Bulgaria proved too strong for Norway in their FIRA-AER Senior Championship, Division 3 - Pool C clash at the weekend but as Norway team manger Jeremy Davies reports it was a very testing trip in more ways than one.
"Due to the expense involved in flying to Bulgaria from Norway the Norwegians travelled with a 19 man squad, which included for the first time 3 foreign based players - Craig and Andrew Olsen, South Africans who play club rugby in Britain and Frank Howells an Englishman who plays in Portsmouth.
"On arrival at the pitch the Norwegian party was informed by the match official Giovanni Romano, a former IRB referees assessor from Italy, that the FIRA-AER appointed referee Mr. Li Marchetti from Switzerland had not arrived in the country due to problems in aquiring an entry visa. The host nation appointed a Bulgarian referee, who spoke no English, as well as 2 Bulgarian linesmen to control the match.
"The game kicked off in bright sunshine in Konstinbrod on the outskirts of Sofia. After an evenly matched opening period the Bulgarians were awarded a penalty for stamping by the South African born Norwegian scrumhalf Hanro van Wyk, the Bulgarian flyhalf struck the ball well and posted the first points of the game after 11 minutes. Bulgaria 3 - Norway 0.
"Norway replied in rousing fashion and the pressure resulted in Andrew Olsen charging down a kick on the Bulgarian 22 metre line. From the ensuing ruck Olsen received a pass from his brother and inside centre Craig Olsen then skirted down the blindside beating several defenders before touching down for a brilliant individual try. Debutant fullback Simon Øverland, playing only his second season of rugby, missed the conversion. Bulgaria 3 - Norway 5.
"From the kickoff the Norwegians again attacked the Bulgarian defence, valuable territory was gained by a well worked blindside scrum move involving captain and Number 8 Ian Irving and right winger Shelton Davis.
"Minutes later from a scrum on the Bulgarian 22 metre line flyhalf Andrew Olsen looped brother Craig and burst through brilliantly, sidestepped inside the fullback and scored under the posts. Norway had started brilliantly and had scored 2 tries in the opening 20 minutes. Fullback Øverland converted the try. Bulgaria 3 - Norway 12.
"The Bulgarian forwards replied in great fashion, showing great mauling skills and a well drilled lineout to put pressure on the Norwegian forwards. Bulgaria was awarded another penalty, as the referee didn't speak English, the Norwegian captain Irving was unable to ascertain the reason for the penalty.
"Unfortunately this situation was to repeat itself throughout the game. The Bulgarian flyhalf, showing excellent goal kicking form, slotted the goal. Bulgaria 6 - Norway 12.
"Once again Norway came storming back with winger Davis making a tremendous run down the flank after some good work by the inimitable Olsen brothers. It took a head high tackle to bring down the strong running winger, which could have easily resulted in a penalty try. However it was not to be. The Bulgarian forwards fought back and together with the boot of their flyhalf gained valuable territory. A penalty against Norway was once again kicked. Bulgaria 9 - Norway 12.
"Minutes later with Norway on the attack, Norwegian blindside flanker David Hume was sinbinned for apparently no valid reason. He pushed a Bulgarian player who was lying on top of him, a scuffle resulted and the referee pulled out the yellow card. A flabbergasted Hume left the pitch. Winger Davis again made a long run down the flank, but determined Bulgarian defence held the Norwegians at bay. Gradually the Bulgarians muscled their way back in to Norwegian territory. The Bulgarians looked set to score in the corner but a bone crushing tackle from Davis saved the day. Just before half time Bulgarian were awarded a penalty and were successful in the attempt. Half time: Bulgaria 12 - Norway 12.
"The first 20 minutes of the 2nd half was dominated by the Bulgarians. Their forwards dominated the lighter Norwegian pack, who struggled with some of the referees law interpretations. Sustained pressure saw 2 penalties kicked by the machine-like kicking of the Bulgarian flyhalf. Bulgaria 18 - Norway 12.
"Norway showed great character by fighting back, winger Davis touched down after some good pressure play by the Norwegians, however the referee disallowed the try because of a knock on. This disallowed try preceeded what was to become the most controversial momment of the match. Outstanding winger Davis was caught in a ruck on the halfway line in full view of the linesman, both reserve benches and the match official.
"His shaven head, protruding from the ruck in full view, was viciously stamped on by a Bulgarian forward. This action resulted in, after a discussion between referee and linesman, a penalty to Norway. This unbelievable decision disgusted Norway's Australian born coach Rod Francis. Vociferous calls for a red card were ignored.
"For the final minutes of the match the frustrated Norwegians were forced back into their own territory. Finally a penaly was awarded and successfully kicked. The final whistle followed. Full Time: Bulgaria 21 - Norway 12.
"Immediately after the match the match official Giovanni Romano was informed that the Norwegian Rugby Union will lodge a formal protest over the referee appointed by the Bulgarian Rugby Federation. Romano had spent the game assessing the referee, noting all aspects of the referees performance on official assessment forms."
Norwegian Team:
1 - Lewis Eaton
2 - Jon Thomas Eliasen
3 - Frank Howells
4 - Espen Sandven
5 - Eivind Lunde
6 - David Hume
7 - Derek Johnson
8 - Ian Irving
9 - Hanro Van Wyk
10 - Andrew Olsen
11 - Audun Lundberg
12 - Craig Olsen
13 - Roger Yttervik
14 - Shelton Davis
15 - Simon Øverland
Replacements:
16 - Rod Francis (playing coach)
17 - Karl Frisch (replaced 3 after 50 minutes)
18 - Stein Rosseland
19 - Marius Stuveland