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Let alone the approaching festive season, La Vila Rugby Club is certainly enjoying a season of rugby success this year.  For the first time in club history, the senior team has been included in the King’s Cup – a tournament that can be regarded as the most prestigious contest that Spanish rugby has to offer.  The Cup tournament is comprised of Spain’s top eight teams, which are selected from the Spanish Premiership league (highest league in Spain).  La Vila, settled at number two on the Premiership log (not terribly far behind leaders El Salvador) were more than comfortably included in the highly competitive King’s Cup line-up.

Vila’s first Cup game, which was against Bizkaia Gernika, was held on Sunday, with the rain fortunately holding off until just after the final whistle.  For a team making its first appearance in the King’s Cup, and with the game being yet another mental hurdle to surmount, over and above the official league competition, one feels that their 23-19 victory should be awarded with high praise.  

It was by no means a walkover, nor could it be exactly described as a smooth, effortlessly flowing game.  But sometimes it is under gristly circumstances that a win is most valuable.  At half-time, Gernika were in the lead, putting La Vila under pressure with two tries to Vila’s three penalties (courtesy of Agustin Gómez), leaving a precarious score of 12-9 to Gernika.  With no tries in the bank, despite some impressive play by Aaron Cruikshanks and Martin Aceña in particular, a happy outcome for La Vila seemed uncertain.  
 
In the second half, however, the boys tapped into some inner strength, and perhaps a depth of fitness that Gernika did not possess.  Paul Burton triumphantly crossed La Vila’s line, following through on a fine display of running rugby from his teammates.  This was converted by Gómez, bringing the score up to 16-12.  The team continued to hold off Gernika’s attack; meanwhile Frenchman Frederic González popped another one over to secure the home team’s lead.  Just when it all seemed a downhill ride home, Gernika finished with a consolation try, before the final whistle blew at 23-19. It wasn’t long after that the rain came down, and supporters, players and officials alike crowed into a warm clubhouse for some hot food and a much deserved beer or two.  

This coming weekend, La Vila travel to the Basque Country to face Gernika again, this time in a Spanish Premiership fixture.  Thereafter, they will have a much needed break until the league starts up again in January.

By Jo le Roux

 

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