The Cyprus National Rugby team continued their pursuit of the rugby world record of consecutive unbeaten international games when they hammered Slovenia 49-8 on Saturday before a record crowd at Pafiakos stadium.

Cyprus took the field without three of their stars: the centre pairing of
George Agathocleous and Reno Ioannides both recovering from surgery and if this wasn’t bad enough, the Limassol express, Fidias Efthymiou was injured during the warm-up, nevertheless, in the opening minutes Marcus Holden the regular full-back touched down for an unconverted try with Matt King crossing the Slovenian line twice within eight minutes to take the score to 17 points without response from the opposition.

The Cypriots were dominant in all the set pieces with Jonathan Pettermerides claiming all the line-out work and giving the Slovenians no

chance. In the 36th.minute Holden landed a penalty taking the score to 22
without reply, but moments later Nened Yovenovith, the outstanding player
on the other side touched down for the Slav’s first score. Within one minute of half time Tom Loizides ensured that the Moufflons left the field 27-5 to the good.

A whisker into the second half saw the ever reliable Holden score with a
follow up by the team captain, Tony Thoma taking the score to 37-5. The
Cypriot were overwhelmingly superior in all departments with the play-maker, Andy Binikos, getting on the sheet and this shortly followed by back row star, Marko Mladenovic to bring the score to 49-5, but in the game’s dying seconds a little indiscipline by the home side saw Yovanovitch slot a penalty which brought the final score to 49-8. Man of the match was awarded to Marcus Holden for his 2 tries, 3 conversions and 1 penalty.

The result now gives Cyprus 17 consecutive wins which takes them within one game of equalling Lithuania’s record, and with Bulgaria booked as the next home game that were dispatched by 94-5 the last time they met the Cypriots, it would appear that the bookies are not offering much by way of odds. The Moufflons now head up division 2C and will finish this section of the season by playing Hungary away.
Coach Shanks said: ‘Given the late changes to our backs this was a very
competent display. The lads did everything that was asked of them and
more; I am very proud to be their coach’.

Theo Lenos, the team manager was equally impressed with performance
stating: ‘ It appears after five years of campaigning the Cypriots are
beginning to recognise that they have a winning international team that
will not only bring home the world record, but is recognised by our peers
for the brilliant attacking style of play, and the way we conduct
ourselves on and off the field. Our players are a credit to the country’.

Next home game will be against Bulgaria in March at Pafiakos stadium.

Photos thanks to Stavros Tum.