The NTNUI team kicked off, the Oslo forwards received and what was to be a very physical game was underway. The first minutes the ball was moved up and down the pitch by two teams who both struggled to find a good rythm in their game. The Oslo team had more possession, but a determined defensive line from NTNUI proved hard to penetrate.

The home team successfully let their backs move the ball and in the middle of the first half a penalty was awarded NTNUI withing kicking distance from the Oslo goal line. Conor Foster put the ball between the goalposts and the students were up 3-0. After this, the game tightened and both teams showed signs of poor dicipline. A little "argument" on the field resulted in a yellow card to both teams, bringing numbers down to 14 on both sides for the rest of the half.

Half time score was 3-0 and everybody realized that this game would boil down to who was going to keep the intensity up the last 40 minutes.

The NTNUI forwards that ruled the game against OSI three weeks back, were now suffering in both scrums and lineouts. The Oslo-team stole ball and mauled successfully. The backs on the other hand, stepped up to the plate and had a good day on the pitch when the ball came their way.

However, in the second half it became clear that the fitness factor was not to favor the home team. 10 minutes into the second half, Oslo broke the line and scored their first try to put them in the lead. They followed up by scoring two more tries the next ten minutes and the game was in reality won. Still, when the substitutes entered the pitch NTNUI refused to give up. Pushing deep into Oslo territory on several occasions. But at this point the game was dominated by the blue team. Two more tries was scored and converted before the referee signalled the end of the game.

NTNUI were beaten and bruised by a better team this time. The boys played with heart and passion, and should be proud of their game. As for the third half, there is nothing to report to the public...

Pictures from the game

Awards
Best forward: Francesco
Best back: Pete (accepted by Ruben)

Fat winger award: Francesc - For being the right person, at the wrong place, at the wrong time (Still being on the sideline about 5 minutes after he had been subbed in)

Virgins: Kevin (+ a number of boys who didn't show up at the third half)

Best Oslo player: Andreas Fyri

Best NTNUI-player (awarded by Oslo): Schalk (accepted by Sølve)


Lineup
1. Stein-Ove
2. Ronny
3. Raul
4. Frithjof
5. Calle
6. Trevor
7. Eirik
8. Francesco
9. Ben
10. Schalk
11. Kevin Sanchez (virgin)
12. Conor
13. Peter
14. Ruben
15. Frank (virgin)

Subs:
16. Alexandre
17. Thomas (virgin)
18. Einar
19. Francesc (virgin)
20. Alan
21. Gudmundur