Second Leg

I haven't played much rugby since my last and first post. Juvenia has many really good players, including in the front row which is where I prefer to play; same situation with the back row: many good players, meaning that you have to earn your position the hard way.

So yeah, since then, I played a rugby 7 tournament in Krakow, as well as regional league game where I scored my first try in Poland, and twisted my ankle, resulting in a two weeks injury break :/ When I came back to training I was extremely motivated. All the hard work on the pitch and at the gym finally paid off when the coach picked me in the squad for the return cup game against Pruszcz Gdanski. This is the last game I played with the first team, and that we lost 29/6.

As expected, I started on the bench. We had to win that game by more than 24 points to go through the next round. Fortunately, things turned out pretty well for us early in the first half, when a handful tries made the issue of the game look quite certain. However even leading 26/0 at half time did not guarantee us anything. I remembered that for the first leg, we were leading 6-5 after 60 minutes before conceding four tries...

Fortunately, we continued on the second half in the same fashion as in the first: scoring tries. Even if few opportunities were wasted by some avoidable mistakes, we were comfortably leading. With 25 minutes to go, the coach gave me the signal that I was about to come in (as loosehead prop). Big moment for me as it was the first time would play with all the big guns!

As usual, I messed up with my first high ball (really have to work on that), but I think I made up for it. I did my best at rucking, counter rucking (even won us a couple of ball :) and mauling. The scrums were uncontested though because one of their prop got injured. I worked very hard on one maul that ended up with a try. Didn't touchdown myself, but it felt as good as scoring :)

My friend and countryman Baptiste scored a fine try that he can be proud of, as it concluded a great effort, (he scored while a few defender were grabbing his legs for the last five meters), and it was his first try on Polish soil.

We ended up winning 53/0 :D It was really enjoyable; the best part was probably to thanks the very pleased fans (I would say about 100 of them showed up); they were chanting 'Dziękujemy' (we thank you)! Really cool :)

In spite of the rain, the usual after match bbq went on in a really joyful atmosphere!

There is only one game to go until the winter break. Really hope I'd be part of it, but I cannot decide on that, just keep working hard!

B.

First Game for Juvenia

That was a long trip! More than 500km across Poland from Krakowto Prucz Gdanski. Never played a further away game before! We left at 5am; I didnt wake up so early for a long time! Travelling by road is not that fun in fairness. Time seems to pass so much slower...

Anyway, we got there around 2pm; that was just enough time to get ready and warmed up for the kick off at 3. I started on the bench as planned.
We started well I thought; guys were dominating upfront. We were making to many mistakes, such as this missed tackle that led to their first try. At half time, we were trailing 5-3.

An early penalty in the second saw us taking the score for the first time of the game. At this stage, everyone thought we could really win that one. I came in soon after this, unexpectedly as openside flanker instead of losehead prop. Whatever, I was really excited about my first appearance with the Juvenia shirt on. Lot of thought came through my mind then. The first one was my last rugby game with UCC back in April, when I broke my hand after a tackle going horribly wrong. Then I thought about the time we got knocked out of the Munster cup, loosing 12-11 at the last minute, after leading 11-0... I dont think those cogitation influenced my game; think I played ok, even if there is lot of room for improvement.

However, we conceded four try during the last 20 min... ouch. Why?? I dont know. They were scoring everytime they went in our 22, using the space outwide... There were using intelligent kicking to gain territorial advantage to stay in our half of the pitch.

That was tough. I thought we were knocked out of the cup, but it turned out that there will be a second leg in Krakow. I dont know if I will be playing that game, but Im really hoping that we will nail that one.

On the way back to Krakow, as if werent tired enough after such an exhausting day, we blew up a tyre in the middle of nowhere around midnight! After all, that was just a minor setback for us after such an eventful day :D

Note: Photos of the game can be viewed here http://www.rugby-pruszcz.pl/foto/09.09.05/index.html

B.

First One

Ok, this one doesnt really count, this is how to see how that whole blogger thing work. I have been reading tons of blogs myself, but never actually wrote one myself. So here I am! I will be trying to update it frm time to time, maybe more! So, lets see now what happens when I click on 'publish the message' (surprise surprise)!

B.