Match won against Alcalá RC

Match against Alcalá RC 

On saturday 11th March, we were to play against Alcalá RC. We played as visitors, so we started up early to get to Alcalá de Henares on time. We took our half-scrum there too. Well, when we got there, we saw (rather to my disappointment) that it was a turf pitch. We started practising our kicks until our coaches got there. Then, we started training. We were not that confident. Alcalá was sixth, but they were pretty big. The tension was growing as both teams sized each other up. The referee suddenly stood in the centre of the pitch looking at the audience with all of the Alcalá team in a line on his left, just like a national football team listening to its anthem. We did the same on the ref's right. Then it got clear: we were having 1 minute of silence for the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Atocha train station on the 11th March 2003. There we were, feeling like professionals. But we only felt that one minute. The referee blew his whistle and both teams formed. Their team kicked off. Our team tried to pass to the right flank. I got the ball and passed it fast, only to find myself tackled after I had passed. But the referee hadn't seen it, so I remained silent. But the turf had torn my scar on my right knee, peeling off my scar tissue and left it hanging. I have never known how I got to that next ruck that fast. Perhaps it was anger, or pain. But it helped! So I focused only on the game and on the pain. So the game went on. But this ref really took his position seriously. He was constantly stopping the game. He was very equal, but I think he shouldn't have stopped the game so much! Anyway, he took every question of the captain as a protest and the game got a bit hard. But we still continued and scored many tries. At the end of the day, the game ended 5-35, for the Complutense Cisneros! After celebrating, we went into the changing rooms, which were more like trailers with park benches and showers. We really felt like film stars. After the shower, I got my knee bandaged up and sat down to the 3rd time with my team.

Team family meal

Team family meal

BTW, after the two matches, the win against Majadahonda and the tie against Alcorcón, there was a meal in a restaurant two ex-players of the Cisneros had. There, we would be watching the Spain vs Georgia match live at a really good meal. There we all had some nachos meal, some spanish tortilla and some meatballs and fries. We enjoyed the first half, but then we went home because everyone ewent to a chinese shop to buy candy.

B team tie against Alcorcón RC

B team tie against Alcorcón RC

Half an hour after the A team's match, it was our turn. We, the B team were playing a match against Alcorcón rugby club. I have rarely played in the B team this season, but when I do play there, I get motivated as hell. That was the case on that day, when we tied against Alcorcón RC. It was a normal spring day, and it was very chilly, as it was 10 in the morning. But after the A team's win, we were keen to follow their lead. So we all stood there, in the centre of the pitch, with our adrenaline surging, ready to start. We kicked off, but our attack that followed made up for anything wrong we did during our training and more, much much more. In a few phases, we gained the ball and our new recruit Victor (who had played as flanker in England. I'm not using his real name) signed his first try in Madrid's league. 

Victor running

But this match, something incredible happened. I scored a try! Right through the defence! I was really happy. But further on, when we would have a depression in our defence and were losing 47-42, we scored that try. It was up to me, for the second time in my career to put that ball in between those three poles. But I failed. How come? It was a really easy shot: straight forward. Some more practise, then?

A team win against Majadahonda

A team win against Majadahonda

On Saturday 4th March 2017, the A team had a match against Majadahonda. I didn't play in the A team because of an accident with my egg treatment involving me and my father. But that didn't stop me from playing in the B team and from watching the A team play against Majadahonda. While I was sitting in the stands, I saw every detail in the field. I didn't miss anything. These were the best of the best, all except M.C, who was selected for the Madrid team and was currently at a match againct Valencia's team. I want to wish him luck right now. But the game started. My thoughts were drawn to the game. We started to come in with the tries. We were doing good and the first time finished.

ATTACK!

But in the 2nd half, we had a depression. We scored less tries (but we scored!) and we were constantly defending: the players were tired. The game finished 31-0. We had won.

Great comeback against Colmenar Viejo

Awesome win against Colmenar Viejo

On Saturday 25th February 2017, we had a pretty difficult match against Colmenar Viejo. But it was my comeback. I played an awesome match! Even my father was impressed. I was playing as the 8th player, for once in my life! This was much easier than playing as a second row! My position was perfect and I was always on the offensive. I didn't get to score a try, but I tried to transform a try. I failed miserably. I hit the post. 

Anyway, when the training started, I was already motivated.

Some minutes of reflection before the game

Almost too much... well, OK, all the good players were in the B team and the we were only 7 people from 2nd year out of 13 players. That was nearly equal! The game started and my adrenaline + motivation rushed. We started landing tries. Those heavy tries that you think can't penetrate your defence: round the outside, straight through the middle, in between players, etc.

A try with style for the camera!

 I didn't try, but I was always there, ready to help if my help was needed. The rucks never saw enough of me. I was starting to get speedy. Maybe my daily runs to school have helped with that. But then, my chance came: after a try, no-one wamted to transform. So I took up the responsibility. I placed the ball with special care on the cone. I double checked the direction. I stepped backwards, triple checked the position of my foot and the trayectory. For a moment, I was Dan Carter, in my own world of calculations to get that ball in between those two posts. I ran up, hit the ball... BANG! 

I get ready

It hit the post! I heard a loud OOOHHH..... from the parents. I was devastated. But, the game must go on! We finished up the game with a pair of more spectacular tries. Then it was over.

  

Smashing victory against Torrelodones R.C.

Smashing victory against Torrelodones R.C.

 This match was one of my very worst yet. My dad was disappointed, and so was I. But the match was good for the team, as we made another crushing victory (34-0). But I didn't do absolutely anything. Anyway, as always before the match, both teams were overdosing on adrenalin, like it always happens. But I was in for a shocking step backwards in my progress to somehow managing to play next year. I never got to the rucks on time, I was easily and always tired and asking for the ball didn't help.

Awesome tackle!

 But my teammates were awesome! They scooted away when the opponent was least expecting it, they had those incredible tackles up their sleeve.

POW! Here comes a try!

 We never failed a transformation. The Torrelodones were driven time and again back into their pitch. But my chances of actually helping my team were slowly wasting away before my eyes. I just want to use this moment to say sorry to my teammates for being such a nuisance.

2nd win against Alcobendas B

Victory against Alcobendas B (In Hortaleza)

On Saturday 4th February we had a very important game to play: we were facing Alcobendas B at the Hortaleza's pitch! I  was aghast: Hortaleza+Alcobendas= really difficult! Artificial turf, Alcobendas B and a grim battle for victory was what we saw. But, when the game started, we saw that there was nothng to worry about. From my point of view, they had worsened from the last time we played against them, where  nearly scored a try and where we lost. But today was different. Today we would compensate all that we had lost aganst Alcobendas and more. The local 15 (Alcobendas) took up their positions on the pitch, sizing us up before we started. POW! The opposing team kicked off. 

Coming in for a try!

The kick was good, but not as good as the lightning try we scored down their left flank. They were obviously taken aback. It was on this match that I scored my first try in an official game! They weren't expecting it. This was my very best match in all the season. My dad was ecstatic! He even invited me to dinner, something pretty uncommon these days.

TRY!

I was always on the offensive, also something rare. This felt satisfying after our disastrous first half of the season. The game went on, and we still scored one try after another. On and on until the end. 0-33. Victory.