Queen City vs Harlequins D3 Match Report 9/26/15

Queen City vs Denver Harlequins 9.25.15 - Match Report

A brilliant beautiful fall day was in store for an epic battle between two long-time rivals in the Rocky Mountain Union. The boys were raring to go to establish and maintain our strangle hold on the D3 league not to mention to hold onto the “Cougar” Trophy. The support on the sidelines was great as several Queen City Olde Boys and fans were on hand to witness the battle. Thanks to all that were there. The day was sunny and warm.
City lost the toss; therefore they kicked off North to South to start the contest. Winger Dorian Bunn using his speed immediately applied the pressure tackling the Quin runner deep in their territory. However, the men in Red and Blue were able to clear. The first several minutes saw a defensive standstill. A scrum was ordered with City rolling in the ball deep in City territory. No. 8 Anthony Rodgers executed a pick and go and recycled the ball. The ball was passed to Flyhalf Scott Trench who place a deep clearance kick. The Quins counterattack with an ill-advise move. Outside Center Scott Dishner applied the defensive pressure and made the tackle on an isolated Quin runner. Trench jackaled the ball and passed it to Dishner in support. Dish was able to out run the cover defense to take the pill to the house. Mr. Trench added the extras to give City the lead at 7 – 0 at the 7-minute mark of the first half. City continue the offensive and defensive pressure until Referee Rey Hernandez spotted a ruck infringement against the visitors. A penalty play was set-up. The ball was recycled and spun in an “ocean” movement. The ball went to hands where Fullback Alex Knorr turned the corner to dot down beneath the post. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights for the extras and the men in Orange and Black extended their lead to 14 – 0 at the 13th minute mark. Through defensive pressure, the Quins placed the ball into touch. City lost the ensuing lineout; however, the Quins misplayed the ball due to good defensive pressure from the men in Orange and Black. City was able to obtain the turnover ball. Outside Center spotted a gap in the Quins defensive line, execute a pick and go, cross the line for his second 5-pointer on the day. The conversion sailed wide; but, City extended their lead to 19 – 0 at the 18-minute mark of the match. City kept up the attack; probing and prodding at the Quins line; but, the Quins were holding. The men in Orange and Black were enjoying the majority of the territorial and possession stats. Several mishandling passes and not recognizing the overloads kept City off the board. On one of the few possessions for the Quins deep in their territory, City was able to jackal the ball. The pill was spun wide left to a streaking Fullback Alex Knorr who dotted down for his second 5-pointer on the day. Flyhalf Trench added the extras to give City a commanding 26 – 0 lead at the 30-minute mark of the match. The next several minutes belong to the Harlequins. Prop Joe Kuka received a yellow card at minute 37 for what was deemed a repeated high tackle by Referee Hernandez. The Quins went on the front foot to put pressure at the City line. Stout defense by the men in Orange and Black kept the Quins at bay. The Quins spun the ball wide where a ruck ensued. The flag was thrown up for touch and a Quin leaped over the ruck to dot down in the corner. Referee Hernandez missed the flag and awarded the unconverted try. At the halftime whistle the Quins sliced into City’s lead 26 – 5.
City was bound and determined not to let the Quins back into this match. The opening kick-off of the second half was muffed by the City forwards; however, the forwards redeemed themselves to poach the ball right back. The ball went to hands, spun wide, and several loops and passes later; Flyhalf Scott Trench took the pill to the house. He converted his own try to extend the City lead to 33 – 5 at the 41st minute. Executing the game plan on the kick-off, Trench place a deep exit kick to put the Quins back under pressure. An ensuing scrum saw a “gorilla” call put into play. The ball came out awkwardly and Winger Ryan Clemons placed the ball on the toe. The Quins misplayed the ball; but, was able to get the clearing kick away. City counterattack with great support from all over the field. The ball ended up in Scrumhalf Jack Cregan hands where he streaked across the chalk for the 5-pointer. The conversion was off its mark and the men in Orange and Black extended their lead to 38 – 5 at the 46th minute. The Harlequins was finally able to generate some offensive prowess to place City on the back foot to score a converted try to cut into the City lead 38 – 12 at the 53rd minute. On the ensuing kick-off, the Quins placed a clearing kick that did not find touch. City countered by placing the ball even deeper into the Quins territory. Putting good pressure on the Quins, they were whistled by Referee Hernandez for holding on. Flyhalf Scott Trench split the uprights for their indiscretion to extend the lead to 41 – 12 at the 55th minute. Once again the men in Orange and Black maintained the territorial and possession advantage over their league rivals and mishandling kept City off the scoreboard until the 68th minute. A Harlequin lineout was stolen by the City forwards. The ball was spun wide and went to hands. The ball went from Flyhalf Trench, dummy runner, to Outside Center Scott Dishner who drew the last first line defender to feed Winger Ryan Clemons. Ryan put the ball to toe and outraced the cover defense to re-gather the ball for the dot down. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights to place the scoring line at 48 – 12. The last try on the day was a thing of beauty. The play consisted of offloads, fends, great support play, and several players touching the ball. The end of the play included No. 8 Anthony Rodgers offloading to Hooker/Captain Dan Herr who fended and offloaded to a streaking Flyhalf Trench who took the ball to the house. The conversion was missed but City had a very well earned victory at 53 – 12.
The third half which was supposed to be a match for the second squad ended up being a “shit” show. The Quins did not have enough players that wanted to play; so, the match ended up being two 10-minute halves of 10s. The “man-of-the-match” for this match was Scrumhalf Francisco Romero. He scored two tries on hustle and determination. The first, was on a penalty kick by the Quins that they tried to pop over the City defense. Cisco being in the right place at the right time gathered the ball, counterattacked, kicked ahead, and received a great bounce to streak home for the five-pointer. Cisco converted his own try. The second try was mere hustle on Cisco part. He kicked ahead and just out-ran the Quins to score his second try and he also converted his own try on this occasion. Unfortunately, the Quins outscored City in this rugby match where the final scoring was 14 – 24.
A great win to start out the 2015-2016 D3 league play and the start of its defense of the League Championship. Hayden Kinnear earned his “Scrummie” Man-of-the-Match from his wing forward position and Alex Knorr nailed down the “Back” Man-of-the-Match. As previously mentioned Francisco “Cisco” Romero was the Man-of-the-Match for the Second Squad. City enjoyed a wealth of possession and territory and the defensive was stout. The defensive patterns are still a work in progress; but, the men in Orange and Black made great strides in this match. The need to fine tune the offensive pattern from set pieces was obvious; but, that will come with time. Great job!! Let’s continue to grow as a team and put a major stamp on the D3 League.