A penalty six minutes from time by Vit Zajicek ensured that RLC Dragons Krupka won their first Czech Grand Final in the tightest of matches, defeating RLC Slavia Hradec Kralove 20-18. It capped a superb season for the Dragons who also finished as league leaders in the seven-team championship.
“We lost just once this season and our team grew and strengthened together,” said head coach Tomas Beranek. “I have to thanks to all the players. They made me really proud and I am happy that we have showed to everyone how hard we worked hard to claim the title.”
Tries from Tomas Nemecek and Antonin Berk, both goaled by Zajicek, gave the Dragons an early 12-0 lead but the competition’s leading scorer Jan Heininger responded for Slavia, their captain Ladislav Cintler successful with the conversion. Just before the break, Nemecek crossed for his second, Zajicek once more successful to make it 18-6 to the Dragons.
The second half saw a Slavia revival and around the hour two quick-fire tries to Cintler again and Marko Mećava, both goaled, levelled the game. Cintler was wide with a penalty in the 70th minute and as the Dragons responded and looked set for a drop goal, they were awarded a penalty for a trip and Zajicek was the hero with the decisive score.
The win saw the Dragons complete a clean sweep of all possible trophies in 2016, their juniors claiming the first-ever CZRLA U18 crown.