The last few weeks have seen four u-mee GRC1O’s pre season friendly fixtures take place on the Rock, in line with the GRFU’s “Return2Rugby” protocol.
Since the conclusion of the inaugural u-mee GRC Club 10’s Competition, all four clubs have been hard at work, preparing for the start of the 2020/21 u-mee GRC League, eagerly anticipated by all.
Clubs have been training weekly at Europa Sports Park and as rugby continues to increase in popularity on the rock, it has been refreshing to see a plethora of new faces among all clubs.
They have been using this time to blood their newest recruits, whilst working on fitness and tactics for the season ahead.
The first pre season fixtures took place on Saturday 31st October, which saw DHL Europa Stormers take on In-Line Framing Strait Sharks & Sovereign Scorpions face IBEX Buccaneers.
Full-Time: DHL Europa Stormers 40 – 20 In-Line Framing Straits Sharks
#DHLEuropaStormers sought to continue their run of form on the back of their unbeaten run in the inaugural u-mee GRC Club 10’s competition, however would have to see off strong and revitalised competition in the form of #StraitsSharks. Both sides had their fair share of possession, with plenty entertaining link up moves equally met by strong defence from either side.
There were 12 tries scored in this fixture, with mention to Europa Stormers stalwart Lloyd Brown, who’s contribution laid cement to the full-time result having scored four of the eight Stormers tries.
That being said, it would have been difficult to pick just one man of the match today, with players on both teams showing great commitment, resulting in an entertaining game of rugby.
Europa Stormers continued their unbeaten run, with the Full-Time result #DHLEuropaStormers 40 – 20 #StraitsSharks.
Full-Time: Sovereign Scorpions 40 – 20 IBEX Buccaneers
There is no match report available for this fixture.
A further two pre season fixtures took place on Saturday 14th November, #DHLEuropaStormers faced #SovereignScorpions and #IBEXBuccaneers took on #InLineFramingStraitsSharks.
Full-Time: DHL Europa Stormers 10 – 75 Sovereign Scorpions
The first fixture of the afternoon saw the Stormers have their unbeaten run ended by a well prepared Scorpions team that were definitely up for the contest, with a plethora of Touch Rugby veterans among them. Admittedly the Stormers were missing a large amount of their key players and injuries meant their bench size also suffered, but the Scorpions were organised, using their bench wisely to keep their players fresh.
Late on in the last quarter of the game, Stormers were able to find their feet where they displayed flashes of quality reminiscent of their recent dominant run of form to get some points on the board. By then it was too little too late and with a consistent performance the Scorpions had already won the game.
Full-Time: IBEX Buccaneers 60 – 30 In-Line Framing Straits Sharks
The second match of the day was an evenly sided affair, although the Sharks were almost a ‘Barbarians’ team with a number of guest players making up their numbers. It was free flowing, end to end rugby, with some skilful plays from both teams, but the Buccaneers always seemed to have control of the game. They led from the start and whenever the Sharks scored, cutting their lead, it wasn’t long before the lead was restored with a score of their own.
Another entertaining set of pre season fixtures in the lead up to the new season and, despite not being able to play full contact, this is a great way for the players to practice some of their core skills at the same time as getting a good cardio workout.
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u-mee Gibraltar Rugby Championship 