Queen City vs Glendale D3 Match Report

Queen City vs Glendale D3 Match Report – 3/19/16

BOOHA, it was a total smack down this past Saturday as we ventured to Infinity Park South to do battle with our rival Glendale Raptors D3 squad. The day was brisk and a blanket of snow laid upon the field. The maintenance guy at Infinity did a great job of clearing the field. By the time kickoff time rolled around the field was clear and dry. The boys were focused and ready to do battle against the men in Blue and White.

City won the toss and elected to receive traveling south to north in the first half. From the opening kickoff, the forwards meant to put a stamp on the match. Lock forward George Jacobs took the opening kickoff and set a good platform to open up the attack. Good line breaks by Flanker Hayden Kinnear and Outside Center Dorian Bunn put the men in Blue and White on their heels. The forwards running hard took the ball at pace and from depth. Glendale was penalized for not releasing the ball carrier. The ball was placed into touch. Good lineout ball saw Inside Center Scott Dishner break the line to offload to Center Bunn. The ball then saw the hands of Flyhalf Scott Trench, 2nd Rower Bryan Gustafson and eventually Captain and No. 8 Dan Herr. Dan raced to the corner to put the first points on the board. The conversion kick sailed wide; but, the men in Orange and Black had the early lead 5 - 0 at just 1 minute and 49 seconds into the match. Defense was going to be the telling sign in this match. City's applied relentless solid defense throughout the match. However, a moment lapse led to a Glendale score. After applying pressure; Glendale attempted to clear. The clearance kick did not find touch and Fullback Francisco Romero clearance kick was charged down. The ensuing kick found the center of the field. The men in Orange and Black were deemed to have hands-in-the-ruck by Referee Clayton DeKrief. Glendale cleared to touch. Glendale attempted to drive the ensuing lineout. Initial anchoring of the maul was good; but, City left gaps at the ensuing ruck and Glendale was able to cross for the 5-pointer. The conversion was missed and the game was tied at 5 - 5 at the 12-minute mark of the match. The kickoff was placed deep into Glendale's territory. The attempted clearing kick did not find touch. The men in Orange and Black went on the counterattack. Calling on hard running by the forwards, once again City put the men in Blue and White on their heels. A line break by Scrumhalf Charlie Keener drove the ball deep into Glendale's territory. Referee DeKrief penalized Glendale for hands-in. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights to push City's lead to 8 - 5 at the 15 and half minute mark of the match. Relentless defensive pressure resulted in a turnover for the first City scrum. A half break by Flyhalf Trench saw second phase ball come out to the backs where Outside Center Bunn made significant yards. Coming at pace, Lock Forward Bryan Gustafson broke free for a good gallop and offloading to Flyhalf Trench who bobbed and weaved to pay dirt. Trench added the extras to add to the scoring line and make the score 15 - 5 at the 21st minute of the match. Sustained pressure on offense and defense saw the men in Blue and White once again on their heels. A steal in the lineout by 2nd Rower George Jacobs led to a clearance kick very deep into Glendale's territory. Glendale was penalized for holding on in the tackle and the ball was placed into touch. City went into attack mode from the lineout. A good break and support saw the ball being driven towards the line. A turnover from the spilled pill saw Glendale attempt a clearing kick. Winger Alex Vivier fielded the kick and fed a hard charging Hooker Steve O'Malley to dot down for the 5-pointer in the corner. The conversion was missed but City extended their lead to 20 - 5 at the 32nd minute mark. The men in Orange and Black continued the attack. After some sloppy play on both teams part, Scrumhalf Charlie Keener put up a box kick that Glendale misplayed. The scrum led to some good recycling of the ball and a break by Center Bunn. Another phase of play saw hard charging 2nd Rower Bryan Gustafson take the pill at fast pace, broke the line, and raced the Glendale Fullback to post to cross the chalk for the 5-pointer. Flyhalf Trench ended the scoring with the extras for the half as Referee DeKrief blew the half time whistle to give the men in Orange and Black the lead at 27 - 5.

Glendale came out firing in the second half. After a couple of mishandling errors on the behalf of City, Glendale was on the front foot. A solid counterruck saw Prop Matty Williams toe the ball into touch to relieve the pressure. Lock Forward Bryan Gustafson stole the ensuing lineout. Flanker Gabe Buzinski took the ball forward passing to Flyhalf Trench who fed Center Scott Dishner. The hard charging Center broke through the cover defense and took the pill to the house. The conversion sailed wide. The men in Orange and Black up their lead to 32 - 5 at the 46th minute mark. The kickoff saw the City forwards consolidate the rock; but, was driven into touch. Pressure at scrum time resulted in a Glendale knock-on. From the scrum, Trench broke the line. A couple of phases later after some good hard runs and recycling by the forwards; Flyhalf Trench put in a deep probing kick. The men in Blue and White mishandled the kick and Center Dorian Bunn was able to pick-up the ball to power his way into in-goal. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights for the conversion and City upped its lead to 39 - 5 at the 50 and half minute mark of the match. The kickoff came deep and No. 8 Dan Herr made a break against a soft defensive pattern. An errant pass on the offload and a miss tackle saw Glendale charge back deep into City's territory. A try saving tackle and good weak side defense led to a good goal line stance. The ball was spun wide where a miss tackle led to a Glendale try in the corner. The conversion was missed. The men in Blue and White cut into City's lead at 39 -10 at the 53rd minute mark. City laid claim to the ensuing kickoff. Glendale was called for hands-in by Referee DeKrief. City misjudged the throw at the ensuing lineout. Good counterrucking by the forwards won the ball back. Hard charging forwards set Glendale back on their heels. A solid run by Center Bunn kept the men in Blue and White going backwards. The ball was spun wide where Center Scott Dishner crossed over the chalk for his second 5-pointer. The conversion again sailed wide; but, City extended their lead to 44 - 10 at the 57th minute mark. A no-wrap tackle on Flyhalf Trench brought a yellow card to Glendale. City immediately made them pay. Once again City misjudged the lineout throw; but, good defensive pressure forced a turnover. Captain Herr picked up the pill and offloaded to Flyhalf Trench who scampered across for his second 5-pointer. The extras sailed wide; but, City opened their lead to 49 - 10 at the 69th minute. City had a good take at the kick-off; but, was counterrucked off the ball. Unfortunately, after a couple of defensive stands a gap opened up in the men in Orange and Black solid defensive wall. The Glendale back was able to sidestep his way into the open to race towards the corner. Fullback Romero desperately tried to save the try; but, was deemed to horse collar the Glendale ball carrier. Referee DeKrief awarded the penalty try for the foul play and Cisco was issued the yellow card. Glendale converted and City's lead was decreased to 49 - 17 at the 72nd minute mark. From the kickoff, City was called for not releasing in the tackle; however, Glendale was then called for holding on in the tackle. Seizing the moment Captain Herr executed a quick tap and was off to the races going untouched into the try zone. Flyhalf Trench split the uprights to make the scoring line 56 - 17 at the 76th minute mark. Kickoff did not go the required 10m resulting in a scrum center. Good movement of the ball saw City back on the front foot. A mishandled turnover ball gave the ball back to Glendale. A clearing kick did not find touch and City went back on the attack. However, a bad 50/50 ball saw Glendale go on a big break the other way. The defense caught up; but, the defense structure abandoned City on this occasion. Glendale was able to cross the line and converted to make the scoring line 56 - 24 at the 79th minute. City was not done. Taking the kick-off deep saw the defensive pressure return. An errant pass by Glendale turned the ball over to City. Replacement Hooker Juan Ureta went on a jaunt. He offloaded to Center Dorian Bunn who took it to the house for his second 5-pointer. Prop Matty Williams added the extras to finish off the scoring as Referee DeKrief blew the final whistle. The men in Orange and Black had their convincing league win at 63 - 24 over the men in Blue and White.

Step one of the three step goals that the club set out for this season has been accomplished. First, beat Glendale; second, win out with the rest of the league matches; and finally, meet and beat the Highlanders in the playoff game. A great team win by City. The defense was relentless and solid. The play of everyone to the man was unselfish. Ball retention throughout the match was excellent. Bryan Gustafson was named Man-of-the-Match and Scott Trench Back-Player-of-the-Match. A good time was had by all at Nallen's Irish Pub Saturday night as we celebrated this victory and the start of a successful spring season for the club. A hearty thanks to John and Una Nallen for hosting us on Saturday. A presentation of an Orange and Black jersey in a shadow box to hang inside the pub was made to Irish John for his sponsorship to the club. Thanks to Juan Ureta putting this award together. Now it is onto the next task.

Go City!

Coach Charlie