Exciting penultimate match of the season

That winning feeling!

On a bright and humid Saturday, with temperatures hovering in the mid-20s, our men's rugby team gathered for what promised to be an exciting penultimate match of the season. However, as they embarked on their warm-up routine, they faced an unexpected adversary – a swarm of relentless mosquitoes! Despite the initial inconvenience, our squad was ready to take on the challenge, and when our opponents arrived short on numbers, sportsmanship prevailed as we lent them a player to ensure a full 15-a-side contest.

The match got underway with a drop-off that found its way into touch, setting the stage for a gritty and physical opening phase of play. The initial ten minutes unfolded in the middle of the pitch, with both teams displaying commendable attacking and defensive prowess. Uppsala's scrum held firm, providing a solid foundation for efficient exits when needed. The first breakthrough came courtesy of James Oakley, who exploited a soft inside shoulder in a well-executed wrap-around move. Captain Stewart Devine added the extra points, giving us an early lead of 7-0.

Following a lackluster restart from Uppsala, the Babas capitalized on the opportunity, regaining possession and launching a rapid and purposeful attack. Eventually, Babas managed to breach our defense and cross the try line. The conversion leveled the score at 7-7. Uppsala promptly responded, applying pressure on the Babas after the reset. Within minutes, Oakley struck again, with Devine successfully converting the try to restore our lead. Babas then found themselves down to 14 men, as their No.2 received a yellow card for a deliberate knock-on. Despite having a numerical advantage, Uppsala was unable to increase their lead, and the half concluded with a score of 14-7 in our favor.

The start of the second half witnessed some sloppy play from the home side, allowing Babas to establish a foothold in our territory. However, resolute and determined defense thwarted their advances. The second half mirrored the first, but it became evident that Babas' lack of replacements was taking a toll, with Uppsala continuing to play a high-tempo, running brand of rugby. On the 61st minute, Babas found themselves reduced to 14 men once more, as their No.4 was sin-binned for repeated infractions. This time, Uppsala capitalized immediately, with Ben Mooney sprinting clear and gracefully touching down for his maiden Uppsala try. Devine, the ever-reliable kicker, added the extra two points.

Once the floodgates opened, the points flowed freely. James Oakley completed his hattrick on the 65th minute. And, unsurprisingly, Mr. Devine slotted the conversion with precision once again. The home side's scoring was sealed in the 79th minute, as Otto Klintenberg added the finishing touches to an exceptional team attack. This time, Stewart handed the kicking duties to the fleet-footed winger, Siôn Kinson, who notched his first-ever points from the kicking tee with a splendid conversion.

The final whistle blew with the scoreboard displaying a resounding 35-7 victory in our favor. Special acknowledgments go to debutant Victor Ory, along with Gustav Wessling and Fredrik Bergvall, who made their first appearances of the season. A heartfelt thanks to the Stockholm Babas for their sportsmanship and for making the journey despite their depleted numbers.

/ Joss