RC Nyon vs RC Zug

 

Final Score: RC Nyon 15 – RC Zug 12

This was our first encounter with RC Nyon and having played other teams in the past from the same area (such as RC Lausanne) we were well aware of the high standard of rugby in the French part of Switzerland. Also looking at the results Nyon has had this season, it was clear that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Our mentality going into the match was that of an underdog, with the desire to play a fair game of rugby and uphold the gentleman’s tradition we have at RC Zug.

Tattoo vs. Branding

The match began and for the first 20 minutes it was stalemate. It took Nyon a while to realize that it was not going to be such an easy win. After things settled down Nyon opened the score with a try but they missed their conversion kick. Before we knew it we were 10-0 down, but we continued to play like it was still 0-0, knowing how we played at the beginning of the match, the game was far from over. With great tries from Iain (Else-Jack) and Severin, and also one kick converted we were in the lead 10-12.

We kept battling on to ensure the score stayed at 10-12 and it was looking like this was how the game was going to end. Then disaster struck when Nyon broke our defensive line to get their third try. Again they missed their conversion kick, so now with a lead of just 3 points and ten minutes left of the match, it was still anyone’s game.

The last ten minutes were played in Nyon’s half and in the last dying moments of the game we had an opportunity to go for a penalty kick, which would of made the game a draw. The decision was made to go for the try and the win. Unfortunately we did not make it over the try line.

We dominated the line-outs throughout the game (Alois was on fire) and even though the scrums from Nyon were technically superior to ours we managed to hook lots of balls.

Notable performances from: Tim, Ian (Else-Jack), Constantine, Simon (the beast), Alois and Severin. Normally after a game we would celebrate the man of the match but as it was truly a team effort we awarded the man of the match to the whole team. We played as one.

After the match we talked with the trainer and committee from Nyon about the structure of their club and was pleased to hear that they are involved with the local schools in training rugby, much like our Rugby4Schools program in Zug. We wish them the best of success with the schools in Nyon, as rugby at grass routes level is very important for the future of rugby here in Switzerland.

A special thank-you, to the referee, who was very fair to both teams throughout the game.

We would like to thank Nyon for hosting the match and look forward to playing them again in May.

RC Zug