RC Rottweil Falls Short in Thrilling Rugby Bundesliga Match Against RSV Cologne
COLOGNE,GERMANY – RC Rottweil (RCR) suffered a narrow 29-28 defeat against RSV Cologne in a Rugby Bundesliga match marked by a dramatic second-half comeback. Despite a strong resurgence after halftime, RCR ultimately couldn’t overcome an early deficit established by teh Cologne team.
the first half saw RSV Cologne dominate, building a 19-7 lead. Increases from connectors Robert Carr initially narrowed the gap to 5-7, but continued pressure from RSV resulted in further scores. RCR struggled with coordination and assertiveness, hampered by inaccurate passes and suboptimal kicks. A carelessly lost ball extended the lead to 24-7 before halftime.
Following an “intensive” halftime speech from coach Will Esau, RCR mounted a spirited comeback. Energetic passing attacks and successful rucks led to tries from first-row striker Johannes Husselmann, second-row striker Calogero Gueli, and inside three-quarter William Mohlaloga. Conversions from Robert Carr and Lukas Kästner put RCR ahead 28-24.
However, RSV Cologne responded with a late try under the goalposts, securing a 29-28 victory.
“It was a game with two fundamentally different halves,” said Daniel Kästner,2nd RCR chairman and team manager. “In the first half we offered an inadequate performance, made too many individual mistakes after the long and tiring six-hour journey and allowed the opponent to get too into their game. The cologne team where able to exploit this routinely. In the second half we brought more energy and intensity into the game. We will work hard in the coming week and make amends in the home game next Saturday against heidelberger TV.”
RCR Team: Johannes Husselmann, José Mohn, Swen Engelhardt, Calogero Gueli, Michael Oswald, Noah Volkers, Marcus Bühler, Fabio Carella, Ladislau szani, Tobias Oswald (Forwards); Nani Mhletywa, Robert Carr, Leonard Holpp, William Mohlaloga, Vincent Holpp, Tyler van Vollenhoven, Valentino Vlees, Lukas Kästner, Antoine Essomba (Backs).
