This Saturday, December 5, the Kunming Rugby Football Club (KRFC) host their third annual rugby tournament in Kunming. Men's and women's teams from Kunming, Chengdu, and Chongqing will compete for the Spring City Cup — a Yunnan appropriate engraved yantong, perhaps better known as a bong.

The Kunming Flying Tigers have already travelled to Shenzhen, Xiamen, Chengdu (three times!) and Chongqing for competitions this year. The December home tournament however, is the biggest event on the Kunming rugby calendar.

Convincing winners last year, the Kunming side aims to retain its trophy after a season of mixed results. Kunming, Chengdu, and Chongqing compete in the western conference of a China-wide league. The winner after three home and away rounds will play the runners-up from China south division in the new year. The Flying Tigers currently have two wins and two losses, and can claim the top spot with a victory at the Spring City Cup.

The Crouching Tigers women's team — in brand new uniforms, no less — will also compete against Chengdu and Chongqing. Captained by Marta Khvastova, the Crouching Tigers have recruited well and been training hard. They will be looking to upset the more experienced Chengdu side in what should be a physical encounter.

The slate of games run from 11am until 5pm at Yunnan Tourism Vocational College (云南旅游职业学院) on Longquan Lu. Draft beer and burgers from O'Reilly's Irish Pub will be available for spectators. You can also join the teams beginning at 9pm at the after-party at O'Reilly's Beer Garden on Dongfeng Dong Lu.

Schedule

11:00am: Kunming vs Chongqing (men)
11:38am: Kunming vs Chengdu (men)
12:16pm: Kunming vs Chengdu (women)
12:44 pm: Kunming vs Chengdu (men)
1:22pm: Kunming vs Chongqing (men)
2:00pm: Kunming vs Chengdu (women)
2:28pm: Chengdu vs Chongqing (men)
3:06pm: Kunming vs Kunming (men)
3:44pm: Kunming vs Chengdu (women)

The Kunming's team success is due in part to our generous sponsors. Kunming Rugby Football Club would like to thank Singha Beer, O'Reilly's Irish Pub, Kunming Keats School, Yu-Cong Enterprise Management, 76 Hot Factory Restaurant and GoKunming. With their support we have been able to train on good fields and buy quality uniforms and equipment, including our first hit shields for tackling.

If you've never seen a game before, rugby has is exciting mix of athleticism, power, speed and skills and is growing in popularity in China. This is especially true since the decision to include rugby sevens in the 2016 Olympic Games was made. Rugby is about camaraderie — to win, every player has to pull their own weight and work and bleed together for the result. Expect big hits, hard running and tries aplenty. The men and women of Kunming Rugby Football Club greatly appreciate your hometown support!

For further details contact Tristram at 18687138669, Teddy at 13678717194 or Marta at 18314384935. You can also email us at kunming[dot]rugby[at]gmail[dot]com. Go Tigers!

Images: Fanny Blache

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