Division III
Matches
Sat 08 Oct 2016
Highlanders - D3
44
16
Queen City RFC - Denver
Division III
QUEEN CITY VS HIGHLANDERS MATCH REPORT - 10/8/16

QUEEN CITY VS HIGHLANDERS MATCH REPORT - 10/8/16

Charles Keener28 Oct 2016 - 20:50
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Queen City falls to the Highlanders 16-44.

Another beautiful day in the Rockies. The men in Orange and Black were raring to go to do battle with their archrivals Denver Highlanders. The Highlanders were the team to beat if City was to return to the playoffs. The match was at the Highlanders home pitch, Jacobs Park. The field was a natural grass surface, in good shape, and well-marked. City’s canopy was on display along with the banners for Sponsors Air Force, Nallen’s, and Fox Hollow Vet Clinic. A good contingency of Old Boys and supporters were present to cheer on the Orange and Black. City dressed out in their white jumpers as Captain and Hooker Dan Herr led the boys out for battle.

City received the kickoff; however, the pill was not well handled and turned over. With good coverage defense City was able to recover to put the Highlanders under defensive pressure. The offense did not click early on in the match and was not able to capitalize on the Highlanders miscues. The scrums early in the match were also a troublesome area; but, did get a whole lot better in the second half.

The Highlanders were the first to get on the scoreboard. At six and half minutes in the match Winger Ayub Kouri was whistled for a dump tackle by Referee Aaron Yappert and received a yellow card for his efforts. The Highlander flyhalf placed the ball into touch from the penalty. A lineout drive was well-handled by City’s forwards stopping the drive. Three phases later the Highlander flyhalf executed a pick-and-go from the base of the ruck to score the try. He converted his own try to make the score line 0 – 7 at eight and half minutes of the match.

The next score also for the Highlanders came on a similar sequence of play. City was whistled for a side join by Referee Yappert. The ball was placed into touch. A lineout drive was once again stopped by good defense; however, a missed tackle from the ensuing ruck allowed the men in Red to score their second try. The conversion was missed to extend their lead to 0 – 12 at the 16:40 minute mark.

The men in White finally got on the front foot, putting offensive pressure on the Highlanders. The ball movement was good from a backline move; but, the pill died in the centers instead of being let out. However, the Highlanders were whistled for a side entry. Outside Center Scott Trench was true with the boot to cut into the Highlander lead, 3 – 12, at the 21-minute mark of the match.

Highlanders were able to put together a couple of more penalty goals with kicks at 33:30 and 38:30 from City’s miscues to bring the scoring to 3 – 18. A long range kick at goal was attempted but missed as the final seconds in the half were ticking away after the men in Red were penalized for leaving their feet in the ruck then Referee Yappert marched them another 10 for throwing the ball away preventing a quick tap. The halftime score 3 – 18 to the Highlanders.

Desperately wanting to get back in this match, the men in White came out strong in the second half. The second half kick-off was placed deep into the Highlanders territory. The clearing kick found touch. The lineout was won with a “Mountain” and spun away to the backs. The recycling was good forcing the Highlanders into a penalty. Once again the kick was placed into touch. A “Crusader” was called; but, the lineout was not cleanly won. The pill was recovered but a knock-on occurred. A great scrum by the City forwards produced a knock-on by the Highlanders. The ball was heeled and delivered to the backs. Once again the men in Red were whistled for leaving their feet as City was on the attack inside the 22m with no consequences to the Highlanders for their indiscretions. Center Trench once again split the uprights to cut into the lead, 6 – 18 at the 45th minute of the match. The ensuing kick-off did not go the required ten so a scrum center was ordered by Referee Yappert. The ball was well heeled and “Rum” was called. The ball was swung out to Flyhalf Ryan Clemons who then hitting a streaking Fullback Mark McPhee. Racing down the sideline, stepping, and making the last defender miss; Kiwi McPhee took it to the house dotting down for the 5-pointer. The conversion sailed wide but City was back in the match at 11 – 18 at the 47th minute mark of the match.

Unfortunately, the wheels fell off for the men in White as the Highlanders were able to solve the City stout defense. The men in Red exploiting some defensive collapses by City scored an unconverted try and two converted tries over the course of 18 minutes to bring the score line to 11 – 37 at the 65th minute mark of the match.

Showing no quit, City was able to get back on the board. From a ruck in the center of the field, Scrumhalf Charlie Keener swung the ball to Winger Ayub Kouri who then was able to offload the ball to a hard charging Fullback McPhee. Working his magic once again, the Kiwi crossed for his second try on the day. The conversion was once again missed to bring the score to 16 – 37 at the 70th minute.

The Highlanders scored another converted try at no-time to bring the final to 16 – 44.

Not the outcome that we had hoped for; but, we will see them again in the spring. I hope that everyone remembers this feeling so that we don’t repeat it for the rest of the season and come spring. Everyone circle the date in the spring for when we play the Highlanders; so, that we can come out FULL strength. Thanks to all the City supporters who came out to Jacobs Park to cheer on the Orange and Black. It is time to put this one behind us and get ready for our next opponent Colorado Springs. There will be a D3 and a D4 match next Saturday at Infinity Park South at 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, respectfully.

See everybody at Tuesdays practice.

Coach

Match details

Match date

Sat 08 Oct 2016

Kickoff

11:00

Instructions

Match will kick-off at 11am, location TBD.
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