On a weekend when Ukraine celebrated a famous victory in the Eurovision Song Contest, the country’s rugby team was also triumphant in the final fixture of the European Nations Cup Division 1B season. By extending their winning run to seven matches with a 36-17 victory over Moldova, Ukraine finished five points behind champions Belgium, who were the last time to beat them back in November 2014. Ukraine now find themselves 26th in the World Rugby Rankings, which are updated at 12 noon every Monday, after being awarded half a ranking point. Moldova drop below Switzerland to 33rd.
DUTCH RELIEF
The Netherlands, meanwhile, narrowly avoided becoming Sweden’s first test victims for nearly three years after coming away from Enkoping with a hard-earned 25-23 win. The Dutch appeared to be cruising to victory as they were up by 16 points with just over half an hour to play. However, a quickfire second-half hat-trick from home flanker Sean Burke turned the game on its head and the Swedes held a one-point lead with 16 minutes to go. They were denied a first win in 16 matches, though, when Dutch full-back Leon Koenen rescued the points for the visitors with a drop goal nine minutes from time. The Netherlands gain six tenths of a rating point but remain unchanged in 36th position in the rankings, while Sweden drop one place to 58th.
ANDORRA RALLY
Andorra reeled off 21 unanswered points to come from behind and beat relegated Hungary, 28-10, in Esztergom. Hungary full-back Tímár Suiogan converted his own try and kicked a penalty to hand the hosts a 10-7 lead after just 12 minutes. But three penalties from his opposite number Marc Abello and tries from forwards Daniel Raya and Galaktion Gagnidze saw Andorra ease to victory in ENC Division 2B. Andorra move up two places to 62nd in the rankings after a gain of just over one and a half points. Hungary occupy 81st place after a fall of six places.
The ENC Division 2C title went to Luxembourg after a 29-10 victory over rivals Slovenia in Saturday’s winner-takes-all clash. The win was worth 0.81 of a rating point, boosting Luxembourg’s total to 42.99 points. They are now above Singapore and the Cayman Islands in 59th place.
Photo: Moldova Rugby Union
