On Saturday June 24th, 2019, the Busan Bandits RFC hosted KERA 19 – 4,  the first of their two home tournaments. The tournament took place at the Baegunpo Sports Park in Yongho-dong, Busan.

It was a great day for rugby and all the teams came out firing. The Bandits started the day well with wins over the ever-improving Stars & Stripes team and our friends from up the coast, the Ulsan Goblins. The last match of the day was lost to a rampant Seoul Survivors team. The Bandits played 3 matches with 2 wins and 1 loss.

The Goblins, who are also in a rebuilding phase, had a tough day with 0 from 3 matches played. They are still looking for their first win of the season.

The Stars & Stripes Military Rugby Korea team had a really good day with wins over the Ulsan Goblins and the Seoul Survivors. They put in a very good performance against the Survivors, displaying some dazzling handling skills.

Their continuous pressure play and athletism paid off handsomely with a surprising, yet satisfying, win over the Seoul Survivors. They came out of the tournament with 2 wins from 3 matches played.

The Survivors are playing excellent rugby this year and looks set to reclaim the Joe Day Cup at the end of the season. Despite the loss to the Stars & Stripes team, they put in dominating performances against quality opposition in the form of the Goblins and the Bandits. They are definitely the form team of the 2019 season. They played 3 matches, winning 2 and losing 1.

The next tournament, KERA 19-5, will be take place after the summer break. It will be hosted by the Stars & Stripes team on the Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek.

As a whole, it was a good day for the Busan Bandits team. The tournament was well organised, with special mentions to Andrew Court, Coach Adriaan Neetling and Jun Hyeok Yoo. The lads put in solid performances on the pitch and there is a great spirit present in the club.

Also, a big thank you to Kevin Seiff for jetting in just to play for the Bandits. Kevin was scheduled to fly into Korea ( from San Diego, California) for a business meeting in Seoul, but changed his plans and flights in order to play for the Bandits a week earlier.

That is what the Bandits are all about.

Kevin Seiff

Great day yesterday lads. Game 3 – fitness and heat took it’s toll. Great turnout at the aftermatch. The visiting teams had a blast too. Happy to have been here to join in! 

David Poole

You sir, are  an absolute pleasure to be around. Thank you and thanks lads for a great day! We smashed Ulsan, put a great performance against S&S and were unfortunate against Seoul. However, we sucked up that defeat like professionalsand continue to shine as a team in the bar!! Thanks to this brotherhood we continue to grow and strive as gentlemen and legends! Great day boys.

Justin Haynes

I love every single one of you and i am so happy with the state of Bandits. We played a well, tough fought season and I can’t wait to smash some XXXX in the second half. Bandits 4 Life!

Francis Flanagan

Great weekend lads , I agree with Justin there is such a great energy between the boys! This is why we love the bandits.

PG Spamer

From my side, thanks to everyone that contributed. I know there are some guys who live far away that are putting in extra work during the week to get fitter/stronger. The lads that got injured: Jun, Justin and Gert-please rest up well. Let’s use this break in the season to recruit and have some fun events. We have started our fight back up the points ladder and the second half of the season is going to be interesting. Great night out too, I was struggling all day!

The Busan Bandits are looking forward to the second half of the season and in particular the hosting of their second home tournament, KERA 19 – 6, on Saturday, October 19th.