Exciting times for one of our students currently enjoying his European Mobility experience - Alex Murray–Smith has already found himself a Rugby club to play for during his time in Leipzig. What a great opportunity!
Leipzig. On Sunday
2nd March, the men of Leipzig Rugby Club (the current table leaders in the DRV
North/East Cup) travelled to Hohen Neuendorf (3rd in the Rugby Union
table), accompanied by a large fan following.
With 23 players, coach Falk Müller was able to go in with
full force. The Rugby Club Leipzig (RCL) immediately began to put the home side
under pressure, and within 3 minutes the first try was scored by Alex
Murray–Smith. However, the RCL failed to maintain this standard and so the home
side began to catch up after two penalty kicks, leaving the score at 6-7.
Shortly after, Leipzig fly-half Tobias Heine was sent off from the pitch for 10
minutes following a rule infringement. The home team took advantage of this,
making the score 16-7. Tom Jürroch was then able to score a try after a good
back line attack from the RCL and Sven Spangenberg scored a penalty, leaving
the score at 16-15 at half-time.
During the break, some substitutions were made
and Leipzig returned highly motivated, immediately putting the home side under
pressure. After another penalty kick by Sven Spangenberg, the RCL took the lead
with 16-18, and two further tries (with conversions) by Tobias Heine pulled the
score up to 16-30. The match seemed decided and Leipzig began to slow down,
which soon came back to bite them. The home side stepped it up a gear and were
able to score 3 tries, none of which could be converted, fortunately for
Leipzig. Thus, the RCL was suddenly behind with 31-30. Leipzig were then able
to open the game back up again after being rewarded with a penalty kick in
front of the goal posts due to a late tackle. Kicker Sven Spangenberg kept calm
and made the shot, making the final score 31-33. After the referee called an end
to this exciting game, the Leipzig players, coaches and fans were celebrating
their victory arm in arm.
With this lucky 2-point victory, the RCL was able
to defend its place at the top of the table. Next week Leipzig faces DRC
Hannover, who lost against them last year with a score of 3-41.
RCL players: Bernhardt, Ohlenburg, Sroka,
Wochatz, Hofmann, Nöel, Roczyn, Förtsch, Kunze, T. Heine, Spangenberg, Jürroch,
Eckert, Günther, Murray-Smith, Scholz, Wadewitz, Paleit, Bailey, Kotzur, Ch.
Heine, Menzel
To see this article in full - and in German have a look at the link here...
