It is the pointy end of the season and everybody is gearing up for the league finals. For the first time in more than a decade, even the men's NLB in Swiss Rugby gets to play semi-finals, so the last regular season game for our men had something extra riding on it. A spot in the semi-finals had been secured already, but they needed one more point to guarantee home-pitch advantage. Fribourg had to win the game and hope for results to their way elsewhere.

Despite missing a couple of key players, Basel started strongly. Ten minutes into the game, Ben Brown scored the first try for Basel after some great work by the forwards in the left half of the pitch. The ball was then spun wide, where our fullback had more pace and power than Fribourg could handle. Fribourg responded a few minutes later in their own style - with three points off the tee at a penalty kick. Just before 20 minutes were played, they even reduced the gap to one point with another penalty kick.

Basel were not out there to get beaten in Jonny Wilkinson style though. Fribourg kicked down Santi Zanon's throat and seconds later, Ben Brown was in for his second try of the day. Dani Zinsstag was very solid off his tee, scoring the second conversion as well (another 4 from 5 haul overall). Just a very honest mistake by the Basel backs invited Fribourg to score a try of their own before half-time.

After the oranges at half-time, Basel went back to work their way into the opposition 22. Fribourg would not give them a free pass, but hard and clinical work wins you penalties. Subsequently, Basel kicked their way down-field. Having arrived in the 22, the forwards had a crack at the line, did not get there. Then the ball was spun wide, but without success again. Still, the ball remained in Basel's hands for only the rugby gods know how many phases. Finally, Colm Geogheghan dotted the ball down right by the goal posts. Fribourg's response this time was to pack as much weight as possible into a maul. This proved a bit heavy to defend, so they scored - and converted as well.

21-20 up, Basel hit the last quarter of the game looking to make dividends out of a fitter squad and a playing field too big for the guests. A turnover won for a penalty by our number 10 Alec Morrison proved to be the catalyst. From the following lineout, the ball went wide quickly, Charles Groell punched a hole wide open and three quick passes later, Santi Zanon finished off a beautiful try with a joyful swan dive. Desperately trying to stay in the game, Fribourg kicked a penalty, which went wide. In the dying seconds of the game, the referee went flat on his belly - to award a fifth try, this time scored by Max Lauer after yet some more great close-quarters work by the forwards.

With a final score of 33-20, Basel qualified for the semifinals as number 2 in the NLB ranking. This means that the 1st XV will play the resurgent Neuchâtel side this Saturday, 9 May 2026, at 15.00h at our home ground, Pruntrutermatte in Basel. We are looking forward to see as many people out there as possible!