QUEEN CITY VS NORTHERN COLORADO FLAMINGOS MATCH REPORT 3/11/17

The day was a bit dreary; but, after 5-weeks of pre-season training the Men in Orange and Black were raring to do battle with a team in another colored jumper. The boys arrived in droves as the day was misty and wet. The field was in good shape. The temperature was cool. The rugby gods were kind, the rain stopped, and the day turned into a perfect day for a game of “footy”. The Olde Boys, BOD, and Supporters in attendance were plentiful to support and cheer on City to victory.

City kicked off defending the north in-goal. Immediate pressure was placed on the men in Pink from the North. Anxious to get their hands on the pill, City was whistled for being offside at the ruck by Referee Randy Lewis. NorCo cleared and won the ensuing lineout. Hard nose defense kept NorCo pinned inside their own half leading to a knock-on. The scrum was well-heeled by Hooker Dan Herr and the ball was spun to Flyhalf Alex Knorr. Knorr saw the seam and momentarily broke free. The ball was recycled and swung back to the awaiting tight five. The hands were good and Hooker Herr dotted down in the corner for the first points of the match. Scrumhalf Charlie Keener pushed the kick right of the sticks. City had the lead for which they would never relinquish at 5 – 0 at the 6-minute mark of the match.

Still hungry for more the Men in Orange and Black kept up the relentless pressure on NorCo. Putting several good phases together just to have their hands let them down. Referee Lewis whistle the men in Pink for a high tackle. The kick was cleared to touch. Crusader was the call. The lineout was won; but, play was slow to develop. Once again Flyhalf Knorr saw a small gap in the NorCo defense and made the break. The pill was well recycled and swung back right to forwards. The ball went through the hands and Prop Andrew “Babs” Yarbrough cross the line for the second try on the day. Once again, the conversion sailed wide right by Scrumhalf Keener; but, City had extended their lead to 10 – 0 at the 15th minute mark.

City was still on the boil. A couple of silly penalties and mishandling of the ball kept the men in Pink in the hunt. A scrum was ordered for a knock-on by City. The forwards applied good pressure at scrum time affording NorCo bad ball. Flanker Gabe Buzinski alertly “jackaled” the pill at the ensuing ruck. Flyhalf Knorr stepped through the hole but was caught. The rock was recycled and went to hands. The backs found theirs and the ball was spun out to Winger James Jimenez. Mr. Jimenez took it to the house, dotted down for his very first try for City, and the third score on the day. The conversion once again sailed wide right of its mark for a score line of 15 – 0 at the 28th minute mark.

Now the Flamingos found their wings. A dump tackle infringement was levied against City by Referee Lewis. The ball was cleared deep into City’s territory. Good defense by City kept NorCo at bay until one of their forwards found a small seam and barely dotted down for the try. The conversion was good to cut City’s lead to 15 – 7 at the 28th minute. The men in Pink came storming right back to once again drive deep into the Men in Orange and Black territory. NorCo found pay dirt after several sorties at the City line. The conversion was missed to bring the score to 15 – 12 at the 31st minute mark of the match. The rest of the half was spent defending our line. Good hard defensive pressure kept the men in Pink at bay. Half time score 15 – 12 in favor of City.

For the next 20 minutes in the second half, the contest was a bit of a penalty laden slugfest. Neither side could get anything established. At the 54th minute, replacement Winger Levi Dufford was on the receiving end of a yellow card for a no-wrap tackle. City’s strong defense in our own 22m kept NorCo at bay and it appeared to wear the men in Pink down. Finally, Captain Joe Kuka rallied the troops and for the remainder of the second half City stayed the course. Finally, the forwards became ruthless and started to win phase after phase of recycle ball. The pill was spun wide to Outside Center moved to Winger Alex Vivier. Alex powered his way over the line to obtain the bonus point try. The conversion sailed wide right and City extended their lead to 20 – 12 at the 65th minute mark.

Back on the boil, the Men in Orange and Black forwards went back to work. Once again winning good recycle ball putting the Flamingos on their heels. The ball was spun to Winger Dufford who made at huge break down the west touchline. Finally, caught; but, had the wherefore all to keep the ball alive. The hard charging forwards sniffing paydirt relentless struck at the line. Flanker Hayden Kinnear executing a pick-and-go powered his way over the line to dot down for the fifth and final try. The conversion sailed wide right. The lead extended to 25 – 12 at the 75th minute mark. The remainder of the match was played between the 22s. Referee Lewis blew the final whistle and City had the victory 25 – 12.

Congratulations on the win, City. Well deserved! Congratulations to Northern Colorado Flamingos for a hard-fought match. Thank you to all the Olde Boys and supporters who turned out to cheer on the Men in Orange and Black. Congratulations to Captain Joe Kuka for his first victory as skipper. The beer and food was plentiful at Dr. Proctor’s. Back Player of the Match went to James Jimenez; the Forward Player of the Match went to Hayden Kinnear; and the Man of the Match went to Steve “Frosty” Morrison. Good: the continuity and basic rugby skills were great especially since we have not played together for a few months. The forwards were ruthless; job well done. Tackling was superb. Not so good: our ball handling for the most part let us down; too many dropped passes. Trying to play with the ball inside of our own 22m; remember the game plan is to exit. Us waiting on defense in the middle part of the match was frustrating.

Now, it is onto Glendale next Saturday. Good attendance and hard training sessions are required this week to come out victorious.

Coach
Charlie Haupt, Coach