CCCdR vs Akra Alicante

Final score – 17 : 22

A wind-chilled late afternoon game in Elche, was finally decided by a late try with only minutes to go in the match. This was a hard-fought game where the Costa Cobras never gave up, and despite losing by only 5 points, left the field proud of their teammates and overall performance. This game clearly showed that the team is coming together as a unit, has learned much since their last game together, and is building a strong foundation for the future of the club.

The game was evenly matched with both sides demonstrating good set-piece plays, good discipline, and sporting behavior only found in this beautiful game of ours. The crowd enjoyed the sporting spectacle before them and stepped up vocally whenever a play showed promise of a break, a score or a bone-crunching tackle.

Akra came determined, well prepared and clearly had a plan to get the ball wide as quickly as possible, giving their backs the chance to run and try to find holes in our defensive line. The Cobra’s all-round play was led initially by their dominance in the forwards, piercing their way through Akra’s defense on many occasions and giving us hard yard gains across the muddy surface. With rhino-like carries, our second-row drove us ever-closer to Akra’s try-line with the pack supporting behind, going over the tackled forward and securing additional phases – great pack effort and play all round. The forward support play shows the team has made real effort and progress in this key area of the game – highlighting the coaching team effort and focus during practice sessions to deliver tangible results and tries on the field of play. Cobra’s backs, led by their new scrum-half brought our backs into play and releasing them to run their lines with the occasional blind-side break of his own. Akra seemed confused and couldn’t cope with our number 9’s straight running lines – more akin to that of a forward (or perhaps rugby league). The Cobras backs demonstrated pace, good passing and determination to get us over the try-line.

Congratulations to our Man of the Match, Tom Burgess (Hooker) for his sterling performance during the game. This is a great accolade for anyone to receive from your peers, but even more amazing that this was Tom’s first-ever game of rugby!

The team gave everything in terms of spirit, energy, and physical combat and walk away from the game with their heads held high. Despite a few injuries, they will recover, go back to the training ground, prepare and ready themselves to face their next Costa Cobra battle!

Finally, Akra Rugby Club was so impressed with our performance, that the Cobra’s have been invited back to their ground for a return fixture in January.