Ascent Rugby Series | Festival #01 | The Dukes vs Vanguard

Vanguard secured a dominant 45-17 away victory against Rugby The Dukes at the Sportanlage Feldgerichtstraße in Frankfurt during the länderübergreifend Ascent Rugby Series on August 22, 2026. Despite an early lead from The Dukes, Vanguard capitalised on a first-half yellow card to take control of the match. The Dukes opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a try from Mike Sens, but a yellow card to Bram de Voss for a high tackle on Brynjarr Kott shifted momentum. Vanguard quickly capitalised through a Younes Zahag try, converted by Jan Piosik, and another score by Cilian Moughty to lead 12-5. Although Bryce McKinnon pulled one back for the Dukes before halftime to make it 10-12, Vanguard dominated after the break. Nils Kanngießer scored two quick tries early in the second half, followed by scores from Nikias von der Lohe and Tobias Bauer, stretching the lead to 38-10. A late 80-meter intercept try by Tim Van Den Berg was converted by Thijmen Arts for the Dukes, but Nick Hill sealed the 45-17 win for Vanguard with a final try converted by Moughty.