It was our second week of Amlin Cup, but this time we took on another Top 14 counterpart, La Rochelle. The game was mostly played in our territory and with them holding on possession, which obviously meant a lot of defense for us. We took on the challenge quite well, except for their driving maul, however, which they scored three tries from. It wasn't our best side, as the coaches saw these last two weeks as a good time to rest some players, but especially this week. It is more important for us to get wins and score points in the Top 14 matches against La Rochelle, than the Amlin Cup.
In the end, we still had a chance to tie it, and oh was it close. They scored with 3 minutes left in the game to go up by 7 points. At that point I looked around and every single teammate of mine had the look in their eyes of, "we can still win this!" However, it looked all but over 2 minutes late when they got a penalty with only 30 seconds left and just needed to kick to touch and win the lineout for the game to end. Instead, they missed their kick to touch, and we played from our own 10 meter line. From one sideline to the other, we swung the ball, got a half break, and continued from there. Pushing the pace, running with the ball, cutting, slashing, offloading, we were down to their 5 meter line, and had just played some fantastic rugby. And then our chance came, we had a massive overlap out wide. As we tried to get it out there, their defense rushed up on the outside. Our flyhalf pump-faked and found a gap behind the defense for a long pass to our wing who walked in for the try with no time left. It was an amazing finish...but just as the Ref was looking to raise his hand for the try, the touch judge motioned to him that it was a forward pass...game over!
It was a nice effort and we still have three more matches against La Rochelle. And like I said, this one was the least important as it wasn't at home and was the Amlin Cup. We play our next match at Castres, but then La Rochelle is the week after, in Agen.
Sounds like Agen keeps on fighting, no matter what. With that spirit you'll be winning more games in the Top 14 we're sure. Great "Blow-By-Blow" descriptions, Kevin. You would have a great career as a sportscaster after you hang up the rugby uniform. Thanks for the regular "Agen Rugby Reviews"! By the way, at a luau we were at in Waikiki last week, we sat with a nice couple (actually Maoris) from New Zealand (we're sure he was a Kiwi Rugby Player). Of course the table discussion got around to rugby. We told them about your Las Vegas Tournament and your Pro Rugby experience in Agen. They said they have been quite impressed with the USA Sevens Rugby Team and that the US has been pushing all the World's previous "Rugby Heavyweights" to improve. They said the US has been great for rugby worldwide. Gordy and Anita
ReplyDeleteKevin - I just voted for you on the Agen Rugby website as the best Agen player in Castres. Should I vote some more? You need a few more votes to get to the top! Gordy
ReplyDeletePlease post more game/trip reports, and on a more regular basis. Love to read about your adventures in my home country. Stephane (Bellevue's Eastside Lions Youth Rugby Club parent :-))
ReplyDeleteAnd also tell us about your experience with the US Eagles while touring Europe. For you readers/followers: Saracens 11/9, Lisbon 11/13, Scotland A 11/19, and Georgia on 11/27. Stephane (...)
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