Exiles IIs lose away in Uppsala

Exiles IIs slumped to a heavy defeat up in Uppsala yesterday, going down 52-12 to a very good Uppsala side. Exiles travelled the short way up the E4 to Uppsala full of confidence, record numbers and things looking good in training, followed by a good run out at the Kalmar 10s, the mood in camp was good and the boys were ready for action, or so they thought. 

They say everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face, and Uppsala came firing out of the blocks, throwing two quick punches and sending the Exiles boys reeling, 12-0 Uppsala. Exiles managed to regain some composure, and after the one way traffic of the first ten minutes, managed to claw their way back into the game. However with the run of play in the balance it was Uppsala who managed to score and convert again to lead 19-0. Exiles needed to do something before half time, and just before the break managed to get over the line. At 19-5 and with Uppsala showing little sign of flagging it would still be a tough ask, but that last crucial score kept Exiles in the game. The set piece had been an honours even affair in the first half, with Exiles frequently putting the Uppsala scrum onto roller-skates, but Uppsala soaring like eagles at the lineouts and snaffling the Exiles ball.

Half time and all the talk was about how to manage a bruising encounter with both teams running hard in attack and putting in heavy hits in defence. Exiles felt they had the better of the home team scrum, and if they could reverse the lineout failings and starve them of set piece possession the game would start to turn. They knew to expect an Uppsala onslaught in the first ten minutes of the second half, holding out, playing percentages, and not conceding would be the key.

Well again Uppsala came out swinging, an Exiles yellow card, and Uppsala took full advantage with two more scores while Exiles were down to 14, then another once Exiles had regained their full compliment. Both teams had obviously had the same chat at half time, but it was Uppsala who managed to transfer it onto the pitch, Exiles lineouts continued to fail them, whilst Uppsala tightened up their scrum so now Exiles were living off scraps at set piece. Next we saw a double yellow with players from each side going off. Uppsala then went over twice more, leaving Exiles to get a consolation try at the death with the game long out of sight. Final Score 52-12.

Make no mistake this was a tough physical game, older heads struggled to remember one as hard as this at this level for many years. Players on both sides dropping and being subbed out at regular intervals. Certainly a wake up call for Exiles, both players and management. Whilst the result left a sour taste in the mouth the overall feeling was that it was better to experience this now with a long season ahead, and plenty of time to work on things, than later on when time is not afforded. Back to the drawing board on Tuesday, lessons learnt, and with a chance of pay back to come later in the season when Uppsala have to travel to Gubbängen for the return leg.

Two special mentions, firstly to Uppsala who were magnificent all day, good to see quality teams at this level of Swedish rugby, on this form they will take some stopping. Secondly to Matthew “Pikey” Hyslop who won Exiles man of the match in a losing cause, after a few years, and perhaps a few kilos, he came back into the fold, losing none of his trademark aggression in the tackle, a few Uppsala boys will surely be a bit sore today, and picking up a deserved final score.