First All Stockholm Final.

At the end of the day, Sweden had it's first all Stockholm final. This should be a a tremendous spectacle and give the capital a match to remember.

Enkoping visited Arsta full of hopes that they could turn around the 2 point deficit and reach yet another final. Exiles had other ideas and were not going to take their opponents lightly. From the off the home side went onto the attack putting together a number of effective phases eventually forcing the visitors to give away a penalty for offside which was gratefully taken. The home side though started to concede a number of penalties allowing their visitors to gain ground from them and with the assistance of a strong wind got down into the home side's territory and from yet another penalty scored 3 points to equal the score.
The men in black then attacked again and earned themselves a yet another penalty, from the resultant scrum and worked the ball over the tryline to score.
Enkoping started to run the ball from everywhere and to utilise their talented backline but could not break down the Exiles defence but both defence's stood firm. For some ridiculous reason a yellow card was shown to an exiles player and ERK threw everything at their hosts and despite the numerical advantage they could not get the ball over the line. the half time whistle signalled that there had been no further score.
From the restart the hosts kept running the ball at the visitors and but from a few hurried passes may have added to the score, earlier than they did. Eventually the last pass stuck and they went over to score a well deserved  converted try. This was added to by a score under the posts which was converted and the game was virtually over. Enkoping kept probing and eventually scored out wide to get some self respect back.
However Exiles came back even stronger and scored two more tries to record a 34-8 win and a aggregate score of 59-31.





On the other pitch and with the kick off at the same time, (WHY) Hammarby entertained Spartacus. The green and whites started of at a whirlwind pace and were determined to beat their less illustrious opponents. However it was the visitors who were awarded a penalty just inside the home side's half. The kick at goal was just missed and within a few minutes the home side had managed to score out wide and convert the try. Unfortunately during this phase of play the visitors lost their captain and number 9 with a dislocated elbow. There followed a game that was constantly interrupted by the referee awarding a number of penalties that left not only the players but the coaches and spectators baffled. The tackling was ferocious by both sides and after another ruck the number 8 from Spartacus left the field with a serious ankle injury. From yet another strange penalty Hammarby managed to score yet another converted try giving them an overall lead of 9 points. From the restart Spartacus were reduced to 14 men following a yellow card and during this period the home side exerted enormous pressure, however they could score following some tremendous defence and a little bit of luck, the visitors held the home side out, scoring from a penalty themselves. Hammarby managed to score two more penalties before half time.
The second half was similar to the first but overall belonged to Spartacus and the penalties were now being awarded against the hosts. The visitors were playing catch up and they appeared to be rushing rather than play at the pace they had the previous week. This played into Hammarby's hands and they were able to handle the onslaught.  Hammarby were once again awarded penalty and they took the 3 points. The game was still displaying some tremendous tackling which was only to be applauded. Though the late hit via a flying headbutt on the visiting 10 was a disgrace and bought the home side a yellow card, which could and arguably should have been a red. This followed several unsavoury incidents which have no place in the game.  Eventually the visitors managed to cross the line from a poor kick to touch by the home side which was run back at them for a fine try. A penalty restart into touch ended the game, with Hammarby worthy winners, 23-8 giving them a winning overall score of 34-24.

From our view, there was too much intervention by the linesmen in both matches and it would be beneficial to have independent referee's in the middle. It appeared that the man in the middle for the Hammarby v Spartacus match was very much out of his depth. The Union also need castigating for allowing both games to kick off at the same time. It's time the board woke up to the realities of the game!

That expressed, we are looking forward to the finals and hope to see some great rugby as an advert for Swedish Rugby.

Reaching for the Stars.

So with the scores so close in both semi-finals there is all to play for this Saturday in Arsta. Let's hope the weather is kind to the players and spectators and we get a rugby bonanza.

Stockholm Exiles entertain their close rivals Enkoping and will be looking to build on their 2 point lead from the first match. The home side have been the best team in the country in the second half of the season and were unlucky not to end up as Elite league winners. Enkoping though have started to find the form of last year and with a backline full of stars are sure to feel that they can overcome their hosts. Both sides will want to be the first to put points on the board as that could well give them the impetus to move on and take the match. This is going to be a close match, if both sides are at full strength. We still feel that Exiles just have it in the forwards and take them to win a close and entertaining contest.

At the same venue, the league winners Hammarby, take on the underdogs from the West, Spartacus. Having lost a tight encounter in Partille the home side will want to exact their revenge. the visitors are not renowned travellers and have lost the 3 games they have played in the north conceding a number of points in those matches. Hammarby will be looking to repeat their recent home win over the visitors and will be confident of a comfortable win. Spartacus will have nothing to lose, as  they have done extremely well to have made it this far, and may well put in a powerful performance, but we take the home side to win, but only after a tough encounter. So a final between Exiles and Hammarby, the end result and a bonus for Swedish Rugby.

Too Close to Call?

So, as predicted the two games provided a contrast in styles but provided some drama in both matches. With rain in the North and the weather mainly dry in the West, all four teams played some commendable rugby.
Enkoping lost to their visitors 23-25, a much closer margin than perhaps expected and the gave the Exiles something to think about during the next week. In pouring rain, both teams produced some exciting rugby and showed the watching spectators that these two sides are the best teams in Sweden,(although Hammarby may argue this point).
The visitors started the stronger and were soon into their stride, with Enkoping having to defend, but a number of indiscretions led to a series of penalties allowing the home side to advance into the opposition's half and from yet another penalty take the lead.
Exiles dominated the game for the first 20 minutes, then a yellow card to the visitors fullback allowed Erk to get back into the game and score a fine converted try. With a 10-0 lead the home side looked set to dominate but Exiles took the game back to the home side and through a well worked maul managed to score a converted try, bringing them right back into the match and at half time the score was 10-7.
From the restart the men in black applied enormous pressure through their forwards and soon added to their score through a try, thus taking the lead for the first time in the match. It wasn't long before they added to that score through an individual effort which was converted, between theses scores, the only response was 3 points from a penalty to the home side.
With less than 20 minutes to go the hosts started to get their illustrious backs going and scored two fine tries which was answered by a penalty from Exiles, leaving the score at 23-25 with just a few minutes to go. There were no further scores and the match ended with the visitors happy with the win and the hosts knowing that there is all to play for next week.

In the West, Hammarby, the league winners visited the team that finished 4th in the Elite, Spartacus. The rain ceased for most of the afternoon, but the pitch was wet and slippery underfoot. This was a match that the visitors were expecting to win but the hosts have been difficult to beat at home this season, so it was not going to be an easy match for them. Within a few minutes of the kick off, the visitors conceded a penalty just outside their 22m and the points were eagerly taken by the hosts. The game then developed into a battle for supremacy and in the forwards Spartacus were gaining the upper hand. The visitors managed to get a foot on a loose ball though and with the ball sliding into the home side's goal area and the fullback taking too much time over grounding it, a Hammarby back slid in to touch down and give them the lead. That was to be their only score of the half as the hosts flew back at the opposition applying pressure and from a series of rucks moved the ball out wide for a first class try which was converted. The half time score 10-5
Hammarby were soon back on the scoreboard after the break and reduced the deficit by 3 from a penalty in front of the posts. This seemed to galvanise the visitors and they launched a series of attacks, all of which were stemmed by some outstanding defence. The hits were coming in hard from the all the Spartacus players and as a result, several of the visiting team were replaced. Spartacus were also doing their fair share of attacking in their own inimitable style and from one of these attacks were awarded a penalty, giving them back the 5 points advantage they previuosly enjoyed. This was soon knocked back again following a mistake in the home sides half and  a fine penalty kick once again saw the lead reduced. By now though, the Hammarby team were starting to tire and with the hosts bringing on fresh legs, they continued to be driven backwards towards their own line only desperate defending kept the host's from getting over the whitewash. In the last minute of play they conceded a penalty, and the points were taken to give Spartacus a fine win by 16-11.
The return match will make interesting viewing and although Hammarby will expect to win this one, if Spartacus play as well as they can, they could cause an upset.

Saturday's Preview

Saturday see's the first semi-final between 3 teams from the North and the sole representative from the West. Two matches that could provide a contrast in styles, depending on the weather.

First up is the confrontation between the League winners Hammarby and the team that finished 4th in the Elite, Spartacus. The visitors are obviously favourites and they will argue that they play a similar style to their more illustrious neighbour's Stockholm Exiles. With the weather forecast not looking too good (and reportedly there has been a lot of rain in the West this week), this could be a day for keeping it simple and not over elaborating. Consequently this could suit the hosts as they have the forwards that appear to relish this type of rugby. This will not be a easy match for Hammarby as Spartacus have a good defensive record at home but they will surely expect to win this game to take a lead into the second match. If both teams are at full strength then we believe Hammarby will gain the win after a a hard fought contest.

Stockholm Exiles make the short journey to Enkoping hoping for a repeat of the recent match between the two sides where the visitors ran away with the game. Enkoping though have improved dramatically since then and will be determined not to suffer another humiliation. Both teams have some exciting backs and anyone of them could be a match winner on the day. So whatever the weather the result will probably depend on who has the forward superiority, that appears to be Exiles, just. Whatever happens this should be a great match to watch and we take the visitors to have one foot in the final at the end of the match.

Two contrasting matches but both with the opportunity to show some great rugby, so it should be a good day for the spectators to watch the countries top 4 teams in action and to see how well Swedish rugby is progressing. Good luck to all four teams.

A day to remember?

Yesterday saw the final round of matches in the Men's Elite series and it produced one of the surprising results of the season.

Pingvin were defeated at their stronghold by a determined Goteborg 11-17. This was nothing short of a sensation and all credit must go to the visitors for their win. Considering that they have been the worse side in the Elite this season and that most pundits, including ourselves, thought that they would lose, they found some spirit and live to fight another day. Two matches to come against a resurgent Vanersborg will be interesting , but of course Grf will take a great deal of comfort from this scoreline. As for Pingvin? Well they will have to take count and look to see where they can improve, both on and off the field. Good luck to them in their quest to return to the Elite.


Hammarby were undone by a revitalised Enkoping and whilst both teams were not at full strength there was plenty of dis-appointment in the home side faces after this defeat. Without doubt, the visitors were the better team and had a far more potent backline than their hosts. Contrary to most views, both teams had plenty to play for as neither would want to go into the semi-finals on the back of a loss, unfortunately for the hosts, it was they who ended the league season on the back of loss 20-45 and with a poor performance by them. Erk will be relishing their encounters with Exiles in the semi's although it will be difficult to see them overcoming the men in black. Hammarby will regroup and as they have the easier task in the semi's against Spartacus should have enough in their armoury to make the finals.

 Spartacus visited Exiles in the last of the Elite matches and found that once again the opposition was much too strong. Although they were behind from the second minute  and were soon 14 points down after 12 minutes, the visitors never stopped battling and it is plain to see that they do not have a backline to compete at this level, their forwards are a match for most teams. The other strength they appear to have is that they never give up, at least on this performance. Exiles did not play that well, but they did not need to, however everytime they visitors gave them the ball, their talented backs counter attacked with devastating effect. they eventually ran out winners by 54-10.
Hard to split the difference between the Exiles and Erk backs, so it will come down to the forwards superiority and Exiles may just have that. As for Spartacus, it has been a good season for them and they have done well to be one of the super 4 this year, but that is where it will finish for them.

'D' Day?

Tomorrow sees the ultimate matches in the Men's Elite series for this season. For some this will be a nerve racking time, whilst others will bask in the knowledge that they already know their fate.

The match of the day, without any doubt, will be the gladiatorial contest between Pingvin and bottom of the table Grf. Who will win this titanic battle? The warriors from the South or the battlers from the West. It will be a close encounter and could well have been decided by the red card shown to a battler last week. Both teams will be suffering from some high anxiety and will probably be feeling a bit rocky. Over the season the warriors have shown that they can play some exiting rugby and mix it well between the forwards and backs. Grf on the other hand have been a shadow of their former sides and have consistently leaked tries. A lot will also depend on the referee, let's hope he has a good match, but we take Pingvin to escape the automatic drop and fight to retain their Elite status in the play offs.

Hammarby, the league leaders, and congratulations to them for winning the Elite, will be entertaining Enkoping. With a changed kick off time to 1pm, presumably in order that the spectators may enjoy two exciting matches for the price of one, this will be another classic encounter. ERK enjoyed a romp in the sun last time out and will be full of confidence, whilst Hammarby will also be full of it. Rumours aplenty abound about injuries to key players, especially in the Hammarby squad, but one thing is for certain, both teams will be wanting to put on a show and finish the league with a bang. This one is a close call but we take a resurgent Enkoping to nick it.

Finally according to yet more rumours, Stockholm Exiles B side will be running out to face Spartacus at Arsta. Exiles are the team that is bang in form and are playing some fantastic rugby, as befits a team that can afford Armani suits and helicopters. Spartacus on the other hand have run into a lack of form and have a number of long term injuries, this, so we are informed has depleted their squad and with the Swedish equivalent of 'Bird Flu' doing the rounds in the West, they have been struggling to field enough players. However we expect them to show up for this game and try to gain something from it. Although exactly what, we do not know. Exiles to finish the league season with a flourish and send the visitors home to lick their wounds.

Whatever happens tomorrow, we have enjoyed watching this Elite series of Swedish Rugby and look forward to the semi-final. Good luck to all the squads tomorrow, may the best teams win.

Men's Elite Series Results.

As expected, Enkoping walloped Spartacus 81-14. This was a fine return to form for ERK after their drubbing by Exiles two weeks ago. Perhaps that result was a kick up the backside that they needed as they flew at the visitors from the off and were soon on the scoreboard. From then on, apart from  a 10 minute period in the second half, it was one way traffic. Although the visitors have some long term injuries to key players, they appear to be going backwards at the wrong time of the season, they must be pleased that they have already made the semi-finals? Cannot see them making any impression in those games and next week they have yet another away game to the mighty Exiles who are flying. As for Erk, they will take confidence from this result and will relish facing their next opponents.

Hammarby traveled to Goteborg and achieved yet another win. This match was no walk in the park and the visitors struggled to overcome the home side, who never stopped battling and until he received a red card, had the man of the match on their side. Once he was dismissed though, Hammarby were able to apply more pressure and run out comfortable winners by 13-32.
On this showing Hammarby could lose their final match of the series against a resurgent Enkoping, whilst Goteborg could cause an upset against Pingvin although the red card in this match, could prove costly.

Exiles went to Pingvin and completely dominated the game, showing the watching spectators, just why they are favourites to win gold this year. With their multitude of imports getting used to playing together, they are looking very professional and appear to have the attitude, (Nobody likes us, but we don't care). Pingvin tried valiantly, but without the resources of their illustrious opponents, were always on the back foot. Eventually Exiles ran out winners by 7-54, a consolation try for the home side may just be the spur they need for next weeks dogfight against Grf. Exiles will be looking to entertain Spartacus at home and will no doubt be full of confidence for that encounter.

View on Saturday's Elite Matches

This weekend see's the penultimate round of matches in the Men's Elite series and could provide us with some entertaining games.

First up is the contest between Enkoping and Spartacus. With ERK at home and having enjoyed a rest last weekend they will be determined to put one over the team that managed to take a point off them earlier in the season. Coupled with the fact that the home side suffered an embarrassing defeat against Exiles in their last game, it is hard to see beyond a victory for them. Spartacus had a poor result against Hammarby last week and managed only 15 players for the trip. Why was that? one wonders. Hopefully they will have more players this week, but another loss for them on their travels is our prediction.

Goteborg entertain Hammarby and will be hoping for a spirited performance against the league leaders and potential gold medalists. Hammarby are flying at the moment and according to reports are playing entertaining rugby. Grf on the other hand have been at the receiving end of some hammerings and will be hoping for more than a miracle to take points from this outing. In all probability they will be concentrating on next week's game in order to avoid the dreaded drop. A convincing away win for the visitors to cement their place at the top of the table.

Last but not least, Exiles make the long trip to Pingvin. Before last Saturday's rest, Exile's were the form team and should they carry on with the brand of flowing rugby they were showing then, they will most certainly run away with a big score. Yet, Pingvin at home are a hard side to conquer and could give their visitors a bit of a rude awakening, especially if the men in black are too confident. However, with all due respect to the host's, Exiles should be too strong and will retain second place in the table. The more important match will be for Pingvin at least, next week's home game against Grf, and consequently their thoughts may stray to that encounter.