First Match Report

Hello everyone back home.

Having been nominated as tour communications officer, it is my pleasure to keep you informed of some of the 'goings on' in Holland over the incoming week.

You will be pleased to here we have all arrived in Holland with loud hats, sunglasses and Rubber ducks intact!

Due to some flight delays and traffic congestion we turned up for our first match against RC Etten-Leur with 30 minutes to spare. As you can imagine there was not a lot of time for pre match preparation, with some guys still finding out each others names as the whistle went for kick off. What better ice breaker than 80 minutes on the rugby field against what proved to be very tough opposition.


Match report

Tuesday 25th July KO 8.30 pm

CIS RUFC 27 - RC Etten-Leur 17

Try scorers: Andy Bryce, Frank Mayfield, Ralph Mercer, Stevie George, Alex Zarifeh

Man of the Match: Andy Bryce for (in his very own words) cutting angles like Moses did the Red sea and knocking men down like Samson did the Pillars of the temple!)

The match got off, not surprisingly, to a shaky start, as each of us tried to acclimatise after a long day travelling and although it was an 8.30 pm kick off it was still incredibly warm conditions for playing rugby.

Things were not going well early on, not only had we conceded a converted try but we had lost our full back Ross Jackson to injury - a nasty gash above his left eye.

We slowly fought our way back and by the second half were starting to show some dominance over the game.  Our opponents pushed us hard right to the final whistle and I think its fair to say there are some very tired legs this morning.

Other notable performances included a sterling captaincy from Skipper Pete Nicholas, a solid and hardy return to rugby from 'THE JUDGE' big Mike Smith in the front row and a beautifully finished try from our flying winger Frankie Mayfield.

A very happy birthday to Birthday Boy on Tour '"The Tank" Neil Thompson

Thank you for all your prayers and support as we travel in Holland. Please could you pray for; - A speedy return from injury for Ross Jackson,
- A good performance against possibly our toughest opposition tomorrow night, The Dukes, a premiership side,
- But most importantly that we would continue to be great ambassadors for the kingdom and true disciples as we play the sport we love. Thank you.

God Bless,


Ralph Mercer
Tour communications officer for CIS Rugby tour Holland