Queen City - Colorado Springs - Barbos Round Robin

Queen City – Colorado Springs – Barbos Match Report 3/15/14

On a cold and windy afternoon at Infinity Park the Queen City Rams hosted the Colorado Springs Grizzlies and Denver Barbarians in round robin day of rugby. The Grizzlies are looking to rebuild and the Barbos White team is the developmental squad for the Pacific Rugby Premiership team.

Queen City and Colorado Springs played a spirited three quarter friendly. The Grizzlies are essentially playing their D2 side as they rebuild, so we knew this would be a step up for us. From the opening kickoff for the first fifteen minutes the orange and black were working the ball and keeping possession well in the Springs half. Finally with some momentum off a scrum the boys surged towards the line, however some valiant defending by the Springs repelled the attack. The Grizzlies then found their feet in the match and made inroads into the Rams territory. Sustained pressure resulted in a penalty which was taken quickly and able to split the defense for the first try of the match in the 22' (5-0 Grizzlies).

That was the end of the first quarter of play.

The start of the second quarter saw the teams trading possession and territory on the field. Colorado Springs had the wind at their back and was able to pin City deep in our territory. Some great and brave defending by the boys saved what surely looked like at least two tries from the Springs, notably here was Gabe Buzinski with one try saving tackle. The defense was up to the task and weathered the storm. Eventually the boys were able to push the Springs out to the 22 meter line then created a turnover with help from big Eric Gustafson. The ball found its way to the hands of Hayden Kinnear (aka TWCI) who was able to race 60 meters and touch down under the posts. The extras were taken by Charlie Keener (30' 5-7 Queen City). The boys were feeling more confident with runs from the forwards and the backs. However, maybe feeling a little too ambitious we kicked over and were made to pay. The Grizzlies made a great return of the kick and evaded several would be Rams tacklers and were able to score their second try and retake the lead in the 35' (10-7 Grizzlies). The boys kept the heads up and were able to play mostly in the Springs half of the pitch. This resulted in a penalty which Keener sent through to tie up the match at the end of the 2 quarter of play 42' (10-10).

The third quarter saw Queen City start to put our impetus on the match. With the wind at our back we kept the ball in the Springs half. This resulted in a penalty which was sent to touch for a five meter lineout. The forwards won the lineout and started to roll a maul towards the line. However, the Grizzlies got a good shove and moved the maul towards touch. The ball came to the back and out to fly-half Alex Knorr who made one dummy and was through a gap to touch down just right of the posts in the 59', Keener with the extras and City with some momentum (10-17 Rams). Following more sustained pressure, City forced the Springs into a penalty which Keener dutifully placed over extending the lead in the 64' (10-20 Rams). The boys were doing well and trying to see the match off, when Springs made another break for the finally try of the match and final score 15-20 in favor Queen City.

After Springs played the Barbos for a half, Queen City got their shot at the Barbos. The boys came out a little stiff after waiting for their turn to take the pitch. The Barbos came out on the front foot and were able to peg the orange and black back. After sustaining the initial wave the boys started to find themselves. However, one quick break by the Barbos and they were over in the 5' (7-0 Barbos). The boys realized they needed to be ready for the quick phase ball and were able react better to the Barbos attacks. The defense tightened up and match was being played in the middle of the park. City created a turnover and had some promising runs, however, the Barbos created a turnover at the tackle and quickly got the ball to the wing that evaded some tacklers and extended the Barbos lead to 12-0 in the 9'. The boys came out and responded well. The boys were able to work the ball down inside the Barbos 22 on three different occasions. Alas, the orange and black couldn't find the right key to open the Barbos defense on the day. Heads up by the boys who definitely and literally traded punches with a quality side. The half ended 12-0 in favor of the Barbos. The boys did well with the circumstances of the day and playing quality opposition in the Grizzlies and Barbos.