The weekend of 30th April and 1st May 2011 will see the eleventh staging of the Pattaya 10’s Rugby Tournament, which is now known as the Chris Kays Memorial Tournament to perpetuate the memory of the former Pattaya Panthers captain, who was tragically killed in the Bali bombing in October 2002.
Once again the tournament will be staged at The Horseshoe Point Resort, the newly expanded playing field is superb and with the support of Khun Chainarin Srifuengfung, Khun Jate, Khun Korn and his staff, we are sure that everybody will love playing or watching the rugby in such attractive surroundings. There will be an open 10’s Tournament for men and a Junior Division (Under 18’s), which is now in its third year, to enable the youngsters to display their skills and potential on a major stage.
The Chris Kays Memorial Rugby 10’s Tournament takes place next weekend at Horseshoe Point.
There will be 16 teams in the main tournament and as usual this year there will be a very strong local influence led by the Old Bangkok Bangers and their development team The Bangers Colts. We look forward to the return of The Thai Legends, who will be returning to defend their title and The Chiang Mai Suas, who were beaten in an epic Cup final last year will be hoping to go one better this time around. Former champions Thai Barbarians will have a new feeder team A.T. Truck along with them and other new names include F. Club and Thai Mosquitoes.
The overseas flavour will come from the Causeway Bay RFC and the Typhoons RFC, both hailing from Hong Kong. The Typhoons will be carrying a very famous touring name “The Tequila Mocking Birds”, which will strike fear into all the opponents that they meet along Walking Street!
Of course crowd favourites The Bangkok Japanese and the new look Southerners will be looking to upset some of the more favoured teams and there will also be a strong academic influence with Kasetsart University and Bangkok University both entering accomplished teams.
Don’t underestimate the hosts Pattaya Panthers who have been training hard on the field under Captain Eoin Quirke and at the pool bar so they promising to provide a few surprises!
Players and friends will get together on Friday night (29th April) for a “welcoming party and training session” at The Tavern by the Sea in the Amari Orchid Resort. Disco music will be provided at the field and throughout the weekend by popular DJ Russell Jay and his Soundzgood Discotheques, we may also feature on live radio Mix 88.5 FM.
The action begins at 9 a.m. on Saturday and concludes around 6 p.m. Sunday in what should be a memorable weekend festival of rugby that will feature almost 24 hours of entertaining rugby action during the two days. Note the U 18’s tournament will be played from 16:00 to 19:00 on Saturday evening and will conclude between 08:00 and 10:00 on Sunday morning.
The weather is forecast to be fine and the venue is in perfect condition so we have no doubt that “this will be the best tournament yet,” said Chairman of the Pattaya Panthers, Jim Howard.
