On Saturday the U19 squad returned to Yverdon for the National League final against top rivals Ecole de Rugby de Lausanne, ERL. Having topped the league table with only one defeat, to ERL in March, a strong Zug team was looking to lift the U19 trophy they had lost to ERL the previous year, having won previously in 2022.

ERL once more started fiercely, putting Zug under pressure in our 22 and after a couple of early penalties conceded by Zug, our opponents went a try up which was then converted. On the restart Zug again struggled to get out of their own half and ERL then capitalised on a couple of scrum penalties to get a second try and conversion within 10 minutes. Not the start Zug had trained hard for but over the next 10 minutes the players really dug deep to steady the defence and were unlucky to give a penalty opportunity to ERL on 19 minutes to be 17-0 down after 20 minutes.

The tide was turning though and Zug were really starting to get their whole team involved, forwards solid in defence and the backs starting to stretch the ERL back line too. On 22 minutes, after probing runs and kicks on both wings, Zug took the ball across the field 3 times in quick succession before going over for a try near the corner, which was excellently converted. The ERL defence were having to do the running now.

With a precautionary replacement of the Zug No2 after a scrum collapse, Zug made some forced changes but used the pause in play to regroup and put the first 20 minutes behind them. From that restart Zug kept ERL pinned in their own 22 and again went right to left to right again to exploit the space on the wing and run in a second try on 29 minutes. After some strong goal line defending by Zug the half time whistle came at 17-12 and felt like the momentum was absolutely shifting in Zug’s direction.

The second half saw a complete reversal with Zug applying the pressure and ERL looking like they were tiring from their first half exertions. Only a few unforced errors by Zug stopped the score from widening before the 46 minute mark, when the Zug 9 cut open the ERL back line from an excellent Zug line out to score under the posts making the conversion a certainty. 17-19 and Zug are finally in front and taking control.

The next 15 minutes was exciting stuff with both teams getting possession but Zug were playing in ERL’s half and not giving territory advantage away easily. On 62 minutes, another Zug line out on the ERL 10m line was rapidly passed the full width of the pitch and run in for try which was again converted. 17-26 to Zug and ERL needing two scores with clock running down. Within 2 minutes it was put out of reach. Zug won a line out straight from the restart then a long probing kick, from the Zug 10m, was chased and won leaving a short pass to the excellent support runners to go over under the posts.

The Zug boys were rightly celebrating a fantastic comeback from 17-0 down to score 33 points without return. Every single player gave their all and played wonderful rugby in a great spirit. A special mention must go to Charlie Evans, playing his debutant match for U19 as half back cover. He was awarded MVP by the organisers and scored that fantastic third try which really turned the tide. Well done Charlie and all of the 38 U19 players who played their part in an incredible season.