Budapest Exiles lose 14:29 to Esztergom Vitézek in season opener

Despite taking the lead twice during the game the Budapest Exiles ended up losing to Esztergom Vitézek in the opening round of the NB 1 (Hungarian premier league) rugby season 14:29. The Exiles played for 20 minutes of the second half with one man less due to the referee awarding two yellow cards to “Pink and Black” players for foul play. It was during those minutes that Esztergom took the lead, which they later increased during the final minutes of the game.

The Exiles couldn’t have started the game in a better manner. After a few great phases by the forward pack, lead by Richard Roberts, the Exiles took the lead from a try by Frenchman Lucas Deyts. Joris Auger extended the lead by 2 more points with a successful conversion. The hosts quickly responded and scored an unconverted try, making the score 7:5 to the Exiles.

The Pink and Blacks managed to ground the ball after a lineout throw was tapped into the tryzone by one of the Esztergom players, but the linesman despite video evidence presented to him claimed that Fernando Herrejon knocked the ball forward.

Soon after the ball was in the opposing end of the field, and yet another wrong call from the referee helped the hosts take the lead at half time.