Berlin welcomed Eintracht Frankfurt for what should have been their first home game of the season on Saturday 30th November. Pitch closures across Berlin left the team scrambling for alternatives and Veltener Rugby Club, from Brandenburg very graciously stepped in to host the game instead. With preparations and travel disrupted it would be the team who could best regain concentration who would be able to  take control of the game, and with it the league table.

1st Half

Frankfurt started the game brightly, combining fast ruck ball with a varied attack and repeatedly probing the edges of the Berlin attacking line and causing some difficulties. Meanwhile Berlin’s normally strong kicking game wasn’t quite clicking and Frankfurt were able to retain plenty of territory. Berlin did retain very aggressive linespeed in defence however and it was through this their first score would come. Centre Von Knoblauch handily intercepting a poor pass and running 50m to score under the sticks, giving Brennan an easy conversion - which she took. 7-0

Frankfurt continued to have the majority of the play and poor discipline, ever a problem for Berlin, started to take its toll. The visitors were camped in the home 22 and Berlin couldn’t clear their lines well. Despite all their possession Frankfurt lacked much penetration in attack and again tended shifted the ball from side to side waiting for a gap to open. Finally and despite a heroic last ditch tackle attempt by Hirschberg - making her first appearance after an 8 month injury lay-off - the opposition winger was able to score directly in the corner, with the conversion missed from out wide. 7-5

Now it was Berlin who took control of the game whilst the guests were unable to exit their defensive zone. Despite a misfiring lineout, the hosts found their forwards were making major gains, including 2 scrum turnovers, and when a snipe from Hirschberg was brought down 15m short the pack went to work, driving forward and wearing down the opposition attack. With attention diverted, Weber and Von Knoblauch ran a screen play allowing the young centre to glide through the line nearly untouched to score her second. 14-5

It seemed the game was turning into a real slug fest, with the teams trading blow after blow. The visitors had plenty of ball but couldn’t seem to gain entry into the Berlin 22, whilst Berlin’s normally strong territorial game had disappeared and a more physical style resulted in plenty of running rugby. This took its toll though, with captain Dompert being forced off with a shoulder injury after 25 minutes and Goujon coming on into the backrow.

On the half hour mark though Berlin were able to extend their lead as Von Knoblauch completed a remarkable first half hat-trick: a wonderful individual effort beating 4 defenders and streaking away to score, with Brennan adding the extras. 21-5 Frankfurt came back strong and managed to work the ball into the hosts 22 once again, but simply couldn’t find a way through the defensive line before half time.

Score Berlin 21 - 5 Frankfurt

2nd Half

After beginning with a Frankfurt yellow card for a dangerous tackle agains Lavouê, the second half followed a similar pattern to the first, the sides trading blows in the center of the pitch, but struggling to build territory due to misfiring lineouts. In fact it would be from a Frankfurt lineout that the next points would come, when a poor throw was stolen by Labourdette, Murtagh reacted quickly, Cannoing her way through 2 tackles and cracking the defence wide open. Quick hands found substitute Braun, on for Brucklachner who did well to beat the covering fullback and streak away for a try on debut. 26-5

The guests tightened up their game significantly and it started to pay dividends. Strong carrys close to the ruck began to wear down the Berlin defence, and cause real problems. By targeting the area close to the ruck Berlin’s impressive linespeed was neutralized and worse, defensive penalties began to mount as bodies and minds began to tire. A double change in the front row saw Fisher and Mahns Mardy enter for Frenzel and Lavoue to freshen up the pack. Following a team warning Braun was shown a yellow card for not releasing before a jackal attempt and this left the backfield exposed.

Frankfurt immediately took advantage of this with a number of kicks targeting the left wing whilst Canaras and Ziffels were pulling double duty. Moss came on at 12 to add more kicking options and add some energy into the back line, while Lormis slotted into the 2nd row to replace labourdette who was walking a disciplinary tightrope. Berlin were able to clear their lines through extremely strong defence and good kicking but poor discipline again cost them, with substitute Matthies leaving the field after only 2 minutes for a high tackle. Repeated penalties eventually saw the guests make their way over in the corner, with the conversion missed from out wide. 26.10

The last 15 minutes of the game followed a similar pattern, Frankfurt attacking with good structure but not much penetration except through their large forwards, whilst Berlin continued to be a menace on the counterattack. An impressive 80 metre kick chase by Hermlin left Frankfurt stranded on the edge of their own 22, and when a few phases later Fisher ripped the ball free, simple handling got it to Brennan who dashed past two defenders to score her 3rd try of the season in the corner, leaving a final score of 31-10

Squad:

STARTERS: Ziffels, Brucklachner, Von Knoblauch, Weber, Canaras, Brennan, Hirschberg, Lavoué, Frenzel, Hermlin, Kayser, Labourdette, Murtagh, Steyer, Dompert (c),
FINISHERS: Mahns-Mardy, Fisher, Matthies, Lormis, Goujon, Moss, Braun

Scorers:

Tries: Von Knoblauch x3, Braun, Brennan
Cons: Brennan x3