Denmark make it four wins from four in men’s Rugby Europe Conference to reach Trophy access game
Denmark made it four wins from four in Pool A of the men’s Rugby Europe Conference on Saturday with a 32-6 away victory against Norway.
At the Voldsløkka Idrettspark in Oslo, Norway were looking to build on the previous week’s win over Estonia, but it was the visiting team who came out on top here despite being pushed quite hard.
An early penalty from stand-off Axel Montgomery did give Norway the lead and, after scrum-half Daniel Wiggins levelled things up with one of his own for Denmark, Montgomery’s second penalty made it 6-3.
That was in the 15th minute, but Norway were to not score any more points in the game.
They did have a chance in the 31st minute which Montgomery missed this time and it was 6-3 to Norway at half-time.
Denmark scored 29 unanswered second half points to make sure of the win and that they would be top of the standings in the section.
Winger Rasmus Madum scored the visiting team’s first try of the game in the 42nd minute which Wiggins converted for 10-6.
Three minutes later centre Christian Kilsdal went over and, when Wiggins converted, suddenly it was 17-6.
That was the way things stayed until into the last 10 minutes when Norway had a player yellow carded.
Against 14 men, Denmark took advantage and added further tries through Kilsdal and replacement Mads Jorgensen with Wiggins kicking a conversion and a penalty to end things 32-6.
As mentioned, Denmark have won all their games in the five-team Pool A while Norway are fourth after one win and three losses.
This result means that Denmark will now take on Pool C toppers Moldova in a Trophy access game on May 24.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Finland are second in Pool A after a thumping 120-5 away win versus winless Estonia in Tallin.
Serbia are second in Pool C and have a record of two wins and one loss in the four-team section after a 44-28 triumph over fourth placed Bulgaria at the Viselj Park Stadium in Belgrade.
The game was well-poised at 26-15 when, in the 52nd minute, Bulgaria had a man sent off and that allowed Serbia to streak away for the win.
There was also one women’s Rugby Europe Conference match on Saturday and, in that one in Oslo, Latvia beat the home side Norway 27-0.
Full-back Hanna Neilande (2), centre Una Kraupsa, winger Ilze Lazdane and centre Marta Pukite scored the Latvian tries with Neilande converting one of them.
By Gary Heatly
