QUEEN CITY VS GLENDALE MATCH REPORT - 3/18/17

Another glorious day in Colorado awaited the men in Orange and Black. The sun was shining, the birds were singing, and the enemy was on the horizon. There was a hint of temperature arising in the air. City was bound and determined to let the men in Blue and White know whose field it was at Infinity Park South. The Olde Boys and spectators were out enjoying the sunshine and to enjoy an afternoon of rugby. The brothers from the Denver Bulldogs were in support. Welcome.

City kicked off defending the north end zone. The men in Orange and Black went immediately to work putting good defensive pressure on Glendale. Referee Bill Cook whistle the men in Blue and White for hands in the ruck. The penalty was placed into touch. The lineout was won but a mishandled ball gave the pill right back to Glendale. The City forwards put tremendous pressure on the scrum and the ball was won against the head by Hooker Dan Herr. Flanker Hayden Kinnear seized the opportunity as the ball emerged from the scrum and he took the rock to the house. Scrumhalf Charlie Keener determined to atoned his miscues in the kicking game from last week, split the uprights from a tough angle to give the men in Orange and Black the 7 – 0 lead at the 4-mintue mark of the match. A lead that City would not relinquish.

On the ensuing kick-off, Glendale was whistle for hitting the man in the air. The penalty kick did not find the mark in touch. The ball was mishandled by Glendale, but the infraction was missed by Referee Cook. In the ensuing contact, Flanker Gabe Buzinski stole the ball from the Glendale ball carrier. The pill was recycled to hard charging Hooker Herr who offloaded to Flyhalf Alex Knorr. The ball went to hands to Outside Center Alex Vivier. Mr. Vivier broke through the Glendale defense to dot down for the second try of the afternoon. Once again, Scrumhalf Keener was true on his kick from the tough angle to up the lead to 14 – 0 at the 7-minute mark of the match.

City continue with their relentless pressure on defensive thwarting Glendale at every phase. Finally, the men in Blue and White were able to solve City’s defense scheme to make a long break. City recovered and held Glendale at bay. However, the men in Blue and White eventually score under the post. Lock Bryan Gustafson blocked the conversion kick as Glendale cut into City’s lead 14 – 5 at the 26th minute.

The next couple of minutes were penalty-ridden. Glendale was whistled for an offside infringement and the penalty kick was placed into touch. “Crusader” was the called; but, the throw went awry. Not to worry, the forwards led by Props Joe Kuka and Babs Yarbrough went into the “power game”. After several phases of good recycled ball, Hooker Herr found the seam and powered his way to pay dirt. Scrumhalf Keener once again slotted the extras to extend the men in Orange and Black lead to 21 – 5 at the 30th minute mark of the match.

The men in Orange and Black were whistled for an offside infraction and Glendale was able to clear the ball deep into City’s territory. The men in Blue and White were able to solve City’s solid defense and punch over for a try. The conversion kick sailed wide right leaving the score line at 21 – 10 at the 37th minute. This is how the half ended as Referee Cook blew the halftime whistle.

The men in Orange and Black forwards were hungry for more as they had an excellent first half. The men in Blue and White had to figure out how to slow down the City juggernaut. City took the second half kick-off cleanly and immediately went on attack. The forwards continue their onslaught; but, a mishandled ball slowed the progress. A scrum was ordered by Referee Cook with a Glendale feed. Hooker Dan Herr acting as a hooker of old heeled the ball against the head. Scrumhalf Charlie Keener fed No. 8 Frosty Morrison who broke through the Glendale defense and took it the distance to dot down under the post. Scrumhalf Keener added the extras and City extended their lead to 28 – 10 at the 46th minute mark of the match.

Glendale come alive a bit and put some pressure on the City line. However, Flanker Hayden Kinnear alertly stole the ball as a Glendale player was coming into contact. To his amazement, he emerged from the other side of the tackle zone with complete daylight. Mr. Kinnear made a huge break only to be caught from behind. Referee Cook called the Glendale defender for a “horse collar” tackle. Alertly, No. 8 Morrison quick tapped and broke towards the line. While playing from an advantage for not ten, Winger James Jimenez executed a pick and go from the ensuing tackle on Mr. Morrison to bound over for the try. Scrumhalf Keener split the uprights for the extras and the lead was now 35 – 10 at the 52nd minute.

The next twenty minutes was a back and forth affair as neither team could get anything going. Glendale finally broke through to score a converted try at the 77th minute to bring the score line to 35 – 17. On the ensuing kick-off, the City forwards putting on the pressure obtained possession of the rock. Two phases later, Scrumhalf Charlie Keener found a hard charging Lock Jake Anderson who powered his way over the line for his first ever try. Hooker Dan Herr closed out the scoring with the conversion bringing the score to 42 – 17 as Referee Cook blew the final whistle.

Congratulations on two good team wins. Well deserved, both sides! Thank you to all the Olde Boys and supporters who turned out to cheer on the Men in Orange and Black. Welcome to our guest from the Denver Bulldogs; hope you enjoyed the match. On such a beautiful day, the beer and food was plentiful under the pavilion. Back Player of the Match went to Alex Knorr; the Forward Player of the Match went to Jake Anderson; and the Man of the Match went to Charlie Keener. The D4 Man of the Match went to Steve O’Malley; welcome back Steve. Congratulations to all!! A good time was had by all at Nallen’s Irish Pub that evening. Thank you, John, for your continued support of the Club. Thank you to the QC family, friends, and players for a great day of Rugby!!