Tag-Tastic!

Last Tuesday Year 6 and Year 5 Tag Rugby Teams took part in the annual QPPSSA Tag Rugby competition at Doha College Al Waab. Both teams had difficult pools facing traditional rugby schools such as Doha College and Parkhouse in their early pool games.

Year 6, who were captained by Haruto Fukuda, were a truly international group who had only just taken up Tag Rugby through the after-school ECA. However, swiftness of foot, fantastic ball handling and try fever ensured they challenged every team that lined up against them and comfortably won every group game. This meant they faced DBS in the quarter-finals, which they swept past to gain a semi-final spot. Another win in the semis against ASD meant they had to play Doha College, a team they had beaten earlier in the day, to gain the championship title.

DC played a much better game and were not going to let Compass breeze through them like they had in the earlier pool game. After full time the match was tied 2-2 which meant the winners would be decided by a golden try. Both sides wasted opportunities in the first few minutes of extra time until super fit Rian Nwaneri found the ball in his hands with a gap he could squeeze through. He tucked the ball under his arm, sprinted a full 30 metres to the try line, determined not to be caught, ensuring Compass MK were crowned the champions of Tag Rugby amongst the 13 schools which competed.

Year 5, ably captained by Graham Wing, took a very different route of their pool games. One win, one loss and a draw meant they only just qualified for the quarterfinals through the skin of their teeth as best 3^rd placed team from the pools. This meant they had to play Pool topping ASD in the quarter-final spot. Year 5 had the game of the day against ASD, playing fantastic running rugby and knocking ASD out of the competition winning 6-3. Unfortunately they couldn’t produce the same fantastic form in the semi-finals, getting beaten by eventual tournament winners Al Khor.

A glimpse of a medal was still available in the 3^rd/4^th playoff against experienced rugby school Doha College. A tight game ensued with Compass taking the lead twice during the game only for DC to claw their way back level each time. Yet again, with nothing to separate the teams, the match went to extra time and the dreaded golden try. Compass won the toss and got to attack first, however a fumble led to a turnover and DC saw their opportunity to attack. Solid defence by the team ensured they kept DC off their line and a turnover of play gave them another opportunity, one they couldn’t afford to waste. Somehow Bruno Patzer saw daylight, sprinted with dexterity along the side line, to put down in the corner for the win much to the dismay of the opposition. Bruno was carried off triumphantly on the shoulders of his team, as the celebrations began.

Mrs. Firth was very proud of how both teams played and the improvement each of the players have made, particularly those team members who have just learned to play this year. Two edge of the seat finals meant she needed a good manicure by the end of the day. Well done to all!