AUC (0) Alexandria RFC (25) Tries: Geneesh, Salama (2), Rouby, Ozz CAIRO: In the first competitive rugby match to take place at the AUC’s new campus, Alexandria RFC got their season off to a flying start with a five-try win against the AUC Wolves. In what was a tense beginning to the first match of the new Egyptian Rugby Union championship, both teams struggled to assert their authority in the opening period, with handling errors aplenty during a fast paced, free flowing first 10 minutes. Alexandria, however, broke the early deadlock with a trademark individual try from powerhouse forward Mohamed Geneesh. Geneesh continued to trouble the AUC defence throughout the match with his direct and powerful running, until he was forced off the pitch early in the second half with a knee injury. The AUC almost struck back instantly, as a winger intercepted a loose pass between the Alexandria backs before sprinting the length of the pitch only to be hauled to the ground a few feet short of the try-line. The AUC continued to press threateningly from their well earned field position, with Alexandria forced onto the back foot. The defence, however, remained resolute, and their efforts were rewarded when Alexandria outside center Mohammad Salama found his way through a gap in the AUC Wolves’ defence to run in the first of his two tries. The Alexandria forwards, meanwhile, began to show their class as they dominated the scrum and impressed with some well-worked line outs. In the breakdown, they managed to provide a decent platform from which the backs could attack, which influential scrum-half Omar Talaat and team captain Moody Mohammed exploited, combining to release Salama for his second try in what was the most impressive move of the match just before half-time. After the break, the AUC battled hard to get back into the match, earning good spells of possession and field position, but failed to take their chances as the back line struggled to find rhythm and consistency, rarely managing to break the Alexandria defence. They were made to pay for their profligacy when Alex forward Rouby bundled over the try line for his team’s fourth, which captain Mohammed failed to convert. AUC then had their best chance to score as they pounced on a misplaced Alexandria kick, but failed to make the line, knocking the ball on in their eagerness to get points on the board. Tempers threatened to boil over following ill-discipline from both sides, and after an AUC forward was sent to the sin bin Alex completed the win as forward Ozz capitalised on a quickly taken penalty to score their fifth try. In a hard fought and well-contested game, Alexandria were worthy winners, but the AUC were unfortunate not to get on the score board and showed a passion and a hunger that has been lacking in recent seasons. They will now look to next week’s local derby with Cairo Rugby Club, where they will hope to convert more chances provided by a hard-working and athletic forward pack. Alexandria, rejuvenated and reorganised under new coach Dhafer Gazzah, will be happy with their win, although captain Moody Mohammed cautioned against complacency, saying “We still have room for improvement.†In the day’s other matches, Alexandria Women’s team came from behind to draw against the AUC’s women, whilst Alexandria ‘B’s defeated AUC ‘B’s by 10 points to nil. The season continues on Friday 9th October, with Cairo Rugby Club vs. AUC Wolves.
