The 19-38 defeat suffered today by the Sharks at the hands of the undefeated and now mathematically promoted to Serie A Piacenza Rugby (21 wins and an impressive points difference of +635) is more than honorable both in terms of scoring and play but Unfortunately, he is useless in the Recchelina rankings: only three tries scored and therefore no offensive bonus. The first half ended 12-19.
“I can only compliment my team – coach Regestro smiles bitterly – because, against an out of reach opponent lined up in a typical formation, we made a great impression, we played well and scored three tries. Unfortunately, however, we did not gain any points and Varese’s narrow victory against Ivrea now forces us to go and play for salvation in Varese and in the final round of the championship: the calendar revealed itself like the script of a film in this final of season”.
Just like in the final scenes of a film, it will be the two teams now paired at the bottom of the standings who will play for salvation on the last day and, unfortunately for the Sharks, the clash will be played on the Lombardy pitch: whoever wins will be safe, whoever will lose will have to face the play outs to avoid relegation to Serie C. By virtue of the changes just decided by the FIR in the composition of the national championships for next season, only one team among the last classified of the four groups will be relegated. These same changes have sanctioned the blocking of relegations from A to B and it is impossible not to feel a little bitterness in Recco for being relegated last season, narrowly losing the decisive match.
In today’s match the reccheline tries were scored by the meta-man Esposito Corcione, by the young Andrea Capurro and by the midfielder Lucas Tagliavini, with two transformations by the captain Lorenzo Romano (2/3), also today best on the pitch for the Sharks. One of Piacenza’s signatures bears the signature of Lazio prop Mirko Rapone, a former Biancoceleste player.
Pro Recco Rugby: Solari, Marcolini, Romano, Matulli, Capurro, Barisone (13′ pt Mitri, 27′ st Massa), Tagliavini (28′ st Benvenuto), Rotella (32′ st Conca), Sbarbori Mi., Cinquemani, Maggi , Esposito Corcione, Sbarbori Ma., Noto, Bedocchi.
Scoreboard: pt: 2′ m. Piacenza (0-5), 6′ m. Esposito Corcione (5-5), 18′ m. Piacenza tr. (5-12), 25′ m. Piacenza tr. (5-19), 39′ m. Capurro tr. Roman (12-19). St: 2′ m. Piacenza tr. (12-26), 6′ m. Piacenza (12-31), 19′ m. Wine cutter tr. Romano (19-31), 28′ m. Piacenza tr. (19-38). Points gained in the standings: Pro Recco 0 – Piacenza 5. Note: Piacenza promoted to Serie A.
Before today’s match, April 25th, the boys of the First Team together with the staff and many willing parents were involved in the Bertamino Trophy for the U6, U8 and U10 categories: after Covid and the unusability of the pitch it was very important for us play this now historic tournament again, with a day of rugby and fun for all the young athletes and their families.
This is the U8 ranking: Superba A, Superba C, Asti A, Province dell’Ovest, Pro Recco, Arcobaleno, Lions Amaranto C, Asti B, Superba B, Lions Amaranto A, Lucca, Lions Amaranto B.
U10 ranking: Lucca, Provinces of the West, Superba, Lions Amaranto, Asti, Pro Recco, Pasturana.
The little U6s were mixed together and played the tournament without compiling a ranking.
April 25th was also the day in which the terrible news arrived of the death of the young Pietro Imperiale, player and coach of CUS Genova Rugby, who passed away at the age of just twenty-eight following an illness which unfortunately left him with no escape: we remember him with great affection as an always loyal opponent and a very good guy.
The week that is about to begin will see the Sharks prepare for the hot final of the championship: on Sunday 5 May in Varese the twenty-second and final day of the regular season will be played, which will determine which of the two teams will be safe and which will instead have to go through the play outs . From now on we ask the fans who may be present to come to Varese to support our boys, who will find themselves playing this fundamental match on a pitch that will certainly be very difficult.
Serie B, group 1, matchday 21
Cernusco – Savona 75-26 (5-1)
Lecco – CUS Genoa (renewed)
Capoterra – Rho 17-26 (1-4)
Pro Recco – Piacenza 19-38 (0-5)
CUS Milan – Bergamo 15-35 (0-4)
Ivrea – Varese 26-27 (2-4)
Ranking: Piacenza 101, Lecco* 89, Bergamo 80, Capoterra 59, Rho 52, CUS Milano 42, CUS Genoa* 41, Ivrea 35, Cernusco* 32, Savona* 31, Pro Recco and Varese 25.
Emy Forlani – Pro Recco Rugby press officer
(Photo from the Bertamino Trophy of 25 April 2024)
