Lanna Lions
30
60
Bangkok
Bangers
It was a lovely sunny morning in Bangkok, Thailand, when the Lions would take on the Bangers in an exciting 10 aside friendly, in the last week of January, Lions Vs Bangers 2023 was upon us!
Tour Captain David Smith (Smithy), had done a wonderful job of rounding the troops, organising the meet between our two sides. All the players managed to make it down to the grounds, Bangkok Patana School. We were being treated to a wonderfully manicured ground, soft to fall on, perfect for a cracking game of rugby. Joe, the manager for Pattaya Panthers even made the trip, to help us in our crusade against the Bangers!
Our pack was a little thin. Currently we had Smithy, Phil Gwyther (Phil), Tom Stubley (Tom), Dtun Kiatngamphom (Dtun), Brave Seng Harn (Brave), Katcha Wilailuck (Dam), Carlos Da Silva (Carlos) and of course Joe Edama (Joe), from Panthers. Luckily, we were able to borrow a couple of players. Hywel Day, from Southerners joined in with our match before his own against the Old Bangers. Also, we managed to recruit a touring player from America, Palmer Piana. Finally we had 10 players!!
We all geared up and got stuck into a bit of drill work before the Lions Vs Bangers 2023 game got underway.
The Bangers put our a formidable team. The Lions players could help but think back to the match we first played, at home last year and wonder how today would go.
Finally the whilst blew for kick off! The match was fast, hard and intense. However, the Lions players felt a difference in this encounter. The LRC players passed the ball about and played with panache at times when we had the ball. Smashing lines through the Bangers defence, driving them back and at times, running rings round them. Dam, Joe and Dtun did some fantastic work out on the wings. Skinning the Bangers at times.
Hywel and Phil made some great decisions at Fly Half and scrum half respectively, terrorising the Bangers defence at time with their quick thinking, side stepping and fast ball.
Smithy. Palmer, Carlos, Brace and Tom worked hard to punch holes through the defensive line. Driving the ball in to the concrete wall of the Bangkok Bangers line, then pushing them back, gaining valuable ground.
As the match wore on, a few of the Lions players needed a rest after playing under the searing sun the whole match. Thankfully the Bangers were able to help us out, lending us a couple of players here and there. One so being Brendan Viljoen. A top player that managed to get us a few points past the Bangers.
Alas, Winning was never on the cards. The Bangers are a fantastically well drilled squad who know how to turn the screws when they really have to.
In the end, the Bangers came out on top. In saying that, the Lanna Lions managed to put 6 tries past them which is something to celebrate on its own right.
Once we’d tunneled the opposition off, a few of our players were asked to join the vets match; Bangers Vs Southerners. It was a superb outing for the men’s team, one of which the players will look back on fondly, keen to come back another time to put a few more points past them.
After, the Bangkok Bangers and Bangkok Southerners both joined up later to celebrate this fantastic day of rugby together! Great hosts and can’t wait for next time!
Tries:
1 Dtun Kiatngamphom | 1 Tom Stubley | 1 Brendan Viljoen | 1 Hywel Day | 1 Katcha Wilailuck |
1 Palmer Piana
Conversions:
1 Dtun Kiatngamphom
Man of The MATCH
Phil Gwyther
As one of the OG’s of Lanna Rugby Club, today he really made an impact.
Leading from the front, Phil rallied the players throughout the match, putting in a sterling effort as scrum half, a position he may well be making his own of.
