Ereklasse Final 2024/25: Haagsche Rugby Club Snatch Dramatic Victory Over Rotterdam in Amsterdam Thriller

On a balmy Monday evening, June 9, 2025, the National Rugby Centre Amsterdam (NRCA) buzzed with electric anticipation as a capacity crowd packed the stands for the Ereklasse men’s final. Fans from Rotterdam and The Hague, draped in their club colors, turned the stadium into a cauldron of noise, creating an atmosphere that will echo in Dutch rugby lore for years to come. The unbeaten Rotterdam Rugby Club, in their first-ever final, faced off against the battle-hardened Haagsche Rugby Club (HRC), who were in their 3rd straight final. What unfolded was a pulsating, heart-stopping clash that lived up to every ounce of its billing as the match of the season.

The game roared to life with Rotterdam striking first. A textbook maul, driven with precision and power, saw them crash over the try line within minutes, silencing the HRC faithful. The conversion missed and Rotterdam led 5-0. But HRC, seasoned finalists, responded swiftly. Bjorn Dolman, their metronomic kicker, slotted a penalty from a tight angle to make it 5-3, signaling their intent to fight tooth and nail. Rotterdam, undeterred, flexed their attacking muscle again, powering through for a second try to stretch the lead to 12-3. Yet HRC refused to buckle. Dolman’s boot was a weapon, chipping away at the scoreboard with two more penalties, his accuracy from all corners of the pitch keeping HRC in the hunt. As the halftime whistle blew, Rotterdam clung to a slender 17-16 lead, the scoreboard reflecting a contest as tight as the tension in the stands.

The second half was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, each side trading blows like heavyweight boxers. Rotterdam’s physicality met HRC’s resilience, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. The crowd, a sea of green and blue, roared with every tackle, every scrum, every darting run. As the clock ticked into the final 20 minutes, the score stood at a nail-biting 31-30 to Rotterdam. Will Maddocks, Rotterdam’s cool-headed fly-half, stepped up to slot a crucial penalty, nudging his side ahead 34-30 with just 10 minutes remaining. The NRCA held its breath.

But HRC, with the grit of a side that knows the weight of finals, summoned a moment of magic. David Weersma, their talismanic center, sliced through Rotterdam’s defense, powering over the line for a try that sent the HRC fans into delirium. Dolman, nerves of steel, nailed the conversion from out wide, flipping the score to 37-34. The clock showed just three minutes to go. Rotterdam, unbeaten all season, threw everything at HRC. They earned a penalty and, with the score tantalizingly close, gambled on a lineout instead of a kick to level the game. The crowd gasped as Rotterdam’s maul surged forward, inches from glory, only to be penalized for sealing off just 10 meters from HRC’s try line.

The final moments were pure drama. HRC, clinging to their lead, controlled the ball with the poise of champions. As the seconds drained away, they kept Rotterdam at bay, every phase a test of their resolve. With the stadium on its feet, HRC’s Weersma launched the ball into touch as the clock hit zero. The NRCA erupted. Haagsche Rugby Club, third time lucky, were crowned 2024/25 Ereklasse champions in a 37-34 epic.

For Rotterdam, the pain of falling at the final hurdle will sting, but their fearless campaign and first-ever final appearance signal a bright future. For HRC, this was redemption, a testament to their experience and unrelenting spirit. Bjorn Dolman’s kicking masterclass and David Weersma’s clutch try will be etched into HRC’s history, as will the deafening roar of a crowd that witnessed Dutch rugby at its finest. This was a final for the ages, a match where every heartbeat counted.