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Brussels Barbarians finished a difficult season with a hard-fought victory over Standard Chaudfontaine at the Elephant pitch yesterday. Needing a win to secure their National Division 2 status, everyone knew what was at stake as the game kicked off in the spring sunshine. With its very own neutral zone to keep spectators away from the conflict, you could be forgiven for mistaking the elephant pitch for a battlefield ... only those of the highest rank were allowed to patrol the perimeter.
The crowd were in good voice, but the BaBas were slow to get into the game and Standard capitalised by scoring an early try, their number eight picking up from the back of a five metre scrum and crashing over the line. This proved to be a much-needed wake up call and the BaBas responded straight away. Some hard running and good support play from the forwards led to a penalty, which Lewis duly converted.
Standard resorted to the same tactic they have all season, using their large pack to roll up the pitch and kicking long at any opportunity. Large they may have been, but a challenge they did not like. The BaBas pack fronted up; Jeff Irvine and Tom Blackburn leading by example, youth and experience combining to set a steady platform in the scrum. Unlike previous games, the Babas counterattacked with confidence. Man of the match Lawlor commanded the back three, making some incisive breaks and well placed kicks which unsettled the Standard defence. Mouthguard found and firmly in place, Thavenot carried on his great form in the centres, twice collecting high balls and ghosting through the Standard defence, only to be held up just short of the line. Finally he got his just reward, diving over for a try after some good hands by the backs.
Lewis Francis was accurate with the kick, not his only attribute as he controlled the game at ten, both in attack and defence. At scrum half, young Lucas Schmitz showed what rugby is all about, a game for all shapes and sizes - countless times he darted between Liege's forwards to get the BaBas on the front foot, while his reliable service allowed the backs to exploit the gaps in mid field and out wide. Not just the backs; Tom Blackburn coming close to scoring after some graceful footwork and a mean turn of pace, unfortunately it was his last contribution as an ankle injury prevented him from carrying on.
10-5 at half time, the BaBas were well aware that they couldn't switch off. With Stainton back on the pitch after a harsh sin binning, the back row were at full strength and kept the BaBas in the game with some big hits in defence and sharp breaks in attack. Unfortunately for the BaBas, an inexplicable penalty try was awarded to Standard, the referee obviously eager to make a game of it. An easy conversion made it 15-12.
Finger nails were gathering on the ground of the neutral zone. On the pitch, the physical battle continued, captain Rodrigues putting his body on the line, dedicated to the cause as he has been all season. And then, for the first time this season, the BaBas got some good luck. Contet made the most of his record rib eating stomach (disputed - we've seen meat on those leftover bones) to charge down another Standard kick. He gratefully touched down for 5 five more points as the ball rolled over the opposition's try line.
20-12, soon to be 20-15 as Standard converted a penalty. The clock ticked down, the crowd kept cheering and finally, the referee blew for full time. Not just a win, but survival! Well done lads, a great way to finish off the league season.
See photos here: http://www.sportkipik.be/picbarbariansstandard2903.php
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