The Rugby Club Luxembourg (RCL) 1st XV travelled away to Hausen last weekend for their fourth away match in a row.
The Luxembourgish side were expecting a tough contest against TGS Hausen, who RCL beat in the final of the 3rd Bundesliga two years ago by only 3 points. Despite completely dominating the set-piece, RCL struggled to pull away for most of the game, eventually winning 27-14.
TGS Hausen started well, pinning RCL back in their own twenty-two and pilling on the pressure early. Although RCL defended well, indiscipline made it all too easy for their opposition to continue to control the territory.
The first twenty minutes of the game was fairly uneventful, with both teams exchanging penalties, with winger Eduardo Angioni proving the more reliable kicker with three out of three, while the German side's kicker missed both his opportunities.
RCL came close to scoring on the half hour through second-row Pierre Toulet. After a good break down the left side of the field, the ball was quickly shipped back out the right wing where the big second-row player found himself in space. Managing to dummy past the full-back he was dragged just short of the line. A few pick and gos later RCL looked to have crossed but the ball was judged to be held up over the line.
From the resulting scrum the Luxembourgish pack drove Hausen back over their try-line and number eight Johnny Fitzpatrick was able to cross over easily in the corner, converted by Eduardo Angioni.
Just as RCL looked to pull away, the home team came back strongly and got their first try. The German second-row ran a crash ball off the top of the line-out and broke clean through. RCL were able to stop them scoring at first but Hausen’s centre made the most of a dog-leg in defence on the blind side and broke through to score under the posts, converted by the Hausen fly-half.
RCL start to pull away
RCL’s scrum continued to wreak havoc in the second half, winning penalty after penalty. Eduardo Angioni kicked two out of three within ten minutes of the restart.
Hausen conitued to play well though, despite their difficulties in the set-piece. After several phases of attack around the half way mark, the German fly-half found himself with a clear mismatch against two front-row players.
Swerving outside the defender he broke through the line, drew the full-back and passed to his second-row in support for a well worked try. The try was converted, bringing the score to 22-14.
RCL looked more controlled after conceding. Managing to keep play in the German half, they were awarded another penalty ten minutes before the end. Opting to go for touch instead of the three points, Fly-half Max Dozin kicked the ball into touch five metres from the try line.
The Luxembourg side's pack formed a mall and after initially being driven back, pushed their way over the line with number eight Johnny Fitzpatrick picking up his second. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the final score at 27-14 for RCL.
Although they may be disappointed to have not picked up the bonus point in a game where their scrum was so dominant, 27-14 away from home is still a good score against a tough team.
Honourable mentions go to second-row Pierre Toulet, who was immense in the line-out. Man of the match was a close call between the two props, Phil Barnard and Saman Rezapour, who both scrummaged superbly but in the end it went to Phil Barnard.
