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The Stags Completed their marathon journey to Cyprus at 0500 on Saturday morning prior to the week-long 10s competition. Training started that afternoon! The Stags were drawn in the 'Blue' league together with Royal Signals (from UK), RAFRU Sharks, CCU (from Epi Garrison), UN Cyprus and 2 PWRR Tigers (the RIB). The 'Red' league included HMS Seahawk (from Culdrose), RAFRU Wolves, RAFRU Eagles, Dhekelia Garrison Lions, Episkopi Garrison and RAF Akrotiri Flamingos.

The Stags first game was against the Lions - in the last year's tournament the Stags had come off second best in a bruising encounter with a side predominantly composed of physical Fijians. The Stags' game plan worked this year. The forwards pressurised the Fijian backs, picked up any scraps and sent the ball wide. Adam Cliff outpaced the Fijian defence to score a try in the corner; Chris Clarke missed the conversion. The half time score remained at 5 – 0 in favour of the Stags. The second half was notable for the indiscipline of the Lions. Following a good steal from a Lions line out, Lance Tallett went over for his first try of the tournament; Chris Clarke converted the drop goal. The final score was Stags 12; Lions 0. A very good start and a ghost of the previous tournament laid to rest.

The Stags next took on the Sharks. From the start, the Stags showed their intent with Adam Cliff outpacing the defence to run in from the 22; Chris Clarke failed to convert. From the ensuing kick-off, Dean Wight was penalized for an illegal tackle, and spent the next 2 mins in the ‘sin-bin’. Martin McRobbie scored his first try of the tournament. The failed conversion attempt from Chris Clarke meant that the teams went into the interval with the Stags 10 – 0 in the lead. From the kick-off, Rob Little – substituted at half-time for Gav Emerson – was sent to the ‘sin-bin’ for tackling the man without the ball. He had been on the pitch for about 2 seconds! Chris Clarke made a good attempt to kick through, however, the ball went over the ‘dead-ball’ line; there was no scoring in the second half. The Stags were now 2 wins from 2 encounters.

The Stags lost hooker Scotty MacDonald to concussion; he would play no more part in the competition.

Day 2 started with the Stags against UN – a team that struggled to put together a squad and would eventually become the tournament whipping boys. Initially, the UN forced the Stags to play 15s and coach, Gary Banford, was less than impressed. However, the Stags reverted to their game plan and began to score points. Gus Lambie’s try was converted by Marc Oak (7 – 0); Dean Wight converted his own try (14 – 0). Richie Craig scored; Ollie Smith failed to convert (19 – 0). Richie scored again; this time, with Ollie being treated for an injury – replaced by Martin Oak – Josh Lewis converted (26 – 0). Vaughan Campbell replaced Rob Little in the forwards. Josh Lewis’ try was converted by a fully recovered Ollie Smith. (33 – 0). Gav Emerson replaced Lance Tallett in the forwards. A massive break saw Dean Wight score again; converted by Ollie Smith (40 – 0). Dean was replaced in the forwards by Andy Lewis. Josh Lewis scored his second try of the game. Ollie Smith’s failed conversion saw the final score Stags 45; UN 0.

The second fixture of Day 2 saw a very physical contest between the Stags and CCU. The Stags got the better of the Episkopi side. The Stags continued to force the Fijian backs to make big tackles in the centre and then rely on the pace of their backs. Richie Craig scored first; Ollie Smith failed to convert (5 – 0). Martin McRobbie try was converted by Ollie Smith (12 – 0). A huge hit by Richie Craig from the kick-off, with excellent support and good hands from the Captain, Lance Tallett, saw another try from the Stags; Ollie Smith converted (19 – 0). Another big hit from the kick-off saw the ball reach the Stags backs. Chris Clarke’s try was converted by Ollie Smith (26 – 0). Shortly after the interval, and a visit to the ‘sin-bin’ for the CCU, Lance Tallett increased the Stags lead; Ollie Smith failed to convert (31 – 0). Rob Little replaced Drew Dakers in the forwards. A good show of speed saw Martin McRobbie over the line; Ollie failed to convert (36 – 0). Ollie Smith was replaced in the backs by Gus Lambie. Gus Lambie scored the Stags final points prior to a replacement push with Gav Emerson replaced by Vaughan Campbell and Lance Tallett replaced by Marc Oak. The game ended Stags 45; CCU 0.

The final game on Day 2 saw the Stags take on the Royal Signals. Regardless of the outcome, both teams would continue to the Cup competition. This was a well fought competition with some very good rugby played by both teams. An illegal tackle saw Vaughan Campbell in the ‘sin-bin’ for 2 mins. In the meantime, the Royal Signals scored and converted (0 – 7). Chris Clarke made a good break and was well supported by Lance Tallett and Vaughan Campbell; nothing came of this pressure and the half finished with the Stags 7 points adrift. The second half started with Ollie Smith and Josh Lewis replacing Gus Lambie and Chris Clarke in the backs. The Stags started from the kick-off. A penalty was well taken on by Lance Tallett who made space for Irish Rutherford to outpace the opposition backs. Ollie Smith failed with his conversion attempt, but the Stags were back in the game (5 – 7). Good play from the Royal Signal saw their quick backs force the ball wide to the touchline and a try (5 – 12). Another Royal Signals try saw a bit of a gap in the scoreline (5 – 17). Irish Rutherford, Martin McRobbie and Richie Craig were replaced by Marc Oak, Adam Cliff and Josh Lewis. Gav Emerson spent 2 mins in the ‘sin-bin’ and then redeemed himself when, after some good Stags pressure, he scored a try. The conversion attempt failed and time ran out for the Stags with the final score at Stags 10; Royal Signals 17.

Following a day off to recuperate, the Stags found themselves in the playoff league with HMS Seahawk and Dhekalia Garrison. The other league found the Royal Signals, Episkopi Garrison and 2 PWRR.

Game one of the new league saw Stags v Seahawks. The Stags started off well, although the forwards did not look hard enough for gaps in the Seahawks defence and were prepared to take big hits. A penalty went well for the Stags until the ball was dropped over the line! The Seahawks then proceeded to play some good attacking 10s. Despite good cover from Richie Craig, the Seahawks ran in a try (0 – 5). Some more good Seahawk play saw a converted try before half-time (0 – 12). Not long into the second half Rob Little found himself in the ‘sin-bin’; he was later replaced by Drew Dakers. There then followed a period of good Stags pressure; however, Ollie Smith was smashed and lost the ball in the tackle. The subsequent Seahawks breakaway try was not converted (0 – 17). Marc Oak replaced Irish Rutherford in the backs – Ollie Smith moved to scrumhalf. Some good Stags pressure saw Lance Tallett reach the Seahawks line; however, he lost the ball in the tackle and no points were forthcoming. In attempting to prevent a quick drop-out, Dean Wight’s harassment of the Seahawks saw him spend 2 mins in the ‘sin-bin’; although the proximity of a concrete man-hole cover did not help his cause. The final score saw the Seahawks win 17 – 0.

The subsequent defeat of Dhekelia Garrison by the Seahawks meant that the final Stags game would be played for pride alone. The Dhekelia Lions were another team that had soundly defeated the Stags in the ’09 competition. The Stags were determined to exorcise that ghost. A great take from the kick-off saw Lance Tallett make a 40 yd break and set the Stags up on the Lions line. Following a good Stags scrum, the ball was kept in the 22 and Lance Tallett’s strength made it over the line; Ollie Smith converted (7 – 0). The score remained that way till half-time. Good Lions play from the start of the second half saw them run in and convert (7 – 7). The Stags continued to defend well and some strength in attack saw some indiscipline in the Lions. The Stags took advantage of the ‘sin-bin’, with Lance Tallett scoring his second try of the game; Ollie Smith converted (14 – 7). Lance Tallett took the ball from the subsequent kick-off and, after some excellent play scored his hat-trick; Ollie Smith converted again (21 – 7). However, the Lions were not down and recovered to score again; however, they did not have sufficient to recover from their deficit and the final score was Stags 21; Lions 12.

The competition final was played between HMS Seahawk and 2 PWRR Tiger; the Tigers, beaten by the Stags on Day 1, won the 2010 Akrotiri Floodlit 10s.

The Stags scorers were:

1 Lance Tallett 6 tries 30 points
2 Ollie Smith 8 conversions 16 points
3= Martin McRobbie 3 tries 15 points
3= Richie Craig 3 tries 15 points
5= Dean Wight 2 tries, 1 conversion 12 points
5= Josh Lewis 2 tries, 1 conversion 12 points
7= Gus Lambie 2 tries 10 points
7= Adam Cliff 2 tries 10 points
9 Chris Clarke 1 try, 1 conversion 7 points
10= Irish Rutherford 1 try 5 points
10= Gav Emerson 1 try 5 points
12 Marc Oak 1 conversion 2 points