An unexpected surprise was caused by the players of the Garkalne rugby club “Livonia”, who defeated the winners of the main tournament “Ažuola” from Kaunas in a dramatic battle in the semi-final series of the Baltic “Top” league and entered the final.
A week ago, “Livonia” had caused the “Ažuola” team their first loss of the season (23:21) on their field in Upesciems. In the return match on Saturday in Kaunas, the Lithuanians maintained their desired result for most of the match. In the first half, the Livonians reduced the 10-point deficit to four (13:17), but at the break, the Kaunas team was leading 25:13.
15 minutes before the end, “Ažuola’s” lead was extremely secure (31:18), but the Latvian vice-champions continued to attack persistently, gradually closed the gap and in the last minutes achieved the desired result of 33:34 with an accurate penalty kick, the home team still had a chance for the last attack , which ended with a penalty kick awarded. However, it was inaccurate, and the “Livonia” team could rejoice – the sum of two games was 56:55.
The opponents of the Garkalnes rugby team will become known in the semi-final duel of the Šiauliai “Baltrex” and “Vairas-Kalvis-Jupoja” teams. It is planned that the final of the “Top” league will take place on October 22.
“Miesnieki/Ķekava” rugby players will play the match for the seventh place against Vilnius Rugby Academy on Sunday at Baldones Stadium.
