The Czech Republic started its historic national teams representative weekend, which sees two new sides in action, in disappointing fashion, with Czech Youth being thoroughly outplayed by the far more experienced BARLA Youth in Beroun, suffering a 68-0 point loss.

The Czech under-20s, the majority of whom are playing their first season of any form of rugby, were totally outplayed by a far more experienced group. Physical and tactical superiority overwhelmed the young locals, who trailed 50-0 at the break.

The second half saw the rookie Czech forwards, led by Karel Hudik, Tomas Perlik & Martin Pokorny, take a more direct route in to their opposition, with some strong running and safer ball handling resulting in large periods of the game bereft of BARLA scores, as well as the occasional threat on the visitors’ line. Home-town players Martin Cernohorsky & Dalibor Smotek showed plenty of grit for the Czech team, while Usti nad Labem’s Jindra Jiroutka, playing only his third game of rugby league, was another stand-out - his 50 metre sprint from the opposite wing to pull down a BARLA player cruising to the tryline, one of the standout efforts of the night.

Czech team coach Petr Sedina was philosophical about the result: “Unfortunately because of domestic activities we have had very little preparation time for this game, so were always up against it. The BARLA lads have come here keen to impress, and they did so tonight. Our guys didn’t start well, but I thought their effort in the second half was much improved and showed that there is plenty to work with for the future”.

Czech Development Manager & senior national team coach, Andy  Mulhall, saw positives from the match: “Perhaps what was most interesting was that some of the more experienced Czech players who have played now in each of our three domestic seasons and whom we would have expected to lead the way, weren’t quite there today. On the other hand, there were several absolute rookies who have only played only a few matches, at most, with new second division clubs this season but who led the way, both in attack and defence.

“That’s something that is pleasing, and is a positive outcome from what was always going to be a difficult match for our guys. There are positives though, and we will focus on them, while trying to rectify some of the self-evident negatives which were highlighted by our visitors tonight.”

The Czech representative weekend continues with the CZRLA International 9s to be played in Pardubice on Saturday, with a BARLA team again participating, before the BARLA Youth team then take on the Czech Universities team on Sunday.

Pictured: Czech man of the match Karel Hudik hits it up.

CZECH YOUTH
Jiri Pecina,  Matej Pecina,  Marek Pluhar,  Martin Cernohorsky,  Dalibor Smotek,  David Dolak,  Jan Buben,  Zdenek Rolejcek,  Petr Dobremysl ,  Karel Hudec,  Tomas Perlik,  Martin Pokorny, Tomas Sidlik,  Libor Zamecnik,  JanNeusl,  Jan Broz,  Jindra Jirotka,  Jan Obajtek

BARLA YOUTH
Ben Milburn, Danny Carney, Matty Gee, Connor Holiday, Will Gaunt, Charlie Tomlinson (Capt), Lennox Green, Ryan Hickman, Connor Johnson,  Tom Goffat,  Reece Parker,  Matty Heaton,  Shaun Mumberson. Subs:  Matty Henson, Jack Connor, Travis Jones, Alex Addy, Alex Rudd