The Saimaa Sharks have achieved the first win in the club's history in a hard fought match against Joensuu on 01.09.2018 in Liperi!
The game started evenly, with the score remaining 0-0 until around halfway through the first half, the Sharks broke the deadlock with Porvoo Loanee Ari Gali Valls going out wide to score his first try for the Sharks and Jani Koponen adding the extra 2 points from the tee. Then not long after, n.9 Sami Lustberg was looking to score his maiden try with a great run only to be bought down illegally and earn a penalty try (7pts) for the team. The offending Joensuu player was given a yellow card which sparked a period of poor discipline for the Sharks, with two players receiving yellow cards for their own high tackles. Joensuu took advantage of the extra numbers and scored two tries to leave the score 14-12 at half time in favour of the sharks.
The second half started with Saimaa taking control of the match, ex-Joensuu player Paolo Batello scoring two tries to take the score to 24-12, one of the tries an absolute beauty straight from the training ground leaving Joensuu helpless to stop him. Joensuu then produced a brave fight back into the game, scoring a try and bring the scores within touching distance at 24-19 but Ari Gali Valls put an end to that, scoring his second try and reestablishing Saimaa's good lead. KRJ scored near the end of the game to make for a nervous finish but the Saimaa Sharks managed to hold on and secure the club's maiden win.
The only way is up for this young squad and we'll be looking for the winning habit to continue this Saturday 08.09.18 vs. Jyväskylä Rugby Club 2.