SCM Timisoara vs Steaua Bucuresti

The match began at a ferocious pace. Steaua's Georgian forward Davit Abashidze crashed over for the opening try inside the first minutes, converted by Alex Mureșan (0-7). Timișoara responded immediately through Jgernaia and Ngoni, both converted by Rupanu, to lead 14-7.

Steaua regained control before half-time. Mureșan landed a penalty, then Sibabalwe carved through the defence to send Nedelcu over, Mureșan converting for 14-17. Another Mureșan penalty stretched the lead to 14-20. But Timișoara struck back on the stroke of half-time when fullback Marius Simionescu produced a pinpoint cross-kick for Shennan to touch down, Rupanu converting to make it 21-20 at the break.

Simionescu opened the second half with the individual highlight of the game — a 70-metre solo run that produced Timișoara's fourth try. Rupanu's conversion made it 28-20.

Steaua refused to fold. A driving maul try narrowed the gap, then former Timișoara player Corrado Ștețco finished in the corner to put the visitors 28-32 ahead. Timișoara hit back with a penalty try after sustained forward pressure orchestrated by Vasilovici, levelling at 35-35. A Steaua penalty then squared the scores once more.

With the clock in the red and the scores tied at 35-35, Timișoara laid siege inside the Steaua 22. After multiple forward carries, Apțiauri — the Georgian No 8 — burst through a ruck to plant the ball down. Tudor Boldor held his nerve to convert, securing the 42-35 lead that proved final.

Marius Simionescu (Timișoara) — Named Player of the Match. The fullback scored a sensational 70-metre solo try and created another with a cross-field kick before half-time. His running from deep was Timișoara's primary attacking weapon.

Alex Mureșan (Steaua) — The Steaua fly-half contributed 15 points through conversions and penalties, managing the game superbly from No 10 and keeping his side in contention throughout.

Nikoloz Apțiauri (Timișoara) — The Georgian forward's 79th-minute try decided the contest. He was a constant presence in Timișoara's heavy-carry game in the final quarter.

Corrado Ștețco (Steaua) — The former Timișoara wing scored one try and was a threat on the edge all afternoon.

The 42-35 scoreline reflects a match with no defensive quarter: both sides scored heavily and often. Timișoara's ability to score from long range (Simionescu's 70m run, Shennan's finish off a cross-kick) contrasts with Steaua's structured tries from mauls and close-range forward carries. The decisive sequence in the final five minutes saw Timișoara camped in the Steaua 22 for multiple phases — a territory battle they ultimately won.

Timișoara's win moves them to 41 points from 10 matches, one clear of Dinamo (40 points, 10 games) with two regular-season rounds to play. Steaua remain fourth on 28 points from 11 games, five ahead of Rapid (20 points from 8) but needing wins to secure a semi-final berth.

This was Timișoara's first home fixture in three months (last home outing: 22 May vs Baia Mare) and their second consecutive comeback victory, following last week's stunning 25-22 win at Dinamo after trailing 22-0. They next face Rapid away, while Steaua host Baia Mare.

A breathless SuperLiga classic that delivered everything — long-range tries, forward dominance, and a finish decided in the 79th minute. Timișoara's resilience, forged in last week's escape at Dinamo, carried them through again. Steaua will rue the penalties and set-piece lapses that let a gutsy performance go unrewarded.

Player of the Match: Marius Simionescu (SCM USV Timișoara)

SCM Timișoara 42-35 Steaua București Stadionul Gheorghe Rășcanu, Timișoara SuperLiga (Liga de Rugby Kaufland) — Round 12 Attendance: Not published at time of writing