Queen City vs Olympic Club B 3.14.15 - Match Report

It was a bright sunny day at Infinity Park South as the men from Queen City were set to do battle against the second squad of the Olympic Club from San Francisco. The snow has finally melted away and the men in Orange and Black were raring to go. The Olympic Club were big and fit; so, we knew we would have to play our best to come away victorious.

City kicked off to the men in Red. The O Club took the opening kick-off and drove at City with vengeance; however, City was up to the task and slowed down their charge; but, to disastrous consequences as Second Row Forward Adam Kuhl was lost to a shoulder injury within the first two minutes of the match. The O Club put up a nice box kick which was misplayed by City. The resulting sequence of play saw Referee John Kenny call City for a ruck infringement. The O Club kicker was true with his kick and the men in Red took a 0 - 3 lead at the 2 minute mark of the match. The men in Red continue their attack on the City line; but, stout defense and hard tackling kept the O Club off the board. However, with some nifty offloads the men Red were able to breech the City defense to dot down for a try at the 15 minute mark but the conversion sailed wide to extend the O Club lead to 0 - 8. The remainder of the half was a punch, counterpunch affair as City was able to win some ball and precede with attacks of their own. Stout up in your face defense keep City at bay until Referee Kenny call the men in Red for an offside for which Scrumhalf Charlie Keener converted for City's first points at the 31st minute mark to reduce the O Club lead to 3 - 8. The O Club came right back to steal a scrum feed for which their No. 8 fed the Scrumhalf to offload to the Flyhalf who dotted down to the right of posts at the 34th minute mark. The conversion once again sailed wide to give the visiting men in Red a 3 - 13 lead into half time.

The second half kick-off was handled cleanly by City. Couple good phases saw the men in Orange and Black on the front foot. However, the men in Red were able to turn over the pill. City was again called for a ruck infringement that O Club converted into points. The penalty kick extended the men in Red lead to 3 - 16 at the 43rd minute mark. After some stout defense, City was able to go on the attack after a good jackal. The O Club was called for a ruck infringement for which City kicked for touch. The men in Red was called for pulling down the jumper in the ensuing lineout. Once again City kicked for touch. Once again O Club was called for a lineout infringement. Hooker Luke Porter took the quick tap and drove for the line. The Orange and Black forwards were not going to be denied. Hard drives at the line finally resulted in a try as Hooker Porter powered his way over the line. Scrumhalf Keener added the extras to cut into the O Club lead 10 - 16 at the 49th minute mark. The men in Orange and Black went right back on attack. Tactical kicking from Scrumhalf Keener and Flyhalf Alex Knorr put the O Club under some heavy pressure. A relieving kick did not find touch and City went on a counterattack. The ball was swung wide where Winger Ryan Clemons found space, drew the last defender, and put Outside Center Scott Dishner away to cross the line for a picture perfect try. Scrumhalf Keener split the uprights from a tough angle to give City a 17 - 16 lead at the 53rd minute mark. However, the lead was short lived as the visiting club showed why they are a second squad of a PRP club. They were able to score tries at the 59th, 68th minute, and 74th minute marks. The last two tries were converted to give the men in Red a 17 - 35 lead. City was not done and they were bound and determine to end on a high note. Some quick recycled ball produced some good ball for the backs where Outside Center Scott Dishner crashed his way over the try line for his second try on the day. The conversion was missed as the final whistle went by Referee John Keeney for a final score of 22 - 35 for a well deserved victory by the visiting men for the Olympic Club.

The boys played with lots of heart as we were undersized across the board compared to the Olympic Club. The O Club played 4 PRP players in the first half and then pulled them at halftime; so, overall I was pleased with our efforts. The coaching staff of the O Club provided us some feedback as to our play.

QC pack came in too fast from too far away and didn’t get “set” before engagement. Our backs not “pinning” their opponent before passing the ball, allowing the defense to slide out easily because they never had to commit. O Club said we didn’t get the ball to our wings nearly enough because when we did our wings were very fast; but, underutilized. Backs: they said we were fast, came up well in defense, and we were the toughest back line they had played this season. Pack: they thought our pack played well and pushed them back several times which “hasn’t happened before in this season.”

Next up Northern Colorado Flamingos, 3/21/15 - Jacobs Park, 1pm.