We are happy to publish any match reports you have from any Finnish games. Pori took us up on the offer and sent us their report from their first game in Division 1 North.
Report sent in by Matti Tuominen (Pori Bombers player/coach):
The first match of the season can be a tricky one, especially when playing an opponent you have never played before. Pori Bombers took on Kuopio Rugby club last Saturday in Pori and after a tough match, the men in black and pink managed to secure a bonus point victory, the final result being 36-8 for Pori.
The match started with Kuopio creating plenty of pressure after some schoolboy handling mistakes by Pori forwards. However, Pori defence held firm and soon the proceedings were nearing the Kuopio try line, and Pori's Kari Stenvall finally managed to squeeze over the whitewash after making one of his trademark runs from 5 meters. Another good sign for Pori was that fly-half Rami Jokela had not left his kicking boots at home, and was able to convert the rather difficult kick.
This early score created lots of confidence among the Pori players, and soon the ball was close to Kuopio try line again. This time Pori player/coach Matti Tuominen touching down and Jokela converting.
After this, Kuopio seemed to wake up again and after some poor discipline by Pori, Kuopio got to the scoreboard by kicking a penalty from close range.
After these early scores, the match was mostly played on the midfield with both sides suffering from poor handling and giving away easy penalties at breakdown. However, just before halftime, Pori backs finally got their act together and from a scum in Pori half, the Pori backline made a nice sweeping move with centre Risto Peltomäki scoring in the corner, again Jokela converting a difficult kick. Halftime score Pori 21 - 3 Kuopio.
The second half started with most of the rugby being again played on the midfield. However, Pori managed to score after Pori hooker Juha Setälä just refused to stop before the try line. So another try for Pori forwards and another conversion for Jokela.
As often happens in a situation like this, Pori relaxed a little bit and Kuopio showed why they are a force to be reckoned with in div 1, by Ari Tikkanen scoring a try after some strong running.
At this point, both sides seemed to be quite fatigued after playing almost 60 minutes in extremely hot conditions. However, Mr Jokela continued his good day by kicking a penalty and soon afterwards Pori captain Lassi Kojola scored the last try of the match, which was setup by the streetwise Markus Helmle, Jokela failed to convert this time.
The match ended early for one Pori player when rookie Juho Simojoki received his marching orders after tackling Kuopio player without the ball. Despite being one man short, Pori defence held firm and Kuopio wasn't able to score during the last 20minutes of the match.
In a post-match interview, Pori player/coach Matti Tuominen seemed to be cautiously happy with Pori's bonus point victory. 'Win is a win and we must build on this and maintain our good momentum during the next 6 weeks. I don't think that the score line reflects what actually happened on the pitch with Kuopio causing us problems all the time. Rugby is momentum game and fortunately we got our momentum first and managed to score'. When asked about the fitness level of one Pori player, Mr Tuominen did not seem to like that particular topic. 'Our number 16 has started a rigorous training program under the watchful eye of Samuel Hilli and even the 'we know it all' rugby journalists in Pori will see the results when Pori face Oulu in July. This press conference ends now.'
The match started with Kuopio creating plenty of pressure after some schoolboy handling mistakes by Pori forwards. However, Pori defence held firm and soon the proceedings were nearing the Kuopio try line, and Pori's Kari Stenvall finally managed to squeeze over the whitewash after making one of his trademark runs from 5 meters. Another good sign for Pori was that fly-half Rami Jokela had not left his kicking boots at home, and was able to convert the rather difficult kick.
This early score created lots of confidence among the Pori players, and soon the ball was close to Kuopio try line again. This time Pori player/coach Matti Tuominen touching down and Jokela converting.
After this, Kuopio seemed to wake up again and after some poor discipline by Pori, Kuopio got to the scoreboard by kicking a penalty from close range.
After these early scores, the match was mostly played on the midfield with both sides suffering from poor handling and giving away easy penalties at breakdown. However, just before halftime, Pori backs finally got their act together and from a scum in Pori half, the Pori backline made a nice sweeping move with centre Risto Peltomäki scoring in the corner, again Jokela converting a difficult kick. Halftime score Pori 21 - 3 Kuopio.
The second half started with most of the rugby being again played on the midfield. However, Pori managed to score after Pori hooker Juha Setälä just refused to stop before the try line. So another try for Pori forwards and another conversion for Jokela.
As often happens in a situation like this, Pori relaxed a little bit and Kuopio showed why they are a force to be reckoned with in div 1, by Ari Tikkanen scoring a try after some strong running.
At this point, both sides seemed to be quite fatigued after playing almost 60 minutes in extremely hot conditions. However, Mr Jokela continued his good day by kicking a penalty and soon afterwards Pori captain Lassi Kojola scored the last try of the match, which was setup by the streetwise Markus Helmle, Jokela failed to convert this time.
The match ended early for one Pori player when rookie Juho Simojoki received his marching orders after tackling Kuopio player without the ball. Despite being one man short, Pori defence held firm and Kuopio wasn't able to score during the last 20minutes of the match.
In a post-match interview, Pori player/coach Matti Tuominen seemed to be cautiously happy with Pori's bonus point victory. 'Win is a win and we must build on this and maintain our good momentum during the next 6 weeks. I don't think that the score line reflects what actually happened on the pitch with Kuopio causing us problems all the time. Rugby is momentum game and fortunately we got our momentum first and managed to score'. When asked about the fitness level of one Pori player, Mr Tuominen did not seem to like that particular topic. 'Our number 16 has started a rigorous training program under the watchful eye of Samuel Hilli and even the 'we know it all' rugby journalists in Pori will see the results when Pori face Oulu in July. This press conference ends now.'
Final score: 36-8
Pori try scorers:
K. Stenvall (conv. R. Jokela)
M. Tuominen (conv. Jokela)
R. Peltomäki (conv. Jokela)
J. Setälä (conv. Jokela)
L. Kojola
R. Jokela 1 penalty.
Kuopio decided to reward 3 Pori players for man of the match: Kari Stenvall strong running, strong tackling, Rami Jokela excellent with the boot and Risto Peltomäki always dangerous with ball in hand and excellent in defence.
Dick of the day: Matti Tuominen for being a general dick and lazy.
Kuopio's MoM (as voted by the Pori players): Tony Lappi
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