The second game in the 2013 Danish “Origin” series, promoting the Danish Cystic Fibrosis Society (www.cff.dk), started with Copenhagen RLFC as strong favourites against Jylland RLFC, playing only its second match.
The first fifteen minutes showed this would be no procession, as the two teams remained deadlocked in a hard fought contest. It was not until half way through the first half that the Jutland defence suffered its first breach. That was enough to allow flying Silas Mubanda to charge fifty metres for the opening try, converted by Richard Naylor. This was quickly followed up by a well worked move that released Cameron Woods through the Jutland defence to add to the score, Naylor again converting for 12-0. Jutland responded well and took advantage of a series of penalties and errors from their opponents, for talisman and 2012 Denmark Play of the Year Viiga Lima to hit back shortly before the break with a try. Louis van Raz’Dorado added the extras to make it 12-6 at half time.
The second half intensity was just as high. Copenhagen seized the initiative with a second Mubanda try and Naylor conversion for 18-6. But Jutland weren’t finished scoring through the dancing feet of Casper Espersen (10-18). Copenhagen flexed some muscle and started to take control, Richard Naylor going over from first receiver and converting his own try to make the score 24-10.
They then turned the screw in the final five minutes, adding two more tries. Cameron Woods picked up his second, chasing a loose ball after a mix up in the Jutland line, and Naylor finished things off, again going over from first receiver in the last seconds. The final score of 32-10 added to Copenhagen’s 44-12 victory over in Jutland in June means that the “East” team takes the inaugural Danish “Origin” series title.
Martin Petersen-Scott, Jylland RLFC: “Both teams rose to the occasion magnificently well given the conditions. Large parts of the game were extremely competitive, with no lack of desire or aggression from anyone. Copenhagen benefitted from playing on a regular basis and looked very well drilled. Ultimately, rugby league in Denmark is the winner and has a bright future”.
Steve Davy, President DRLF, said: “A year ago, we had a national team in Denmark. Now we have two new clubs and the game is introduced into many schools in Denmark. To be able to use this to promote the Danish Cystic Fibrosis Society and push on further is fantastic.”
Pictured: Viiga Lima on the charge.