Brussels Celtic RFC v Walferdange

02/05/2004 (Elephant pitch)

Podge Wickham and Xavier Mazauric are small. Tiny in fact. I do not mean that they are flimsy and dainty, like the fancy boys that play in the backs, but for props they are minuscule. If either one surpasses the 90 kilo mark, it is not by more than a few kilos. Neither one, on a cursory glance, would strike fear into apposing front rows. This must have been foremost in the minds of Walferdange’s 120 kilo + props as they trundled onto the field. They might not have had the mobility of their nimble counterparts, but Walferdange’s props must surely have expected to wreak havoc in the set pieces. And so it came to pass ... but only in the first scrum. The Celtic scrum quaked, rocked and slid backwards. Men of weaker character might have succumbed, but not Wickham and Mazauric. Despite the difference in size, they got under their opponents from there on and proceeded to humiliate them. Their crowning glory came as the first half was coming to a close. Celtic had fought their way up to the 5 metre line where Walferdange were awarded a scrum. The ball went in, the massive Walferdange front row shook and was shunted back a metre. This upset the number 8 to such an extent that he lost control of the heel. As the ball popped out the ever vigilant Steve Crehan pounced, like a leopard on a lost deer, to score. Apart from the sterling work in the scrum, both Podge and Xavier put in great work in the loose, with Podge putting the head down like a ram when the sheep are in heat, and head-butting his way through the massed ranks of Walferdange. 'Twas like going bowling on a Friday night. Xavier, despite aging legs, threw himself on Walferdange and stopped one dangerous encroachment with a flying tackle. Both deserved to share the man of the match award.

The match itself was entertaining and punctuated by some class rugby. At the same time Celtic was made very much aware that if it allows a Division 2 team an inch, they will take a mile. This was clearly seen by two break away tries which were due to lazy defending. Things will have to improve for next year.

The game itself. Well it was but an enfant when Walferdange made it very clear that they were, as they say, “up for it”. They split the Celtic defence to run in a try from half way. Celtic needed to react, and they did. First with a penalty from the ever reliable Aled Thomas and then with perhaps the most complete try Celtic have scored all season. Celtic took the ball down the right wing with forwards and backs off loading in the tackle on numerous occasions. Thibaud Sacaze was at the forefront, as was Christof Merkle. Celtic rapidly, and perhaps bewilderingly, went from one 22 to the other 22 in this fashion. The ball eventually went to ground when John Hutchinson correctly realised that it was better to set up a ruck than risk being forced over the line. The forwards did their duty cleaning out the ruck and the ball was fired westwards by Steve Crehan. The "Bull from Boyle" James Candon, in tandem with Ammedeo Cazzalini, made hard yards up the middle. The ball was fired further west where, by this stage, with Walferdange players lying all around in disarray, a three man over lap was created to give Fintan Corr the opportunity to score. The field was strewn with exhausted Walferdange players. ‘Twas like spring time on the Somme.

Aled Thomas converted and soon after another piece of individual brilliance by Mark Beynon led to a second try – he has been at that all season and long may it continue. As mentioned already, Steve Crehan scored a try from a disrupted scrum late on in the first half. Celtic were 22-10 up and cruising. All seemed well with the world.

But alas, it was not to last. Celtic were sitting on their laurels when they forgot completely that rucks must be cleared. Walferdange won a ball which was not theirs and proceeded to walk through the Celtic non-defence to score. They were still in the game as a result.

Ross was right to be annoyed at his charges. While they had played well for 90% of the time, they had allowed easy scores to leave the teams at 22-17.

The second half saw Celtic score two opportunistic tries. One from Thibaud Sacaze after yet another Walferdange scrum was disrupted, and a second from Rhett Cooper after a Johnny O’ Riordan interception. Walferdange scored one from a rolling maul. They should have scored another try. An amazing lack of attention by Celtic allowed Walferdange run a 22 drop-out the length of the field. It was disallowed, perhaps unfairly, as the ref (maybe he had taken inspiration from Celtic) was not looking at the player who tapped the 22 drop out to himself. He called play back and Walferdange were denied a try.

Celtic deserved to win this game. They will go on to play a semi final against Hautes-Fagnes, who they have already beaten twice this year. They should reach the final where they will, in all likelihood, play another Division 2 team. If Celtic are to close out the season on a victorious note they will need to play as well as they played at times against Walferdange, while at the same time avoiding the silly mistakes which at times led to scores against them.

Final score : 35 - 22 (HT 22 - 17), 49 – 29 with bonus points

Scoring sequence: 0-5, 0-7, 3-7, 8-7, 10-7, 15-7, 17-7, 17-10, 22-10, 22-15, 22-17, 25-17, 30-17, 30-22, 35-22

Team: Mark BEYNON, Jonathan O’RIORDAN, Fintan CORR, Laurent BONDON, John HUTCHINSON, Aled THOMAS, Stephen CREHAN (C), Xavier MAZAURIC, Christof MERKLE, Padraig WICKHAM, Amedeo CAZZALINI, James CANDON, Stéphane DELHOMME, Rhett COOPER, Thibaud SACAZE.

Subs: Sebastian ZIOLA, Geoff VAN WIJK, Fergal O’REGAN, Graham EDWARDS (J. Candon 64’), Kevin GARDENER, Hervé PROST, Lorcan LYONS (F.Corr 58’).

Ref: Mr Philippe VERZIN (BUC St Josse) + M. Lescaut & M. Lameignere

Man of the match: Padraig WICKHAM & Xavier MAZAURIC (+ Thibaut SACAZE)

Match report: Fergal O’Regan