QUEEN CITY VS GLENDALE MATCH REPORT - 10/1/16

QUEEN CITY VS GLENDALE MATCH REPORT - 10/1/16

D3 Recap:

The sun was still high in the sky for the 5:00 pm opening kick-off for this contest against our rivals, Glendale Raptors D3 squad. City dressed out in their Orange and Black jumpers as Captain and Openside Flanker Hayden Kinnear for the second week in a row led the boys out.

Center Scott Trench put the opening kick-off deep into Glendale’s territory. The ball carrier was trundled into touch. The lineout was won; but, running too high resulted in a knock-on turnover ball. The scrum was heeled and after a couple of missed tackles, the men in Blue and White were in business. A try saving tackle by Fullback Alex Knorr led to a side join penalty against City. Glendale’s scrumhalf made City pay for their indiscretion to split the uprights for the first points of the match and give them the lead at 0 – 3 at the 4-minute mark of the match.

After a couple of exchanges, City got on the board. Referee Chris Huff whistled the men in Blue for leaving their feet at a ruck. The pill was placed into touch. The lineout was sloppy; but, still won. Flyhalf Ryan Clemons spotted a huge overload on the outside and put a well-placed ball into the hands of Winger Ricky Layton. Using his quick feet and speed, the little Winger took the pill 50 meters for the score. The conversion was wide; but, City had the lead for which they would not relinquish at 5 – 3 at the 9-minute mark. Applying good defensive pressure, City kept the men in Blue pinned in their own half. Hard pressure lead to an errant pass by Glendale. Center Trench seize the opportunity to kick through. A good bounce saw Flyhalf Clemons gather, step the last defender, and race the final 30 meters to dot down. The conversion was once again missed to make the score 10 -3 at the 13th minute.

The receipt of the kick-off was good; however, the exit kick was deemed to be after the ball was placed back into the 22m; therefore, no gain in ground. Glendale took the lineout and went on the attack. After three phases, Flanker James Jimenez jackeled the ball to Scrumhalf Charlie Keener who then made the pass to Winger Ricky Layton at the defending 5-m line. Katie-by-the-barn door as the speedy Winger took the pill to the house, 95 meters later he dotted down for his second try on the day under the sticks. Center Trench added the extras to bring the score line to 17 - 3 at the 18-minute mark of the match.

After a sloppy kick-off reception, the ball was kicked into space resulting in a Glendale knock-on. Scrum was won, backs making their moves, recycle ball, backs again on the move, recycle ball, and Flyhalf Clemons seeing space behind the Glendale defense placed a well-time kick. Fullback Alex Knorr gathered the ball and crashed over for the 5-pointer. The conversion was missed; but, the men in White extended their lead to 22 – 3 at 21st minute.

The kick-off was well received; however, the recycled ball was knock-on. The scrum was well heeled. Poor ball handling by the Glendale backs should have resulted in turnover; but, some poor tackling allowed the men in Blue to get deep into City territory. A strong pick-n-go from the Glendale scrumhalf saw points put on the board. The scrumhalf converted his own try to cut into the men in Orange and Black lead to 22 – 10 at the 24th minute of the match.

After penalties from both sides thwarted attacks; the men in Orange and Black went back on the attack. A penalty against Glendale for a ruck infraction whistled by Referee Huff placed the ball into touch. A Crusader was called. The lineout was cleanly won and the ball was spun out to a hard charging No. 8 Scott Dishner. The Glendale defenders did not want any of this. Scott took the pill to pay dirt from 26 meters out for the 5-pointer. Center Trench split the uprights for the extras to extend the men in Orange and Black lead to 29 – 10 at the 30th minute to end the scoring of the first half.

The second half started much like the first stanza with Glendale getting on the board first. After a ruck infraction against City, the Glendale scrumhalf slotted a penalty goal to place the score line at 29 - 13 at the 47th minute.

After this Glendale score, the match turned into a Ricky Layton show. The City forwards playing well, taking care of the ball, and recycling phases resulted in putting Winger Layton into space. Stepping defenders and using his speed gave the shifty Winger two more tries on the day for a total of four. The 51st minute try was converted by Center Trench whereas the 54th minute try conversion sailed wide to put the score board at 41 – 13. Once again the men in Orange and Black forward pack gave good ball to the City back line. Kiwi Winger Mark McPhee using his pace and good running lines saw him breakthrough for a 5-pointer. Center Trench was true with his kick to split the uprights for the conversion to run the score up to 48 – 13 at the 60th minute.

The good forward play and back line movement kept the men in Orange and Black on the front foot. Stout defense by the men in Blue and White kept City at bay until the 75th minute. An offside infraction against Glendale was whistled by Referee Huff. The penalty kick was cleared to touch for a 5-meter lineout. Cadillac was the call for a full frontal assault; however, the drive was high and it stalled. The resulting ruck was spun to Flyhalf Clemons who punched a kick forward. Alertly, Center Trench pounced on the ball in the try zone to dot down for the 5-pointer. Trench converted to make the score line 55 – 13.

The ensuing kick-off was not handled well resulting in a scrum to Glendale. The ball was feed to the Scrumhalf and then to the Glendale Flyhalf. The flyhalf sold the dummy and went in untouched. The conversion was good to bring the score to 55 – 20. Referee Huff blew the final whistle and the men in Orange and Black headed to the sheds with a convincing 55 – 20 victory.

Great win; but, we still have things to work on. The set pieces need work. The placing and recycling of the ball was very good in this match. For the most part the defense/tackling was good; a couple of lapses that we cannot afford against the Highlanders. It is now time to get ready for the Highlanders. The Highlanders are quickly turning into our true rivals. We will need to bring our A+ game and be truly ready to do battle. We have some work to do on D4; but, continue to show up and get ready to play. All of us coaches are proud to be your coaches and the team needs you!! With just two more D4 league matches and the High Desert Tournament, this fall will be over before you know it; but, we will stay together, work together, and we will all get better as continue to play together.

Great day overall. Many thanks to the Olde Boys and supporters who came out to watch us play. The backline was working wonders. The forwards had a good day in open play; taking care of the ball and giving a solid platform for the backs to attack. Ricky Layton received the Back Player of the Match for the second week in a row, Scott Dishner earned the Forward Player of the Match, and Ryan Clemons with his ball distribution and tactical kicking carried away the overall Man of the Match. Rob Spenser was awarded the Man of the Match for the D4 squad – well done. Now it is onto the Highlanders. Dr. Proctor’s hosted well with food and beer for the after match social.