2004/5 RUGBY SEASON FINISH...

AZERBAIJAN PLAY ITS FIRST HOME INTERNATIONAL AND WIN...

4^th BAKU RUGBY FESTIVAL 07^th to the 09^th October 2005...

Combined Baku Rugby Seven Perform Well in Dubai...

3^rd Baku Rugby Festival (09^th And 10^th October 2004)...

Baku Exiles Take Delivery of New Kit...

Baku International Rugby Festival a "Roaring Success"...

Baku Exiles Triumph in Series Decider...

БКР или Baku Exiles? Эти команды в очередной раз разыграют престижный регбийский трофей Азербайджана...

Baku Exiles обыграл команду БКР. Иностранцам, проживающим в Баку, удалось взять реванш...

Baku Rugby Club Show Their Class To Beat Valiant Exiles...

2004/5 RUGBY SEASON FINISH

Baku Rugby Club beats Jalalibad to secure victory of the 2005 Azerbaijan rugby championships leaving Baku exiles to play against Sumgait for third place play-off.

Exiles vs. Sumgait match report:
Exiles started off well from a quick penalty taken by Jason Thomas (Scrum Half) and pasted in to his captain John Quinn who took out several defenders to score a well earned try under the posts. Doug McConnell (Johnny Wilkinson - want-to-be) converted to put Exiles 07 - 0 up within the first 7 minutes. Exiles scored another try by a well coordinated backs move between Jack Winton and Martin Coward. Unfortunately McConnell missed the conversion which would have come in handy near the end of the game - "never mind Doug, Johnny misses some every so often as well".

Exiles started off the 2^nd half with a 12 - 0 lead however the sweltering sun started to get the better of them. Sumgait with a much younger team and players more used to the Azeri hot summers put in an easy try in the corner within 5 minutes of the second half leaving Ragif Huseynli converted with ease. Exiles won a penalty on their own 22 line which McConnell should have sent in to touch but obviously the sun was getting to him as he kick it down the center of the pitch. This allowed Sumgait backs a good running opportunity at the try line, exiles back line failed to tackle allowing Sumgait to score yet again an easy try under the posts this time. Haseynli converting bring the final score 12 - 14.

2005 Lions tour: Best of luck to Azerbaijan travelling supporters (John Quinn, Doug Ord, Andy McIntosh, Derek Johnson, Bob lambert and Geoff Donley) who will be heading to New Zealand for this years Lions Tour. For those of you not as lucky, keep an eye on your TV screen during the game for the Azerbaijan flag and Azeri Military hats.

Thanks to all our sponsors who have supported us over the past year and special takes to our mean sponsors: BTC, PSL, Xirdalan, Geoservices and Total.

* * *

AZERBAIJAN PLAY ITS FIRST HOME INTERNATIONAL AND WIN

After getting beating by a modest score of 17 - 35 in their first ever-International game against Bosnia on the 16^th April Azerbaijan went out to prove they had more in them for the re-match.

On the 30^th of April 2005 Azerbaijan international play it first ever home international against Bosnia in Baku, Azerbaijan. Bosnia went ahead with an easy try in the first 20 minutes. Azerbaijan then came back by converting a penalty in front of the posts. Just before the half whistle went Azerbaijan gave the Bosnians a penalty which was easly converted to secure the extra two points to bring the score to 3 - 8 to Bosnia. It was quite visible to everyone that Azerbaijan couch 'Guram Modebadze' wasn't holding back from given his players an earful at halftime. Whatever Guram said seem to work as the Azeri team was a total different team in the second half.

The Azeri's held the Bosnians in the Bosnians half of the pitch for most of the second half. The Bosnians seem to be the better of the two teams but lacked that extra determination which the Azeri had to win. Azeri front row were excellent and mold the ball well, however Azeri backs did not get the opportunity to show there skills. 10 minutes before the full whistle went, Azerbaijan front pack went on a drive from the Bosnians 20 meter line and drive the Bosnians over there own try line for Azerbaijan hooker 'Zulfigar Nabiyev Muzaffar' to touch down for a well earned try. The experienced 'Ragif Huseynli' converted all penalties and conversions, some which were at tight angles. The final score ended 8 - 11 to Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan Team:

* * *

4^th BAKU RUGBY FESTIVAL 07^th to the 09^th October 2005

DEAR FELLOW RUGBY CLUBS,

I am writing to cordially invite you to take part in the 4^th annual Baku Rugby Festival, which takes place from the 7^th to the 9^th of October, 2005, in Baku, Azerbaijan. The Festival offers teams action on the rugby field combined with a chance to enjoy Baku – a city with a unique history and culture which also has a lively expatriate population and all the bars, restaurants, hotels and other amenities you would expect to find in a modern capital.

The centrepiece of the Baku Rugby Festival is a Sevens tournament, but there is also much besides that. Last year, the Festival attracted teams from Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan. England rugby legend Paul Rendell was the guest of honour and speaker at our annual rugby dinner, which coincides with the Fesitval. You can find more details about the 2004 Festival on our website at www.bakurugbyclub.com. For this year annual dinner, we have main guests of honour Mr. Clive Griffiths the current Welsh defensive coach as prime speaker and Jeremy Puig ex Welsh Prop just to keep the pattern of props from pervious dinner events.

This year, we are planning to make the Festival bigger and better. Teams from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the UK, US and the United Arab Emirates have already expressed an interest in attending.

The 2005 Festival programme will include:

• Opening ceremony on Friday 7th October at 7:00 p.m. with a free BBQ and entertainment for all participating teams.
• Baku Rugby Club’s annual rugby dinner with special guest speaker – Clive Griffiths – and cabaret. If you wish to attend this dinner, please send a separate email to Festival organiser John Quinn at john@acecaspian.com.
• The Festival competition this year will be divided into four sections: the main Sevens tournament, which incorporates a plate and cup competition; a veterans’ 10-a-side competition; a U-19s 15-a-side competition and a touch rugby competition.
• The playing schedule for the Sevens competition will start with group matches on Saturday the 8th followed by the semi-finals and finals of the plate and cup competitions on Sunday the 9th. Matches are to be played between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on both days.
• Prize-giving ceremony and Farewell concert at the tournament venue after the final matches.
• Drinks and other refreshments will be available at the ground throughout the two days of competition.

We have endeavoured to make sure that the Festival is hassle-free and good value for participating teams. Participation in the Baku Rugby Festival is completely free. All teams will be provided with a Festival pack containing information about the event, entrance passes to the Festival venues and free lunch vouchers for each day of the competition. We are happy to advise teams on hotels in Baku and to help you make reservations.

Baku is easy to get to. There are daily flights from London, Istanbul and Moscow, five times a week from Frankfurt, four times a week from Dubai, and three times a week from Paris and Vienna. Visas can be obtained on arrival at Baku Airport. Once you arrive, transport is simple. The tournament venue is near the city centre. The metro system costs less than one US cent per ticket and taxi journeys around the city centre should cost you no more than $2.50.

If you and your team would like to participate in the 2005 Baku Rugby Festival, please fill in the attached form and send it to me at john@acecaspian.com before the closing date for applications of 26^th September.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you need any further information. We very much look forward to welcoming you to Baku.

John Quinn
Festival Organizer
Mobile: +99450 221 7306
E-mail: john@acecaspian.com

The Application Form (Download)    4th BAKU RUGBY FESTIVAL    (07th to the 09th October 2005)

* * *

Combined Baku Rugby Seven Perform Well in Dubai

Baku's combined Exiles and local team performed well in the annual Dubai 7's last week. Qualifying for the tournament's most prestigious final rounds after two handsome victories and a gutsy loss the team came unstuck in the Quarter Final against a strong Varsity side containing Blues from the past couple of years. Recording a played 4, won 2, lost 2 performance accurately reflects the team's prowess but does not reveal the invaluable experience of competing against foreign teams and watching the very best rugby 7's exponents in the world where England beat Fiji 26-21 in a dramatic final to win the first IRB Sevens event of the season.

Well organized by Chief water boy Doug Ord, Baku more than matched their opponents for pace, power and skill in their first two games running out 26-0 and 33-0 victors. The Azerbaijani quintet of Ragif Huseynli, Zulfigar Nabiyev, Eldegiz Rafibayli, Elnur Ibrahimov and Aleksey Borovskih were prominent in all aspects of the wins. Huseynli, perhaps the player of the tournament, demonstrated his all round skills in attack and defence. His kicking off was accurate enough to allow his team to regularly recycle the ball and on the one occasion the opposition broke through the keen Baku defence, his covering tackle saved a certain score and raised the already high morale of the team.

In their last group match Baku were pitched against Clyde & Co. Though sounding like a team of gorilla's they were more like extras from an episode of that old TV series the A-Team. Baku took a 7-0 lead and Callum Armstrong, impressive throughout the tournament, demonstrated how aggressive defence can be turned into attack. However, for the remainder of the game, the scoreboard was only troubled by the A-Team who went on to score four tries. Ian Plowright's opening score for Baku was a great solo run in from 75 yards - or so he told me after a couple of beers in the Irish Village.

Billy and John Quinn also dazzled on the pitch as did Andy "White Boots" McIntosh back on the anniversary of his marriage proposal in Dubai the previous year. Phil Middleton provided the deft touches of a rugby diplomat on the field of play, captaining his team, encouraging and cajoling to great effect.

Special thanks to PSL Energy, main sponsors of Baku Exiles Rugby Club for year 2004/5.

The full traveling squad is:
Players: Aleksey Borovskih, Zulifgar Nabiyev, Ian Plowright, Ragif Huseynli, Phil Middleton, Eldegiz Rafibayli, Elnur Ibrahimov, Callum Armstrong, Tim Magill, Billy Quinn, Andy McIntosh

Managers: John Quinn & Doug Ord

* * *

3^rd Baku Rugby Festival (09^th And 10^th October 2004)

DEAR FELLOW RUGBY CLUBS,

I am writing to cordially invite you to take part in the 3^rd annual Baku Rugby Festival, which takes on the 9^th and 10^th of October, 2004, in Azerbaijan's capital. The Festival offers teams action on the rugby field combined with a chance to enjoy Baku - a city with a unique history and culture which also has a lively expatriate population and all the bars, restaurants, hotels and other amenities you would expect to find in a modern capital.

The centrepiece of the Baku Rugby Festival is a Sevens tournament, but there is also much besides that. Last year, the Festival attracted teams from Russia, Kazakhstan, Georgia and Azerbaijan. England rugby legend Jeff Probyn was the guest of honour and speaker at our annual rugby dinner, which coincides with the Fesitval.
You can find more details about the 2003 Festival at http://www.bakurugbyclub.com/archives.htm

This year, we are planning to make the Festival bigger and better. Teams from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the UK, US and the United Arab Emirates have already expressed an interest in attending.

The 2004 Festival programme will include:

• Opening ceremony on Friday 8^th October at 7:00 p.m. with a free BBQ and entertainment for all participating teams.
• Baku Rugby Club's annual rugby dinner with special guest speaker - to be announced - and cabaret. If you wish to attend this dinner, please send a separate email to Fesitval organiser John Quinn at john@acecaspian.com.
• The Festival competiton this year will be divided into four sections: the main Sevens tournament, which incorporates a plate and cup competition; a veterans' 10-a-side competition; a U-19s 15-a-side competition and a touch rugby competition.
• The playing schedule for the Sevens competition will start with group matches on Saturday the 9^th followed by the semi-finals and finals of the plate and cup competitions on Sunday the 10^th. Matches are to be played between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on both days.
• Prize-giving ceremony and Farewell concert at the tournament venue after the final matches.
• Drinks and other refreshments will be available at the ground throughout the two days of competition.

We have endeavoured to make sure that the Festival is hassle-free and good value for participating teams. Participation in the Baku Rugby Festival is completely free. All teams will be provided with a Festival pack containing information about the event, entrance passes to the Festival venues and 12 free lunch vouchers for each day of the competition. We are happy to advise teams on hotels in Baku and to help you make reservations.

Baku is easy to get to. There are daily flights from London, Istanbul and Moscow, five times a week from Frankfurt, four times a week from Dubai, and three times a week from Paris and Vienna. Visas can be obtained on arrival at Baku Airport. Once you arrive, transport is simple. The tournament venue is near the city centre. The metro system costs less than one US cent per ticket and taxi journeys around the city centre should cost you no more than $2.50.

If you and your team would like to participate in the 2004 Baku Rugby Festival, please fill in the attached form and send it to me at john@acecaspian.com before the closing date for applications of 31^st August.

In the meantime, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you need any further information. We very much look forward to welcoming you to Baku.

John Quinn
Festival Organizer
Mobile: +99450 221 7306
E-mail: john@acecaspian.com

The Application Form (Download)    3rd BAKU RUGBY FESTIVAL    (09th and 10th October 2004)

* * *

Baku Exiles Take Delivery of New Kit

Press Release
Tuesday August 31^st, 2004

Baku Exiles Rugby Club proudly showed off its new playing kit last week, acquired thanks to the generous support of the club's sponsors, Baku-Castel and PSL Energy Services Limited.

The Exiles will sport the blue and yellow shirts when they take to the field at the start of the new rugby season, when for the first time they will be competing as a fully-fledged club in their own right.

The sponsors were on hand to hand over the shirts to Baku Exiles Club Chairman John Quinn at a special presentation ceremony.

"We are very grateful to our sponsors for their help," said Quinn. "A proper club needs a proper set of kit and this is what he have now got."

"We will be proud to wear the shirts, with our sponsors' logos on them, when we take to the field for the new season." Quinn added: "We also have some jerseys to sell, and the proceeds from that will go towards developing rugby in Azerbaijan."

Xavier Giovanelli, Azerbaijan representative for the Castel group - makers of Xirdalan beer - said his company was based in the rugby heartland of Bordeaux in southern France, so supporting rugby in Azerbiajan was a perfect fit.

"Baku-Castel has supported rugby from the very beginning, for the past four years, and when the Baku Exiles contacted me to ask for sponsorship I could only give them a positive response," he said. "It was a natural move for Castel to support rugby development in Azerbaijan."

Ron Matheson, country manager for PSL Energy Services, said the sponsorship was a mark of his company's commitment to Azerbaijan.

"PSL is delighted to support the Baku Exiles and we intend to go on for many years as one of the main sponsors." He added: "PSL has been established in Baku since 2003… and along with the Baku Exiles we intend to grow together."

Baku Exiles Rugby club was officially registered with the Azerbaijan authorities earlier this year. The club was set up with the intention of providing playing opportunities for expatriate rugby players, while at the same time contributing to the overall development of rugby in Azerbaijan.

The club is part of a remarkable rugby success story. Four years ago the game was non-existent in Azerbaijan. But thanks to the combined efforts of sponsors, expatriate enthusiasts and Azeri nationals, the sport is beginning to thrive.

In the 2004/5 season, Azerbaijan's national team will compete for the first time in full international competitions, while new teams are being established across the country.

For more information about Baku Exiles Rugby Club, contact club chiarman John Quinn on (850) 221-73-06.

* * *

Baku International Rugby Festival a "Roaring Success"

Azerbaijan put itself firmly on the international rugby map in October with the 2^nd annual Baku International Rugby Festival, a two-day tournament which brought together 150 players from Russia, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, England rugby legend Jeff Probyn, VIPs and hundreds of enthusiastic spectators.

On the field, spectators were treated to some of the most competitive rugby witnessed in Azerbaijan for years as the Hooligana club, from Georgia's capital, Tbilisi, fought off their rivals to win the final of the rugby 7's tournament. They were also able to watch the first international U-17 rugby game ever held on Azeri soil as local junior players took on their Georgian counterparts.

The highlight off the field was a fund-raising dinner, at which Probyn, the former Wasps and England prop, entertained guests with hilarous stories from his playing career. The dinner raised many thousands of dollars, money which will go towards the development of grass-roots rugby in Azerbaijan. And to tie in with the Rugby World Cup underway in Australia, organisers set up a live satellite link next to the pitch so rugby fans did not need to miss any of the action.

The festival, which took place between the 10^th and 12^th of October, was organised by Baku Rugby Club. With the help of its sponsors and supporters, the club is working to revive home-grown rugby in Azerbaijan after the sport died out in the early 1990s.

Baku Rugby Club fielded three senior teams for the 7's tournament, the Hooligana club put out two sides while the DHL Tbilisi club, the Moscow Dragons and the Almaty Snow Leopards also took part. In a bid to attract new fans to rugby, the organisers booked the hugely popular Azeri rap group "Deyirman" to perform during the tournament, and laid on live music and a free prize draw.

"We were thrilled with the success of this year's festival," said Tom Springall, chairman of Baku Rugby Club. "This is the second year we have been running the festival and this time it was bigger and better. We had proper competitive tournament with eight teams from as far afield as Russia and Kazakhstan."

"Although the highest placed Azerbaijan based team was fourth, this was a very good result considering the opposition included several full time Georgian teams and the Moscow Dragons who recently won the Riga Cup. Azerbaijan and Baku Rugby Club must now take this success forward to the Dubai 7's competition, the major regional rugby competition, which occurs in the first week of December."

"I know that all the teams who attended had a good time. More importantly, we got hundreds of spectators down to the stadium - many of them completely new to the game of rugby -and the tournament was broadcast on Azeri television. As a result, we believe the festival made a valuable contribution in popularising the sport here. We look forward to staging the festival again next year."

"We were also honoured to have several important guests attend the final stages of the tournament including the Azerbaijan Minister for Sport, Youth and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev and the ambassadors of Japan, Georgia and Russia, together with many of our sponsors."

"I would like to express special thanks to the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Tourism and to all our sponsors for all their assistance. Without their help, the rugby festival would never have been such a roaring success."

* * *

Baku Exiles Triumph in Series Decider

The Baku Exiles rugby side became holders of this year's Baku Challenge Trophy on Sunday after winning the series decider against rivals the Baku Rugby Club in a scintillating match which saw some spectacular tries and end-to-end action.

Sunday's 25-15 scoreline gave the Exiles a two game lead in the three match series - they had lost the first game and won the second - earning them the right to become the first holders of the inagural trophy, sponsored by Long Forest.

But the match, in front of an appreciative crowd at the SKIF stadium in Ganjlik, could have gone either way, with the Azeri nationals in the Baku Rugby Club side showing sparkling skills and repeatedly threatening the Exiles' tryline.

"We believe that this match produced the best quality rugby that has been seen in Azerbaijan to date," said Baku Rugby Club treasurer John Quinn. "Our players have come on in leaps and bounds and we think they are ready to take on all-comers."

"It was a bruising encounter but thankfully there was nothing too serious and Dr. Don Wells, from pipeline contractors CCIC, who was kindly providing medical cover, was not called into action."

It was the rugby club team that took the early lead. Full-back Fuad Askerov, his team's most outstanding player, used his speed and mazy running to tie the Exiles' defence up in knots and touch down in the corner five minutes into the game.

The Exiles recovered their composure and for the rest of the first half they managed to contain Askerov, and the battering midfield charges of centres Elnur Ibragimov and Eldegiz Rafibeyli.

Exiles fly-half Phil Middleton kicked two penalties, including one long-range effort, to keep the Exiles in the game and at the half-time interval they led by one point.

But that was short-lived. As the Exiles tired in the second half, the rugby club put together a succession of slick passing moves. One put in Askerov for his second try of the match, while another passing combination down the touchline was finished off with a try by rugby club wing Seymour Orudzhev.

A win for Baku Rugby Club looked inevitable and it was only two pieces of individual skill from Middleton which turned the game around. After a scrum deep into rugby club territory, the Exiles No 10, showing cat-like stealth, intercepted a pass and pounced over to score.

Minutes later, Middleton caught a mistimed clearance kick on the Baku Rugby Club tryline and touched down again. He converted both of his own tries. Exiles back-row Tony Leighton finished off the scoring, picking up from the base of a scrum and darting over the tryline.

* * *

БКР или Baku Exiles? Эти команды в очередной раз разыграют престижный регбийский трофей Азербайджана

Г.ГАМИДОВ, "Эхо", 28 Мая 2003 г.

Кубок Long Forest Challenge Trophy за всю историю азербайджанского регби разыгрывался дважды. По разу обладателем престижного трофея становились команды Бакинского клуба регби и Baku Exiles, составленная из иностранцев-любителей, проживающих в Баку.

В марте 2003 года победу одержали регбисты БКР. Однако уже в апреле Baku Exiles взяла реванш.

Третья решающая встреча двух непримиримых соперников назначена на 1 июня 2003 года. Матч пройдет на стадионе Азербайджанской государственной академии физкультуры и спорта и обещает быть интересным и зрелищным. "Наша последняя игра прошла при заполненных трибунах, - рассказывает попечитель Бакинского клуба регби Джон Куин. - Как на поле, так и за его пределами, восприятие этого вида спорта в Азербайджане за короткий промежуток времени проделало длинный путь. Уровень и качество игры улучшается. Отрадно, что спонсоры продолжают поддерживать нас".

Еще одним достижением клуба стала недавняя регистрация БКР в Минюсте.

"Несмотря на то, что спортсмены БКР относительно недавно начали заниматься регби, они достигли больших успехов как на внутренней, так и на международной арене. Лишним тому подтверждением является участие нашей команды в финале турнира Dubai Rugby Sevens в конце прошлого года".

Ближайшая игра станет важной проверкой для регбистов БКР перед участием на турнире в European Sevens в июне в Грузии.

По словам Куина, перед игрой 1 июня организаторы проведут показательную игру по мини-регби, "являющейся важной составляющей развития регби в Азербайджане".

Также стало известно, что в настоящий момент Бакинский клуб регби ищет 17 игроков для участия в мини-турнирах в Грузии.

* * *

Baku Exiles обыграл команду БКР. Иностранцам, проживающим в Баку, удалось взять реванш

Г.ГАМИДОВ, "Эхо", 25 Апреля 2003 г.

Со счетом 16:7 команда регбистов Baku Exiles, собранная из иностранцев, проживающих в Баку, одержала победу над командой Бакинского клуба регби (БКР) в матче-реванше. Иностранцы проиграли нашей команде в финале розыгрыша Кубка Baku Challenge Trophy в прошлом месяце. Однако на этой неделе сполна отыгрались за поражение месячной давности. Уже известно, что третий матч двух команд состоится в конце мая. Матч, проходивший на стадионе Азербайджанской государственной академии физкультуры и спорта, выдался на редкость зрелищным. Опыт и игровой стаж иностранцев сделали свое дело.

С первого свистка преимуществом завладел клуб Baku Exiles, который упорно атаковал линию защиты азербайджанских рэгбистов. Под прессингом азербайджанцы допустили ряд технических нарушений, в результате чего судья назначил три пенальти. К концу первого тайма азербайджанская команда отстала от соперника на девять очков. Сразу после начала второго тайма иностранцы вновь атаковали защиту нашей команды и протащили мяч через зачетную линию Бакинского клуба регби. После этого азербайджанская команда завладела преимуществом, а ее атаки стали носить осмысленный характер. Особо отличился Фуад Аскеров, который неоднократно эффектно обыгрывал защитников команды соперника, проявляя отменную скорость и ловкость. Центровые Эльнур Ибрагимов и Эмин Агаев также создали несколько опасных прорывов и за 20 минут до окончания матча сократили разрыв в счете.

С первого свистка преимуществом завладел клуб Baku Exiles, который упорно атаковал линию защиты азербайджанских рэгбистов. Под прессингом азербайджанцы допустили ряд технических нарушений, в результате чего судья назначил три пенальти. К концу первого тайма азербайджанская команда отстала от соперника на девять очков. Сразу после начала второго тайма иностранцы вновь атаковали защиту нашей команды и протащили мяч через зачетную линию Бакинского клуба регби. После этого азербайджанская команда завладела преимуществом, а ее атаки стали носить осмысленный характер. Особо отличился Фуад Аскеров, который неоднократно эффектно обыгрывал защитников команды соперника, проявляя отменную скорость и ловкость. Центровые Эльнур Ибрагимов и Эмин Агаев также создали несколько опасных прорывов и за 20 минут до окончания матча сократили разрыв в счете.

* * *

BAKU RUGBY CLUB SHOW THEIR CLASS TO BEAT VALIANT EXILES

Baku Rugby Club ran out the convincing winners with a score of 19-0 on Saturday when they took on a determined Baku Exiles XV side in the first match between two Azerbaijan-based rugby teams to take place in thirty years.

The match, at the Kirov stadium in Zabrat, was another first for rugby in Azerbaijan, a sport that had all but died out but is now witnessing an exciting revival thanks to the efforts of the Baku club.

"We felt the day was a great success," said Baku Rugby Club captain Eldegiz Rafibeyli. "We certainly enjoyed it greatly and we know from what the Baku Exiles' players told us that they had a good time too. We hope know to make this a regular fixture, perhaps meeting up for a match every month or two months."

The rugby club team opened the scoring with a close-range try from prop Ahmed Karimov, who picked up the ball and barged over the try-line. Next to score was outside-half Ragif Husseinov. Showing his ability to allude tacklers, he sidestepped the defence and then put on a turn of pace to dive over into the corner for a score.

Club captain Eldegiz Rafibeyli rounded off the scoring when, playing at No. 8, he picked up the ball at the base of a scrum about ten yards out from the Baku Exiles' try-line, broke through two tackles, and went in to score. Fly-half Husseinov topped up the points for the Baku rugby Club side by converting two of the three tries.

In spite of the one-sided scoreline, the Exiles XV put up a valiant performance. On several occasions they came close to scoring but the Baku Rugby Club's well-drilled defence held out. Exiles' players Tony Leighton, Ian Rogers Doug McConnell, Ed Stainke and Phil Middleton played with particular distinction.

At a ceremony after the match, the victors were presented with the Baku Challenge Trophy, which was sponsored by Long Forest Resort.

Also on Saturday, the crowd at the Kirov stadium were treated to an entertaining demonstration match of mini-rugby staged by pupils at the International School in Azerbaijan.

The day was rounded off by a social event at Baku's Sports Bar, where thanks to the generosity of rugby supporters who bought raffle tickets and took out club membership, the club was able to raise well in excess of $2,000 dollars, which will be used to pay for badly-needed renovations our the training facilities.