The Pardubice Jets have followed up their 2011 CZRLA Minor Premiership with an emphatic 42-18 win over the 2010 Czech Champions, Beroun, in the very first CZRLA Grand Final, played on the neutral PÅ™elouÄ rugby pitch. The star player for the Jets was back-rower Pavel Zemanek, whose outstanding wide-running netted him five tries, doubling his season tally in the most important club game of the year. In recognition of his dominance in the game he was rewarded with the inaugural Milan Mrtýnek Medal, to be henceforth presented annually to the CZRLA Man of the Match in the Grand Final, as recognition for the pioneering work done by Mrtýnek in establishing the ÄŒeská Asociace Rugby League in 2006. Ironically, Mrtýnek was at the match not only to present the award, but also as a contributor to the on-field action, having played an impressive cameo role with Lokomtiva Beroun.
The decision to add a final was vindicated after the match provided ‘‘the highest standard domestic rugby league yet seen in the Czech Republic“ according to Development Manager Andy Mulhall.
The Mirek HoráÄek-coached Jets opened the game confidently, dominating possession, and allowing captain and on-field maestro Victor Leeuw to dictate the game’s tempo. The result was three unconverted tries in the 1st half, two of them to Zemanek, and a 12-0 half-time lead to the Jets. The introduction of Mrtýnek from the bench, however, in the 2nd half changed the flow of the game and allowed Beroun captain-coach, David Dolak, to better orchestrate his team’s attack. The result was two quick-fire tries to Beroun and a 12-8 scoreline after 50 minutes of the match. It was at this point Zemanek stepped forward and really began to dominate the game.
Lokomtiva, formerly the Black Panthers, battled grimly, but were overwhelmed by the Jets forward momentum, the score blowing out to 36-8 before Beroun managed two late tries to pull the score back to 36-18. Fittingly though, it was Leeuw, who has been at the heart of everything that the Jets have achieved this year and was only just faded by Zemanek as the Grand Final Man of the Match, who scored a final try, which he then converted himself, for a final score of 42-18.
Dolak was magnanimous in defeat, declaring Pardubice the deserved winners, but already looking forward to the 2012 CZRLA season, stating: ‘‘with more experience, we will come back much more strongly next year.“
Pardubice Jets: 42 (Zemanek 5, Mabunda, Nedomlel, Pecina, Leeuw tries; Chikambvi 2, Leeuw 1 goal)
Lokomotiva Beroun: 18 (Smotek 2, Cernohorsky, Drazka; Cernohorsky 1 goal)
Referee: Gerard Keenan; Touch judges: Paul Hooper & Andrew Mulhall