Last Saturday, March 2, those of the Marina Alta They traveled to the lands of La Mancha to face one of their direct rivals. In addition to the distance of the trip, we had to add the weather conditions of the game, with a wind storm and low temperatures, so a close game based on the lead was promised.
In the field draw, the locals chose to play with the wind in their favor, a condition that would be very good for their game. The two teams were very forceful in the short game and the individual duel, with the Barbarians being more dominant in the static phases and Albacete being clearer in their open game.
Albacete's first try came in the 3rd minute, after a quick exit from a heeled scrum, which made the conversion to sticks difficult (5-0).
15 minutes later, the team from La Mancha scored again after another static phase that they managed to combine with their three quarters and, together with the conversion to sticks, increased the advantage (12-0).
The locals were enthusiastic and in high spirits. After relaunching the game, they regained the oval until they got into the 5-meter zone, from where, using the entire width of the field, they sent the ball to their wing to score again (17-0).
With this result, the break was reached and the Barbarians had to shake their minds in the locker room to avoid making more mistakes.
With the resumption, and this time with the wind in its favor, Dénia came out with greater impetus. Proof of this was his first try in the 57th minute, after several phases of forward play until Gringo took over the oval to put it on target. Joel scored the transformation and the comeback began (17-7).
The La Mancha team felt the visiting pressure and the harsh physical punishment of the Dianense forwards was beginning to be noticed in the local pack.
After 10 minutes, those from Marina Alta scored again, this time from Santi, who, together with Joel's transformation (17-14), made the local nervousness rise.
The match became a hotbed and the tension remained until the end. Albacete knew how to lock themselves in their field and maintain a strong defense to stop the continuous Dianense attacks and finally breathe with the arrival of the final whistle.
With this result, the Barbarians added the defensive bonus and maintain sixth place in the standings, waiting for this weekend. On Sunday, March 10 at 12:00 p.m. at the “Tio Luis” Rugby Field of the Dénia Sports Center, the Valencians from the UCV will be received.
School
As for the M16 team, they received the CAU in a highly contested match, they could not prevail against the Valencian game dynamics and lost 5-22. Next Saturday they will travel to Alicante to face AKRA.
M14, after playing the Trobadas last weekend, will travel to Valencia on Saturday to face Abelles.
The lower categories also participated in the Trobadas, in which the little ones enjoyed a great day of rugby and camaraderie.
M1 will play on Saturday at 13:00 p.m. in Dénia against Valencia.
