Details are still coming through, but its offical, Sydney Convicts have won the Bingham World Cup.

Convicts I won their Finals against the Kings Cross Steelers 18 to 3. Convicts II were runners up in the in the Bingham Plate Division 22-0 against the Barbarians .

Below is a press release from those on site.

SYDNEY CONVICTS 1 – WORLD CHAMPIONS – BINGHAM CUP DUBLIN 2008

Sydney Convicts 1 defeated the Kings Cross Steelers 18 to 3 to claim victory in the final of the Bingham Cup Division of the Bingham Cup - Dublin 2008, the World Cup of Gay Rugby.

Captain of the Convicts 1, Charlie Winn said “I’m proud of the strength and determination shown by the boys today and in the lead up games to the final. The team’s thanks also goes to the Bingham Cup organisers for their amazing efforts and to entire Convicts community both in Dublin and back home for their loyal support. Special thanks to the Convicts Head Coach Bronnie Mackintosh and Head Physiotherapist, Simon Raftery, for their incredible contribution to the Convicts”.

Coach Bronnie Mackintosh said ‘the boys played quick running rugby all week, and went through to the final undefeated. They trained hard for this tournament and their camaraderie supported them through with a win today.

Angus Donald and Luke Carpenter each scored a try in the final and Dino Tapiki scored 2 penalty goals and converted a try.

The Sydney Convicts also fielded a second team at the Bingham Cup – Dublin 2008. The Sydney Convicts 2 were runners up in the Bingham Plate Division, finishing second to the World Barbarians. Captain Simon Thompson said he was proud of the team’s performance and the legacy that the Sydney Convicts are helping to create in the world of Gay Rugby.

The Sydney Convicts Club President, Andrew ‘Fuzz’ Purchas also expressed the teams combined gratitude to Her Excellency, Anne Plunkett, Australian Ambassador to Ireland and the Holy See for her support of the team and her attendance at the finals for both Convicts 1 and Convicts 2.

Glen, one of the supporters who is over supporting the Convicts sent an email home to friends. It is published below with permission.

I wasn’t going to shoot off an update until Amsterdam, but I thought this was worth mentioning.

I’m so impressed with the Sydney Convicts Rugby Team here in Dublin.

There are about 30 teams from all over the world competing here. I think it would be safe to say that each team has come from less distance than the Aussies, but the most organised team out of the whole group seems to be the Convicts. Other teams I’ve spoken to have marvelled at the massage tables in the Convicts tent. The Sydney convicts have travelled with two physio’s. The Convicts have their own ice bath behind their tent (something which Bailey seems to be determined to avoid). The Convicts even have their own doctor!

No other team seem to have the facilities at their disposal that these guys do.

On Friday night the convicts took over the upstairs room of a local pub about 10 minutes stroll from where we are staying. Tonight the 70 strong Aussie contingent sat down at a 3 course meal in the large dining room here at the University. If you asked any other team “What are you doing tonight?” the answer would be “Don’t know”. Yet these guys have managed to organise everything from the other side of the planet.

Talking to team members from all around the planet you get the feeling that there is a real sense of respect for the Australian team. It’s quite amazing. (Start the National Anthem playing here.) Not only are they very organised, but they are damn good at playing this Rugby thing as well.

Since the comp started yesterday, both Convicts teams have played about 8 or 9 games in total I think. Both teams are so far undefeated. In most of the games the other team scored zero. From what I can gather, the second team is playing so well that they have effectively placed themselves in the running for the next grade up to what they came for. (This could of course be their undoing, suddenly being confronted by teams much stronger than they have ever encountered.)

But whatever happens tomorrow, the Convicts will leave Dublin as absolute winners. They are a team that can play the game hard and still have a laugh at the bottom of a ruck. (Yes, I learned a Rugby word.)

Oh, and there are some really hot muscle boys here too.

Day 2 has proven another success for the boys.

While details are still flowing back, the Convicts have scored magnificantly in the opening day of the Bingham Cup, Dublin.

Day 1

Convicts 1 65 vs Chicago Dragons 0 (nil)
Convicts 1 22 vs Seattle Quake 0 (nil)