Though the Melbourne Chargers played a great game and gave it their best, it was the Sydney Convicts who triumphed against the home team to win the 2010 Purchas Cup.

A strong crowd braved a day dominated by overcast conditions with patches of drizzle when Melbourne’s gay-friendly Rugby union team the Melbourne Chargers took on the Sydney Convicts.

The Convicts took a party of 23 players and 7 support crew with players made up primarily of its Firsts team.

Right from the start it was clear that the Convicts had an experience advantage, however the Chargers put up a good fight, maintaining their dedication and focus throughout the game. The mighty Sydney Convicts beat the Melbourne Chargers 68 to nil.

Check out our photos from the game here

The Melbourne Chargers remain very optimistic however, saying that they are still thrilled with both their efforts in the game and over the year in setting up the fledgling club.

“The Purchas Cup was an important milestone in the Chargers very young history. It represented the beginning of a long competitive yet cooperative relationship with the Sydney Convicts and was our fist completely independent match in the gay rugby community,” Chargers Ben Lancken told Same Same.

“Whilst the score suggests a substantial victory for the Convicts, what it does not reflect is the great spirit that the game was played in and that is indicative of why clubs like ours and the Convicts are so important to the sporting community.”

The Convict’s winning streak continued later when they also beat Melbourne in a fundraising jelly wrestling competition. Arguably one of the sexiest events staged in Melbourne this year, Wrestle A Rugger was a tongue in cheek jelly wrestling fundraising event for the Chargers, staged at the Laird Hotel. The event attracted a huge crowd that packed out the venue. The Melbourne team fared much better in that competition, with only a very narrow loss to the visiting team. At the end of the day, everyone was a winner, with the event raising around $3.000 for Melbourne’s first gay rugby team.

Check out the photos from Wrestle A Rugger here.

“In my eyes, our first season has been immensely successful, we fielded a competitive side in the Victorian domestic competition, took 10 players to Minneapolis for our first Bingham Cup, hosted the return of the Purchas Cup all whilst building our player and support base and developing key community and corporate relationships,” Lancken said.

“I am proud of the team’s efforts this season an excited about our return, even stronger, for the 2011 season.”

Formed less than a year ago, the Melbourne Chargers are Melbourne’s first gay rugby union team who compete in the Victorian Rugby Union Second Division competition. From the start of the 2010 season, the Chargers partnered with partnership with Footscray Rugby Union Football Club, adapting their team colours to red and blue, and moving to their home ground in Footscray. 2010 was their first ever season. Find out more about the team here.

Founded in 2004, The Sydney Convicts are Australia’s first gay Rugby Union club and the current title holders of the Bingham Cup, the World Cup of gay Rugby. They are currently bidding to make Sydney the host city for the 2012 Bingham Cup.