MRC match report - 07/10/2023

Last Saturday, Malmö Rugby Club's men's team played their final match of the season at home against Göteborg.

 

Kick-off was at 2 p.m., and MRC struggled to get into the game, conceding the first try after less than 10 minutes. The response was immediate, with a solo try from our captain Samuel Albeck, quickly followed by a try from Jamie Mackay after a fine team move. With a dominant scrum, Malmö was able to dominate the battle.

 

An injury to Goteborg's number 8, followed by another front-row injury shortly after half-time, reduced the visitors to 14 men and made it even more complicated for the visitors.

 

Late in the game, Samuel Albeck's second try, well served by Willy Liadouze after a crushing scrum 5m from the line, followed by Billy Jones' second try after a beautiful pass from Eskil Flawn Orpana, sealed all hope for the visitors. Our winger Carmine Urti kicked the conversions, and Ben Scroope was named man of the match.

 

Lindsay Armstrong and Jan Sjöholm's men therefore finished the second part of the season with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses.

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Earlier in the day in Lund, the first women's final kicked off, with the Skåneladies taking on Stockholm Exiles.

 

The Skåneladies line-up included 10 players from Malmö: Gabriella Andrea Eninge, Louise Gahnström, Linnéa Flyman, Sara Jacobsson, Johanna Tingvall Gustafsson, Léa Risberg, Greta Aurell, Jill A. Lundström, Stella Buchwald, and Molly Melin.

 

The red and yellows got off to a poor start and soon found themselves behind the scoreline following a few individual errors that Exiles was able to capitalize on. A scathing 00-33 scoreline at half-time did not give the girls much hope.

 

But that was without counting on the awakening of the Skåneladies, who were able to regain their spirit and win the second half 17 - 12, bringing the final score to 17 - 45.

The second half offered a much more exciting contest and showed that the players from Skåne had what it takes to win. Congratulations to the Exiles ladies, who were very efficient and made the most of every opportunity.

 

The second final will be played in Stockholm on Saturday 21 October, and the girls must win by more than 29 points to be crowned champions. The task may seem complicated, but nothing is impossible. The ladies have proved throughout the season that they have tremendous spirit and all the ingredients needed to pull off a remarkable feat.