16

7

Under partly cloudy skies, a light breeze and at 17 degrees C, it proved to be a brilliant day for a match. Coming off a less than perfect season, Munich started this season 1-0, thanks to a Heidelberg forfeit the previous week. As the Lions warmed up, there was a mixture of nerves, angst and excitement in the air, for today they would go toe to toe with a formidable Luxembourg, whom just last week posted a 19-12 win against TSV Handschuhsheim. With an hour delay for kickoff, Munich hit the pitch anxious while Luxembourg was fast on their heels. But in Rugby, there are no given advantages, despite how the picture looks at that given moment. After the kick off to Luxembourg, a quick ruck and a kick, Luxembourg had its first (of what would be many) penalties handed to them. A kick to touch, gave them a 20 meter line out in Munich’s territory. But Munich forwards spoiled the ball, got it out and the back line ran it down the sideline until a high tackle produced Luxembourg’s first penalty and a chance for Munich to put some points on the board. Mora’s first of four attempts split the up-rights and with only eight minutes into the contest, Munich was ahead 3-0. Luxembourg was stunned to say the least, as Munich had the ball, the momentum and the crowd on their side. The issuing kickoff produced little from both sides, until a well placed kick to space from Birrer, cause Luxembourg to kill the ball in the ruck and gave Mora’s his second attempt for points. At thirty-five meters out and well off to the left, he lofted the ball over the crossbar with meters to spare. It was only twelve minutes into the first forty and Munich was leading 6-0. Luxembourg’s kickoff met with big hands of Briggs. With little support the ball didn’t travel far, but another penalty forced a scrum down…Munich. Now it was Luxembourg’s time to turn it on. Driving deep into Munich’s 22, and setting up their second line-out. After winning the ball, they drove it to the 10 meter and with a penalty to Munich it was scrum down, Luxembourg. They went weak side, but ran into a wall of opposing players. After killing the ball in the ruck, it was scrum down, Munich. With their back against the try line and plenty of time on the clock, Munich’s pack dominated the bigger Luxembourg forwards, holding their ground allowing Mora to kick a boomer to find touch. Munich threw in the ball, but only producing a scrum down, Luxembourg. Tensions rose for the first time as Munich won the scrum and with a grubber kick to touch, were again in scoring position if they could spoil the throw. Luxembourg secured the ball and then made a quick kick to Munich’s full back. A short run, a ruck and a penalty found Munich throwing in the ball at Luxembourg’s 18 meter line. But Moughty failed to throw in a straight ball…scrum down to Luxembourg. Munich pressed hard, won the ball back and yet another penalty gave them a scrum down on the 20 meter line. Looking for redemption and a quick pop pass Moughty found the gap and the try zone. With 10 minutes to half-time Munich had its first try of the match. Mora failed to convert, but Munich widened the lead 11-0. The remaining few minutes produced an attempted penalty kick by Luxembourg and some solid defense from Munich as half-time expired and found the visiting team a bit frustrated as they headed for the lockers. Second half kick off to Munich. They swung the ball out finally capitalizing on their speed, ran the ball down to the 5 meter line. But a penalty turned the ball over. The sleeping giant was now awake…for Luxembourg, it was now or never. You could feel the momentum swing despite a yellow card to one of their forwards. A ten minute sin bin behind them, Luxembourg was able to drive into scoring position and with thirty minutes to full-time they got the ball out to the winger and scored what would be their only try. With an easy 10 meter conversion and seven points on the board, Luxembourg was back in the contest. Munich 11 – Luxembourg 7. The battle for the win was now at its apex…there was a definite buzz in the air as Munich kickoff and a second phase kick found the trusty hands of Birrer. But this time he knocked the ball on and it was scrum down to Luxembourg inside the 50 meter. Munich’s pack pushed early and with the penalty and kick to touch, resulted in Luxembourg with a 25 meter line-out. The big mitts of Briggs spoiled the throw. He secured the ball and got it back to the Mora for a kick to touch. A subsequent Munich line-out and an up and under pop from Moughty produced little, save the mental advantage that swung back to the Munich sideline. 15 minutes until full-time and at it was a 50 meter scrum down – Luxembourg. Munich pushed their pack back, but was unable to win the ball. The ball came out clean and a grubber kick deep into Munich’s 22 again found the steady hands of Birrer. This time he picked up the ball and with only a meter of space between him and his crashing opponent he kick the ball to touch possible saving a try. With 10 minutes left on the clock, the fatigue was visible on both sides, as they kick the ball back and forth for a total of six times. When the ball finally settled down a high tackle to Munich produced a kick to touch. A line-out a spoiled ball and a kick from Luxembourg found the end of the try zone, scrum to Munich deep inside there 22. The ball came out clean, with a quick kick to touch and then another penalty against Luxembourg gave Munich a scrum down in side their 40 meter. Once again Munich was in a scoring position. A second phase weak side pass got out to Lefebvre, who found a gaping hole in the defense and dotted Munich’s second try. Mora sent the conversion short and wide, resulting in only 5 points. But this sealed the opposition’s fate, for there would be no come back in history today. Six minutes to full-time and it was Munich 16, Luxembourg 7. The remaining time proved a defense clash as Munich held the ground and the ball close to their hearts. Luxembourg was able to put together one drive, only failing to convert a penalty kick for points at about 35 meters. Full-time expired, Munich 16 – Luxembourg 7. As Munich put their first win of the season on the books it was apparent that Luxembourg was already looking forward to hosting the Lions, next Spring on there home turf.

Kevin Connolly

Quelle: mrfc.de