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RC Wageningen – ZRC de Duuvels
After the results in the preceding seasons many people would have filled in an easy victory for RC Wageningen in their poule. But on this rainy and sometimes sunny Sunday a tough and surprisingly tense match would unfold at De Zoom.
Wageningen, in the absency of Kerstholt captained by Captain Snel, had a full team with enough substitutes, despite some injuries. The Duuvels on the other hand had left Zevenaar with only 13 players and no experienced first rowers. So the referee was forced to only allow uncontested scrums.
A shift of events not anticipated and enjoyed by the Wageningen Forwards, as a result they couldn´t put real pressure on the Duuvels pack, resulting in a problematic start of the game in which The Duuvels quite easily could put pressure on Wageningen, earning a lot of penalties, so Wageningen got pinned down on their half. So Wageningen was really struggling to get control over the game, although there were moments where the Wageningen forwards make the opponent feel their wrath. These moments were the good line-outs, resulting in some ferocious mauling, something the Duuvels didn’t have an answer to. Unfortunately the backs were not really able to put the pressure on the scoreboard. It took almost half an hour before Wageningen got on the scoring sheet, when winger Fransen perfectly finished off an excellent attack. The try was not converted though. Leading to a thin 5-0 lead for Wageningen. This was also the half time score, but not before winger Fransen had to leave the field with a rib injury. Pape took his place at the wing.
During half time, coach Bush gave an intense speech, pointing out that the Wageningen team should be more concentrated, and that the dominance at the field should be more visible at the scoring sheat. To create more impact from the backline, captain Snel was put on the number 12 position. His position was taken over by Martin the Swede, while Strikwerde could enjoy his rest in the second half.
In the beginning of the second half Wageningen was more threatening, almost resulting in a try after an attack from Rouwet, Pape and Rammeloo. Meanwhile Martin was making his presence felt, with to some intense tackling. Unfortunately, Wageningen hadn’t completely contained the danger of the Duuvels, who got really close at scoring in the 55th minute.
But Wageningen replied with a try from Borman, who had an outstanding performance in this game. Ten minutes later Pape also scored a try, his first, finishing of a smooth back line movement, where fullback Rouwet slided into the line, creating the overlap for Pape.
Just a few minutes later the Duuvels scored as well, after a break through the middle. Resulting in a 15-5 score. With only a few minutes to play on the clock, it seemed that Wageningen would not be able to get the bonuspoint for 4 tries, but Rouwet proved otherwise. He finished a slick back line move, where he again created an overlap coming from the fullback position. He scored underneath the sticks. This try got converted, putting the end score on 22-5. A bonus point victory after all.
