Amazing performance of Jordan Rugby in Beirut

Amman, 15 Nov 2009

Jordan Rugby, last weekend participated in the Beirut 7’s Tournament held in  Bhamdoun on the outskirts of Beirut, as part of their preparation for their inaugural appearance in the Asian Rugby Sevens Series in Kish Island, Iran next weekend. The team traveled to Lebanon on 12^th November 2009 to compete against teams from Syria and Lebanon, on what would turn out to be a day of ever changing weather. From clear blue skies, to clouds being ushered by strong winds, to torrential rain and plummeting temperatures all made for a rugby day that might as well have been played in an English winter.

The Jordan Rugby Union was represented by two teams in the Beirut 7s, Jordan I, which will represent Jordan in Kish Island next weekend; and Jordan II which is a development team. Both played admirably, with Jordan II much courage, especially in view of the fact that for most of its players, this was their first rugby match.

Jordan I won all its games on its way to the final, ending up at top of the group. Also in the final were the Beirut Phoenicians, for a second clash against Jordan I. The two teams met in the round-robin stage of the tournament in a match that saw Jordan I victorious, with the match ending 12-7. The final though, disappointingly for Jordan, went to the Phoenicians, who simply played better rugby in the last match of the tournament.

This experience identified areas to develop for the Jordanian team, which will be addressed in the coming weeks before their participation on the prestigious Carlton Sri Lanka Sevens in Colombo at the end of this month.

The Team standings at the end of the Beirut 7s were as follows:

1.       Phoenicians (Lebanon)

2.       Jordan I

3.       Zenobians (Syria)

4.       Jordan II

5.       Eagles (Syria)

6.       Barbarians (Lebanon)