DENIA RUGBY CLUB ARMCHAIR INTERNATIONALS RUGBY UNION SUPPORTERS COSTA BLANCA TUK TUK TOURS

The 18^th Denia RFC Beach Sevens Tournament

XVIII Denia RFC Beach 7's Competition held on "Playa Abaranas" opposite the Oasis Hotel last Saturday was a great success, providing some skillful rugby played by seniors, Feminino and Juveniles (U19). The Feminino competition was played between Denia, Tatami and Universidad Catolica. Universidad Catolica was the worthy winner of the close fought three way competition. The seniors competition was contested by eight teams, Denia, Javea, Universidad Alicante, Tatami, Akra Barbara, Valencia, Alcobendas (Madrid) and M.A.G.O.S.

The M.A.G.O.S. team was a select team of veteran rugby players from the Marina Alta area, each player had to be over 35 years of age. The final was contested between Alcobendas and Valencia which was 1 v 1 at full time. In extra time Alcobendas got the "Golden Try" to win the competition. Denia beat Universidad Alicante to take third place. The competition was a huge success and attracted a large crowd of spectators throughout the day.

"Player of the Tournament" was awarded to Juan Silva from Denia who had strong opposition from the Alcobendas team which included two Spanish 7's Internationals and the Spanish coach. The M.A.G.O.S team was challenged by Denia's young players to play off for the wooden spoon trophy following a teams retirement, after an open enjoyable game of rugby M.A.G.O.S retained the trophy. After the presentation of awards to both players and referees everyone was served chicken and chips supplied from the Oasis Hotel who supported Denia RFC throughout the day.

Bit annoyed we did not win our own beach sevens competition although the Valencia team which was mainly Technidex players

and Alcobendas who did play some good sevens rugby. If I was critical of our lads a few discipline issues let us down but the effort

was good and we did play some good rugby ourselves when we put our mind to it. Javea next Saturday the last beach competition

and we will have a few words in training and come out a determined Denia team. Good to play in the M.A.G.O.S. team which was selected

from a total Denia veterano team, brilliant when you consider we had at one time eighteen players all wanting to get on the pitch.

Overall the new location opposite the Oasis Hotel proved a huge success and the competition attracted a large crowd.

Being involved in the set up and the agonising packing up after a long day I must name a few people who will not like to be mentioned

but I will. Nico who after a long day came back the next day and collected all the equipment from the Oasis. You would have to

name Nico again along with Pescata again started early in the morning and was their at the end in the pitch black of the night, Daniel,

Antonio, the players who all got stuck in and cleared the beach after the tournament. I must say playing in the tournament was hot but

not as hot and as hard as clearing the beach. Big Big thanks to Steve at the Oasis for the support and again the players and committee of

Denia RFC for a brilliant day.

Last mention of thanks to John and the "Armchair Internationals" who through many fund raising functions provided the club with a number

of good quality gazebos which gave ample shade for the teams participating. Les

GANDIA BEACH SEVENS

DENIA LOSE IN FINAL OF GANDIA BEACH SEVENS

After a mid week beach sevens training session by Matt Cook, Spanish International and ex Denia now playing for La Vila, Denia started their beach sevens campaign in Gandia this weekend. The training session proved to be of great value as the squad started playing some exciting rugby which is not that easy when played on a beach surface. Denia beat Toledo from Madrid 0 v 5 in the first game but narrowly lost the second game 1 v 2 against Abelles. After a three and a half hour wait Denia beat University Alicante 5 v 1 to reach the final against Abelles who had already beaten Denia. In the final Denia continued to play well but kept being caught out by the more experienced Abelles team who seemed to create space on the wings. Denia lost the final 0 v 4 but learnt a lesson about how to play beach sevens against a spirited and tired team.

ARMCHAIRS BARBECUE

We held a very successful barbecue at Hotel Oasis, Denia on May 29th We had around 40 people there..who all thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon, followed by the Guinness Premiership Final. The bonus was that we managed to raise €297...and have reached our target for the season which will enable us to buy he sun shelters for the Beach Sevens in August. Thank you all for your support....

DENIA OLD BOY

Matt Cook, ex Denia Player who now plays Spanish Premier Division Rugby with La Vila is in the Spanish squad this Saturday Feb 6th away to Rumania. Hopefully he will be in the squad next weekend too when the Spanish side are playing against Russia in Madrid. Matt's father Colin is an Armchair International....Good luck Matt and best wishes from us all at Denia. Unfortunately for Matt this game was postponed...let's hope he gets on next week!!

Feb 13th...Matt came on for the last few minutes against Russia...hence winning his first cap...the first of many we hope!!

Matt has now started twice for Spain. He started his playing career with Jersey Minis, played for Hampshire at Under 17's and 19's and was taken to Saracens by Kieron Bracken, playing under 20's, moved on to Bedford and played his first premiership game against Richmond on his 21st birthday. Via County Carlow and almost a trial for Munster, he ended up with our club Denia and the rest is history.

SUMMER BREAK

After winning promotion into league 1 we need to rest and get ready for the beach sevens competition sometime in July.
So we decided that this Thursday we will play sevens at the Deportivo against the Juveniles and Cadettes. Then we will only meet on Thursdays on the beach opposite the Oasis Hotel to play volley ball, football or hand ball. Training
for the beach sevens will start in July Tuesday and Thursday on the beach. The Armchair Internationals have organised a BBQ at the Oasis on Saturday 29/5/10 at 14.30 and we will arrange a similar BBQ on 12th or 19th June where we will present Best player, Most improved Club man and players player of the year. Most important that you and your family attend.

Please pass this message on to Tankito, Paulaco, Luis, Luis, Ximo, Habana, Carlos, Xuan, Carlos, any other players who are not mentioned.

Les

DENIA PROMOTED

Denia RFC Promoted into Valencia Liga 1 Saturday 15th May 2010
Denia beat Cau B 14 v 13 in a close fought play off final to claim the automatic promotion place into Valencia Liga 1. Cau B was a very experienced side and adopted a driving mauling game strategy but Denia took the game to Cau and attacked at every opportunity. Denia dominated the scrummage all through the game which supplied the Denia three quarters with ample possession. Cau took an early lead with a penalty and just before half time they scored a converted try from driving forward play. Half time Denia 0 v 10 Cau. Stern words at half time made Denia believe they can win this game, as heads were starting to drop through the frustration of not being able to turn the pressure into points. Early in the second half Cau extended their lead with a penalty following a high tackle(0 v 13). On the hour Denia made three changes in the pack, which seemed to give Denia the inspiration needed. From a set piece line out move a 30 metre charging run was made by second row, Ariel who took half the Cau team with him over the line to score. Conversion by Guilliano. (7 v 13). Denia had the taste for victory and raised their game again Three minutes later a well worked three quarters move saw centre, Juan, race through a gap and sprint 40 metres for a score under the posts. Conversion by Guilliano (14 v 13). With around 15 minutes to the end of the game both teams had everything to play for resulting in some good attacking rugby. Denia was awarded two penalty chances which were missed and near to the end of the game Cau was awarded a penalty which was taken quickly by the Cau scrum half. The referee marched Denia back ten metres because they had not retired sufficiently before tackling the attacking player. Result was a kickable penalty for Cau. The wait was agonising for Denia while the kick was taken but huge relief when the ball missed the posts. After that the final whistle was blown and Denia won thegame 14 v 13 and well deserved promotion. Denia’s success this season has been due to the commitment of all the players and in particular to the commitment and hard work of coach Les Campbell .

You would expect me to say that we were the best team on the day but in fact we were. Cau B was a well drilled side which you could see had experienced players, eight in fact who play regularly for the first team who have just been promoted into the Spanish premier league. We destroyed their scrummage in fact Cau used their first team props who had to be changed during the game. Their main threat to us was the speed of their first team scrum half, he was good. Denia was very focused about this game we had practiced defence tactics for the rolling maul and this worked. Our three quarters was ready for anything and generally we weren't bothered about the pre match hype and the threat of the many first team players Cau was to use. The game was close
and we could have lost it in the very last minute but a win is a win and we had more points than them at the end. The cup which was quite large was filled numerous times after the match. Only one negative on the day was that we didn't have the support of the kids and girls who were in Elche. Two of many positives was the lap of honour by the team all singing and dancing and secondly the support of the Arm Chair Internationals who travelled up to Alzira and looked to enjoy the post match celebrations with the players. Great day for the club, reward for the work put in by everybody and now we can plan for next year hopefully Denia A and Denia B.
Finally I had to present a Denia rugby shirt to Leo who announced he was retiring from rugby due to family and old age. Big thank you to Leo for all what he did a Denia and I am sure he will be missed.

Les

Denia Rugby Club celebrated the end of 2009 on a high and are now looking forward to 2010 with more success. At the halfway stage of their FRCV Territorial Sud Liga campaign they are top of the league with five wins out of five and every game have added bonus points. An excellent achievement from the players, supporters and committee, considering the team had to be rebuilt in the summer following and exodus of players to a newly formed club. The junior section are also celebrating because four of their players Juan Acuna, Pedro Acuna Daniel Sala and Aitor Josa have been selected by the "Acadamia Nacional Rugby, which puts them in a strong position of earning selection into the Spanish National Team for their age groups. On 28th December Denia forwards had a chance to talk to Nacho Rouyet, Italian International prop forward and brother of Mariano and Rodrigo. Nacho who already this year has played against Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and plays his club rugby for Treviso, passed on some useful tips to the Denia forwards. Nacho is standing fourth from the right on the team photo attached his brothers are fifth and sixth. Finally the players have requested a full playing schedule over the Christmas period and the following games have been arranged. On 3^rd January, Denia A will play an inter club game against the Denia team who are going on tour to London on 5th - 9th February 2010. This tour consists of a game against Ealing RFC and then travel to Twickenham to watch England v Wales. On 9^th January Tavernes RFC invited Denia to play a return fixture followed by a BBQ. This will be good preparation for the next league game at home against Orihuela the following week. There will be no training next week because of the Los Reyes fiesta. Any player who is interested in joining a team who have ambition please contact the club through Coach Les Campbell, mobile 638408107.

Nacho playing against the All Blacks 2009


  DENIA RUGBY CLUB 1st TEAM SQUAD 2009 - 2010



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