Munich RFC into second after narrow win

Posted: 10:22 pm, September 12, 2013 by Jonathan Harding

The home of Munich Rugby FC. Photo: MRFC

Munich RFC 21-17 RC Stusta Munich

Match report comes from the Munich Rugby website

After two victories in Neckarsulm and Stuttgart, MRFC remain on track to steal top spot in the 2. Bundesliga South after defeating the other rugby team from Bayern’s capital, Stusta Munich.

On a sunny afternoon, the visitors started the more brightly of the two and took the lead after a vigilant Stusta centre intercepted a pass off MRFC’s fly half to run in for the score. It was hardly the best start for Munich RFC but the team in blue and white battled back and forced Stusta into giving away penalties. Sadly kicker Alan Moughty couldn’t take advantage though.

The home team continued to grind out the basics and, after sticking to the plan of strong lineout play, Xavier Mora got over the line for their first try, Alan Moughty added the extras to make it 7-7. Both sides looked to get ahead and Stusta battled hard in the scrum while MRFC dominated in the lineout. The visitors took advantage of a penalty after an error in a ruck, and Munich had the chance to nip back into the lead but poor handling errors from their wingers cost them at key moments. Nevertheless, just before the half MRFC forced a strong maul after winning another lineout on the 22 meters and second row Richard Schuster ploughed in for his first try of the season. Alan Moughty added the conversion to give the Blues a 14-10 half-time lead.

MRFC in the thick of the action. Photo: Munich RFC

Stusta didn’t start the second half the way they wanted and MRFC exerted even more pressure. Scott Wamer stole the ball on Stusta’s 5 meter line from a lineout, made a smart pass to centre Fred Bregards who bounded through the visiting defensive line to score MRFC’s third try of the game. With a 21-10 lead - after Alan Moughty’s conversion - the home side were perfectly placed to kill the game by adding one more score. However, there was more excitement left in the game as Stusta were the next side to score, finishing a move with a nice run through the middle.

With only four points in it, tempers flared and Maxime Gelly was sin binned as a result. With a one-man advantage, Stusta were dominating but Munich stood firm in defence and held on to win the derby 21-17. It was the club’s third victory in a row and next Saturday sees them face top of the table Rottweil in what will be a thrilling game of local rugby.

Man of the match: Richard Schustet

Munich RFC:

1. Alex Loders (65′ Quentin Degroote), 2. Maxime Gelly (65′ Adrian Planes), 3. Guilherme Buff (41′ Roger Hutchinson), 4. Richard Schuster, 5. Kevin Briggs (c) (60′ Karl Wolf), 6. Scott Warner (60′ Robert Schuster), 7. Martin Evans, 8. Alan Moughty, 9. Xavier Mora, 10. Oliver Brothwood, 11. Caiel Harnischfeger (58′ Simon Laurich), 12. Javier Gonzalez (75′ Roderik Riquier), 13. Frederic Begards, 14. Philipp Mack, 15. Bart Vanheuverzwijn

Tries: Xavier Mora, Richard Schuster, Frederic Begards
Conversions: Alan Moughty (3)