Gripen vs Vänersborg

Det blev en knapp förlust mot VRK hemma på Norrvalla IP, 17-24

Gripen mens team has been improving all the time and on Thursday they played a really good game against Vänersborg. The team for this match was much changed with new players coming in and other players having to play in positions new to them. Nevertheless the team had a good balance and this proved to be the case as the match was keenly contested throughout.

The first half was very close with Vänerborg taking a narrow lead 12-14 at halftime. Both Gripens tries came from Jonathan after quick thinking from the team, driving for the line from quick penalty taps. Thomas A converted one try and was very unlucky not to convert the second. Kat Gripens new player from New Zealand had a very good start showing his experience. There was also very good work from the Arvidsson brothers and the pack were very competitive in the scrums, rucks & mauls.

The second half continued like the first with the team defending well, putting in the tackles and applying pressure to Vänerborg. Vänerborg scored first in the second half but Gripen hit back with a try by Micheal Bowring in the corner. The conversion was missed but Gripen's tails were up with the score being 17-19 and for a sustained period of 15 mins Gripen pounded the Vänersborg line. Gripen had a penalty which was just wide and then another one which was ran and a try was nearly scored! Vänersborg eventually weathered the storm and scored a late try after a perfect bounce for their player. Still with a few minutes left Gripen mustered one final attack and unfortuanetly lost the ball after much ground had been made.

Shortly afterwards the whistle was blown and Gripen had lost the match. However, the game could of gone either way and Gripen had contributed largely to an exciting match. Gripen had played their best match for years and with a little bit more experience and rub of the green they would of won this match. This was the fruit of all the hard work being done at training and the future looks bright.

Special mention should be made to Max P and Niklas A who played at hooker and lock respectively for the first time. Both of them stood up and played a excellant game!! Also to Mann for playing his first game on the wing and to Stefan playing at centre. Many thanks to the Malmö guys again for their hard work.

Now on we go to the next match!!

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