Queen City Rams 70 – Northside Marauders 18

On a glorious afternoon at Glendale’s Infinity Park, the Queen City Rams hosted the Northside Marauders in the Rams final tune up match for nationals. Northside will be joining the division competition next fall and this was the third time we have met them on the pitch.

The orange and black received the opening kickoff and were ready to go to work. However, early jitters and handling errors kept the boys moving backwards. The forwards for their part kept stealing the ball back but crucial handling errors were giving the visitors the ball back. City was finally punished for our indiscretions as the Marauders raided our line in the 7’. This was after a clearing kick did not find touch, however Ty Johnson was quick enough to get to the ball. Unfortunately, he was turned in the tackle and whistled for not releasing. The ensuing penalty kick went wide and Rookie Matt Williams caught the ball on the full and touched it down for a 22-meter drop out. However, the referee dubiously deemed that Matt had taken a step outside the try zone before touching down and awarded a 5-meter attacking scrum to the Marauders. On the set piece the Marauders went week and bundled over for the try 0-5 after 7’. City would respond with some good forward pressure as the forwards were asserting their dominance in all phases of play. Unfortunately, during the push for the tying score scrumhalf John Bogdanoff pulled his hamstring. Jack Cregan came in for John and was able to adjust to the game flow nicely. The boys were able to put together some really nice phases with the forwards putting in good runs from Chris Gustafson, Luke Porter and Bryan Gustafson. Eventually the ball went out to the backs who had spread the field. The ball found Ty and he turned the corner and was gone. Unfortunately the extras from Hayden went wide, but City had drawn level (5-5 T. Johnson 15’). The orange and black were ready to stamp their authority on this match. From the kickoff, they moved back down the field from a penalty kick to touch. Off the lineout Dan Herr had a great run, then Scott Izat took a nice line. The ball was recycled well and Chris Gustafson took the ball at pace and broke through for a well worked try. Hayden’s second attempt was denied by the right post (10-5 C. Gustafson 20’).

This next try was one of the best of the season, mostly for shock value and comedic value. Big Nick Lubeck stole a lineout and the boys were playing advantage. A couple of hits by the forwards saw them break the gain line. Then Ryan Orlowski took the ball and a defender for a 10-meter jaunt. Finally shedding the would be tackler with a ridiculous “ball punch” fend off, Ryan was in the clear and looking for someone to offload. I think everyone was in shock though as they were all watching Ryan rumbling towards the try line. About 20-meters from the line Ryan ducked his head, did his best Ty impression, and made for pay dirt. Ryan went over for the try. Hayden was close with the extras but it just would go for him (15-5 23’).

Off the kickoff the boys were rucking well but Northside were giving the boys fits at the breakdown. After a few phases of play the referee awarded a penalty to Northside for hands in the ruck by the orange and black. The penalty was converted and the score was 15-8 after 28’.

Off the kickoff the boys were once again moving forward. Bryan Gustafson made a nice burst through a hole after some great phase play and was able to dot down in the 31’. This time Hayden was true with his kick extending the lead to 22-8.

In the 37’ a Northside player was adjudged to be playing outside the rule book and was given his marching papers to the sin bin. This should have given City more impetus to go forward. However, for some reason the boys let their foot off the gas. Northside had a lineout that they won well and were able to cycle back and crash over the line for an unconverted try.

Halftime Queen City 22 – Northside 13

The second half saw the boys come out a little flat. Northside still had a man in the bin and were trying to kill off the yellow card. The opposition saw an opportunity to chip over the defense. The winger was able to gather the kick and was able to out run the defense for another unconverted try drawing the score closer at 22-18 in the 44’.

The boys had gotten a talking to at halftime by the coaches and this second try seemed to light the fire under the boys as they went on to score 48 unanswered points. Off the ensuing kickoff Chris Gustafson stole ball and scampered in for a try which was converted by Hayden (29-18 C.Gustafson, Kinnear 46’). The boys didn’t waste any time taking the next kickoff down the field working the game plan to precision, and then something you definitely don’t see every match, Hayden offloaded to Ryan Orlowski who was in the back line!! Ryan went over for his second try of the day in the 50’, which was unconverted (34-18 R.Orlowski 50’). Once again, off the ensuing kickoff the boys took to the game plan and worked the ball into the Marauders territory. This time they earned a penalty, which was kick to touch for a lineout. The lineout was well executed by the forwards and the ball was spun to the backs. A great line was taken by Scott who put Hayden into space and he touched down under the posts. Hayden was true with the extras extending the lead in the 55’ to 41-18.

The next run of play was back and forth between the two sides. Then the ultimate forward support try unfolded. Dan Herr made the first break and found Bryan Gustafson who was making line breaks all day. He off loaded to Ian Jacobs who stepped back inside and found Justin Shannonhouse in support. Shannanhouse actually threw a dummy pass to befuddle the last defender. Who even knew that Shannonhouse knew what a dummy pass was let alone possessed one in his repertoire? Any way great support by the orange and black forwards to score that unconverted try in the 64’ (46-18 J.Shannonhouse).

The next try was once again a result of the forwards domination in the scrums. The forwards stole the scrum and the box kick was on for Ty from scrumhalf Jack. Unfortunately, the kick went to the fullback. I Think I actually heard Chris Gustafson say “oh why”. However, Ty was there for the tackle and so was Justin Shannonhouse. The orange and black stole the ball from the ruck and guess who was put through for a 40-meter try…Chris Gustafson was in support and scored the try. Hayden was true with the extras extending the City lead to 53-18 in the 70’.

The boys kept going forward and working on the game plan as Queen City prepares for nationals. From the ensuing kickoff the boys once again were able to work the ball into Northside territory with great phase play. The boys were awarded a penalty which was quick tapped by Dan Herr. He let the ball out to Scott who took advantage of the overload and found Bryan Gustafson. Bryan unselfishly gave up a would be try and passed it out to the wing for Ty to dot down his second of the day. Hayden’s kick was pushed just wide by the wind taking the score to 58-18 in the 74’.

At this point City was running at will. From the ensuing kickoff, the orange and black once again went to work with the game plan in mind. The boys were doing the little things right in the second half. The boys ran great phase play and recycle the ball out. Eventually the ball came out to the backs and found Hayden taking a great line to score under the posts. Hayden converted taking the score to 65-18 in the 78’.

Nick Lubeck stated on the field that there was time for one more. This wasn’t a cocky statement, this was a statement about the match not being over and that we play til the final whistle. Nick was imploring the orange and black to continue to fight on the day. Well Chris Gustafson heard the message loud and clear. Chris made another huge break, however, didn’t quite have the wheels to take it to the house. He did make it to the 5-meter line though after an impressive stiff arm. Support made it to secure the ball. After a few attempts at bashing over from pod runners close. The boys heard the calls of the over load from the left side of the pitch. Big Charles Lubeck was playing standoff and expertly delivered a skip pass to Chris Ng who shipped the ball to Juan Ureta on the wing who dotted down the final try of the match. The extras went wide taking the final score to 70-18.

On the day, the boys did many positives. Defense once again overall was decent. We took ourselves out of the match for about a 5 to 10 minute spell, which we cannot do when we get to nationals. Our fitness seems to be rounding into form and we must continue to work on it over the next two weeks. Work on it on your own as well. When we ran our game plan, we dictated the flow and pace of the match.

On the day overall some really good performances were put in. Some guys names you didn’t see in the match report actually had great games and were doing the work to set free the try scorers. Matt Williams played his first full A-side match at inside center. Great defense and good runs all day long. Ty Johnson ended his long sabbatical and returned to the club still with pace to spare and unafraid to put his nose in and do the dirty work. Charles Lubeck returned with a big match, great to see one of my old college mates getting a run in and having fun destroying scrums. Ian Jacobs was solid all over the field as usual with support, tackling and positioning. Jack Cregan played his first match with the club and asserted himself well at scrumhalf.

Man of the Match honors went to Adam Kuhl. Adam was doing all the little things that are asked of a flanker. Oh and it was his first start on the A-side. He was at all the breakdowns, was securing ball, making tackles. Adam was doing the things necessary to put the team in position to win the match. Adam’s playing epitomized one of our motto’s “Team First Self Last”. Great work on the day Mr. Man of the Match.

NEXT UP: NATIONALS ROUND OF 32

Queen City will be playing the Wichita Barbarians on May 3rd at Infinity Park time TBD. Queen City in our first year as a division 3 club have won our league with an impressive 6-0 league record with an incredible 317 points for and only 15 points against. Queen City also played an impressive non-league schedule against teams consisting of Olympic Club, Denver Barbarians, Boulder Rugby and Denver Pioneers.

Please come out and support the Orange and Black in your Orange and Black as we are officially one of the top 32 teams in the country and look to bring home a national championship. The club will play on May 3rd and 4th at Glendale’s Infinity Park time TBD.

Queen City RFC - Denver

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