First up was Bern, who we narrowly beat . . . → Read More: Dangels are Swiss 7′s Champions!]]> However much you love rugby, a 5:45 alarm call on a Saturday morning is always hard. We had a squad of 8 forwards and 2 backs heading all the way to CERN and it’s water-logged pitch for the fourth and final Super 7’s tournament of the season.

First up was Bern, who we narrowly beat twice in last weekend’s tournament. The slippery conditions gave both teams handling problems and the scores ended-up tied 5-5 after an intercept try by each team. It was a proper, muddy battle and a reminder of how tough the rest of the day was going to be with 3 or 4 matches in close succession in the afternoon. We had a long break and could watch Bern play against both Basel & Monthey and so knew exactly what we had to do to top our group in our last 2 games. We played those games with just a 15 minute break between them but still managed to beat Basel 37-0 and Monthey 45-0 to beat Bern to first place in the group with 6 points better difference! Unfortunately Iris hurt her calf muscle badly in the game v. Basel and could take no further part in the tournament.

Only ~40 minutes break before our semi-final v. Zurich. We started well, continuing our really strong tackling which was the hallmark of our pool games and went ahead by a couple of tries. As we tired, our tackling in the middle of the pitch began to let us down a little and twice we let a strong Zurich runner through practically untouched. The game finished 19-19 (I think; whatever the score, it was tied) and so we went to sudden-death extra time: 2 x 2 mins. Both teams were absolutely exhausted but were fighting with every ounce of energy and neither one of us could score in these 2 halves. And so … we do it all over again; 2 x 2 mins of sudden-death extra time (I have no idea what would have happened after that; the Zurich captain & I suggested a boat-race to the referee instead of all this playing but he was not interested). The game continued with half-breaks and desperate tackles and tired bodies … after what seemed like MUCH longer than 2 minutes, Sarah Stuart burst through a tackle in midfield and went streaking down the pitch; looking all set to score. The Zurich wing dug deep to find some energy from I don’t know where and came across to close in to make the cover tackle; Sarah drew her across and managed to get the ball away to TazMac who had an easy run to the line. What a game!

Preparation for the final was difficult after both the physical and mental exertion of the semi-final. Knowing that we had already secured the championship, we could only go out and enjoy playing 7’s in the sunshine for probably the first time this season! The final was tough. We played with 100% effort & concentration from the first whistle to the last but our tired legs simply couldn’t react quickly enough to close-down the fast Bern winger as we had done earlier in the day. Bern’s passing game was excellent and they ran-out very worthy winners of this tournament to secure 2nd place in the overall championship also.

The whole squad of players & coaches should be extremely proud about winning this title. It was a real fight. The first Super 7’s tournament in Luzern was relatively easy; a big squad, home advantage, happy days. All 3 other tournaments have been a real battle: 8 players, half of them sick went to Nyon to play 7’s in the snow; in Bern last weekend the comeback in the final v. Bern was incredible and the semi-final this weekend was pure determination.

For Cern:
Angel of the Day: TazMac for a bucketful of tries, being there to support for the winning try v. Zurich and mostly for trotting back to midfield at a very leisurely pace when the team most needed a breather J
Devil of the Day: Karen for an outrageously far forward pass that saved a try (and in fact saved the match v. Bern) and almost wasn’t spotted by the ref.

Next-up: our final 15’s matches of the season v. Bern and Zurich away.

Sadly, RCL started too slowly, and Lugano got a very early try off a sloppy . . . → Read More: Fighting display in Lugano by RCL Men]]> It was never going to be pretty, and the conditions really did not suit our backs. Playing on Lugano’s second pitch, the size of a large apartment, the teams faced awful conditions, with large parts of the pitch under water.

Sadly, RCL started too slowly, and Lugano got a very early try off a sloppy lineout. They scored soon again, and were 10 points up within the first 15 mins. There is little to say about the backs in the first half, given the lack of possession. The pack fought hard, and coped with the powerful Lugano mauling well. After the first 3 scrums, RCL managed to fight back, and the scrummaging showed huge improvements compared to the two fixtures last season.

The difference in the performance in the second half showed what might have been. Our backs – despite the mud and pools of water – attacked well, and reacted with great speed to the many loose balls through the game. Indeed, for the middle third of the game, most of it was played between the 10 metre lines.

Two tries (both in the second half) came from a powerful pack filled with Italians and Argentinians using the tactics befitting of these countries. Tight, well-controlled mauls and pick-and-gos brought results for Lugano. Nonetheless, RCL fought back, and didn’t collapse, as would be common later on in such a game against such a strong team.

Overall, when the ball was in the open, RCL backs were highly dangerous. There was a great level of involvement from our back 3, where RCL have great strength. A try count of 4:0 did not reflect much of the game, but Lugano must be praised for their execution of possession near our line; this is indeed a weakness of RCL’s.

Given the conditions, the knock-on count was very low. Tackling was strong, and the Lugano backs rarely broke through. Indeed, most traffic was in the opposite direction. Tackling in fatboy and crashball situations is still far from what is needed – especially against teams who love to maul: only with low, fast tackles, getting the man down, will RCL cope with this sort of pack. Lineouts still require much work, but are improving. Only with better attendance at training can this happen. Scrummaging continues to improve. We look forward to dryer conditions for our backs for the return leg against Lugano in June – a game that will certainly have a closer scoreline.

Result: Lugano 26 – 0 RCL

Man of the Match: Texi

Twat of the Match: Brendon (being too scared to arrive until 10 mins from end)

Finally, a special, heart-felt comment has to go to the ref: his joie de vivre was infectious, showing us younger men that, if you’re loving your job, you should never hang up the boots!

Beginner’s Guide to Rugby

Within the first . . . → Read More: Good win in Cup for RCL Men vs Würenlos]]> After a long (and yet unending) winter, RCL Men has a good opportunity to get back to match fitness against Ligue B counterparts Würenlos.  With no competitive rugby since mid-November, the team was at risk of being very rusty as we were to return to the league against Neuchâtel the following week.

Within the first few minutes, however, concerns ended.  The RCL pack showed they were up to the challenge, providing quick, clean ball for the backs.  The backs attacked well, showing clean hands and a hunger for running rugby.  The first of 7 tries was scored within a few minutes.  The backs were particularly expansive and experimental in attack, and individually showed improvement with respect to running angles and desire for the ball.  Improved communication enabled moves to be better executed.

The first half was to continue in quite a one-sided manner, with RCL attacking consistently, defending well, and showing highly dangerous counter-attacking running.  Lineouts were good, with the continued use of more complicated moves.  There was an overall hunger and tenacity for the ball, with ruthless punishment of Würenlos mistakes.

With a large squad, and, within 20 minutes, clearly no risk of defeat, all players were used as early as possible.  This brought about its expected organisational problems, but RCL defended well nonetheless to a resurgent Würenlos team for most of the second half.  After prolonged pressure, RCL conceded only one second half try, which is a testament to our concentration and commitment.

Strong points:

The backs utilised tactical kicking extremely well.  This massively assisted our ability to break out of defense and to gain ground efficiently.  There was a great overall improvement in the backs playing as a unit, offering alternatives to the ball-carrier, and more dangerous running.  The pack rucked well in the first half, and the speed of ball to the backs is improving.  They scrummed well, and as a solid unit.  Our percentage of lineout wins is improving.

Aspects to improve:

Low tackling and taking the man to the ground is an ongoing issue; weaknesses here provide opponents far more ground, and the opportunity to maul.  The forwards often attacked alone – both in pick-and-go, and in fatboys.  Indeed, Würenlos demonstrated to RCL how to go so, forming “trains” and staying close and in solid support.  Forward communication – particularly when not in control of the ball – put too much pressure on our defense.  Support for the catcher across the team is still weak, with the catcher being left isolated. A continued use of kicking – and to the corners in particular – will help the backs put pressure on the opposition with great effect.

Result: RCL 43 – 12 Würenlos

Man of the match: Chreegu (for bothering to turn up, then playing so well)

Twat of the match: Giusi (for excessive nudity and being clearly too comfortable with it)

Saturday before our first game of the spring rugby season, everybody seemed super nervous. We finished last Fall unbeaten, top of the table in Switzerland and therefore had big expectations on ourselves. With lots of injuries and a couple pregnancies (stop *******) our list of available girls was getting smaller every day. In order to keep up . . . → Read More: FANTASTIC start for the Dangels into spring rugby season!]]>

Saturday before our first game of the spring rugby season, everybody seemed super nervous. We finished last Fall unbeaten, top of the table in Switzerland and therefore had big expectations on ourselves. With lots of injuries and a couple pregnancies (stop *******) our list of available girls was getting smaller every day. In order to keep up with the goal to play 15s-Rugby in the Womens league, our coaching-crew offered the Basel-Birds (who don’t have a team in the league atm) to join us. So one more test of our nerves, playing 15s-aside (for some the first time), 80min. with a new line-up for our very first game after a long and cold winter.

Thanks to great preparation training and a good warm-up, we were ready to kick ass from the first minute of the game. The Geneva Wildcats responded quickly. They were eager to challenge us with hard contact, strong running and good kicking.

Towards the end of the first half it was obvious that we were dominating the game, being up some tries to zero. This was possible to good teamwork; very strong forwards plays, which made it easy for the backs to run through and even some great forwards breaks.

Starting into the second half, we could calm our nerves a bit more, made less mistakes and our structure got better. The Wildcats did not give up though, they wanted a try. But until the very last minute we made it too hard for them to score and when the final whistle blew it was Dangels 72 :0 Wildcats.

What a TEAM-WIN! We played together as one unit and it was a great start for our up comming games to defend the top of the table.

Tries: Julia, Henni, Esti, Cynthia, TazMac, Lolli

Angel : Schlumpf, great strong runs and tackles as inside centre

Devil : Tigger … no comment… hehe

Thanks to our great coaches: Chris, Luke and Paul!

Thanks to our fans on that day !

Basel Birds : Welcome to the Dangels!

First game : Alin, well done !

Next (and last) home game : April 6th vs. Bern Devils

However, with the rate of learning on the day, we could have been placed 2nd overall, behind Ligue C’s 2nd-placed team, Winterthur.  . . . → Read More: RCL DJs have successful & encouraging day at Schaffhausen 13s]]> RCL DJs had a successful and encouraging day at Schaffhausen’s 13s tournament, March 16, playing the first teams from RC Zurich, Schaffhausen and Winterthur.  We won 1 out of 3 games, beating Schaffhausen.

However, with the rate of learning on the day, we could have been placed 2nd overall, behind Ligue C’s 2nd-placed team, Winterthur.  The team that took on Schaffhausen and Winterthur, compared to the one that started the day against RC Zurich, showed great development.

With so many beginners – some as recent as just a few trainings – and several players out of position, RCL DJs did very well.  There was some great tackling, and plenty of Fat Boys and Shamrocks from the forwards.

A special note goes to Francesco, who tackled a Winterthur boot with his face, resulting in a 10-stitch cut on his cheek.  Well done!  And to Zbärgi who just reported a broken finger.  A quick recovery to both.

Man of the tournament: Francesco

Twat of the tournament: Simon “Kollege” Zenhäuser (chosen because he always wins down-the-pint competitions)

Spitznamen: Simon Zenhäuser is now called “Kollege“; Simon Blättler is now called “Simi“…

PS  This is your brain on Guinness: