The 2014 Czech First Division Championship kicked-off with the teams who finished in the top three last season all being defeated. In the biggest upset of the round, the newly branded and promoted Czech Rabbitohs – made up of players from the Pardubice Jets and Chrudim clubs - beat twice defending champions Lokomotiva Beroun, 38-10.
Vit Caslavka was the pick of an impressive team effort for the Rabbitohs while Jiri Sluka, in his first game back since a mid-2012 knee operation, was the best forward on the field despite being on the losing side.
In another major upset, Slavia Hradec Kralove defeated 2013 Grand Finalists and their former partner club, Vrchlabi Mad Squirrels, 40-16. Czech national team half-back Lada Cintler provided the impetus for the win, impressing Squirrels player/coach and new national coach David Lahr.
The third match of the opening round saw Teplice Dragons travel to Mikulov to take on the Roosters, who defeated them in the 2012 Second Division Grand Final, and grinding out a 28-22 win on the back of some powerful running from forwards Antonin Berk and Jiri Hubka and magic by half-back, Jindra Jirotka.
For CZRLA stalwart, Richard York, who has played a pivotal role in organising several partnerships between Czech clubs and their professional namesakes in the broader rugby league community, the growth of the game in the Republic is satisfying.
“It is great to see professional clubs in Australia and France take such a keen interest in our development of the game here,” he said. “And we are able to spread awareness of them in the growing Czech market. All we need now, is to get regular footage from the NRL and/or Super League onto domestic free-to-air Czech television to really capitalize on the boom in participation levels here.”
Orli Havlickuv Brod, who had the bye in the opening round, took the opportunity to play a friendly with Usti nad Labem Blades, who debut in the CZRLA second division this year, Pavel Kubasta’s men running out 52-0 winners and posting their intent in what looks like being a fascinating season.
Pictured: Action from the Teplice-Mikulov game.