Rugby Football Club Basel

12.09.09 / 1st team

RFC Basel - RC Fribourg 13:9

The 1st team continued their winning ways with a closely fought 13-9 victory over an ever improving Fribourg side. Having lost to Fribourg 3 times last year, notably a 14-13 reverse in the play-offs in June, this was a piece of sweet revenge. A settled side is always a blessing and only two enforced changes were made from the previous weeks win in Alba. Bruno came in for the injured Reto and Ian Carvell replaced the working Matthias. 13-3 up at half time,
The story of the game would be dominated by the set piece. Fribourgs smaller but well drilled scrum constantly caused Ladi to be picking up at the base of the scrum whilst going backwards and even managed to get two against the head. But this was countered by the Basel Lineout. Stevie and Manuel were all over their lineout. Stevie particularly took three of their lineouts in a row. To the point that given a penalty, they took a scrum rather than kick to touch, so nervous were they on their own throw.
The breakdown proved to be a contentious area for the referee, with both teams pushing hard to keep/gain possession. This resulted in a very stop start game with many penalties on both sides. Benji converted two such penalties, to one from Fribourg to lead 6-3. On 25 minutes, another was put put into the 22 and a catch and drive took the maul to the 5 meter line where it appeared to have been checked. David had left his blind side wing position to join in the backs attack. His opposite number tracked him, leaving the blind side of the maul completely free. Josh noticed and prompted Ladi, who ran unopposed from the base of the maul and over the line for a try, which was converted by Benji.
Half time came round with a 13-3 lead.
The second half continued in much the same vane, though the Fribourg backs were looking more and more dangerous. They regularly overloaded the midfield and made good breaks. But the cover defence of the back row, Josh and the back 3 never missed a beat and every break was halted before they got anywhere near the 22. Toby, Kai and Henrik came on for the Bruno, Ian and Manuel to bring on some fresh legs. Fribourg managed to convert 2 penaties to bring the score to 13-9 for a nail biting finale, but the defence held firm for the victory.
Thanks and apologies go to the guys who were there but did not get on the pitch, Greg, Julien, Morgan, Fabrice and Raphi.
Man of the match points go to Richard Marsden 1 point and Manual Schneider 2 points, who both got through a massive amount of work to ensure we retained and gained possession and the 3 points go to Stevie for his efforts in the line out particularly and strong running in the loose. No villains could be awarded for the match as the effort put in by all gained the victory. However, Andy White gets a minus point as the new team kit has not arrived yet.
La Chaux de Fonds await our arrival on Saturday.
1 Danny Wyss
2 Thimon Fürst
3 Bruno Baltes
4 Ian Carvell
5 Stevie Lazarus
6 Richard Marsden
7 Manuel Schneider
8 Ladia Vondrasek
9 Josh Ray
10 Mark Love
11 Tim Ginz
12 Lucas Quintillan
13 Christof Liennert
14 David Allgöwer
15 Benji McGuiness
16 Tobias Bertschi
17 Kai McArrthy
18 Henrik Haerden
19 Greg Allen
20 Fabrice Jourdain
21 Julien Krumrey
22 Morgan Cooney