9/27 Win Against Burlington
Portland's third home game in a row turned out to be a charm this weekend as they outlasted a strong Burlington team in a muddy game at Fox Street field. As always, Portland's pack was the strongpoint, but the backfield took a major step forward with gritty defense and strong play in the second half to seal the win for Portland.
Portland started off strong again, with two pushover trys off rolling mauls and strong rucking within the first 10 minutes of the game. (Special credit goes to Mike "Diesel" DeSalle's punishing Thursday practice of nothing but rucking and mauling for this.) Burlington's loose play was strong, however, and breakaways ended up costing Portland two trys before half to make the game close.
The second half saw more of the same, with additional pressure put on Burlington's forwards by the Portland pack and exceptional tackling by the backs. The match was a toss-up until a pivotal tryzone stand won by Portland, effectively ending the threat and sealing the win. Strong play by scrumhalf Matt Winch (Man-of-the Match honors, shared with flanker Jimmy Hendricks), the foot of English Evan, tackling by Jason Willey and Carl Brady, and strong running by Marc Forunier and Fred Hayman were the highlights of Portland's first win this season.
Final score: Portland 29, Burlington 19.
Monday, September 29, 2003
9/20 Loss to Providence
This was the "game that got away" for a Portland team looking for its first victory of the season. From the outset, Portland and Providence were fairly evenly matched overall, with an advantage to Portland's strong pack in the sets. Portland got on the board 10 minutes into the match with a penalty try after a lineout and drive to the try line. A few minutes later, our own Marc "Frenchy" Fournier scored off another driving maul, and Portland was looking to pull away from a seemingly tired Providence pack. A Providence try off broken play, however, was followed by a penalty kick which brought the teams close at half.
The second half was a reversal of fortune for both clubs. Portland's offense got untracked and made little headway against an increasingly strong defense, and two quick trys off the wing for Providence effectively put the game away. Portland responded with another brilliant try from a tough, 8 or 9 phase pick-and-run segment, with Tom Lovering scoring a 20 meter try off another maul, but time ran out for Portland.
Final score: 23-18 Providence
This was the "game that got away" for a Portland team looking for its first victory of the season. From the outset, Portland and Providence were fairly evenly matched overall, with an advantage to Portland's strong pack in the sets. Portland got on the board 10 minutes into the match with a penalty try after a lineout and drive to the try line. A few minutes later, our own Marc "Frenchy" Fournier scored off another driving maul, and Portland was looking to pull away from a seemingly tired Providence pack. A Providence try off broken play, however, was followed by a penalty kick which brought the teams close at half.
The second half was a reversal of fortune for both clubs. Portland's offense got untracked and made little headway against an increasingly strong defense, and two quick trys off the wing for Providence effectively put the game away. Portland responded with another brilliant try from a tough, 8 or 9 phase pick-and-run segment, with Tom Lovering scoring a 20 meter try off another maul, but time ran out for Portland.
Final score: 23-18 Providence
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