Volcanoes started their comeback. Not long after, a clever kick from Matthew Imperial Davie had Wakeham scoop up the loose ball, beating two defenders and scoring another 5 points for the Volcanoes. After 31 minutes, Wakeham had kicked the extra two points and the Volcanoes found themselves back in the match at 14 - 14 at halftime.

Mathew Imperial Davie and Marco Wijangco Tan defend for Team Philippines - Photo Credit - Thailand Rugby Union

Matthew Imperial Davie - Photo Credit - Thailand Rugby Union

“It was a spirited comeback in the first half, they showed patience and composure. It’s never easy coming back from two tries down, however credit to the team, they held strong for the first 35 minutes” shared Jake Letts of Philippine Rugby.
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The Junior Volcanoes didn’t stop there, early in the second half after a brilliant set piece, saw Dean Dela Beeton scream onto a perfectly passed long ball from Davie and found the corner for the Philippines to take the lead for the first time after 40 minutes. Five minutes later Makati Chief Reymarc Bustillo was in again for the Volcanoes and the Philippines extended their lead to 26 to 14.

China however didn’t stop there, scoring a brilliant try out wide closing the gap to 7 points with still 20 minutes remaining. The Volcanoes had to hold strong in order to take the win. Off a set piece penalty, it was Craig Bayer Wallace who fought for every inch as he bursted through the Chinese pack to take the Volcanoes to 31 points and Wakeham once again securing the extra two points. With time running out, this was enough for the Volcanoes to bag the win 33 to 19 and secure third place in 2018.

“A good result, the best result we have had since 2014. So that’s another positive for 2018, it’s been a tremendous year. Very happy they finished here on a win” Letts added.

The Junior Volcanoes featured here with Philippine Rugby President Rick Santos

​Philippine Rugby ends their 2018 international calendar with another successful campaign, looking towards another big 2019 season. With Rugby Sevens in the SEA Games, earning qualification into the World Series Qualifiers in Hong Kong in April and Olympic Qualifications in November, the Volcanoes look to set for another competitive calendar for 2019.