Match report: another derby victory

An assured performance from the Berlin Irish to win Sunday’s Finnegans Irish Pub derby against Sport Club Siemensstadt Rugby and secure 5 valuable league points.

The boys in green raced out of the starting blocks with strong carries amongst the forwards, opening up an opportunity for outside center Sean Healy to score just 4 minutes into the game. Daubney slotted the extras from right in front of the sticks.

Kicking for territory allowed the lads to gain field position and force the opposition into mistakes in their 22. Fly half Daubney sliced through the defensive line from a center field scrum and offloaded to Healy, who ran in his second of the day after 15 mins. The conversion again was good.

Siemensstadt however were able to capitalize on ill-discipline particularly at the breakdown and, although their driving maul was stopped short of the line, a series of pick and goes eventually found a gap, closing the score to 14-5.

Captain Benji Lenzing then lead from the front, crashing over and through 3 tackles on his way to the line from a number 8 pick up. Minutes later, Daubney stabbed through a well weighted grubber for Phil Guerrero at inside center to dot down and secure a 4 try bonus point after just 35 minutes played. Both tries were well converted to take the boys up to the full 28.

HT

SC Siemensstadt 5 - 28 Berlin Irish

The second half was a closer affair, with both the Spandauers defense and forward pack improving noticeably. Despite an early score, again from Healy who was enjoying a lot of space in the 13 channel, the game became a very tight and physical affair with both sets of forwards battling hard for possession.

A series of penalties again gave SCS field position, but no less than 3 line-outs in a row were stolen by 2nd Row Tom Franks, denying Siemens a chance to use their powerful driving maul. Nonetheless, on the hour following a succession of short pod phases Siemensstadt crossed over for a converted try.

The bench came on and steadied the team who whilst dangerous in attack had at times struggled against the physicality of SCS. Following a series of quick phases, the back line again carved their way through the Spandau defense, and it was none other than Healy to dot down an incredible 4th try of the match - converted by Daubney to keep his 100% record.

Irish would finish the game with 14 men, prop Kröger unlucky to be caught offside and be sent off after a team warning. The past few minutes saw a good defensive display from the lads, who easily nullified any hopes Siemens had of trying to score consolation points.

FT

SC Siemensstadt 12 - 42 Berlin Irish

Tries: Healy x4, Lenzing, Guerrero

Cons: Daubney x6