Three Countries On The CEE Rugby Cup Podium

The first game of the last round was played between Elefántok and Donau Wien. The Hungarian team came away as winners after a youthful, quick and exciting game. The game kicked off with Elefántok attacks and the Austrians could only manage two penalties before the break barely keeping themselves in the game with a score of 13-6. The second half, however was a totally different story.

The team talk on the pitch seemed to have done wonders for the team, who took the lead after 60 minutes making the score 20-21. However, their effort to score their first points of the season took everything out of them. Elefántok chose perfect tactics, tiring out their opponents with scrums and rucks to eventually take back the lead and win the game with a well worked run, which ended in a try by Belencsák. The Hungarian team finished 5th in the table and the Viennese players also scored one point to round off the table with the “Wooden Spoon Award”, which, they promised, will find a new home come next season.

The worsening weather could not dampen the spirits and the excitement was palpable when the two teams fighting for second place took the field, Vitézek v. Dragon Brno. The game started in slight drizzle as the teams exchanged possession in a tough encounter and it was an amazing 16 wave Czech drive which earned them the first try of the game. The visitors were definitely on a mission to prove that their defeat in March was a fluke and they could beat the Hungarian record-champions.

After two unfortunate injuries to young Hungarian players, the Czech lead at half time was 9 points at 3-12. The second half, just as the first one, started with Hungarian attacks, but no points were scored, and Vitézek’s inability to convert came back to haunt them when with the score at 3-19 the rain virtually sealed their fate. Róbert Deli managed a consolation try on 71 minutes, but with the rain pouring down neither team could put any more points on the board. With an 8-19 victory, Dragon Brno provisionally climbed to second place.

Finally, before the last game, the results allowed Bulldogok to have a chance to leapfrog their opponents into second place. The Hungarian team knew, that if they score at least one point against Timisoara, they are guaranteed the silver medal. With this in mind they kicked off in an uncompromising manner. Despite the pouring rain they displayed exemplary tactical discipline and produced great kicking and efficient attacks to stun the supposedly much better Romanians.

At half time the Hungarian players were 10-0 up and both their scrum and their three-quarter was superior to their opponent’s. One of the biggest upsets of the season was on the cards. Timisoara, who had previously won all their games with a minimum of 30 point margin, came out all fired up for the second half and took the lead with 2 quick tries, however, they were unable to add to their slender lead.

The Bulldogok players knew that this result would give them the loss-bonus and with it the silver medal but they did not sit back and tried to win the game. This ultimately did not happen, but by keeping the score 10-14 they produced a result equivalent to a great win for Hungarian rugby and showed that the CEE Rugby Cup will not be an easy stroll for Timisoara next season.

Following the match the Prize Ceremony brought cheers and happiness to every team except for Vitézek, who missed out on the podium. Besides rewarding the three top teams, Julian Bordacahar was presented the Top Player award for his efforts throughout the competition (he especially wowed the audience with his March performance). The teams also selected Dragon Brno as the fairest team of the CEE Rugby Cup. The team leaders all took time from celebrating to announce, that although this year’s Cup was exceptional they promise “Everyone will be even better next year!”

Cup winners: RCM Timisoara
2nd Place: gas.hu Battai Bulldogok
3rd Place: RC Dragon Brno
Wooden Spoon Award: RD Donau Wien
Best Player Award: Julian Bordacahar (Bulldogok)
Fair Play Award: RC Dragon Brno"

Source: ceerugby.eu