3 tries in 3 minutes as Exiles given a lifeline in race for title

This was an “all or nothing game” for the Budapest Exiles as they travelled to Kecskemet for their first away trip of 2021. If they won they still had a chance to make it to the final, lose and all they had left was a battle for bronze. Fortunately for the Exiles they managed to win 30:7 and come back with a bonus point, despite only leading 17:7 with 4 minutes till the final whistle. It was also the first win of 2021 for the Exiles.

Two breaks by Frenchman Clement Perrier followed by a try in the last minute of the game by Hungarian International Balint Kosa gave one of the most dramatic victories to earn a bonus point in the Budapest team’s history. The Exiles are currently trailing Battai Bulldogs who are in second place by 4 points, and so by picking up a bonus point in each game they might be able to narrow the distance to their direct rivals.

“What a finish, and what a surprise, we thought we’d just get a win, but those last three minutes were crazy” said Kosa, the Exiles scrum-half.

Photo: Magyar Rögbitörténeti Honlap

“The game was very tight for almost the whole 80 minutes. In the first half we were leading 6:0 after penalties by our captain Joris (Auger – ed.), but we rarely got past their 22 line. In the second half we would get closer for most of the game, but Kecskemet was very disciplined in defence. It only crumbled in the last 3-4 minutes, and that’s when the tries came in, and the bonus point” added Kosa.

As the Exiles scrum-half mentioned the first half was a show of perfection from both teams in terms of defending. The Pink and Black managed to cross the 22 line of Kecskemet only four times, whereas their rivals managed that only twice. Anytime there was a breakaway run the defences were there to prevent the attack. The second half did look like it would end in a similar fashion.

“Early in the second half Lucas Deyts got one try and we knew we were in control as we were leading 13:0” said Exiles head coach and player Thomas Aponte.

“They did manage to surprise us and get one try, but otherwise we didn’t doubt in our defence and really wanted to push for more points. The lads are very well prepared for 80 minutes of rugby and I think at the end of the day it was our fitness that decided that we got those three points. They didn’t see it coming, they didn’t expect that we can sprint for 80 minutes. Guess what, the Exiles can sprint for more if they have to” said Aponte, who played a significant role in the Exiles 3^rd try.

Photo: Magyar Rögbitörténeti Honlap

“This was a win we needed” said Auger, Exiles captain. “We really showed that we can do it, and now the team is fired up to make that final push. We have it in us to make it to the final and play Esztergom in it. We really improved since our game with Esztergom in terms of defence. We will continue to work on that, but also make sure that we secure bonus points a lot earlier than the last 3 minutes. Our next game will be a tough one, so of course the main objective is to win, and then think about picking up the bonus points, but I am sure the experience from this game will help us” finished the captain.

The Exiles have three games left to catch-up with Batta. Their next game will be mid-April against Fit World Gorillak Szeged, whom they beat on their away trip back in autumn, if they manage to again pick up a bonus point they will get closer to a nerve crunching game against Batta that will decide about who will play in the final.

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