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Seyhan Fell scores in Cyprus v Israel International
Alex Ruddock24 Nov 2016 - 10:16
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Seyhan was the only North Cyprus representative in the combined Cyprus side.
Cyprus 28 Israel 38
Saturday 12th November 2016. Local Press report.
Cyprus Rugby took on Israel in the Paphiako Stadium in Paphos, in their European Conference League 1 South full international. Israel, one of the countries they originally faced ten years ago when the Mouflons were just starting their progress up the rugby world rankings, arrived under strict security measures and were not allowed too much free time during their five day stay in Paphos. Following on from their defeat in Malta two weeks ago, this was Cyprus’ home debut in the league competition which, after the re-structuring of the European Conference Leagues, sees Cyprus matched with three teams from last season’s higher division – Croatia, Malta and Israel
This was always going to be a tough test for the Mouflons and with several regular players side-lined through injuries, including regular TRNC scrum half Burhan Torgut, it came down to Seyhan Fell to represent the North in the country’s joint national side. After impressing in his second half debut in last season’s away fixture in Lithuania, Seyhan gained a start in the Malta match on the right wing and against Israel started on the left.
From the start the Mouflons found themselves under pressure after Israel retained their own kick. Several quick phases of play resulted in the Israel winger going over in the corner to get the first points on the board after only two minutes: 0-5 to Israel. Rattled by this, Cyprus then decided to wake up and played better rugby, driving the visitors back, but despite some well worked moves, Israel were able to defend their line. With Cyprus marginally the better in the initial scrums and taking several line outs against the throw they managed to keep pressure on Israel and after 12 minutes the play worked initially through the centres, before several quick passes to the left saw Seyhan Fell with ball in hand just inside the opposition 22. Despite two despairing tackles Seyhan managed to power over in the corner for five points and with a well taken conversion by Marcus Holden, put the home team in the lead: 7 – 5.
Israel responded to this with their own try on 20 minutes (7 – 10) and the rest of the first half saw Cyprus winning opposition line outs, creating chances for attacking play and after thirty minutes Marcus Holden got a second try for Cyprus (12 – 10). The home team also slotted a couple of penalties, but between these some missed tackles allowed the visitors over for their third try. The score at half time, 18 – 17 to Cyprus.
Within two minutes of the restart the Mouflons had increased their lead to 25 – 17 with a well taken try and conversion on the right wing. However, Israel were by no means out of it and started to exert more pressure in the scrums, beginning to slightly dominate these for the remainder of the match. This extra possession saw the visitors score from a penalty in the 49th minute and add two more tries in the 59th and 62nd minutes, to give Israel a lead 25 – 30.
On 70 minutes Cyprus narrowed the visitor’s lead with a penalty (28 – 30) after the home forwards had put the Israel defence under sustained attacks for about five minutes. Despite the best efforts of The Mouflons, Israel were able to close out the match in the final seven to eight minutes with a further try in the corner, after a catch and drive from a penalty line out and with a final penalty scored in front of the posts to give the closing score at a slightly flattering 28 – 38 to Israel.
Seyhan, on this occasion the TRNC’s sole representative, played the full 80 minutes, switching from wing to full back for the final ten minutes to cover for an injury. With the next League match for Cyprus being a February away fixture in Andorra it is hoped that Seyhan Fell will remain injury free to be available for selection to pick up his fourth international cap, and that Burhan Torgut will also return from injury.
Saturday 12th November 2016. Local Press report.
Cyprus Rugby took on Israel in the Paphiako Stadium in Paphos, in their European Conference League 1 South full international. Israel, one of the countries they originally faced ten years ago when the Mouflons were just starting their progress up the rugby world rankings, arrived under strict security measures and were not allowed too much free time during their five day stay in Paphos. Following on from their defeat in Malta two weeks ago, this was Cyprus’ home debut in the league competition which, after the re-structuring of the European Conference Leagues, sees Cyprus matched with three teams from last season’s higher division – Croatia, Malta and Israel
This was always going to be a tough test for the Mouflons and with several regular players side-lined through injuries, including regular TRNC scrum half Burhan Torgut, it came down to Seyhan Fell to represent the North in the country’s joint national side. After impressing in his second half debut in last season’s away fixture in Lithuania, Seyhan gained a start in the Malta match on the right wing and against Israel started on the left.
From the start the Mouflons found themselves under pressure after Israel retained their own kick. Several quick phases of play resulted in the Israel winger going over in the corner to get the first points on the board after only two minutes: 0-5 to Israel. Rattled by this, Cyprus then decided to wake up and played better rugby, driving the visitors back, but despite some well worked moves, Israel were able to defend their line. With Cyprus marginally the better in the initial scrums and taking several line outs against the throw they managed to keep pressure on Israel and after 12 minutes the play worked initially through the centres, before several quick passes to the left saw Seyhan Fell with ball in hand just inside the opposition 22. Despite two despairing tackles Seyhan managed to power over in the corner for five points and with a well taken conversion by Marcus Holden, put the home team in the lead: 7 – 5.
Israel responded to this with their own try on 20 minutes (7 – 10) and the rest of the first half saw Cyprus winning opposition line outs, creating chances for attacking play and after thirty minutes Marcus Holden got a second try for Cyprus (12 – 10). The home team also slotted a couple of penalties, but between these some missed tackles allowed the visitors over for their third try. The score at half time, 18 – 17 to Cyprus.
Within two minutes of the restart the Mouflons had increased their lead to 25 – 17 with a well taken try and conversion on the right wing. However, Israel were by no means out of it and started to exert more pressure in the scrums, beginning to slightly dominate these for the remainder of the match. This extra possession saw the visitors score from a penalty in the 49th minute and add two more tries in the 59th and 62nd minutes, to give Israel a lead 25 – 30.
On 70 minutes Cyprus narrowed the visitor’s lead with a penalty (28 – 30) after the home forwards had put the Israel defence under sustained attacks for about five minutes. Despite the best efforts of The Mouflons, Israel were able to close out the match in the final seven to eight minutes with a further try in the corner, after a catch and drive from a penalty line out and with a final penalty scored in front of the posts to give the closing score at a slightly flattering 28 – 38 to Israel.
Seyhan, on this occasion the TRNC’s sole representative, played the full 80 minutes, switching from wing to full back for the final ten minutes to cover for an injury. With the next League match for Cyprus being a February away fixture in Andorra it is hoped that Seyhan Fell will remain injury free to be available for selection to pick up his fourth international cap, and that Burhan Torgut will also return from injury.
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