EUROPEAN BOWL 2012

Two first half tries each from Jiri Sluka and Petr Sedina enabled the Czech Republic to secure the European Bowl as they defeated Hungary XIII 42-16 in Vrchlabi. Man of the match, Czech loose forward David Lahr – on his home ground - served notice of his intent in the sixth minute, breaking down the middle to set up Sluka for the opening score. Pavel Zemanek created the position for the next score soon after, breaking down the right and finding Standa Kosar who was just held out on the line, Sedina scooting over from the play the ball.

Hooker Sedina bagged his second just before the half hour and two tries in four minutes in the lead up to the break sent the animated crowd of over 400 into raptures. Sluka made the most of a penalty decision to cross and, just as the whistle was about to go, fullback Jan Buben slid over to make it 22-0 at the break, Sedina converting.

Pardubice’s Zemanek extended the lead in the 52^nd minute, Sedina adding the goal but the Magyars staged a revival, Zsolt Haboczki crossing for their first score, goaled by Gergely Bán, the visitors' best on the day. The hosts regained control in the 63^rd minute, Martin Cernohorsky finding the whitewash after a sweeping passing movement and Buben adding the extras but the visitors forced a goal line drop out from the restart and from it, Bán went over and converted his own effort.

A midfield break by Victor Leeuw set up supporting stand off Pavel Vrana for the hosts, Buben then arcing right and breaking clear down the touchline before sending the ball back inside for Prague’s David Dolak to complete the home scoring with their ninth try. Hungary had the final say two minutes from time, Juan Carlos Berbesi crossing from close in to complete a good contest in front of loud and appreciative fans.

Pictured: Second row Vaclav Fischer breaks through.

CZECH REPUBLIC
Jan Buben, Martin Cernohorsky, Jaroslav Bzoch, Pavel Zemanek, Stanislav Kosar, Pavel Vrana, Victor Leeuw, Jiri Sluka, Petr Sedina, David Lahr, Petr Cap, Vaclav Fischer, Vaclav Jacko. Subs: David Dolak, Pavel Kubasta, Jan Sluka, Karel Hudec

HUNGARY XIII
Mehdi Benaniba, Myles Ellison, Ádám Zsinkó, Laszlo Harangozo, Juan Carlos Berbesi, Joel Jiminez, Arnold Dobos, Nikoletti Gyula, Gergely Bán, Phil Angel, Geza Juhasz, Zsolt Haboczki, Tibor Horvath. Subs: Ted Coe, Olivér Kopasz, Andre Brand