Queen City vs Northern Colorado Flamingos 3/21/15 - Match Report

Beautiful spring day for a game of footie. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, the temperature was just right, and the City boys were ready and able to play. Unfortunately, Infinity was booked for the day; so, we had to play on Jacobs Park. The grass was ok; but, the DPR lined the field and they made it quite narrow. We had to adjust our game plan accordingly. The field was a bit rough; but, the men in Orange and Black were determined not to let that deter from the task at hand of going out in the first league match of the season and setting the stage as to who is the best in the league.

City took the opening kickoff cleanly. After a few phases, NorCO was able to counter-ruck to procure the ball. The Flamingos went on the attack. City was able to withstand the pressure and eventually was able to poach back the ball. Flyhalf Scott Trench put up a perfect “Gary Owens” for which Winger Ryan Clemons was able to track down first. The NorCO fullback hit Ryan while he was in the air and Flyhalf Trench converted the penalty into points for a 3 – 0 City lead at the 8-minute mark of the match. Once again the men in Orange and Black went back on the attack; but, once again the Flamingos were able to counter-ruck to regain possession of the ball to launch an attack at the City line. However, the Flamingos were penalized for holding on and Flyhalf Trench made them pay as he split the uprights for a 6 – 0 City lead at the 12-minute mark. Once again City forwards was able to handle the kickoff and a deep pass to Flyhalf Trench saw him launch a very long ball down the field into touch. The Flamingos were called for not throwing into the lineout straight. On the pursuing scrum, heeled nicely by Hooker Luke Porter, saw No. 8 Dan Herr break to the strong side to go untouched into the try zone for the dot down. The conversion was slightly wide to make the City lead 11 – 0 at the 15th minute mark of the match. A mishandle by the men in Orange and Black gave the Flamingos an opportunity deep in City’s territory; however, NorCO was penalized by Referee Greg Wolf for a side entry infringement. Flyhalf Trench once again launch a rocket deep into NorCOs territory. The ball was mishandled into touch after a serious challenge from the Orange and Black backs. A driving maul off the pursuing lineout saw Flanker Loren Baker cross over for the five pointer. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights from a tough angle to place the score at 18 – 0 at the 20th minute mark. City was hungry for more. A kicking affair ensued for which Flyhalf Trench took the counterattack upon himself, bobbed and weaved his way to pay dirt and he added the extras to extend the City lead to 25 – 0 at the 22nd minute mark. The next few minutes saw the two teams punch and counterpunch until a well place kick by Flyhalf Trench placed the ball deep into the Flamingos territory. NorCO mishandled the ball into touch setting up a lineout inside the City’s 22m. The lineout was mishandled for the play that was called; however Inside Center Hayden Kinnear was able to gather up the loose ball and power his way over to score the 5-pointer. Flyhalf Trench added the extras to extend the City lead to 32 – 0 at the 32nd minute mark of the first half. NorCO kicked-off deep and Flanker Loren Baker through some strong running broke into the Flamingos half of the field. A gorgeous offload to Flanker running mate Bryan Gustafson who went the rest of the way to create a bang-bang play for another score to the men in Orange and Black. Flyhalf Trench was again able to add the extras to make the score 39 – 0 at the 33rd minute mark of the first half. Half time score 39 – 0 to the men in Orange and Black.

On the opening kickoff of the second half, the Flamingos mishandled the kick and as they were trying to gather themselves they were called for not releasing in the tackle. Once again Flyhalf Trench made them pay for the infringement as he split the uprights to extend the halftime score to 42 – 0 at the 41st minute mark. For the next several minutes, City was able to recycle good clean ball and make several sorties at the Flamingo line; but, good defense on their part keep the men in Orange and Black at bay. Finally, several good hard runs by the backs saw Outside Center Scott Dishner find some open space, step through, and crossover for a well deserved try. The conversion attempt went wide; but, the City had extended their lead to 47 – 0 at the 50th minute mark. City went off the boil and the Flamingos were finally able to breech City’s line for a try to cut into the lead 47 – 5 at the 66th minute mark. Good hard running and defense pressure by Outside Center Scott Dishner produced a penalty infringement by NorCO. Hooker Luke Porter took the quick tap and the ball was spun wide to a streaking Winger Eric Baliruno. Winger Baliruno took the pill the distance to dot down under the post. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights to make the score 54 – 5 at the 73rd minute mark. The Flamingos were able to make one last run at City’s line. NorCO scored a try as time was running out on what appeared to be a knock on to everybody in the park except the man in the middle. NorCO added the conversion to make the score 54 – 12 as Referee Wolf blew the final whistle. City was off to a great start in league play.

The second squad match was much the same as the first. City dominated in the set pieces, had tremendous defense pressure, and recycled the ball really well. City took the opening kick-off and preceded to march down the field. A deep kick saw hard pressure coming from the men in Orange and Black. A lineout was awarded to the Flamingos. However, the throw was botched where Prop Chris Gustafson gathered the loose ball and powered his way over the line for the 5-pointer. The conversion sailed wide for a 5 – 0 City lead at the 3-minute mark. Again, City went on the attack. A mishandled pass gave a scrum to the Flamingos; however, a dominating City scrum turned the ball over to the men in Orange and Black. Flyhalf Mike Dellafiora saw a gap, stepped through, and crossed for another try. Again the conversion sailed wide to extend the City lead to 10 – 0 at the 8-minute mark. Good recycling of the ball by the City forwards placed the ball in the hands of Outside Center Derek Kerr for some hard running. A good offload to a looping Flyhalf Mike Dellafiora saw him cross over for his second try on the day. Again the conversion sailed wide to extend the City lead to 15 – 0 at the 15th minute mark. The half ended with the score at 15 – 0. The second half produced much the same. Sustained pressure by City produced a scrum to the Flamingos deep inside their own territory. Once again City dominated the scrum and No. 8 Chris “Diesel” Cummins took the ball weak to power his way over for the fourth try in the match for City. The conversion went astray and the City lead was now 20 – 0 at the 25th minute mark of the match. City took the pursuing kick-off placed the ball into newcomer’s Prop Larry Sisk hands where he bullied his way into the Flamingos territory. Kicking the ball a head after a recycle, saw Flamingos mishandled the ball into touch for a lineout to City near the try line. City gathered the ball and produced a good driving maul that saw Prop Chris Gustafson dot down for his second try on the day. Scrumhalf Charlie Keener was able to add the extras to extend the lead to 27 – 0 at the 32nd minute mark of the match. NorCO was finally able to breech City’s defense to score a try with no time left. The conversion was horribly missed and the final score stood at 27 – 5 as the final whistle blew.

Awesome day for Queen City RFC. The fans came out in droves. The City orange and black canopy was well displayed. The food and beer was plentiful. Three Cheers to President Angel McClarney for organized the tarp and the food. A HEAP of thanks to Ryan Orlowski for obtaining all the Sponsorship for the club and organizing all the swag and apparel. Nearly two full squads put on the Orange and Black jumpers. All the players on both squads are quality players which is going to make selections very difficult for the up and coming matches. This was the start of many League victories to show the rest of Division III who is the best.

Coach

Next up Queen City vs Harlequins D3 and Olde Boys matches, 3/28/15 1pm Infinity Park (turf side).