Enfield Ignations player makes Cyprus debut (From Enfield Independent)

Enfield Ignations player makes international debut for Cyprus

2:33pm Monday 11th June 2012 in Sport

International debutant Sam Emery was one of two Enfield Ignatians players who featured in Cyprus' 52-5 away demolition of Finland at the weekend.

The match was effectively the island's final pool game in European Group 2D, as a perfect run of eight wins in as many games has inevitably meant a well-earned promotion to Group 2C.

Homegrown talent, Emery, a product of the Ignatians' youth system, started on the bench and was introduced to the fray in the final ten minutes.

Emery said: "It's my greatest rugby moment to date and I simply couldn't wait to get out to Finland and join up with the squad. I learned of my selection on June 1, and after flying out on June 7 in company with Christo Kasabi, we had a couple of training sessions prior to the game."

Coach Emile Hertz said: "It's great for him and the experience can only do him good. He trained really hard last season and has improved massively. He took a lot of things on board and is very versatile as he can slot-in at inside centre, outside centre and on the wing. It's also a good reflection on the club."

Fellow Ignatian Kasabi again showed his versatility. Able to slot-in anywhere in the front row, and drafted in at hooker, the experienced Kasabi, one of his nation's most capped players, played for 66 minutes before being replaced as coach Paul Shanks used the occasion to blood the entirety of his 21-man squad.