BrigandZe - BBRFC

Written by Nicolas Becuwe Thursday, 24 November 2011 17:12

2011 Sunday November the 20th 3 PM

This match had all the makings of fiendish trap; into which the baa-baas, on another occasion, could have fallen. All the ingredients were there: herded into a stamp-sized pitch (basically the smallest rugby pitch in Belgium) in the middle of nowhere, against a team just below them in the league. Despite a hair-raising journey, trying to keep up their coach who was trying to imitate Sebastien Loeb on the roads of Flanders, nearly all Barbarians arrived safely in Berlare ready to fight against BriganZe.

The first half started well for the Barbarians who, after a long kick off by Julien, obtained a good scrum 15 meters from BrigandZe's line. But that would not be as easy as it looked. The first scrum – as many of them during the game – was difficult for the baa-baas who took pressure from the opponents. The game was balanced, with a tough fight in the rucks, around the rucks and – indeed –in open play. After 5 minutes, BrigandZe won a first penalty, duly converted. Some minutes later, it was the turn of Julien to convert a penalty (3-3).

The two teams were close, tackling hard and defending with strength in the rucks: but the advantage was for the baa-baas who were spent much of the first half in BrigandZe's side of the pitch. However, the score remained the same despite many attacks from the powerful pair of baa-baa centers, the two Patricks – and the back row led by Simone who was giving everything at each breakdown. After chiseling away at the BrigandZe defence, the breach finally came from a beautiful backline movement, ending with the ball in the hands of the Argentinean bull Jorge who at full speed scored a superb try. Julien converted (10-3).

But BrigandZe had a lot to show as well. And the second half would fully prove the value of this opponent. The intensity and aggressiveness remained the same but the advantage was now clearly on the side of the local team. Dominating in the scrum and benefiting from a lot of penalties, they were pushing forward, trying to break the concrete defense erected by the baa-baas centers and back row (with Charles, Julien B. or Pierre trying to tackle everything as usual). BrigandZe were cashing in on their penalties to pick up the score and 15 minutes before the final whistle the score was 10-9. The suspense was high and clearly at this moment the outcome of the match was in the balance. But – the test of true champions comes with adversity and, rather than be paralysed with doubt, the baa-baa's ventured forth again into BrigandZe's half. With strength and courage, they broke into their lines thorugh Cristiano who –playing a world-class game today – scored the second try, converted again by Julien. The Baa-baas could breathe, they were leading now 17-9. But that was not the end of affairs and the local team, drawing on their fantastic pride, came into the Baa-baas pitch with the same bravery exhibited by the baa-baa's moments before. After breaking the back of the baa-baa's scrum, they scored their first try, right between the posts. With the conversion, the Baa-baas were expected to spend the last 5 minutes of the game trying keep their one-point lead. At a time for cool heads, a good kick-off gave the Baa-baas a lineout within in the opposition ten meter line. Despite the numerous BrigandZe attacks in the rucks, The baa-baas remained calm and retained the ball through some crafty pick and go's.

17-16, Baa-baas could celebrate their second victory in a row. But this was a hard game to play (and to watch apparently as well) and certainly a game won thanks to a mental fortitude that is now growing in the team throughout the matches. The Baa-baas are now 6th in the league and after some moments of doubt can now look towards the future. Oudenaarde is the next step now. Let's focus.

Squad: 1. Pierre; 2. Nico (cap.); 3. Matt ; 4. Steve; 5. Bernardo; 6. Charles; 7. Jorge; 8. Simone; 9. Julien C. ; 10. Michel; 12. Pat. W. ; 13. Pat B. ; 11. Ken; 14. Nick; 15. Cristiano; 16. Julien B. 17. Niko; 18. Sven ; 19. Alex ; 20. Simon. Coach: Arnaud

Awards: Man of the match: Pat W. - Dick of the day: Pat B.