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.