Exiles´ Ladies rounded off the season with a win in the one-off Swedish Championship final against Pingvin. They won 20 – 5 and this is their 11th title, the largest number for any Swedish Ladies´ club (second is Göteborg with 7 titles). This was a hard-fought battle between the two best teams, with Exiles just a bit stronger in attack. Exiles passed the ball around skillfully in the backs, although they dropped the final scoring pass on two or three occasions. Pingvin tried more bullocking drives from their big powerful runners but they run into a brick defensive wall with Ygge repeatedly stopping them in their tracks.
Exiles got off to a bright start with winger Minna crossing after 6” but Pingvin came back strongly although with nothing to show for it. Then Carina got one after 25” and just before half-time Ygge drove over in the corner. 15 – 0 and Pingvin needed three scores to win. They never really looked like doing so after the break, being tied in their own half for long periods. They pressed more towards the end but Exiles broke away with 10 minutes to go and Emma T. made it 20 – 0. A series of penalties put Pingvin in attacking mode but Exiles held out until the very end. With time up they tried to kick the ball out, made a hash of it and gave away a penalty. Pingvin took the chance to score a consolation try. Final score 20 – 5 and the title to home team Exiles.
I see Exiles have three players in the national team against Finland in three weeks´ time, as have Pingvin. On the basis of today´s match I would say both are underrepresented.
Well done Pasi for keeping readers up to date with the score in today´s match. He also handed over the Trophy on behalf of the Union. We had a crowd of around 150, once again with a sizeable presence from the deep South
All in all a good season for Exiles. We have managed to achieve the Men/Ladies double for the 4th time. Enköping had three doubles in the eighties while Pingvin had one in 2003. Exiles´ Men now on 16 titles, still four behind Enköping.
Exiles Men will round off the season with another trip to Dubai in December. We will be sending close to our strongest team. Unlikely many Exiles will be playing for Sweden in Europe if and when the invisible man scrapes a team together.