Germany List put together a dominant display against Handschuhsheim on Friday evening, running out 71:12 winners in the Bundesliga. The result came as a shock to many, myself included — I had backed the visitors with 66 per cent confidence, but this was a different animal entirely. And here's the thing, rugby doesn't always reward the form you expect.
By then, the match had already settled into a rhythm that few predicted. Handschuhsheim came in with momentum from their April victory over Hannover, but Germany List showed something else. To be fair, the hosts had been inconsistent — that 3-94 defeat against Frankfurt still lingered — but they found another gear. The visitors looked flat-footed from the opening exchanges.
What broke my prediction was the tempo Germany List set early. Handschuhsheim, despite their recent 40-17 win over these same opponents back in May, couldn't match the intensity. The away side had beaten Frankfurt 68-24 in their previous outing, but that game told a different story. This time, the momentum stayed firmly with the home crowd.
Looking at the broader picture, Germany List's recent results tell a tale of inconsistency — losses to Berlin, Munich, and Heidelberg mixed with that heavy Frankfurt defeat. Handschuhsheim, meanwhile, had beaten Germany List comfortably last time out. But the gap between form and performance opened up wide on this occasion.
The result leaves Germany List with something to build on, while Handschuhsheim will need to reflect on a performance that didn't match their recent output. Seven points at the margin — not close enough to call it competitive, but far enough to suggest the hosts have found a level they hadn't shown in months.