Vagabonds Crowned Southern Region 7s Champions

The Phuket Vagabonds are Thailand Rugby Union Southern Region 7s champions again, six years after we last lifted the title in Surat Thani. Over the weekend of 1–2 August in Krabi, the squad turned an opening-game defeat into a 12–7 win in the final, against the same Krabi side that had beaten us on day one.

A wake-up call in game one

Krabi came out flying. Young, quick and fit, they stretched our defence from the first whistle and took their chances to edge the opener 19–17. It was the kind of loss that can unravel a tournament. Instead, the boys regrouped, worked their way back through the draw and set up a final rematch with the hosts.

Taking control in the final

With the title on the line, the plan was simple: don't let Krabi set the pace. This time the Vagabonds held on to the ball, slowed the game down and used their physicality to grind out territory. Denied space for their dangerous runners, Krabi were kept to a single try, and we closed it out 12–7.

The experience of Jacob King, Paul Rothwell and Cillian O'Neil was the difference, steering the side around the pitch and making the right calls when it mattered.

Standout performances

• Frazer Thomas and Diarmuid O'Dowd Hill made impressive Vagabonds debuts and look like great additions to the squad.

• Joe Miles and James Warwick were relentless up front, winning the breakdown battle and giving the backs a platform.

• Club veteran and tourist Lee Stones helped coach the squad in the build-up and brought calm and experience off the bench.

Above all, it was a whole-squad effort: every player contributed, and the way the team learned from that first loss says a lot about the character of this group.

Academy U16s get a taste of the big stage

Our Academy U16 boys also took part, in a four-team tournament across both days. Results were tough (a 10–0 loss, a 20–7 loss in which they led at half-time, and a 22–0 loss), but the team finished as Second Runner-up and played with real commitment and spirit. Having the juniors competing alongside the senior side made it a special weekend for the whole club.

One Club. One Family. One Future. Up the Vags!

Read the full report in The Phuket News: Phuket Vagabonds win Southern Region 7s title.