Lokomotiva Beroun & Mikulov Roosters win CZRLA Grand Finals

[Honor James]

Lokomotiva Beroun completed a memorable season, leaving their best performance until last as they ended the 2012 campaign undefeated, comprehensively taking the CZRLA Grand Final 60-0 against Prague Vikings.

Jan Buben led the way, scoring the opening 18 points from a genuine hat trick of converted tries and finishing with a tally of 30 as Beroun regained the title they held in 2010 and added the Championship to their earlier 9's success and league leader's crown.

Their forwards were dominant from the off, led by veteran Jan Sluka and young front-rower Tomas Kristof who was awarded the Milan Mrtynek Medal as man of the match and Michal Hora whose massive, ball-dislodging hit in the opening exchange set the tone.

Despite the Grand Final scoreline, 2012 was otherwise a successful year for the Vikings, runners up their best ever place in the Czech Championship after finishing winless and last in both the 2010 and 2011 seasons.

Dexter Bradley, Will Marx and Sam Childs worked hard while Patrik Nekut and David Dolak put in valiant displays against their former club. Off the field, the Vikings set up a strategic link with reigning Super League and World Club Champions Leeds Rhinos.

In the inaugural Second Division Grand Final, played as a curtain raiser, Mikulov Roosters came from 10-0 down midway through the first half to overcome Usti nad Labem, 22-10. Mikulov's greater experience, including Czech captain Petr Sedina and last year's Mrtynek Medal winner Pavel Zemanek, told as the only Moravian club in the Czech Rugby League Association came home the stronger against the country's western-most team.

Outstanding 19 year old front rower Karel Hudec, who debuted off the bench for the Czech national team in their win against Hungary in the European Bowl earlier in the year, scored the Roosters first and last tries and was also awarded the John Anderson Man of the Match Medal, in honour of the man who has held the role of CZRLA President since its establishment in 2006.

CZRLA Treasurer, Iain Sellers commented, "This was a fitting finale to another fantastic year of rugby league development in the Czech Republic with two divisions played to really good standards, a Euro Bowl win, and rising attendances at all games."

Lokomotiva Beroun 60 (Buben 3, Hora 2, Suchopar 2, Mejstrik, Sluka, Drazka tries; Buben 9 goals; Sluka 1 goal) - Prague 0.

Mikulov Roosters 22 (Hudec 2, Sedina, Jacko tries; Sedina 3 goals) - Usti nad Labem Dragons 10 (Suchma 2 tries; Jirotka 1 goal)

PHIL CAPLAN

RLEF MEDIA OFFICER