The ORSC und Salzburg formed the new Challenge Cup West Selection (Innsbruck wasn't able to send players) and could win their first game against a strong Donau Wien B team. The Viennese side was put under heavy pressure right from the kickoff and we could control the match. Only the opponent's nr 12 (Hovo) and nr 9 (Zeinzinger) kept our defense busy with very good runs and also scored the tries for Donau. Some small provocations of both sides disturbed our game and Wien could close up to 22:19 in the second half. But another wonderful try by the openside flanker Morreson secured our win.
Tries: Kienzle, Kapanadze (2), Rothschedl, Morreson
Con: Wright

On a cold and rainy day the Challenge Cup Selection played its first game against a strong RC Donau B team. The first half we had some great problems to find together and play as a team, so we were the whole 40 minutes under heavy pressure. Second half was a lot better but far not enough to question the viennese victory.
We thought that in a selection team should play the best players, but unfortunately not every club seemed to think like this. So Salzburg sent only one player and Leoben some Rookies. We hope this is going to work better next time!
Players ORSC: Smith(Inside-Center), Morreson(Outside-Center), Rothschedl(Fullback), Kühr(Flyhalf)
Try: Kühr

1.ORSC - RC Salzburg 05:05
The first game of the day between the favorites supposed also to be the final of the tournament. So both teams tried to play hard but had some difficulties with the wet ground. The draw was finally a fair score.
Try: O'Neill

1.ORSC - RUFC Graz 12:00
The match was a lot harder than we expected. Especially after two yellow cards we had to work hard to win this game - but once again without receiving any try from our opponents.
Tries: Kühr, Morreson
Con: Kühr

1.ORSC - RC Wr. Neustadt 20:00
After high wins of Salzburg we couldn't become 1st any more, so our youngsters got their chance to show what they've learned so far. Few times we got under heavy pressure, but they did their job very well.
Tries: Kaltenböck (2), Roush, O'Neill

Even if we were not able to win the tournament this time, the third half we won for sure! ;-)

1.ORSC - RUFC Graz 26:05
It was maybe the hardest match on this afternoon. The team of Graz was physically superior to us but we showed them with some good and hard tackles right after the start that this wouldn't help them much. Even if the final score doesn't show this, it was always a very close game, especially after the Graz side had scored a try because of a mistake in our defense.
Tries: Smith, O'Neill, Kühr (2)
Cons: Rothschedl (3)

1.ORSC - RC Wr. Neustadt 29:00
It was the second match in the young club history of Wr. Neustadt, so we went into this game as favorites and played this role quite well. After a comfortable lead in the first half our performance became rather bad in the second because everyone wanted to score a try. So we had to learn that you can play rugby only as a team.
Tries: Kaltenböck (3), Rothschedl, Morreson
Cons: Rothschedl (2)

1.ORSC - ARC Leoben 29:00
Like in the other matches we had a quick start and were with three tries in front after a short time. After that we controlled the game and saved our power for the last one.
Tries: Kühr (2), Rothschedl (2), O'Neill
Cons: O'Neill, Rothschedl

1.ORSC - RC Salzburg 22:00
This was somehow the final of this tournament because until then Salzburg had as well won all the other matches. We started very nervous but to our luck you could soon see that the fast back-players of Salzburg were already very tired. After a two tries lead of our team, a yellow card for their best player and a third wonderfull try by our scrumhalf Stefan finally broke them.
Tries: Kaltenböck (2), Rothschedl, O'Neill
Con: Rothschedl

All in all it was a fantastic and well organised tournament and a great day for our team!

1.ORSC - RUFC Graz 32:12
In the first half we could put our opponents under a constant pressure and scored four times. After that we gave our new players and youngsters a chance to show what they've learned and they did their job very well. The final score of 32:12 was maybe a bit influenced by some mistakes of the referee who guided his first game.
Tries: Rothschedl (2), Kaltenböck, Vaculik (2), Kühr
Con: Kühr

1.ORSC - RC Salzburg 14:17
In the first few minutes our team seemed to be asleep, so Salzburg had a fast 12:0 lead. Then we fought back bravely and the match became a very close one again but unfortunately it was not enough for a win - 17:14 for Salzburg. In the next few weeks we have to work a bit on our defense if we want to beat them in the next tournament in Graz.
Tries: Vaculik (2)
Cons: Rothschedl (2)

After the tournament we played a friendly 10's game RC Salzburg vs. 1.ORSC where both teams were supported by some Graz players. It was the closest game on this afternoon and ended with the fair final score of 15:15.
Tries: Dorninger (2), Rothschedl

Man of the day was without any question Bernhard Dorninger who had his first game as a referee in the Salzburg vs. Graz clash (with the legendary new refs-shout "hallohallo, so ned"), scored twice in the 10's game and if we had known that he can run this fast he would have played wing instead of prop!

Seven of us joined the RC Salzburg in their game against the Lycee Francais. Our backrow was nearly equal to the french one but they could use their advantage in the scrum to put our pack under heavy pressure. The final score isn't that bad if you think that we matched Austria's last year vize-champion.
Tries: Kaltenböck, player Salzburg