Serbian rugby league’s present met its future in the annual Challenge cup, with the senior national team prevailing 68-22 against their U21 counterparts, in a clash held at the FK Heroj Polet stadium in Jajinci. The clash was a good test for both sides who are in the midst of preparation for their respective autumn matches.

Seniors ran in 12 tries showing the benefit of two weeks of training and conditioning together before the national championship continues. In form centre Miloš Ćalić scored a hat trick and Serbian coaching duo, Ljubomir Bukvić and Darren Higgins - who flew in from England for the game - were more than satisfied with the performance, emphasizing that is a good indicator for the 2017 World Cup European Qualifiers in October.

“The core of the players from the domestic clubs showed that they are in good form.” said Bukvić after the game. “The upcoming finish of the club season will give further opportunity for the players to impress before we head to Valencia on 21 September to play Spain. That will be our final test ahead of the qualifying games against Wales and Italy.”

The game was also a good test also for the U21’s who are preparing for two internationals against Lebanon in September.

“I’m happy with the team effort,” said Serbian U21 coach Admir Hadžić. “The guys didn’t back down and we attacked when we had the chance. There is a lot to be worked on but the team spirit is something we continue to build.”

SERBIA
Miloš Zogović, Relja Petrović, Miloš Ćalić, Pero Madžarević, Pavle Vojinović, Vojislav Dedić, Džavid Jašari, Vlado Kušić, Vladislav Dedić, Nikola Srbljanin, Žarko Kovačević, Stevan Stevanović, Stefan Nedeljković

Tries: Stevan Stevanović (’7), Džavid Jašari (’14), Nikola Srbljanin (’18, ’51), Vladislav Dedić (’26), Vlado Kušić (’30, ’70), Miloš Ćalić (’39, ’61, ’64), Stefan Nedeljković (’58), Vojislav Dedić (’80). Goals: Vojislav Dedić 10/12.  

SERBIA U21
Andrej Mora, Vladimir Milutinović, Stevan Arsić, Denis Čengaj, Ronaldo Bitići, Aleksandar Pavlović, Đorđe Stošić, Aleksa Miljković, Vuk Štrbac, Aleksa Radić, Miodrag Tomić, Petar Kovač, Dario Abidinović

Tries: Ronaldo Bitići (’21), Vladimir Milutinović (’47, ’75), Aleksa Radić (’64). Goals: Đorđe Stošić 3/4.