Sweden made it two wins from two in the men’s Rugby Europe Trophy with a bonus point victory at home versus Lithuania at the weekend.
The Swedes were just beaten to top spot last year by Poland in the six-team event and clearly want to compete at that end of the standings again this time around after a 38-3 triumph here followed up on a 57-12 bonus point win over Croatia the week before.
The match versus Lithuania, who finished fifth last year, was played at the Trelleborg Rugby Arena on Saturday afternoon and the home side got off to the perfect start when back-row Arthur Marini scored a try converted by scrum-half Jack Tatu Robertsson after just four minutes.
Lithuania got on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute when stand-off Dovydas Taujanskas kicked a penalty.
Sweden’s second try came in the 34th minute when a neat lineout move saw the scrum-half pop an inside pass to tighthead prop Anthony Rafael who was not going to be stopped. Tatu Robertsson converted.
That made it 14-3 and then Sweden scored a crucial third try just before the break when winger Samuel Ekfeldt went over in the corner and it was 19-3 at the interval.
Sweden’s fourth try came in the 50th minute when a lovely kick through by centre Axel Kalling-Smith was collected by Ekfeldt and he got his second try of the day. It was converted and it was 26-3.
Lithuania, who were defeated 41-8 by Poland at home the week before, were tiring now and Sweden added two more tries to finish things off.
On the hour mark Kalling-Smith showed good strength to go over for a five-pointer and then, with 13 minutes to go, replacement Oliver Nilsson went in under the posts. It was converted and it finished things at 38-3.
Before that match took place, on Friday evening Croatia bounced back well from their opening loss to Sweden to defeat Denmark 36-26 at home in the same tournament.
The match at the Gradski Sportski Centar was very entertaining with the sides tied at 14-14 at half-time and 19-19 after 50 minutes before the home side just managed to edge away.
In the men’s Rugby Europe Conference there was one game at the weekend.
It was in the Jana Dalina Stadions and, after a draw in Finland the week before, Latvia turned on the style to defeat winless Norway 59-7.
The result leaves Latvia second in the five-team Pool A with Norway bottom.
By Gary Heatly
