Royals show character but fall short against SC Neuenheim (23-35)
16th September 2024
Rugby Club de Luxembourg
After a hesitant start, the players from the Grand Duchy displayed remarkable resilience to fight back at the beginning of the second half, ultimately falling 23-35 against SC Neuenheim, one of the powerhouses of the Bundesliga.
A relentless schedule
The start of the season hasn’t been kind to our Royals. After a challenging opener against SC Frankfurt, RCL returned home to face SC Neuenheim, multiple German champions and finalists in the last two editions of the league, on this second matchday of the 1. Bundesliga.
Despite the home crowd's enthusiasm and a strong desire to perform, the hosts conceded two early tries, including one just 25 seconds into the game after a unexpected fumble exploited by the Germans. Matteo Franzina managed to narrow the gap with a penalty, but the visitors were already ahead 14-3 after ten minutes and extended their lead to 21-3 with a superb set-play try following a scrum.
A spirited response
Rather than giving up, the RCL players responded with determination. First, through Jake Fawssett, who grounded the ball after a dominant scrum 5 meters from the opposition line, concluding a great sequence following a line-out penalty. Then, after a well-executed line-out near the halfway line, Christian Olsen shone with a grubber kick that he chased down himself, beating the defense with his blistering speed. At halftime, RCL had closed the gap to just four points (17-21).
Hopes remain but not enough
The second half kicked off with the same intensity, with the Royals continuing to fight hard. However, despite their tenacity, the Royals conceded another try. Matteo Franzina answered back with a penalty, bringing the score to 20-28. The game would then tilt, as RCL's discipline faltered, with one final try conceded after two long defensive sequences inside their own 22. Franzina added three more points late in the game, setting the final score at 23-35.
An encouraging defeat nonetheless
Despite the loss, this match highlighted clear progress in the Royals’ play, with few handling errors (first scrum at the 18th minute!) and several clear try-scoring opportunities. The set-piece and breakdown areas were reassuring, and this positive dynamic should serve the team well moving forward. RCL once again shows that they are not far from the top level in this league and that they will be a team to watch for the rest of the season.
The Royals will take a break next weekend before traveling to face TSVH on September 28th, another heavyweight in the league, with the ambition to finally kick-start their season and earn their first points on the board. The progress is there; now it’s time to turn potential into points!
LET'S GO RCL!