Queen City vs Glendale - Rocky Mountain Championship Match Report 5.2.15

CHAMPIONS!!!! City has completed part 1 of our four part journey. We disposed of our biggest rivals to move on to the Frontier Competitive Region (CR) playoffs, Part 2. It is now onto Wichita Kansas in a fortnight. The day was gorgeous and fans were out in numbers to support the club on this beautiful May day. The men in Orange and Black were relaxed and ready to do battle.

City kicked off and their defense was immediately put to the test. Glendale prodded and probed to no avail. City's stalwart defense held its ground, bend but not break. Finally, the men in Blue and White kicked the ball away and City was ready to attack. A well placed kick by Flyhalf Scott Trench put City into Glendale's territory. A mishandled ball by Glendale gave City a 22m scrum. Referee Jen Gray imposed a penalty kick against the men in Blue and White for a scrum infraction. Flyhalf Trench was true with his kick and the men in Orange and Black had a 3 - 0 lead at the 9-minute mark of the match. Keeping the pressure on, City kept Glendale deep in their own territory. A line movement saw Referee Gray call Glendale for obstruction. Once again Flyhalf Trench split the uprights to see City extend their lead to 6 - 0 at the 17th minute point of the match. City was hungry for more. Sustaining pressure on the men in Blue and White with hard defense and probing kicks kept Glendale deep into their own territory. A misplayed ball by Glendale gave City a scrum inside the 22m. "Gorilla" was the call. Captain and No. 8 Dan Herr fed Scrumhalf Jack Cregan who passed to a streaking Winger Hayden Kinnear. Hayden not to be denied; stepped and powered his way to pay dirt to dot down for the 5-pointer. The conversion sailed wide to make the score 11 - 0 at the 21st minute mark. Finally, Glendale was able to break City's stalwart defense; but, a great goal line defense was in order before the men in Blue and White was able to cross the line. The conversion was missed and Glendale had their last points on the day as the score line went to 11 - 5 at the 30th minute of the match. City kept coming forward, good recycling of the ball with hard charging by both the backs and forwards finally saw Glendale called for a ruck infringement. Flyhalf Trench notched his third penalty kick for a 14 - 5 lead at the 36th minute where the score stayed for the remainder of the half.

The second half was pretty much a punch and counterpunch affair. Glendale was applying the pressure to City defense. At the 56th minute mark, a scuffle broke out near the City tryline. Referee Gray conferred with her Assistant Referee who recommended a yellow card be issued to each of the teams players. Prop Eric Gustafson protecting his Scrumhalf Jack Cregan saw the yellow flashed his way. Each team was now down a man. This was not going to deter the men in Orange and Black who were thirsty for more points. A scrum was called mid-field, City with the fed. "Whiskey" was beautifully executed to put Winger Hayden Kinnear over for his second try on the day. Flyhalf Scott Trench split the uprights from a very tough angle to extend the men in Orange and Black lead to 21 - 5 at the 62nd minute mark of the match. City kept coming and the men in Blue and White were on their heels. Relentless attack at the Glendale line with some very good recycling. The attacking pressure brought the Glendale defense in tight. A quick recycle ball brought an "ocean" onto the scene. The ball was quickly spun wide to a hard charger Prop Chris Gustafson who powered his way over the line to dot down for an enthusiastic 5-pointer. The conversion just missed at the 74th minute to extend the City lead 26 - 5 with mere moments left in this Championship match. Coach Haupt cleared the bench at this point; but City was not done. Driving deep into Glendale's territory saw Scrumhalf Charlie Keener spot an opening to the weak side; feeding Flyhalf Scott Trench who crossed over to put an exclamation mark on the affair. Trench split the uprights for the conversion to put the final points on the board at the 78th minute mark of the match. Referee Gray blew the final whistle and City had the victory and the Rocky Mountain GU Division 3 Championship wrapped up.

A great Team victory. The forwards and backs were working well together; the best I have seen all season. The defense was once again stingy and had Glendale frustrated as they could not sustain any type of attack. The ball handling, the offloads, and the tackling was superb. It is now onto Wichita to vie for the Frontier CR championship. The victory party at Dish and Vickers house was raging for good reason. Time to celebrate; but, the ultimate goal has not been reached. Back to work on Tuesday as we prepare for the next step in our trek.

Coach