YOUNG ARMENIANS LIGHT UP RUGBY FEST
Anupama Bagri
Kolkata Newsline, India
Dec 2 2006
Kolkata, December 2: There was a different ball game on at the East
Bengal ground today. With the lovely winter afternoon serving as the
ideal backdrop, it was carnival time again as the London School of
Commerce Kolkata Rugby Tens returned to the city in its second year.
The Londoners – the lone contingent from across seven seas – have
been pooled with CCFC and Future Hope, two of the toughest teams
in the city circuit. The boys from LSC may have had a forgettable
day on the field losing both their group matches, but team manager
Judy Parkes said the team is here to enjoy. "The weather here is
just perfect. Back home it’s rainy and cold. The boys may not win,
but they are happy to be part of the sport here," she said.
Meanwhile, the Armenian College team celebrated their entry into the
semi-finals with comprehensive wins over Ashalayam and Jungle Crows.
They huddled together and allowed themselves a loud cheer, their faces
looking brighter than the red jerseys they were sporting. "It’s the
first time since 1997 that we are fielding a full team. We are all
overjoyed having made the semis," said a beaming coach David Purdy.
The Armenians returned to the rugby circuit last season having been
out of business since 1997. As Purdy explained: "There weren’t too
many boys coming to India to study. And, the pool here was either
too young or too old to play. So we had to wait all this while for
the kids to grow up and now we can field a full strength team. I’m
happy we have done well since our return to the circuit."
The boys in red are the youngest team in fray at the Tens, with the
age group varying between 13-19. Captain Armen Markaryan, 17, says it’s
"exciting to lead a side that is young, energetic and raring to go."
The Armenians won the seven-a-side meet at the Police Bodyguard Lines
last month and are now looking to add the Tens title to their kitty.
"We won the plate last time, this year we don’t want to settle for
anything less than the winners trophy," the burly Purdy said.
The adrenaline level is high, the setting is perfect and the colts
are hungry for success. As Purdy said before leaving the ground with
his boys, "We are the side to watch out for in the future."
Today’s results: Future Hope beat CCFC 46-0, Jungle Crows beat
Ashalayam 35-5, Orissa beat LMOB 41-5, YRC beat Bangalore 12-7, CCFC
beat LSC 17-10, Armenian College beat Ashalayam 29-0, TNS Police beat
Orissa 22-0, Future Hope beat LSC 44-5, Armenian College beat Jungle
Crows 17-5, TNS Police beat LMOB 46-0.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
