Berlin Irish Men win opening game of 24/25 season
A complete performance saw Berlin Irish take a well deserved 20–13 win on a sweltering day in Halle
The mercury topped out at 32 °C by kickoff. The temperature only increased as the boys in green carried and tackled with fire in their bellies.
After an even start to the game, which saw both teams test each other’s defences with prolonged periods of possession, a clever kick in behind Halle’s line from seasoned fly half Chris Daubney asked serious questions of the home team’s backfield. With the fullback unable to collect the ball, Seán Healy gladly took his chance, scooping up the pill before scoring under the posts in the 12th minute. Healy duly converted his own score.
Halle replied quickly, however. Buoyed by a couple of steals against the head in the scrum, the hosts elected to pack down when Irish gave away a penalty in their own 22. After another solid shunt from their pack, Halle’s 15 made up for his earlier mistake by finishing a well worked move which Irish could do little to stop. Again, the try was converted, leaving the scores tied as the two teams took a much-needed water break halfway through the first stanza.
The visitors came firing in the second quarter, and re-established their lead just five minutes later. Irish built pressure, chaining phase after phase in a new attacking structure that unleashed ferocious carries from our forwards on a resolute defence. The dam eventually broke when Francesco Renda made a clean break, cantering deep into the Halle red zone. His backrow partner Papuna Ebanoidze finished the job, sniping around the edges of a retreating defence and darting over the whitewash. Congrats to Paps on his first try for the club. Again, Healy completed the seven pointer.
As the game moved towards the break, both teams missed chances at goal, but neither could gain much foothold in the game. With seconds left to play, Halle reduced the deficit with a cheeky drop goal attempt from their 15. Gathering the ball just inside the Irish half, his shot at the sticks crept over the bar, with the referee consulting his assistants before confirming the score.
Half-time: Berlin Irish RFC 14 — SG Halle/Leipzig 10
Irish quickly built up a two-score lead, turning sustained pressure into points through two penalties from stand-in kicker Healy. By the 50th minute, the scoreboard read 20–10 in the guests’ favour.
On an energy sapping day, impact from the bench was always going to tell. Following the second water break, Samer Rishmawi came on to make his debut for the club, while coach George Steele called his own number, filling in at scrum-half and making his first appearance in two years.
Not that he would get much chance to show off his range of passing, as Halle turned the screw in the dying embers. Irish did well to keep their opponents at bay, with the home team’s extended stay in our 22 leading to a just penalty. A one score game with ten minutes left to play.
Irish handled the situation professionally, maintaining discipline as the clock continued to tick down. A trademark nudge by Daubney pinned the hosts on their own line as the clock hit zero. The game could have ended with an Irish steal, but the referee pinged the boys for their attempted pilfering at the ruck, giving Halle one last chance to advance the ball. A knock-on at the resulting lineout ended the game, however, confirming a hard fought and well deserved victory to start the season.
With stellar performances all over the paddock, Steele couldn’t name a single man of the match, giving the honours to all 20 of the lads that fought tooth and nail for the badge.
Thanks to everyone at SG Halle/Leipzig for hosting a great game that was played in the right spirit. Best of luck for the season ahead.
At full-time, Berlin Irish’s captain Benji Lenzing said, “It was a f*cking hot day today, but we kept a cool head. I’m proud of the boys, I’m proud of the team. Come on Irish!”
Reports of unbelievable scenes on the return journey have yet to be confirmed. A number of bewildered motorists on the A9 have claimed to see a minibus full of legends (who may or may not have been under the influence of Georgian spirits) belting out karaoke classics. More as we get it.
Full-time: Berlin Irish RFC 20 — SG Halle/Leizig 13
8th Sept. 2024
Tries: Healy (12’), Ebanoidze (25’)
Conversions: Healy (13’, 26’)
Penalties: Healy (42’, 50’)
Starters: Eóin Allan; Fouad Farnisa, Marc Tornow, Seán Healy, Manuel Asnar; Chrus Daubney, Kaloyan Pishmanov (60’); Moritz Bins (45’), Florian Bienvenu (60’), Hanno Peuckert (45’), Conor O’Sullivan, Jonny Aplin, Pa-Pa-Papuna Ebanoidze (60’), Francesco Renda, Benji Lenzing (C)
Impact: Gordon Woupa (45’), Felipe Lemos (45’), George Steele (60’), Samer Rishmawi (60’), Jack Neary (60’)