The DTU Exiles might think twice about holding their annual summer barbeque on the same day as a match day. The weather was sunny, cloudless and warm and the mood was great among both players and spectators – helped along by the Red Bull DJ and the DTU students in funny costumes at the dress-up football tournament on the football pitches next to the Exiles pitch – but maybe it was too laid-back. 

The women, contesting the third round of the women’s Danish Championship, only managed to score one try in the first three of their four games, while the men were thumped 55-0 by Speed. 

The ladies, after an improved performance in the second round, fancied their chances but first had to deal with Frederiksberg, the number one team in the championship. Despite putting up a good fight, they unsurprisingly lost 40-0.

Next up, against Speed, they tackled hard, ran fast and fought to the end. But despite good communication and a great defence, the ladies eventually lost 22-5.

The third game was against Grenå, who they had previously beaten 20-7. Here the effort put in against Speed showed itself in a lack of energy, communication and co-ordination as Grenå won 19-0.

Their final game, against Odense, fittingly became a playoff to avoid the wooden spoon. And it was one-way traffic as Sophie Rosgaard scored four times to see the Exiles home 26-5.

Following that, the Exiles men faced Speed, the current leaders in the men’s Eastern First Division. And despite winning three of their last four games, including a very welcome win against CSR who took first place in the Super6 Cup Final in front of the Exiles in June last year, the Exiles could not keep up with Speed, losing 55-0. 

But despite the losses, the lines were long and spirits high when the barbeque and bar opened, although the weather did take a sudden change for the worse from sun to heavy rain and wind – but it takes more than a bit of water to stop the Exiles celebrating, especially as it was dry and comfortable in the big party tent.