THE football calendar is precise and well organised, the rules of the football federation well documented and observed and every football match played in Seychelles is scrutinised throughout the islands. The sport of Rugby Football, on the other hand, gets by in a slightly different manner.

Started “sometime in the late 1950s”, though nobody is sure when, by a college professor, though nobody can remember his name, rugby in Seychelles has a long and colourful history, if only somebody could remember it.

Initially played by Seychelles College students, later with the addition of members of the expatriate community, Seychellois rugby players have carried on despite the lack of a well-organised federation or public funding to help the sport.

Relying on stalwarts such as Melvyn Roberts, who’s been playing for the last 20 years, and younger players, with less experience but fresher legs, the Seychelles selection got together last Thursday to throw down the gauntlet to HMS Cumberland.

At Stad Popiler, the Seychelles team, more used to playing seven-a-side, took on the Cumberland fifteen, in a fast and flowing match that demonstrated that love of the game can make up for a lack of structure and organisation.

The match was presided over by Jane Prizii, the first female referee in Seychelles rugby history, who was obviously in no mood to see the laws of the game bent, let alone broken.

The more organised Cumberland took an early lead after a powerful drive by their forwards sucked in the Seychelles pack and allowed their halfbacks to spread the ball quickly to the winger who ran it in at the corner.

The entirely partisan crowd seemed apprehensive that the match was going to take a decidedly one-sided turn, but the Seychelles selection made up for a lack of experience at the 15-a-side game with superb fitness and whole-hearted commitment, which was evident in a number of try-saving tackles. At half time, Cumberland led 17-0, with three tries and one conversion.

The Cumberland team were obviously feeling the heat in the second half and the Seychellois were quick to capitalise on this, drawing first-blood, literally and metaphorically, as Cumberland substituted injured and exhausted players and Seychelles came back with a try of their own.

The try followed a period of pressure by Cumberland, which broke when the Seychelles outside centre intercepted a loose pass and pulled away on a jilting run to set up a magnificent try which was cleanly converted, to the delight of the one-sided crowd.

After this, the match became far more even and it was only in the dying moments of the game that the visiting side scored once more, their powerful inside centre driving down the middle of the pitch and leaving the outside half with an easy conversion.  With the final whistle the score read 24-7 to HMS Cumberland.

Following a successful season, which has seen the side reach the final stages of the East African Safari Sevens and comprehensive victories over visiting French naval teams, the Seychelles selection are keen to avenge their defeat when Cumberland return for the rematch on December 15.

Any readers interested in playing rugby are invited to training on Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:15 p.m. on the playing field opposite the Palais des Sport, at Roche Caïman.