By Stephen Barber, PRUI Life Member
In what was the closest Final in the history of the “Fez by Aphrodite West Indonesia XV’s Series” the Jakarta Komodos had to rally from 0-13 down in the opening 25 minutes to run out eventual 20-13 Division 1 Champions over a very gallant Jakarta Bantengs team last Saturday at the Jagorawi Rugby Ground. The match was played in true grand final style and at different times both matches has an even chance of winning the match, but in the end it was the Komodos superior experience led by Joe Keane, Marc Thompson, Daniel Nugroho and Todd Peate that saw them take out the match. Standout players for the Bantengs were PC, Matt Davis, Yucil and Justin Field.
Scoring in the Final was as follows:
- Bantengs 7-0; try, Justin Field penalty
- Bantengs 10-0; Justin Field penalty
- Bantengs 13-0; Justin Field penalty
- Bantengs 13-7; Todd Peate try, Joe Keane conversion
- Bantengs 13-12; try
- Komodos 17-13; Marc Thomson try
- Komodos 20-13; Joe Keane penalty
Following the Division 1 Final, there inaugural Division 2 Final was contested by JJRG Samurai and UNJ. This match in a stark contrast to the Division 1 Final started under grey skies and drizzle which soon turned to a torrential downpour by midway through the first half. The rain resulted in more than 80% of the pitch disappearing under water and by halftime there was additional thunder and lightning such that the match had to be abandoned with the Samurai declared 38-5 winners.
This year’s “Fez by Aphrodite West Indonesia XV’s Series” saw seven teams participating over the course of the tournament in Division 1 (4 teams) and Division 2 (3 teams). Indonesian Rugby would also like to thanks the Bandung United lads who managed wins over both the Komodos and the Bantengs through the course of the Division 1 season and also the Bandung Rams and Bogor Rusa who participated in Division 2.
Indonesian Rugby would also like to mention a thank you to all the Referees who helped out during the course of the season and also a big thank you to “Fez by Aphrodite” who have been the tournament sponsors since 2008 and put on a great night following the Finals’ matches.