Division III
Matches
Sun 16 Oct 2016
Queen City RFC - Denver
Division III
31
56
Colorado Springs
QUEEN CITY VS COLORADO SPRINGS MATCH REPORT - 10/16/16

QUEEN CITY VS COLORADO SPRINGS MATCH REPORT - 10/16/16

Charles Keener28 Oct 2016 - 20:55
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City comes up short in tough fought match vs Colorado Springs

Last Saturday was a fine day for a game of Rugby. The day was beautiful with not a cloud in the sky. It was a warm fall day in the Rockies. The opponent was the Colorado Springs Grizzlies who had played D2 ball last year; but, dropped down to D3/D4 due to travel restrictions. City knew that it would be a tough battle; but, was raring to go in an effort to avenge last week’s loss to the Highlanders. The sideline was stocked full of OBs and supporters to cheer on the men in Orange and Black.

D3 Recap:

City received the opening kickoff and came out with a bang. A great opening sequence saw Lock Forward Adam Kuhl receive the opening kick and set a great ruck. A hard charging Prop Steve “Frosty” Morrison ran hard to recycle the ball for the clearing kick. Flyhalf Ryan Clemons hosted a high and deep kick which the Springs fullback mishandled. The speedy Winger Blake Williams came streaking down to gather the pill and dot down under the post for the first tallies on the day. Outside Center Scott Trench was true with his kick and the men in Orange and Black had the early lead less than two minutes into the match, 7 – 0.

Tactical kicks kept the pressure on and pinning the Springs deep in their territory. In addition, Lock Kuhl made himself a pest in the lineouts all match long either stealing the throw or giving dirty ball for them to play with. From one such lineout, a knock-on occurred from dirty ball. A scrum was well heeled and Center Trench delivered a deep kick which was mishandled and deemed to be a knock-on. The Springs player disagreed with Referee Stu Geiger and let him know about it. Mr. Geiger assess the penalty and then march another 10 for additional dissention. The ball was placed into touch and “Cadillac” was the call. A solid low drive was on and the City forwards drove the pill across the line where Prop Morrison scored the try. Center Trench added the extras and City extend their lead to 14 – 0 at the 15th minute mark for the match.

City was next to disagree with the “Sir” and lost their discipline. A defending scrum was heeled against the head and the ball was kick to touch. A lack of attention to details allowed the Grizzlies to get on the front foot. City was called for an intentional knock-on by Referee Geiger. Flyhalf Clemons disagreed and was penalized not only for the intentional knock-on; but was march another nearly 20 meters for dissention which placed the ball well within striking range. The Springs kicker was true and split the uprights for the 3-pointer to bring the score to 14 – 3 at the 21:30 mark of the match. Not five minutes later, Springs struck again. Off a scrum after a forward pass by the City backs, the Grizzlies’ flyhalf made a huge break after a missed tackle. Some mishandling of the ball produced a knock-on. From the ensuing scrum, City was whistled for collapsing the scrum by referee Geiger. Springs quick tapped and City was whistled for not being the required 10m. The ball was heeled and Springs hooker crashed over for the 5-pointer. The conversion was missed; but, the Grizzlies pulled within 5 at 14 – 8 at the 26:30 mark of the match.

The following kick-off was placed very deep and the City forwards applied the defensive pressure resulting in a knock-on. The scrum was heeled and the ball was spun wide to the hands of a streaking Fullback Mark McPhee. The shifty Kiwi took the pill to the house and dotted down for the 5-pointer. The conversion sailed just wide; but, the men in Orange and Black opened back their lead to 19 – 8 at the 30th minute of the game.

The half ended on a couple of ill-timed penalties by City allowing the Springs deep into City’s territory. A misread lineout and a couple of missed tackles allowed the Grizzlies to cross over with the try to close out the scoring in the first half. The conversion was awry and the half time score was 19 – 13.

This match was tale of two halves. City enjoyed the territorial edge, time of possession, and the intensity in the first half. Colorado Springs came out on fire in the second half and City did not match their intensity. The Grizzlies scored four unanswered tries in the second half which only one was converted to bring the score to 19 – 35 at the 60th minute. The last try could be deemed a turning point in the match in this Coach’s opinion. City was finally able to get on the front foot. Lock Kuhl once again produced dirty ball from a Springs lineout and City was able to steal the rock. After a couple of good phases of play, Referee Geiger whistle the Grizzlies for offside. A penalty play was called upon. The ball was being recycled when a non-tackler Grizzly stripped away the ball and raced the other way. 95 meters later a try was called; but, should not have been due to the tackle assist not releasing the ball carrier (IMHO). This definitely was at least a 10-point swing as in was my strong opinion that we would have scored making the score within 4.

Once again the men in Orange and Black got on their front foot. Referee Geiger whistle Springs for holding on in the tackle. The ball was placed into touch. The ensuing “Crusader” produced some great yardage by a hard running No. 8 Scott Dishner. The Grizzlies were pinged for an offside infringement. The ball was quick tapped where the Grizzlies were once again deemed to be offside. The ball was again placed into touch. The ensuing “Cadillac” was stopped short of the line. However, three phases later the Grizzlies were dinged for a high tackle and a yellow card was issued by Referee Geiger. Once again the pill was placed into touch. This time the “Cadillac” was successful as the City forwards driving low crossed the line where Prop “Frosty” Morrison sprung to pay dirt for his second try on the day. The conversion just missed to draw the match to 24 – 35 at the 67th minute mark of the match.

Unfortunately, Springs struck again at the 70th minute with a converted try after a huge defensive lapse by the men in Orange and Black to bring the scoreline to 24 – 42.

City was not done and was desperately trying to get back in the match. From a kick ahead by the Springs and mishandled by City, resulted in a knock-on. The City forwards applying great pressure on the Springs pack resulted in a collapsing of the scrum infraction. The ball was placed into touch and another “Crusader” was called. This time the ball was cleaning won and passed out to hard charging No. 8 Dishner drawing all kinds of Grizzly defenders. Instead of setting up the next phase, Dishner passed the ball to a streaking Fullback McPhee who turned the corner to race down the sideline. The cover defense caught up to the swift Kiwi as he passed to Winger Ayub Kouri who was trundled into touch. Once again Lock Kuhl stole the Grizzlies lineout producing good ball movement in the backline. The ball was recycled to a pod of forwards where Lock Kuhl was shoulder charged and the Grizzlies was penalized. Captain and Hooker Dan Herr quick tapped and broke for the line carrying a couple of Grizzlies with him. He was able to offload to Center Trench who carried further to the line where he was stopped just short of the line. As Trench was being brought to the turf, he offloaded to an alert Flanker Gabe Buzinski who crashed over the final Grizzlies defenders for the 5-pointer. Trench split the uprights for the extras to bring the score to 31 – 42 at the 76th minute mark. Welcome back Gabe after his absence this fall to pursue his LSAT!

After this the wheels fell off for the men in Orange and Black. Springs were able to score two more converted tries to bring the final to 31 – 56 for the visitors from Colorado Springs.

D4 Recap: (via Coach Pete):

What a great game the D4 squad had against Colorado Springs D4 Grizzlies on Saturday. In fact, we all got so engrossed in watching and cheering with the rest of the fans, the coaches forgot to take notes. So here it goes, from memory.

The D4 numbers were a bit lacking so the D3 reserves graciously stepped up to fill the side. Thank you to those boys for stepping up.

Although, we were inundated with penalties again with the majority coming in and around the rucks; we played hard and kept to the simple game plan. The forwards’ tight scrum dished up clean ball to the halfback to create a solid platform to attack. The backs were in good form as well, especially in the 2nd half. We just made too many mistakes in the first half and it wasn’t long before the Grizzlies were renting space in our D4 players heads.

The half time score was 0 – 24, certainly not good. But the half time pep talk from Coach Pete was positive, and on point. He believed in the boys and at one point said “you boys are going to win this game”. But the chins were still down and it appeared that nobody believed. But, it must have worked as Queen City came back in the second half with vengeance; camping the majority of the period in the Grizzlies half. The fans on the side line were engaged and the “stands went wild”.

Second Row Lock Bryan Gustafson was the first to break the ice for the men in White. Taking the pill on one of his patent sorties from a ruck ball; he crashed through the first line of defense to open space to dot down untouched for the 5-pointer. The conversion was no good and City was finally on the front foot at the 35th minute mark of the match bringing the score to 5 – 24. Welcome back Bryan after his absence this fall to complete his nuptials!

Next, speedy Winger Eric Miller made a stunning run down the sideline; artfully dodging defenders to take it to the house for 50 m. The conversion was once again missed to bring the score line to 10 – 24 at the 41st minute. Fullback Grant Fabian racked up the third try. Grant was solid under the high ball and counterattacked after one such kick. Receiving a return pass in space; the nifty fullback scooted across the line for the 5-pointer. Flyhalf Ricky Layton added the extras to bring the score to 17 – 24 at the 44th minute mark of the match.

Unfortunately, Springs were the next to get on the board from the lapse in the second half by the men in White defense. The unconverted try brought the score to 17 – 29 at the 51st minute.

Coming right back after a “jackal”, City was on the front again and on the attack. The City backline was racking up the yardage as the Grizzlies seem to have no answers for what was coming at them. Winger Patrick Muyima received a cut-out pass from Flyhalf Layton. Using his speed, Patrick outran the opposition to dot down under the post. Flyhalf Layton split the uprights for the 2-point conversion to bring the score to 24 – 29 at the 53rd minute. Not done and determined to win this match, the men in White went immediately back on the attack. Fullback Grant Fabian racked up his second try on the day again after some determined running. The conversion was missed to tie the score at 29 – 29 at the 58th minute. With only two minutes’ left in the match, City attacked with vengeance to no avail and Referee Dan Hattrup blew the final whistle with the final score tied at 29.

Summary, one point would have won this match. Where could that one-point come from? One less missed tackle; one more push from personal stamina; or one more conversion. Did I say just 1 conversion would have WON that game? Good kicking is a must. Who’s got the best foot? Overall, great comeback from the D4 squad; showing heart and no quit. Job well-done as we continue to develop as a squad and get our basics down to a fine art.

Another disappointing loss for the D3 squad. After a great first half, the team seemed to lose focus and appeared to stop playing as a team. Too much bickering and in-fighting among the troops needs to be address and fixed. Great play by the D4 squad as they continue to grow and get better each and every match. Job well done!! It now time to get ready to go to Albuquerque to relax, play some quality rugby, and have some fun.

Not necessarily the outcome we had hoped for; but, like the Highlanders we will see them again in the spring. Thanks to all the City supporters for coming out to Infinity to cheer on the Orange and black. For his efforts, scoring two tries, and playing Prop for the very first time earned “Frosty” Morrison Man-of-the-Match. Special mention needs to be made for Adam Kuhl for his outstanding work in the lineouts and for Scott Trench for undying efforts throughout the match in the backline both on offensive and especially in defense. Kenny Murray received the Man-of-the-Match for the D4 squad for his efforts in their match as he continues to grow as a rugby player.

See everybody at Tuesdays practice.

Coach

Match details

Match date

Sun 16 Oct 2016

Kickoff

11:00
Team overview
Further reading