The gap between the two top teams and the others in Allsvenskan seems to be getting bigger. Pingvin have already made two trips to the Stockholm region to Hammarby and Enköping and come away with over 40 points each time and zero points conceded. Exiles have played the same two teams at the same grounds and have scored 85 and 106 points respectively, with only one late try conceded.
Today Exiles gave a fine display of attacking rugby against a young Enköping team which never lay down but which was simply overwhelmed. Exiles scored 16 tries, one ever five minutes and 8 in each half with Jack Anderson putting over 12 of them, many from far out. With one penalty try he only missed three conversions all afternoon
The forwards started up with some tremendous drives which shook the opposition to the core. They were unable to stop the scrum driving and many scores derived from the scrum going forward. At the same time the scrum-halves Jason and Kyle were providing an excellent service and Dustin was directing traffic when making a welcome return at stand-off. The wings were also getting their hands on the ball with Jeandré dragged off after 60” with four tries and Antoine strolling over for a couple on the opposite wing. Tries from the forwards in the first half came from Terry, Absolom and Nick and when yet another drive was illegally halted, the referee ran under the posts for a penalty try. That made it 54 – 0 at halftime. It was back to business directly after the break with tries coming at regular intervals. Terry got another along with the wingers and Alex a young prop from Erikslund also rounded off a move after a glorious attack from 80 m. out with half the team involved. That made it 80 – 0 after 62” and for ten minutes it looked as if the scoring had dried up. But no, in the last ten minutes Ian, Sean, Loxvi and Kyle all added to their accounts. 106 – 0 the final score, with Enköping backs still trying find an opening in the final minutes. It sounds a bit paradoxical, but the young Enköping side were not that bad, although this may have been the worst defeat in the history of the club, at least at home in Enköping. Exiles, including their bench which was all on by 60”, were one of the better sides of recent years, probably 30-40 points better than the Sweden which played Ukraina. Theo was injured today and Giga was rested and only played for about ten minutes at the end. There were probably about 4 – 5 other Sweden-qualified Exiles players who should also have been playing and winning against Ukraina but our keen-eyed selector doesn´t see it that way.
Södertälje did not let Sweden down in the Club 7s European Championship in St Petersburg, but the standard was a little too high for them. They may find their level tomorrow. Of the current Swedish 7s squad, Austa and Enstad play for Södertälje and they had roped in a further two, Aloander and Nunstedt. But even half the Swedish team was not quite sharp enough at that level. Apologies to Södertälje and Enköping for getting Swedish Champions confused. Enköping won of course dramatically in 2017 but Södertälje won last year, thus qualifying for this tournament. Scores on Day 1: S – VVA (Russia) 0 – 39; S – Dukla (Czechia) 5 – 21; S – Hernani (Spain) 0 – 21.
Finally, the girls are now progressing to the 7s finals. Exiles Ladies won all their games in Enköping today including beating the joint-favourites Vänersborg by 25 – 12. It looks as if they could retain their title this year.