NTNUI and Blindern (former OSI) have a past with tough and even games. Coming into this game, both sides knew that it would be a hard fought battle. And what a game it was!

A blue sky and an excellent pitch welcomed two fired up teams. Two teams who tend to be slow starters kicked off and while NTNUI still struggled to get the drowsiness out of their bodies, the Blindern side showed that they had already downed a cup of coffee and opened the score with an easy try after 3 minutes.
0-7

The wake up call was given, and the home team started to put pressure on the visitors. Some of the forwards completely ignored the backs who desperately announced the overlap, but to the relief of everybody, a pick and go from Stas was pushed over the line and the ball was grounded safely in the green grass. The conversion sailed off, but the lead was cut to a minimum.
5-7

The game was very much alive. Possession and field position changed throughout the whole first half. Two unneccessary mistakes within kicking range awarded blindern two penalties that resultet in 6 points. 5-13

However, a determined home team refused to fold and got back in the game with an excellent try by Espen. This time the conversion sailed between the posts and the deficit was cut to one point before half time. 12-13


Second half started with a penalty for NTNUI. Matthieu kicked it over and for the first time the home team was in the lead. But not for long. Again a penalty, again a successful kick and Blindern got back in front. 15-16

About half way through second half, NTNUI had missed several good opportunities and backs coach Schalk was sent on to add some creativity in the backline. On his first possession he led the way by stepping, handing off, accelerating and bullrushing through most of the Blindern backline. When he finally hit the ground he had crossed the tryline and NTNUI again took the lead. 20-16 .

Now it was Blindern that answered the challenge. Pushing deep into the NTNUI half. Unable to stop Blindern momentum, the visitors finally broke through and scored what proved to be the final points of the day. 20-23

The game was alive all the way to the final whistle. When the game was over the visitors cheered, while the men in green tasted the bitter defeat. Both teams contributed to probably the most exciting rugby game ever played in Trondheim.

Both teams gathered downtown for the third half later at night, and there was much rejoicing!

The team
1 - Pavel Golikov
2 - Lasse Marthinsen [Virgin]
3 - Marton Leren Teilgaard
4 - Martin Skovly
5 - Adriaen Nelmans
6 - Stanislav Shchebetov [5pts]
7 - Jeremy Dubois
8 - Seth Helfenstein [Virgin]
9 - Luc Montillon [Virgin]
10 - Mathieu Briere [5pts]
11 - Valentin Littierre [Virgin]
12 - Olly Okaka
13 - Espen Høgset [5pts]
14 - Martin Bland
15 - Thomas Sarels
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16 - Julien Bogo
17 - Thomas Bakka
18 - Knut Kavli
19 - Kristian Eick [Virgin - did not play]
20 - Ruben Bø
21 - Bjørn André Haugland [Did not play]
22 - Schalk Cloete [5pts]

Awards:
Virgins: Luc, Valentin, Seth, Lasse
Best forward: Pavel, the loud russian
Best back: Luc, the lousy drinker
Fat winger: Schalk, for being the right person put in the right place at the right time. (Accepted by Sølve)
Best Blindern player: Erlend