PANJIM: Christmas arrived early for Goa Rugby as the Black Claws family came together to be a part of the ‘Christmas Rugby Cup 2017’ hosted by team CrocoTRYles, at Fr. Agnel Ashram, Verna, recently.
The two-day extravaganza was a thrilling one with on field as well as off field battle.
The first day witnessed serious action as teams battled it out in the contact rugby category with the hosts CrocoTRYles stamping their authority as they claimed three out of the four trophies on the first day. They won in the U-17 boys and girls category as well as the women category while Trymates won the men’s category.
This was the first time that Anish Quenim, CrocoTRYles co-owner and founder of Goa Rugby was not in on field action as he took guard of the tournament control and let it to the energetic young crocs to go about the two days. They surely didn’t disappoint him as he was a happy soul at the end of the tournament.
With on field action throughout the two days, the coaches of Goa Rugby, Sir Dave Trotter and Mam Bee Trotter were surely having an eventful time watching everyone enjoy the game and help rugby grow by the day with true spirits of sportsmanship.
The tournament also saw international players, Tom Found and Jamie Kirkhouse from Wales and Luke Rauth from Germany being a part of this event.
On the second day it was a festive mood with a variety of action. The venue was bustling with kids’ right from 8 years onwards who competed and enjoyed themselves on field and they definitely didn’t disappoint their teams as all the categories witnessed wonderful rugby played by these young champs who will go a long way in building the future of rugby in the state.
The host team CrocoTRYles continued their impressive streak as they dominated the Christmas Rugby by winning six out of the twelve trophies which were up for grabs, but they surely had a tough competition from Trymates, Crazy Pirates and Saints who battled it out with a positive spirit on field.
The environment at the end of the tournament was a sight to behold as all teams lifted their wonderful trophies with pride. Anish Quenim, the pillar behind the success of Goa Rugby and the men himself who introduced the sport in Goa was given a surprise by the entire Black Claws family as he was presented with the ‘Best Human and Goa Rugby Lifetime Achievement Award’ at the tournament.
