We somehow missed that this had been sent to us by Kuopio RC after their match with OYUS. Thanks to Mika Partanen and Antti Partanen.
KRC - OYUS game was played at Kettulanlahti field in tropical conditions.
Since Oulu was only able to come up with 11 players game was played with 10 players. Start was nightmare for hosts when Oulu managed to run their first points in very first minute by Tuomas Heikka and then doing it all over again before 20 minutes had passed with Samuli Komulainen scoring. Both tries were result of Kuopio's dreadful defence and bad tackling. Kuopio didn't let their heads hang and momentum swung to the hosts after OYUS's scrum-half Sakari Karhula was sin-binned 7 minutes before half time. Substitute Henry Pärssinen forced his way through Oulu defence after couple quick faces near the Oulu's try line. Half time score was 5-12.
Second half started just as badly as the first one and Oulu made their 3rd try after sloppy defence by Kuopio. Captain Tero Hyvönen cruised past sleepy Kuopio to score. Opponent's 3rd try was wake-up call and KRC started to have more possession and ball was played more in Oulu's territory. KRC's outside centre Jonne Pylvänäinen penetrated Oulu's line with one of his trademark runs and narrowed visitor's lead to 10-17. Matti Keränän converted the try and suddenly match was 12-17. Hot day and only one substitute started to show in Oulu's performance. Pressure was more and more in Oulu's end. Ari Tikkanen, who came from the bench, made his way to Oulu's try area to tie the game and Keränen converted the try and gave Kuopio two point lead. Last minutes were tight but Kuopio controlled the game and managed to make one last try after Tikkanen chased kick to behind Oulu's defence. Four tries and bonus point to Kuopio.
Playing 10's messed Kuopio's game plan and resulted few easy mistakes. Still, result was what was expected and nice way to go to midseason break and to Midnight rugby. Kuopio's continues with home game against always tough Vaasa 6th of July.
Player's choice for Man of the Match was ever tireless hooker Sami Hoffren. Chairman's best player was Henry Pärssinen who made comeback after long injury break. Number 8 was once again himself with ferocious tackling and powerful runs with ball.
0 - 5 Tuomas Heikka OYUS try
0 - 12 Samuli Komulainen OYUS try (no information who converted)
0 - 12 Sakari Karhula OYUS yellow card
5 - 12 Henry Pärssinen KRC try
5 - 17 Tero Hyvönen OYUS try
10 - 17 Jonne Pylvänäinen KRC try
12 - 17 Matti Keränen KRC conversion
17 - 17 Ari Tikkanen KRC try
19 - 17 Matti Keränen KRC conversion
24 - 17 Ari Tikkanen KRC
