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CHAMPION HALFBACK WILL GENIA KNOCKS BACK SOUTHERNERS CONTRACT

Genia could have gotten a bigger set of guns if he'd signed up for the Southerners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Southerners Bangkok Rugby Club is disappointed to announce it has been unsuccessful in its bid to attract the services of champion halfback and current QLD Reds vice-captain Will Genia.

Genia, a 33-test Wallabies veteran, agreed to terms yesterday with the QLD Reds and will remain with the club until the end of the 2015 season.

Competition for the 24 year-old’s signature was fierce, with the Western Force and a number of French and English rugby clubs working hard to secure his services.

“We thought we provided a reasonably competitive offer to Will, however we could never match the money being through about by the Super 15 clubs and over in Europe,” said Southerners skipper Steve Bell.

“Our pitch focused on the opportunities open to Will should he join our club – like getting fit, playing rugby and getting on the tins with your mates while touring random corners of Asia; or simply the opportunity to dominate some bars on Khao San Road and pick up chicks,” continued Mr. Bell.

“While we’re disappointed, we wish Will all the best with his contract at the Reds, and hope he will still be available for us for our assault on next year’s Bangkok 10s,” said Mr. Bell.

But not all players in the club were impressed by the possibility of Genia joining the club.

“To be honest, I think he’s rubbish. He’d never have gotten a start,” said current Southerners starting halfback, and proud Englishman, Paul Bleasdale.

“His pass is weak as piss. He thinks he’s f**king Baryshnikov, the way he dances around the back of the ruck. Sure, he seems like a good bloke, but the only run he’d be getting in Bangkok is on the back of a pony at the Royal Racing Club on Saturday afternoon.”

The Southerners will continue recruiting for the 2012 season – contact Darrel to negotiate a contract.

Ends..

Rugby old boy in Amlin Cup

Before coming to Southerners rugby, Tim Evans was a scrawny Welsh farm boy in dire need of a pie and a protein shake.

Ten months later, and he’s playing in the Amlin Challenge Cup for the Spanish-based Rugby Club La Vila, against some of European rugby’s biggest names in what is a feeder into the Heineken Cup.

“When he came to the Southerners earlier this year, we knew we had a roughie on our hands. He was tall, but lacked bulk – some would say he still does. He also came to us as a Welsh P.E. teacher, which is never a great indicator of intelligence. But then there was just something about him that made me think I could mold him into a rugby superstar,” said coach Zorba.

Skipper Steve Bell thought the same. “My first impressions? I thought he had hands like a retarded arctic seal. Strange bloke. Orange from all that fake tan – I thought he may have actually been on dialysis or something. But we were able to teach him a few tricks – like catch/pass – and he did alright.”

Other boys in the club had other questions: “Is Rugby Club La Vila a gay club? His moustache makes him look like one of the village people,” said Southerners first-five Brett Clarke. “I knew that cuzzie could play, just knew it, ay bro. But still, it was strange how often he rupped his shirt off on Khao San Road.”

In Rugby Club La Vila’s pool are the UK-based Sale Sharks and French teams Brive and Agen.

In true Southerners style, Evans will get the opportunity to dominate players like Jamie Robinson, Andy Powell, Sami Tuitupo, Johnny Leota, Shane Geraghty and Jamie Noon.

Best of luck to the man the fellas affectionately call, “Tim”. Let’s hope he can manage a bit of time back in Bangkok between all those autograph signings.

Bangkok touch rugby: Now on Tuesday & Saturday

Please see below the updated times and venues for Southerners Touch. Contact Linda for more information or to become a member.:

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Tuesdays

Arsenal (Sukhumvit Soi 71, sub-soi 21 - Map)
1900-2030hrs
Paid members only (Not yet a member? Feel free to come try)
200Bt
Bring water

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Saturdays

NIST (Sukhumvit Soi 15 - Map)
1000-1200hrs
200Bt
Bring water bottle (free refills)

Indoor cricket victories

Eight players…only six required.

BTS station identified…exit was not.

We played…we won.

Short words indeed to describe a great fun day of indoor cricket for the Southerners. After a little mix-up in the actual team numbers required, the Southerners got kitted up and Nadeem and Khun Lek sat out the first game.

Paul W lost the toss and was put into bat….what a mistake! With the great experience of Trent and Mehul, Southerners put on the runs….it was net-touch, run, net-touch, run, with Mehul getting a 6 and 4 (no small feat). The total was an awesome 100 for 6 in 11.2 overs, which was easily enough for us to secure the match.

While still recuperating from the wonderful win, the Southos went straight into their next match with Paul and Chicken sitting it out. Again we batted first, this time losing 3 wickets in the first 2 overs!!!! The pressure was on…but some fantastic batting from Zeb, Mehul, Faheem and Khun Lek helped us put on a very respectable 88.

The other team then chased…small mistakes really cost you in indoor cricket, with wides worth 2 runs (the Southos gave a lot away)…it was like Xmas! But after some superb bowling and catching by Faheem, the opposition fell, as others have fallen, and the Southos won with heads high and spirits and singha beers all round. See you next weekend!

Words: Paul Williams

Southerners excel at Asian Touch Champs 2011

A crew of 11 Southerners descended on Singapore to take part in the annual Asian Champs Touch Rugby Tournament on 11 & 12 June. The mixed open competition included teams from Shanghai, Singapore and Bangkok, with all teams playing each other twice in the group stages on day one, before playing off for the silverware on day two.

Click here to find out how our touch team fared…

SOUTHERNERS 20/20 CRICKET SNEAK HOME VS B.C.!!

The Southerners’ last round of the 2011 20/20 Tournament saw them pitted against the age and experience of the British Club.

On a wet and soggy morning at Harrow, both teams decided to get a start on the field (instead of the bar) and get on with the game – shortened run-ups were the order of the day.

Winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Southerners kept some tidy bowling and fielding against the British Club, who were comfortable at 3-59 at the 10-over break.

With the British Club’s skipper Vaughany back in the shed, the Southerners were thinking about early lunch. In came James Moss to change that. With a few wayward overs sent down by the Southerners bowlers and a few determined innings from the British Club’s old guard, the British Club finished their 20 overs at 7-158 with James Moss on 56 retired including 2 massive 6s off the last Jason Ellis over.

The Southerners set about the run chase with relative ease and at the break were 1-78, well in front of their target. Some tight overs by young Fergus Ellis, on loan for the day by the British Club, and a few too many dot balls by the Southerners batsman, saw the game come down to the wire, with Southerners requiring 4 off the last over to seal victory.

Skipper Graeme settled the sinking ship to steer them home with 2 balls to spare and leave the British Club team winless for the tournament.

Man of the Match was Madan from the Southerners for his 51 retired, also picking up the vital wicket of the British Club skipper!!!

Words: Vaughan McClear