Weather: Cloudy but no rain.
Temperature 2°
Pitch: Good
Kick off: 13:30
Spectators: 37
Ref: M. Englebienne (*****)
Luxembourg:
Luxembourg travelled to Charleroi knowing a victory would secure the promotion to Division 1 but also knowing it could be a difficult game against the 3rd in the table.
The suspense didn’t last long. With a demolishing 15 minutes where they score 5 tries, Luxembourg stopped short any hopes Charleroi could have to contest the game.
It started on the 2nd minute when, in the opposition half, Luxembourg won a scrum against and after two fast passes Callum Bonallo took advantage of a gap in defence.
From the kick off, the ball was well caught, the forwards fixed the defence and the ball went all the way the back line to find Christopher Rossa in space. Simple but efficient.
On the 11th minute, Luxembourg was awarded a penalty at 5m. The forwards fixed the defence and Martin Pacaud entered in the gap. From the restart kick another try and the same simple but efficient play. Ball in forwards, defence fixed in the ruck and the ball recycled to the backs. This time Gauthier Lachaise made the final run.
After this storming start, Luxembourg relaxed and became more individualist, giving away penalties after tackle or losing the ball for lack of support. It gave Charleroi some territory and time with the ball.
On the 22nd minute, from one of the penalties, 5m from the line, Charleroi forwards managed to force their way to the try line.
Charleroi reaction had the effect of alert for Luxembourg and quickly they were back in the game scoring two tries just before half time.
After taking the game close to the opposition end zone they were awarded a penalty. The forwards were stopped near the line but from the subsequent ruck, the ball went to Christopher and he scored.
One minute later and from another penalty at half way, the ball was quickly played to the backs founding Martin on the wing with space to run. Martin converted 5 of the tries and half time arrived with the score at 45-7 to Luxembourg.
Second half wasn’t much different and curiously ended with exactly the same score as first half. Luxembourg started well again and scored after 3 minutes on the game.
Starting from own 22, the back line moved the ball perfectly and Julian Vercruysse scored on the corner. Charleroi reacted and were awarded by another try.
On the 36th minute, from a lucky penalty and very much like their first try, Charleroi forwards forced their way to the try line. It didn’t impress Luxembourg and with fresh blood on the pitch, the boys went to business as usual.
41st minute and Christian Olsen went to the end zone in force after several rucks. 6 minutes later, Callum made a solo run and when tackled the close support gave the ball to Christopher to score.
Two more minutes and Callum found another gap in defence. Charleroi finally gave up and Luxembourg could score 3 more tries in the last 5 minutes. Christopher started a solo run in his 22 ending with a try.
Callum scored his third of the afternoon after a good back move and in the last seconds, Christopher had still time to pass the defence and to give the ball to Pedro Ramos who only had to touch the ground.
Martin converted another 5 tries to settle the final score at 90-12 to Luxembourg.
This was certainly the best performance of the Luxembourg Cadets this season. The way they played, with close support always available, conquerors in the rucks, dominant in line outs and scrums
and finishing with perfect timed passes never gave opposition any chance.
With this victory Luxembourg Cadets are virtually champions of Belgium Division 2 and promoted to First Division. Congratulations.
Man of the Match: Martin Pacaud
