999th International Women’s Match; The Swiss show the experience, The Czechs show the attitude

The 999th test match in the women’s rugby history was held on the 29th of June in Prague, Czech Republic. The Czechs welcomed the more experienced Swiss team. But it was not so easy for the Swiss. The Czechs show their attitude and fought to the last minutes.

From the beginning it looked like it will go the way everybody expected. The Swiss attacked and the Czechs defended. They defended carefully and precisely but with the continuous attacking from the Swiss side it was just matter of time when Swiss will break. In the 15th minute Carolin Reischauer break through and touch down. Isabella Bauer added two more points by slotted conversion.

Czech 0:7 Swiss

The Czechs woke up and started attack as well. They become even the Swiss forwards in rucks and show some good combinations of backs and the third row. But at the last minute of the half time the Swiss hit again. Isabella Bauer on the wing made it and the half time was Czech 0 : 12 Swiss.

The Czechs got their self-confidence and continued in their good combination game. But the Swiss were the ones taking the points. Camille Chamondon, no. 20, which went to the pitch after the half time, went through the Czech defence two times in the five minutes and scored.

Czech 0 : 22 Swiss

It looked like clear affair for the Swiss. But Czechs didn’t agree. In 55th minute one of their good combinations went to the end finally. After few phases of the forwards the ball went wide to the backs and they show their craft. They sent the ball to the wing and back with the fast passes and centre Pája Čuprová was the one who finally scored at the corner. Šárka Šimánková missed the conversion but the home crowd was pleased anyway.

Czech 5 : 22 Swiss

The Czechs slowly started to top the Swiss, but Camille Chamondon had different opinion. She zigzaged Czech defence again and scored for the third time.

Czech 5 : 27 Swiss

In the last ten minutes the Czechs took the direction of the show to their hands and fly-half Bára Bendová scored to 10 : 27 and Pája Čuprová added one more try to 15 : 27 in the last minute.
The Swiss were out of steam but their lead was comfortable enough. They won the Konektor Cup for the first time and the next match for the trophy will be next year.
The Swiss player of the match was Camille Chamondon, the Czech one Pája Čuprová. Final result:

Czech 15 : 27 Swiss

The scorers:
For the Czech Republic
Try: Pája Čuprová 2, Bára Bendová

for Switzerland:
Try: Carolin Reischauer, Camille Chamondon 3 Conversion: Isabella Bauer

Referee:
Matěj Rázga
Assistant referees: Antonín Novák, Šárka Kubová

View more photos from the match here.