3 tries in 3 minutes as Exiles given a lifeline in race for title

This was an “all or nothing game” for the Budapest Exiles as they travelled to Kecskemet for their first away trip of 2021. If they won they still had a chance to make it to the final, lose and all they had left was a battle for bronze. Fortunately for the Exiles they managed to win 30:7 and come back with a bonus point, despite only leading 17:7 with 4 minutes till the final whistle. It was also the first win of 2021 for the Exiles.

Two breaks by Frenchman Clement Perrier followed by a try in the last minute of the game by Hungarian International Balint Kosa gave one of the most dramatic victories to earn a bonus point in the Budapest team’s history. The Exiles are currently trailing Battai Bulldogs who are in second place by 4 points, and so by picking up a bonus point in each game they might be able to narrow the distance to their direct rivals.

“What a finish, and what a surprise, we thought we’d just get a win, but those last three minutes were crazy” said Kosa, the Exiles scrum-half.

“The game was very tight for almost the whole 80 minutes. In the first half we were leading 6:0 after penalties by our captain Joris (Auger – ed.), but we rarely got past their 22 line. In the second half we would get closer for most of the game, but Kecskemet was very disciplined in defence. It only crumbled in the last 3-4 minutes, and that’s when the tries came in, and the bonus point” added Kosa.

As the Exiles scrum-half mentioned the first half was a show of perfection from both teams in terms of defending. The Pink and Black managed to cross the 22 line of Kecskemet only four times, whereas their rivals managed that only twice. Anytime there was a breakaway run the defences were there to prevent the attack. The second half did look like it would end in a similar fashion.