2. Bundesliga Süd
München, 2. Mai 2015, Bericht: Owain Williams

München RFC : RC Dresden
55 : 0

After the achievements of the team during the regular season the focus was now on a game by game set of results with each level up expected to get harder. Dresden came to visit Munich on an overcast Saturday and before the game it seemed that some nerves were in evidence during the warmup. First off before the report - a big shout out to Quentin De Groote who hit 100 caps this weekend. An ever popular and talented player, Quicky has been an anchor on the front row for many a year now and we were all proud to be on the field with him for his hundredth game. From kick off Munich went straight to the attack and soon forced a lineout on the Dresden 5 metre line which allowed a smooth lineout move to result in a try for Scott. Next up was a nice score by Adrien who left the butter fingers at home this week. Following soon on the 20 min mark was catch of the year by Xavier who charged down and caught in one movement a clearance kick to touch down in the corner. None of the tries were converted so this put Munich 15-0 up on the 20 minute mark. After these early scores the Dresden team got into the game a little more and spent some time in the Munich 22 but determined tackling and good defensive communication allowed the attack to be repulsed and then after some good clearance work the Dresden 15 was unfortunately red carded for recklessly raising a studs to Julian's chest while catching a high ball. This we thought would spur Dresden on but on the 35th minute Nino brought up the 4th try which Fred duly converted. At half time the coach reminded us that Dresden were not going to throw in the towel and that Munich needed to raise our game to keep on the pressure and not allow Dresden back into the game.
After kick off the game resumed with a high level of intensity involving some big hits from both teams and strong running by the centers on both teams. More tries followed in quick succession as Munich turned the screw and the 1 man advantage started to pay off. Scott took his second on 48 minutes and then Pablo on 57th which was converted by Fred for 34-0. By this stage the day was taking it's toll and substitutions were made to refresh the team and give rest to some players after a long season to date. Those subs made a great impact and the extra lit they brought to the field almost brought the try of the day when a blistering break down the wing by Alan put Pablo over the line with a rocket of a flat pass under the noses of the Dresden cover. Celebrations ensued - only for the ref to be seen calling a scrum on the Munich 10 meter line for a forward pass at the start of the move. Adrien then took another score to add to the tally when he caught a ball off the posts and went under the sticks for a converted try. Fred then got his name on the try list to add to his 3 conversions and slotted the kick to bring Munich up to 48-0 on the 72nd minute. More fine running almost brought tries for Alex on the wing as a sub and then Alan again, but the final word of the game went to Laurenz "Moses" Kruger who saw the Dresden defence part like the Red Sea after a nice dummy run by Tobi. This allowed Laurenz to scamper through the huge gap and then touch down. Fred converted and the referee closed proceedings with the whistle.
Munich thanked the great crowd with the traditional salute as their support means a great deal to the success of the team.
Next up will the the semi-final against Dusseldorf on the coming Saturday. Please come out and support your one MRFC!
Man of the Match: Quentin  "Hundi" De Groote
Hammer: Scott "Walnuts" Warner
DotD: Owain "Oranges make you happy" Williamspielbericht folgt!

Fotos: hier

Mannschaftsaufstellung München RFC:
1. Alex Loders
2. Maxime Gelly
3. Quentin Degroote
4. Owain Williams (ab 55.min Laurenz Krüger)
5. Pablo Puyalto (Capt.)
6. Antoine Ducardonnet (ab 55.min Tobias Lefherz)
7. Lucas Marchi (ab 50.min Alan Moughty)
8. Scott Warner
9. Xavier Mora (ab 45.min Giacomo Bernobi)
10. Denmarbie Gill
11. Julian Köhnlein (ab 60.min Alexandre Schranz)
12. Nino Haase
13. Javier Gonzales
14. Adrian Codron
15. Frederic Begards

Versuche: Adrian Codron 2x, Owain Williams, Xavier Mora, Nino Haase, Scott Warner, Pablo Puyalto, Frederic Begards, Laurenz Krüger
Erhöhungen: Frederic Begards 5x

2. Bundesliga Süd
München, 25. April 2015, Bericht: Scott Warner

München RFC : TSV Handschuhsheim II
10 : 7

Munich Rugby came into the game confident after a successful run of results putting them top of the table and only needing a single point from the last game of the season to guarantee a historic league victory. Handschuhsheim also came into the game with an opportunity to win the league and were in impressive form judging by recent results. Munich were aware of the quality of the Handschuhsheim team and clearly understood what was needed for victory. As expected Handschuhsheim bought a high level of physicality and quality. The opening exchanges were tight with both teams not willing to give an inch.Big tackles and competitive rucks summed up the day as neither defense was willing to move. After losing the talented Fred Begards to injury in the Friday night run through the back line was reshuffled and the composed Adrien Codron came into the full back role and shone from start to finish, clearly not letting the occasion get to him. In attack the galloping Owain Williams was making yards alongside the powerful Alex Loders. Both showing their experience in big games. The destructive Richard Schuster and man of the match Pablo Puyalto were adding even more venom to the attack. In defence the French trio of Maxime Gelly, Luca Marchi and hammer Antoine Ducardonnet were leading from the front making big hit after big hit. The first opening came on the 20th minute mark. The intelligent Xavier Mora spotted a crack in the Handschuhsheim defence and after quick play he fed Marchi who drew in 3 defenders to open up space for Englishman Scott Warner to score in the corner. Munich went into half time 5-0 up but knowing that the game was nowhere near won yet. The second half was similar to the first with more and more bruising defence. In typical ONE MRFC style Munich were getting quick ball which led to the next try from the dominating Schuster who picked the ball up from the back of a ruck and powered through to score. Handschuhsheim then got back into the game with a well worked try under the posts to leave the score at 10-7 with 15 minutes to go. Munich spent the last 15 minutes defending their own goal line with impressive physicality against a big and strong Handschuhsheim pack. As the final whistle blew the exhausted Lions (of Munich and Handschuhsheim) dropped to their knees after an energy sapping game. Munich showed why they deserved to win the league and make history. An epic performance against a very strong team in a high pressure situation.
Next week Munich enter the playoffs and must now step up again and continue the winning performances. After watching the 2nd team fixture before the first team it was clear that there will be another week of selection head aches for the coaching staff.
Finally I would like to thank everyone that has supported the club in the lead up to league victory, players, coaches, supporters, family and friends. Please keep supporting us through the playoffs next week.

Fotos: hier

Mannschaftsaufstellung München RFC:
1. Antoine Ducardonnet (ab 60.min Simon Laurich)
2. Maxime Gelly (ab 70.min Constantin Kuhl)
3. Alex Loders
4. Owain Williams (ab 41.min Laurenz Krüger)
5. Pablo Puyalto (Capt.)
6. Richard Schuster
7. Lucas Marchi
8. Scott Warner
9. Xavier Mora
10. Denmarbie Gill (ab 25.min Tobias Lefherz)
11. Julian Köhnlein
12. Nino Haase
13. Javier Gonzales
14. Alexandre Schranz
15. Adrian Codron

Versuche: Scott Warner, Richard Schuster

2. Bundesliga Süd
München, 18. April 2015, Bericht: Denmarbie Gill

München RFC : RC Mainz
32 : 10

Another game, another win.... but this one was much different to the past 2 games where MRFC showed clear dominance having scored 115-0 against Bonn and Frankfurt combined. RC Mainz Travelled to Munich determind to put on a great display of rugby for their last game befor the play-offs. MRFC have not been tested in defence for the last few weeks and this was one of those games where every player had to dig deep and defend with their hearts!. The first 5 minutes both Mainz and MRFC were trying to find a feel for the game. The first points came by an awarded penalty about 20m left of the uprights, where Fred Begards opened up the Munich account and slotted the 3 pointer to put MRFC ahead 3-0. With the game going end to end both teams were struggling to complete good work and put points on the board, until another Lukas-Scott combination  of fast running rugby well executed off loads and yet another no look pass from Scott Warner to Den Gill where he only needed to fend off one player and dive over the line. I think Mr Gill needs to buy Lukas and Scott a few beers considering most of the tries hes scored this year are from the back of their hard work. MRFC were back on attack again and 6 minutes later the Lions Captain Pablo was dotting down for another 5 pointer on the back of some great support play, offloading and determination. Could this be happening again, are the flood gates about to open? Are MRFC going be the only team to show up? No not, if RC Mainz had something to say. Not long after Pablo scored the 2nd try for MRFC, the Lions were left red faced as an intercept pass was thrown and Mainz were able to score their first 5 pointer of the day. Mainz were at it again soon after, with the step and speed of the Mainz Centre who ran around and through the lions backline touching down to score Mainz 2nd try for the day. Score 15-10 to Munich. With only a few Minutes left to play in the 1st half MRFC needed to step up and insert some dominance leading to the break. Welcome back Richard Schuster, who bumped off several defenders and dashed 30 metres to score on the half time whistle and have a MRFC 20-10 lead. After some stern words from the coaching staff MRFC were immediately back on the hunt for a 5 pointer. After some great catching and passing, Fred was at it again scoring another try, after side stepping and bullying his way past the Mainz defence. Score 25-10. From then on MRFC missed a few oportunities to bag a few more 5 pointers, 1 in particular a certain player should have passed the ball to use the 3 on 2 overlap and thats the reason why hes writing this match report. Better decision making needed Mr Gill. Mainz were hot on attack and were firmly camped down inside MRFCs 22m Line. Line out after Line out scrum after scrum tap kick after tap kick MRFC were not letting Mainz through for a 3rd try. Finally MRFC were awarded a scrum feed and Den Gill sent a clearing kick  past the halfway line with both Xavier and Javier both chasing the kick and applied pressure on the Mainz winger who kick it out on the full, awarding a line out to MRFC 35 metres out from the try line. From one  „seasoned“ player to another I’d like to personally welcome back one of MRFC’s favourite sons and all time top point scorer Alan the „War horse“ Moughty! As MRFC won the line out, it was Alan who controlled it with ball in hand and driving from the back of the maul. He spotted some space on the blind side and just hit it. Scoring MRFC’s 5th and final try of the day. With the score board set on 32-10. Well done boys!
Man of the Match. Giacomo bernobi
Hammer: Fred Begards
Den of the Day.... well... Me

Mannschaftsaufstellung München RFC:
1. Antoine Ducardonnet (ab 55.min Alan Moughty)
2. Maxime Gelly (ab 70.min Konstantin Kuhl)
3. Alex Loders
4. Owain Williams (ab (75.min Laurenz Krüger)
5. Pablo Puyalto (Capt.)
6. Richard Schuster
7. Lucas Marchi
8. Scott Warner
9. Giacomo Bernobi
10. Denmarbi Gill
11. Julian Köhnlein (an 70.min Xavier Mora)
12. Nino Haase (ab 50.min Adrian Codron)
13. Javier Gonzales
14. Alexandre Schranz (ab 70.min Tobias Lefherz)
15. Frederic Begards

Versuche: Denmarbie Gill, Pablo Puyalto, Richard Schuster, Frederic Begards, Alan Moughty
Erhöhungen: Frederic Begards 2x
Penalty: Frederic Begards

2. Bundesliga Süd
München, 11. April 2015, Bericht: Scott Warner

München RFC : Eintracht Frankfurt
64 : 0

Munich Rugby finally returned to fortress Grosshadern after a grueling series of 4 back to back away games. The Lions were feeling confident after gaining 16 points from these games and knowing that a victory would guarantee a top 2 league finish and a home tie in the playoffs. MRFC were also very aware of the potential banana skin that this game could be after losing narrowly to a very strong Frankfurt team in the reverse fixture just 3 weeks previously.  The months of hard work in the snow certainly paid off as Munich came out of the blocks as bright and hot as the weather. Some beautiful interchange play between the forwards and backs meant that Frankfurt were on the back foot from the first whistle. The abrasive partnership of Lucas Marchi and Robbie Schuster in the back row added some aggression and dynamism into the breakdown, which meant quick ball for the accomplished back line. The soaring Fred Begards opened the scoring after he spotted a gap in the Frankfurt defence and glided through. From this point Munich continued to build pressure. The seasoned Den Gill added to the scoring after some textbook support play. Showing his experience and reading the game beautifully to be in the right place when it matters. Schuster added 2 tries to his impressive total this season. Both off the back of some outrageous offloads from MRFC forwards. The rangy captain Pablo Puyalto added to the scoring after powering through a number of tackles to reach over and score. Javier Gonzalez was playing in a typical robust fashion causing havoc every time he carried the ball. Gonzalez added to the scoring with a barnstorming run. The pacey Tobi Lefherz also bagged a try which was well deserved after a lot of industrious play from the energetic winger. Then came the turning point of the game, and potentially the season. A lineout 15 metres out was caught cleanly and a driving maul was in full flow. Directed by the impressive Alex Loders. Loders took control and pushed his pack forward. The capacity crowd fell silent as the Munich pack rumbled on. Suddenly the rampaging front rower broke away and with supreme force drove over the line to score his first ever try for the club after 105 games. The 100s of Loders fans in the crowd went wild. The perfect way to mark a man of the match performance. Next week Munich are at home again with the opportunity to secure top of the league against Mainz.
MOM Loders
Hammer Alex Schranz
DOD Karl Wolf

Fotos: hier

Mannschaftsaufstellung München RFC:
1. Quentin Degroote (ab 55.min Antoine Ducardonnet)
2. Maxime Gelly (ab 49.min Alex Loders)
3. Karl Wolf
4. Owain Williams (ab (60.min Laurenz Krüger)
5. Pablo Puyalto (Capt.)
6. Robert Schuster
7. Lucas Marchi
8. Scott Warner
9. Giacomo Bernobi
10. Denmarbi Gill
11. Julian Köhnlein (an 60.min Alexandre Schranz)
12. Nino Haase (ab 55.min Xavier Mora)
13. Javier Gonzales
14. Tobias Lefherz
15. Frederic Begards

Versuche: Pablo Puyalto, Robert Schuster 2x, Scott Warner, Denmarbie Gill, Javier Gonzales, Tobias Lefherz, Frederic Begards 2x, Alex Loders
Erhöhungen: Frederic Begards 7x