A month ago, the final 4th stage of the Latvian championship took place for the U16 group, in which Baldone/KNSS did not leave any hopes for “Livonia” in the first place game with 42:7. However, such a very large advantage of the Baldonians did not reflect the real strength of the teams, as the Livonians were not in the best lineup. However, the president of the “Livonia” club Vigo Valdavs also admitted at that time that Baldone/KNSS deserved to win because it was more convincing.
Five teams started the season, but only three participated in the last two stages of the Latvian championship. That’s why I was happy that instead of three teams, four teams competed in the Latvian Cup, the leading three teams of this group – Baldone/ĶNSS, “Livonia/Rīga” and Eleja/Jelgava District Sports Center (JNSC) – were joined by RK “Mītava”, which has very strong teams of the very youngest youth groups.
The results presented during the season awarded the favorite status to Baldone/ĶNSS, but “Livonia/Rīga”, who won the third stage of the Latvian championship, were determined to fight for the cup as well. And it was between these two best teams that the winners of this tournament were determined.
“Livonia/Rīga” beat RK “Mītava” with 32:10 and with one of the biggest advantages, 50:5, they dealt with Eleja/JNSC. These two teams did not cause problems for Baldone/KNSS either, defeating Eleja with 26:5 and leaving no hope for “Mītava” with 45-0, repeating the biggest advantage of the tournament (45 points), which the Livonians had achieved against the Elejas. It is interesting that the Livonians had a greater advantage against Elea, and the Baldonians against “Mītava”.
The decisive game promised to be very similar, but in the end the result was with a difference of two touchdowns and conversions, or 14 points – 26:12 in favor of “Livonia/Rīga” rugby players coached by Artūrs Baranovskis, who then became cup winners in this group, repeating “Livonia” performance in the U14 group a week ago.
“The guys were really serious about this tournament, especially the last, decisive game, where the instructions, recommendations and game plan were followed 99%. Livonians really fought very well, and you could see that they really wanted this cup. That’s why I can say that the cup is deserved,” says the president of RK “Livonia” Vigo Valdavs, also telling the coaches and the club about the work invested.