A month ago, the final 4th stage of the Latvian Championship took place for the U16 group, but such a very large advantage of the Baldonians did not reflect the real strength of the teams, because the Livonians were not in the best lineup. However, the president of the “Livonia” club Vigo Valdavs also admitted at that time that Baldone/KNSS deserved to win because it was more convincing.
Five teams started the season, but only three participated in the last two stages of the Latvian championship. That’s why I was happy that instead of three teams, four teams competed in the Latvian Cup, the leading three teams of this group – Baldone/ĶNSS, “Livonia/Rīga” and Eleja/Jelgava District Sports Center (JNSC) – were joined by RK “Mītava”, which has very strong teams of the very youngest youth groups.
The results presented during the season awarded the favorite status to Baldone/ĶNSS, but “Livonia/Rīga”, who won the third stage of the Latvian championship, were determined to fight for the cup as well. And it was between these two best teams that the winners of this tournament were determined.
“Livonia/Rīga” beat RK “Mītava” with 32:10 and with one of the biggest advantages 50:5 they managed to beat Eleja/JNSC. These two teams did not cause problems for Baldone/KNSS either, defeating Eleja with 26:5 and leaving no hope for “Mītava” with 45-0, repeating the biggest advantage of the tournament (45 points), which the Livonians had achieved against the Elejas. It is interesting that the Livonians had a greater advantage against Elea, and the Baldonians against “Mītava”.
The decisive game promised to be very similar, but in the end the result was with a difference of two touchdowns and conversions, or 14 points – 26:12 in favor of the “Livonia/Rīga” rugby players coached by Artūrs Baranovskis, who then became cup winners in this group, repeating “Livonia” performance in the U14 group a week ago.
“The guys were really serious about this tournament, especially the last, decisive game, where the instructions, recommendations and game plan were followed 99%. Livonians really fought very well, and you could see that they really wanted this cup. Therefore, I can say that the cup is deserved,” says the president of RK “Livonia”. Vigo Valdavsalso telling the coaches and the club about the work invested.
Rugby: Where the Real Lions Roar
Hold onto your hats, folks! The wild world of U16 rugby in Latvia just got a whole lot more interesting. As the final stage of the Latvian Championship wrapped up last month, we witnessed the
Baldonians flex their muscles—though frankly, it’s a bit like watching a lion win a footrace with a tortoise! Yes, our friends from Baldone/ĶNSS strutted their stuff like they owned the place, but can we really chalk it all up to raw talent alone?
Spoiler alert: the Livonians weren’t even at their best.
Fewer Teams, More Drama
With just five teams kicking off the season and only three making it to the final stages, it’s no wonder we were itching for a flicker of competition as the Latvian Cup unfolded. Fortunately, the
addition of RK “Mītava” into the mix made it a party worth crashing! Imagine a wedding where the caterer ran out of food, and then someone shows up with a giant cake—yes, it’s that kind of vibe!
Results Rain Down
Now, let’s talk about those results, shall we? Baldone/ĶNSS swaggered their way through the competition, making Eleja/JNSC look like amateurs with a 26:5 thumping and completely schooling “Mītava” with a
jaw-dropping 45-0. I mean, did they even bring their boots? The Livonians were not shy either, absolutely demolishing “Mītava” 32:10 and stomping Eleja with an eyebrow-raising 50:5!
These scores are more one-sided than a mime at a speaking competition!
The Final Countdown
As we got down to the nitty-gritty of the cup final, nobody exactly popped the popcorn—after all, it was pretty clear it would either be the Livonians or the Baldonian buzz. But when the dust settled,
it was “Livonia/Rīga” that emerged victors, winning 26:12. A triumph not just for the team, but for every underdog who believes in hard work, dreaming big, and the sweet taste of victory, preferably
accompanied by celebratory cake! Coach Artūrs Baranovskis must have felt like a chess master orchestrating a grand strategy, and make no mistake, the lads followed the game plan to the letter—99% of it,
to be exact! They played like they had a point to prove—and they certainly did!
Final Thoughts on the Champion’s Journey
“The guys were really serious about this tournament,” claimed the proud president, Vigo Valdavs, showering praises on his team’s efforts. Who doesn’t love a good pep talk? This cup isn’t just a shiny trophy—it’s
the proof of sweat, teamwork, and a bit of youthful ambition boiling down to a big ol’ ‘I told you so!’ So while we wrap up this season of the Latvian Championship, let’s not forget: whether you’re a Baldonian or a
Livonian, in the world of rugby, it’s about heart, hustle, and maybe a little bit of cheekiness along the way!
Until next time, keep your rugby balls near, your strategy sharp, and remember: every underdog has its day—even if they occasionally need a cheat sheet!
