Rugby union: Dan helps Cyprus keep promotion bid on track

DAN Thrasivoulou helped Cyprus keep their FIRA European Nations Cup promotion bid on course with victory in Monaco.

Thrasivoulou, from Shelton Lock, played the whole match at fly half as the Moufflons eased to a 44-5 victory in Menton.

The visitors led 25-0 at half-time, thanks to tries from Georgios Agathokleous (2) and Marcus Holden.

Agathokleous also kicked two conversions and a penalty.

After the break, Constantine Markou extended the lead with a try that Agathokleous converted.

Matthieu Louppe reduced the deficit with Monaco's only score of the match.

But two late tries from replacement Andreas Zacharia, one of which was converted by Holden, sealed a comprehensive victory for Theodoros Tenos' side.

Cyprus are aiming to win Group 3D, which would see them move up a level for the next campaign.

And this latest result has kept those hopes very much alive.

Bosnia & Herzegovina currently top the group by one point but Cyprus have a game in hand.

Cyprus are expected to win their next match, against bottom-of-the-table Azerbaijan, in Paphos on March 6.

Three weeks after that, they face a make-or-break clash against Bosnia, also in Paphos, which will decide matters.

Thrasivoulou's younger brother, Marc, did not feature in Monaco due to his university studies but should be available for the matches in March.