Bigger and Better

This article appeared in the October 2006 edition of Rugby Talk, the official magazine of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union. It is reproduced with permission.

The third edition of the Fat Boys Tens is the best yet, with a record number of teams taking part and more than HK$200,000 raised for two worthy causes

By Anson Bailey

The Third Inaugural International Invitational Fat Boys Tens III was a HUGE success!

The Pot Bellied Pigs’ annual charity tournament – once again held at Clark Airbase in Angeles City, the Philippines, in late August – attracted a record 15 teams from around the Asia-Pacific. It also raised more than HK$200,000 for two worthy causes, the Bahay Bata Centre for Street Children and the Philippines Rugby Football Union Development Fund, an increase of HK$50,000 on last year’s total.

The weekend began with the Fat Boys Tens Golf Day, at Mimosa Golf Club in Angeles, with about 50 intrepid golfers demonstrating that they could also play a game requiring just as much brain power as rugby. Thanks must go to our golf day supporters, Sinclair James, and organiser PB Biggs (aka Chris Simpson) for helping to make a memorable day.

This was followed by the Official Fat Boy Tens Weigh-In at Sub-Delicious Restaurant and Sports Bar with our very own Texan import, PB Pillsbury (aka Steve Shorba), taking the prize once again at 177kg, one kilo heavier than last year.

The Pot Bellied Pigs again had two teams in the tournament, the Lites and Heavies. The former almost made it to the Shield final but fell at the semi-final stage when they drew with the Makati Chiefs and PB Pillsbury lost a runoff despite being given a 22-metre head start.

The Heavies won all their pool matches and came through a tough semi-final against the SCC Titans before losing 5-0 to Manila Nomads in the Cup final, disappointment at the defeat being eased by the knowledge that it was the best ever finish by a Pigs team at the Tens. The Heavies’ Raymond Wong was selected as tournament MVP for his many quick tries while he was ably supported by Big Fred Moe and Bond … Ashley Bond.

The post-tournament dinner and trophy presentation was highlighted by a Q&A session between our guest speaker, former England hooker Phil Greening, and MC Phil Whelan, of RTHK fame. It was a lot of fun, but we are unable to share the contents with readers.

Ultimately, the tournament brought together some great social teams and it raised a significant sum for charity. Many thanks to our two key sponsors, Clariant and Tanner De Witt, and all our other sponsors, tournament director Mike Hampton and his crew, the PBP committee, the participating teams and all the volunteers on the ground in Angeles City. Here’s to FB4!

Anson Bailey is the Pot Bellied Pigs’ corporate liaison officer and assistant tournament director of the Fat Boys Tens.