Hanover. The Central German team surprises with six Erfurt players at the U16 state association championships in Hanover.
Six rugby players Edith Stein school sports clubs (ESSV) were in the squad for the Thuringia/Saxony state team last weekend State association championships the U16 in 7er-Rugby. The team caused a sensation in Hanover when it took part for the first time. At the start there was a great performance against the top favorites and eventual winners Baden-Württemberg, who were able to withstand them until the middle of the second half with a score of 7:14 before the Thuringians and Saxons had to accept a 7:33 defeat with dwindling strength.
To the surprise of everyone present, the Central Germans won the second group game against Bayern 19:12 with a try in the last second. As a result, the only participants from the East reached the semi-finals of the regional association championships, for which, apart from the newcomers, only the large regional associations had registered. The team actually wanted to go to the German Club Championship three weeks ago as winners of the 7er League East. Only because this was canceled did the coaches dare to take part in the elite competition with the national associations’ selection teams, which ultimately turned out to be absolutely justified.
Catch-ups against Hesse and Lower Saxony not rewarded
Hessen, second in the other group, was waiting on the second day. Contrary to the hope of being able to repeat the performance of the previous day, Erfurt and Saxony quickly fell behind and so spirits were somewhat sobered by the 0:26 half-time score. What followed in the second half was a comeback that almost ended in another surprise. After three unanswered attempts, Thuringia/Saxony was up 19:26. The syndicate’s final run was stopped by a yellow card and a two-minute penalty, which meant that the Hessians managed to survive with the advantage over time.
In the game for third place they still had a chance of reaching the podium against Lower Saxony. Having arrived with the smallest squad and only U14 players on the bench, the high pressure of the tournament was noticeable. The Thuringians and Saxons quickly fell behind again with two attempts. But then the will not to admit defeat awoke again. The follow-up attempt was successful again shortly before the end, but before the hope for bronze grew too strong, the players from Lower Saxony had an answer ready and deservedly came third with a 19:7 win.
National coaches looked closely
Given the personnel circumstances and rugby-specific resources of the two regional state associations, the U16’s fourth place is a more than respectable result. Add to this the fact that five of the eight players used were from the Edith Stein school sports club in Erfurt (the sixth from Erfurt, Lino Wallendorf, was not used) and they were together with their friends from the Leipzig rugby club and a player from RC Dresden Having to make do without substitution breaks makes the team’s performance all the more valuable. Under the watchful eyes of the 7s and U18 national coaches, some may have even recommended themselves for further tasks. It remains to be seen when the next ESSV player will be in Conrad Voigts footsteps.
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