Our first game in the season was a baptism of fire for several new and young players, and there were some speculations and low expectations about our overall performance agains the far more experienced visitors from Horley RFC.

Horley RFC

Surprisingly, Murphy’s Misfits was dominating in the first quarter launching effective attacks and displaying good skills and team spirit.
Our poor experience and fitness in defense began to count in the dying minutes of the first half and the visitors did not fail to capitalize on every single mistake all along.
Despite the growing margin both in score and performance, we did not give up and kept on playing open and running rugby, and three counterattacks resulted in crossing over the opponents’ goal line.
Final score: Misfits 15 : Horley 68.

The visitors proved to be an excellent touring side and we had great time togheter both off and on the field.

Murphy's Misfits vs Horley RFC, 19.03.2011

They had another strong performance the next day versus Bulgaria’s current 7s and 15s champion (virtually this was Bulgaria’s national XV with very few exeptions), where they dominated the scrums and break downs, and deservedly scored three spectacular tries (one disallowed).
Final score: National Sport Academy 57 : Horley 10.

3 March 2011 Thursday. NSA, Murrayfield 2:

Siberian blast, hard ground and amazingly entertaining running rugby would be mere understatement of today’s game.
Greatest credit goes to Barbarians for putting together this second event on and off the pitch – great turnout, refereeing, BBQ and jokes (Stefan A.), beers (Sasho Petrov)!
Bad whether and poor conditions could not stop the two teams: Lions (yellow strip, captained by Ivo), and Haiduti (blacks, captained by Kaloyan) reinforced by some elite Berkotisa and NSA players, from displaying the best aspects of the Game – great skills, continuity and scoring spectacular tries.
It was great to see Teo’s (ex-JJ barkeeper) comeback with a vengeance, being instrumental in both attack and defense.
We were so sorry to hear that Stefan Doitchev couldn’t not join the party today (heavily missed on No. 8 ) and we hope to see him back alive and kicking as he is sooner than he thinks.
Ivats (Lions) and Roman Para (Haiduti) deservedly became MOM.

3 March 2011 Thursday. NSA, Murrayfield 2

Team warmup

We had a great 3 in 1 on Sunday Oct. 24, 2010.

Starting XV

1. The Big Stones from Havelte, Netherlands proved to be excellent touring team showing great spirit both on and off the field,

Toxic Twin

2. Great turnout and performance by Misfits and Barbarians,

Creating Space

3. The Weather – anyone wished or fancied anything better?

Quick release

Both teams produced a really dazzling piece of dynamic running rugby and entertainment for their supporters and spectators. The Visitors though saw some difficulties in keeping their pace and pressure all along partly because of their strong interest in sightseeing (till 4 am Sunday), and secondly because the ref was particularly critical and demanding of them during the game.

Practicing for Halloween? Vampire Stefan

It was a difficult decision to pick the Visitors’ Man of the Match from this bunch of Big Hard Rolling Stones, many votes went to their No 2 front rower (sorry, can’t use the position name on this occasion), but eventually the award went to the Toxic Twins.

The French Connection

Again many thanks to all The Big Stones, Murphy’s Misfits & Barbarians, supporters, spectators, and NSA Rugby Club for granting us their field for this special performance on Sunday.

Rugby is the source!

Teams after Game

Получи се една чудесна 3 в 1 комбинация тази неделя, 24 октомври :

Breaking through.

1. Big Stones от Хавелте, Холандия, се доказаха като отличен отбор, показвайки чудесен дух на и извън терена,

Looking for the pass.

2. Много участници и страхотна игра от страна на Мисфитс и Варварите,

3. Времето – никой не можеше да иска по-добри температури.

Crushed by a Big Stone

И двата отбора представиха една наистина динамична и заинтригуваща игра на ръгби, а поддръжниците и публиката очевидно останаха доволни. Въпреки това, гостите определено изпитваха сериозни трудности да поддържат темпото и да пресират по време на целия мач. От една страна това се дължи на голямо им желание да разгледат всички забележителности на града ни (прибрали се чак в 4 часа сутринта), а от друга, защото съдията бе изключително critical и изискващ към тях по време на мача.

Беше наистина трудно да изберем Играч на Мача от гостуващия отбор измежду всичките големи и здрави “камъни” , много гласове събра No 2 от схваткаджийте (май по-добре да не споменаваме поста, на който обикновено играе ръгбиста с номер 2), но в крайна сметка наградата бе връчена на Toxic Twins (Отровните близнаци).

Come lay down with me!

Special Netherlands Dance

Look Out! Big Stone rolling your way.

Joro having a beer from his boot after scoring his first try in a XVs game

Още веднъж изказваме големи благодарности на всичи от Big Stones, Murphy’s Misfits & Варварите, поддръжници, зрители, и на Ръгби клуб НСА за предоставеното игрище и добрата игра в неделя.

В Ръгби е истината!

To say the Beach Rugby Tournament in Varna was extremely hot is but saving half of the truth!

It’s not only about the weather (35+ C), but also because of the hot cheeleaders off the field, tough, running rugby on the field, DJ and cheering spectators.

It was hot!

Murphy’s Misfits’ team:

1. Stefan D.

2. Kaloyan

3. Martin (he played couple of touch games with us before)

4. Vesso

5. Olivier Roche (team manager and sub)

6. Thomas Roche – team mascot (Viking)

7. Mitana Roche – supporter

8. Tania – supporter

9. French supporter and assistant (water and beer)

Misfits in Varna, August 2010

Like always we kicked off the opening game and (not) surprisingly it was vs. the eventual winners (Antonio’s Varna 1).

It took us the whole first half and conceding 3 tries before we can get back in the game to score twice.

Well too little and too late, but that was our last and only defeat in the tournament (2:5).

We went on to win all the other games (most of our opponents looked really awesome with their huge tatooed muscles).

Eventually, we found out that pool’s runner-up will not compete for the trophy.

However we did look and play like the only real team out there with our new kit (credit to Myles), excellent piece of rugby, high spirit and sportmanship.

Next time better, chins up!

Rugby is the source!