Aodh-Mór Cup

[Ivernia]

Aodh-Mór Cup Results!


Pool 1 - Vedrarfjord MacSweeney Insurance Stadium 6pm
Sat: Fareoene DRK Vs Roskilde Majestæt DRK
Score: 0 - 6 Scrums: 7
Notes:A heavy defensive game as both teams came out today afraid to fall behind this late into the tournament. Roskilde's attack early into the game was held back by two successive scrums, with another failed scrum toward the end of the first half shaped up the match to be a slow crawl. However in the middle of the second half, Roskilde Majestæt DRK broke though with a flawless try and a near perfect conversion. Fareoene DRK seemed to lose hope as Roskilde simply played a slow passing game until the clock declared them the victors.

Sun: Imavere RSB Vs Nemedia
Score: 18 - 11 Scrums: 7
Notes: An intense game between these two clubs today. With an early try from Nemedia the home crowd was excited and hopeful for an Ivernish victory, however Imavere was adamant, locked down Nemedia in a scrum and cleaned up with a try with conversion giving them an early lead. Nemedia took the ball and simply swam through the RSB defence light a fish though a river as they made a try with conversion and brought the game back to their lead. Imavere brought the fury and ended this high scoring half with another try with conversion. The managers must have had a word with the shoddy defence work from both sides as a total lockdown occurred in the second half as scrum after scrum hit both sides hard and built up a lot of pressure. After an astonishing 4 scrums in a row Nemedia let off some of the steam with a cheeky field goal, but they needed a try at least to secure a win. Imavere however achieved a try with conversion in the 11th hour securing their victory and dashing Nemedia's hopes of a win today.

Pool 2 - Alderbugh Rothín Road Stadium 6pm
Sat: Ajaccio Pikemen Vs 10th Continental Marine Regiment Rugby Team
Score : 0 - 6 Scrums: 7
Notes: Quite a slow moving game this weekend from these two teams as neither seemed to make any tangible headway into enemy territory at all, never mind a chance for some trys. With an opening of three scrums in a row it seemed to be a battle of two very equal teams, with only a slip up or two deciding this game. For the rest of the half almost no headway was made as their defences barely had to work as both side's attackers seemed to be asleep. In the second half the game picked up somewhat as the Ajaccio Pikemen slipped though the Marine defence and went for a try - but completely bolloxed it up and tried to save themselves with a field goal but shot it as wide as you like. The 10th Continental Marines decided to bring the pain and punishment for such a folly finish and struck gold with a try and polished with a conversion for a six point lead that simply would not be challenged by the Ajaccio Pikemen today.

Sun: Puerto Viejo Toros Vs Loksa RSB
Score: 12 - 12 Scrums: 3
Notes: While both sides had a shaky start to this match; niether really making any progress with the ball - Puerto Viejo Toros ended the period of sleepy gameplay with a dash for the end, which ended with an excellent try and a acceptable conversion for 6 points. However PVT decided not to rest on it's laurels as they quickly took the ball from Loksa RSB and sunk another try and conversion giving them a very healthy lead for the first half. Loksa RSB would really need to work it in the second. In the second half Loksa lived up to it's expectations, bringing the heat and piling the pressure on PVT. After forcing PVT into two tries and getting the ball from them, the LRSB attack came hard and gained a try and convo making them just a try and convo behind. PVT noticed this and went on the attack but couldn't get into the game and allowed LSRB to get another try and another conversion with no time for retaliation leading to a 12 -12 tie. Puerto Viejo Toros should come away from this match with the lesson to not blow all their steam in the first half.

Pool 3 - Dawn University Stadium 6pm
Sat: Herediano Caballeros Vs Milesia
Score: 6 - 22 Scrums: 3
Notes: ​Today was a day of Milesian dominance over Herediano Caballeros, who simply were not in this game and may as well have shown up in the last 15 minutes. Milesia literally opened the game with a try and a conversion and HC seemed to have been crushed. Milesia, not one for mercy, scrummed every attack Herediana brought and after the second attempt turned it into a try with conversion for their Milesian favours ending a round of pure power from the Ivernish. The second half almost started the same way as the first with an immediate Milesian try, but Herediano Caballeros fought hard and ended the play, however their brief defensive comeback was shattered as milesia strong-armed their way back into HC territory and won themselves a try with conversion for a spirit crushing 18 point lead. HC seemed beaten but kept pressing on, but for their insolence Milesia topped another try on the pile for a 22 point lead. Herediano Caballeros however, fighting every step of the match, even when they lost hope of victory they fought for the love of the game. Their efforts were rewarded with a beautiful try and convo in the last minutes of the game to restore some honour. Regardless today was a day of the Western Sky as Milesia brought the fire.

Sun:Vesper Metropolitans Vs Kuressaare RSB
Score: 14 - 17 Scrums: 4
Notes: Vesper Metropolitans versus Kuressaare RSB was an even handed match, be that as it may it was a very exciting match especially in the opening few minutes, where interestingly enough Kuressaare opened the game with two solid trys with conversions creating a 12 point lead, shocking an audience that saw Vesper Metropolitans as one of the leading teams in this game. To make up for the lost effort VM managed a quick try soon after. But a chance for a follow up ended in a scrum where KRSB turned that scrum into possession and then into a try to maintain their 12 point lead for the end of the half. At the beginning of the second half Vesper Metro came back hard and locked KRSB runs into scrums and managed a try eventually. While KRSB retaliated with a field goal, Vesper worked for a try with conversion that shook up the game making VM 3 points behind. However any dream for a winning try was impossible to achieve with so little time left on the clock resulting in a victory for Kuressaare RSB.

Pool 4 - Vedrarfjord MacSweeney Insurance Stadium 1pm
Sat: Durham RFC Vs Occidental Tiburones
Score: 18 - 12 Scrums: 4

Sun:Kristiana RK Vs Collershire RFC
Score: 8 - 8 Scrums: 6

Pool 5 - Alderburgh Rothín Road Stadium 1pm
Sat: Formoria Vs New Dulwich Imperials
Score: 12 - 13 Scrums: 3

Sun:Sankt Haagens Monstrumer DRK Vs First Haven Saints
Score: 18 - 14 Scrums: 4

Pool 6 Dawn University Stadium 1pm
Sat: Cazma Polytechnikum Vs University of Koper
Score: 12 - 8 Scrums: 7

Sun: Jorvik Rugbyklubb Vs Westhaven West, Industrial RFC
Score: 6 - 18 Scrums: 3

 

[Ivernia]

Thought you'd seen that last of this huh? Nope!

All the winners of the League shall be entered into the Aodh-Mór Cup Tournament! This will be very fast play. Very little commentary HOWEVER I hope to get the whole tournament done in about the same time period as the Football Tournament.

While you can all post news thread on how every one in first plaace and second place got medals and a ''League Shield'' the actual Aodh-Mór Cup is up for grabs yet!

As I stated to begin with however:

1. The club with the most points from each pool will proceed to the knockout phase.
2. The best two runners up will also proceed to the knockout phase.

Whoever wins will hold on to it until next year, where they will compete for it again! I also promise next year will be less messy and long than this year. Blame exams.

Anyways, here are the names of all of the clubs who achieved first place in their respective Pools:

Imavere RSB (SAR)

10th Continental Marine Regiment Rugby Team (SYL)

Milesia (IVR)

Collershire RFC (HAV)

New Dulwich Imperials (CAN)

Westhaven West, Industrial RFC (HAV)


And the top two second places from the Pools:

Kuressaare RSB (SAR)

Formoria (IVR)


So I randomised the 8 teams and entered them into a tournament brackets:

You must be registered for see links

A link to the tournament: challonge.com/aodhmorcup

First results will come soon!

 

[Ivernia]

Westhaven West Industrial RFC (HAV) VS 10th Continental Marine Regiment (SYL)
Score: 10 - 12 Scrums: 7
Notes: Both teams today knew exactly what they were getting themselves in for. With the Havenites showing success frankly across the board and the WWI RFC showing no signs of weakness so far to the dark horse 10th Marine Regiment from Sylvania really managing to make a name for Sylvanian Rugby. This match though began as Havenites are keen to start - with a try for the reds. Four points in the lead so soon seemed to light a fire under the Sylvanian Marines as they went on a very heavy offensive, and even though the Havenites knocked them into Scrums almost 4 times in a row the Sylvanians were having none of it and pushed for a try with conversion just before the half ended.
Beginning the second half was a shocker as WWI RFC could not get back into the game and the Sylvanian's took full advantage and gained another try with conversion for a 8 point lead. At this point it seemed the game was over as again and again the Marines held back the scrums but in the last minutes of the game Westhaven West slipped through the cracks and scored a try and conversion - but it was all for nought as it was also the last play of the game. A respectable score of 12-10 to the 10th Continental Marine's Regiment.


Imavere RSB (SAR) VS Collershire RFC (HAV)
Score: 10 - 8 Scrums: 4
Notes: The nerves and the weight of this game seemed to have gotten to both teams today as the beginning was very shaky with little real progress. Imavere RSB however seemed to play the better game as it locked and won two scrums in the first half and the second scrum led to a great try. However the failure to convert their tries - for both teams - would be a real wake up call.
In the second half the teams started to play like their usual selves, but Imavere definetely made the first move yet again with a try and a conversion giving them a 10 point lead. Collershire gave chase and would not let Imavare have the easy victory gaining two tries in the second half - however their failure to convert any tries lead to their defeat. Particularly rought for the Havenshire team is their last minute try and just how close the conversion was with the kick. But it was not meant to be and as such Havenshire - who dominated the League - has been just beaten and knocked out of the Tournament.

 

[Ivernia]

New Dulwich Imperials (CAN) Vs. Milesia (IVR)
Score: 20 - 24 Scrums: 4
Notes: The match of the year so far was played today as the New Dulwich Imperials and Milesia butted heads under a very hot summer sun. The teams simply barreled over each others defences with very few options for scrums. The game began with a scrum but that was the last you would see until the end as Milesia won the scrum and turned it into a try with conversion and the New Dulwich Imperials countered immediately for a try of their own. However they bottled the conversion and Milesia showed them at this point in the tournament there is no room for mistakes as they scored another try with a conversion. Just before the end of the first half the New Dulwich Imperials came back for a try and in any other match this would have been respectable except Milesia burned through and got another try to maintain dominance.
With the second half came new light for the Imperials as the started play with a try and conversion which really lit up the crowd for this exciting game. The Imperials were eager to score another but the Milesian's went on full lockdown as their defence woke up. The three scrums in a row to come were very brutal as by this point the sun was shining at 28C and the players were both physically and mentally exhausted. The New Dulwich Imperials in the last minutes of the game came back with a full try and conversion which put them in the lead with a very real chance at winning however their spirits were stronger than their flesh as the Milesian's were able to make a simple counter attack and score the try and conversion that won them the game. All in all an excellent match of Rugby played today and both teams should feel proud.


Formoria (IVR) Vs. Kuressaare RSB (SAR)
Score: 8 - 4 Scrums: 4
Notes: A very heavily defensive game today to serve as a foil to the Nemedia - New Dulwich Imperial game as both teams came out today - not to dominate but to survive. While Formoria opened by beating Kuressaare's scrum and bringing it to the try - they failed to convert and made way for a dangerous game of low scores on both sides. Scrums came and went and neither team could get a proper run until a Kuressaare offense took initiative and made it a try for an equal game and missed their big chance at a conversion also.
The second have was a harsh one as after two more immediate scrums both sides seemed to be exhausted. Neither could make any play worth mentioning and only managed to get locked down in another scrum. Unbelievably in the 11th hour Formoria pushed and broke away and managed to score the 3rd try of the game and secure the victory for Formoria. Playing this game like a war of attrition is a dangerous move when playing a team on it's home turf: You have no guarantee you have more stamina to hold out with. Formoria may have won today but it seriously need's to shake things up if it want's to have a tangible chance at the Aodh-Mór Cup.

 

[Ivernia]

Aodh-Mór Cup Semi-Finals!
http://i1050.photobucket.com/albums/s404/padraigmchugh/challongesemifinals.png

10th Continental Marines Regiment (SYL) Vs. Imavere RSB (SAR)
Score: 13 - 6 Scrums: 5
Notes: Very much a game of two halves as the two teams buckled down into a sytem of heavy defence as as soon as the whistle blowed the 10th Continental Marines Regiment started with the ball and fell into a total Saaremaan lockdown with three scrums one after the other which seemed to take the wond out the each sides attack as neither side seemed to be able to make any sort of capable or culpable push for a try or even a field goal. With a Imavere RSB run towards the end of the half being hit down into a scrum and with no scores on the board the two teams seemed under great pressure to make something of the second. The second half however was a complete reversal of strategy on both sides as the two teams went on the full offense for a very exciting half. Each sides attack broke through every time and each move almost ended in a try. The !0th Marines were the first to break the ice with a try that did not lead to conversion however Imavere quickly reciprocated with a try with full conversion giving them a 2 point lead. The Sylvanian's were made of sterner stuff however as they went on a full counter attack - a try and conversion - yet another in so short a time lit up the crowd. Imavere's follow-up counter attack came up short and the 10th Continental Marine's punished them for their failure with a cheeky field goal for another point. By this point the Sylvanian's had a healthy 7 point lead and it seemed the Saaremaan team lost it's fire. The 10th Continenta Marine's have won today and are now in the final to face the Ivernish.

Milesia (IVR) Vs. Formoria (IVR)
Score: 6 - 22 Scrums: 4
Notes: A roughshod game with both the Ivernish teams hitting hard for a chance at the finals. Milesia and Formoria - traditional rivals both in and out of rugby made this game a very contentious one with the stadium in Alderburgh 50/50 split for fans in a sellout game.
Formoria however was making much more than hollow threats as it started the game by breaking from the Milesian defence with a try that was successfully converted for a very early six point lead. While a second attempt for a Formorian try ended in a scrum which Milesia took from them - Milesia failed to turn it into anything and Formoria made them pay for it with another try. WIth a 10 point lead in the first half Milesia seemed to lose heart. They seemed unable to make anything of the dominant possession they had. However just before the whistle for the end of the first half they turned the tide somewhat and score a try and made the very valuable conversion for 6 points. Breathing new life in the game and making for a very anticipated second half. When the teams filed on to the pitch on the sunny July day in Alderburgh it really was seen to be anyone's game and anyone's chance at the final. However then pay began Formoria did every it could to remove all doubt with a fantastic run that brought about a try and conversion. This may have shocked Milesia as they seemed to be on the defensive for the rest of the game playing away scrum after scrum attempting to dissuade the Formorian assault. However the northmen seemed to insurmountable as they finished the game with another try with conversion giving Formoria a huge 16 point lead and winning the game.

In the end though both teams have done far and away excellent as it was actually Nemedia who were seen as favourites and did not even break top in their poll in the leagues. Milesia has done extremely well this year and will go for a chance at the bronze medal against Imavere RSB. Formoria however will go against the 10th Continental Marines Regiment from Sylvania - the dark horses - who are now awaiting Formoria for in the finals for the Aodh-Mór Cup.

 

[Safiria]

Very Good!!