2009 has been a great year for Stavanger. After winning Vallhall, NM7s and NM10s, Stavanger reached the NM15s final in Bergen. The match could not have been easy for Bergen, and even though Bergen played at home, they knew they could loose the game.

Bergen started a game with high intensity, imposing their game style on Stavanger. For 15 minutes Bergen put high pressure on Stavanger until they got a scrum five metres away from Stavanger´s try line. Stavanger lost control of the ball and Bergen Scum Half, André Slataa, grabbed the ball and scored.

There was a lot of indiscipline at the beginning of that game that stopped the flow. Stavanger was penalised several time for not rolling away after tackles, and Bergen several times for diving over the ball carrier to protect the ball in rucks.

Then Stavanger came back in the game, and scored with a penalty kick given by Martin Sherindan.

After a lineout, and a well formed maul, Stavanger Prop, Levan Abraham, grabbed the ball at the back of the maul and went on the side. He managed to avoid all his opponents and pushed by his team mates, managed top ground in Bergen goal zone.

Bergen 10 - Stavanger 10

Stavanger started to play their usual game and attack everywhere possible with Centre Alex Diesner as a conductor of the backs.

Two Penalties were scored by Tim. That brought the score to 16-10 for Bergen.

Bergen 16 - Stavanger 10

At the 32nd minutes, near Bergen´s try line, on a tackle, Bergen Prop, Michael Urbanski, came from the wrong side and kicked the ball away. Bergen was under pressure and Stavanger had an opportunity for a try. Therefore Bergen was penalised and his prop sent out for 10 minutes. Bergen played with 14 players and Stavanger took advantage of it scoring their second try by Kristopher with a great break through.

Bergen 16 - Stavanger 17

At half time, score was 17-16 for Stavanger. Bergen is slightly stronger in scrums, partly thanks to the left prop, Arthur Dacassy, and Stavanger had some very mobile forward players able to attack anywhere anytime. Both teams were then better disciplined on the ground, and the quality of the game raised one level.

In second half, Stavanger lost a ball during one of their crazy attacks and Bergen´s Winger, Sakka Ravonolwle, ran up the whole field. Taken in Stavanger 22, one of his team mates dived over him and stopped all chances for Bergen to score on this action. Without this basic mistake, Bergen could have score easily.

Later in the game, and on a ball won in the lineout by Bergen in Stavanger´s 22, a classic attack from the backs led Bergen to score another try with Mick Shelley who saw the opening in the defence.

Bergen 21 - Stavanger 17

The first shift of the game came from the substitution of Stavanger Prop by Joe Bula. He was facing the experimented and solid French Prop, Arthur Dacassy, and he suffered on every scum standing up each time. The result was penalties against Stavanger, some balls coming out strangely from the scrum under pressure, and the scrum to turn. Stavanger was then weaker in conquest. Bergen quickly took advantage of it.

Tim Edstrom scored another penalty.

Bergen 24 - Stavanger 17

At the 63rd minute, Bergen had another opportunity to score but the action has been illegaly stop 3 metres away from the try line by a Neal Hughes, Stavanger´s full back. He entered the tackling zone from Bergen side, and prevented the tackled player to pass the ball to one of team mates in good position. Referee gave a yellow card to Neal Hughes and a penalty to Bergen, but could as well have given a penalty try.

This was the second shift of the match as Stavanger played with 14 players, still with a weaker conquest. It became harder to come back on the score.

However Stavanger did not give up and the backs, still conducted but shinning Centre Alex Diesner, attacked Bergen from all angles and attempted all sort of impossible combinations. On one of them, Stian Rosberg intercepted the ball and went to try in between the posts. Try was converted and brought the score to 31-17.

Bergen 31 - Stavanger 17

Neal Hughes is back on the pitch, and Stavanger could continue proper attacks. Alex Diesner scored a try at the very end of the game and Martin Sheridan converted.

The game is over and final score is Bergen 31 - Stavanger 24.

The man of the match is undoubtedly Alex Diesner, who shinned during the whole match. We can expect to see him play with Norwegian XV very soon.

The difference between the two teams was made on details. Lack of discipline did cost a lot to both teams at key moments of the game. Bergen had also more experienced players on the bench than Stavanger and therefore more players with full energy could join the match.

This finale was very good said the referee, Vincent Bouchet: » That was an extraordinary match with no less that 6 tries, a clean game, and a lot of movement. Bergen and Stavanger was probably the 2 best Norwegian teams this year.»

Neal Hughes, Stavanger´s captain said: » It was a tough game from the first whistle that could have gone either way, but Bergen played strongly and were the deserved winners and we congratulate them.

Although we are very disappointed we lost this game, we are very proud
of our success this season with our victories at Vallhall 7s, NM10s & NM7s. Additionally (according to my sources) this was the first time
Stavanger have reached the 15s final in about ten years.»

Gamle Travbanen Stadion was the perfect pitch to play Rugby.

Squad