10/4/03 Tough Loss to Connecticut Yankees
After a 4 1/2 hour trip to Norfolk, CT, the Portland ruggers stepped onto the Connecticut Yankees pitch to the sound of a horrible marching band and an a-- of a band leader. The music must have lulled the Portland stalwarts a bit, because the game against the Yankees was nearly over before it began.
Yankee backs immediately began chipping over a somewhat limited-speed Portland backfield (no offense to the two forwards playing in the centers), and their larger-than-life backs were in pursuit before any defensive movement could be made. Portland centers Willey and Spicoli made tackle after tackle while flyhalf Evan made excellent kicks to relieve some pressure, but the Yankees went up 4 tries to none before Portland could get untracked. Fullback Joey D. played well for a second straight week with some unbelievable return runs, but it wasn't enough to stem the tide of chip-and-chase plays made by the Yankees. With 15 minutes left in the first half, Portland's lineouts and wheeling, rolling mauls started to work well and the tandem of Richard Pfeffer and Marc Fournier punished a number of Yankee forwards to score Portland's first try of the day. The Yankees came back to score another try just before half to make the score 43-5.
The second half was reminiscent of the Spring game against Newport. Portland began punching off loose ball and working mauls off lineouts to effectively keep the ball out of the Yankee backs' hands. Portland scored another try 10 minutes in as Tom Lovering demonstrated that rugby is an effective stress-reliever, bulling his way in through two defenders. The Yankees scored twice more on chip-and-chase maneuvers to end the scoring, but Portland played evenly with the top-ranked team in DII for the entire second half of the match and earned a bit of respect.
Final score: Conn. Yankees 52, Portland 12.
The B-game was a wild affair, with some new/old players suiting up and doing battle with a big, strong side for Connecticut. There was no scoring until late in the second half when the Yankees scored on 5-phase ball from inside Portland's 10 meter line. Portland couldn't score in the final minutes, but a valiant effort was made by newcomers John and Sean, and old-comers Richard Pfeffer and Tom Lovering, who played every minute of both games.
***As an aside, Portland wishes its gentle giant Irish forward Liam a safe return to the Homeland, and thanks him for his exceptionally strong play and cheery disposition these past few weeks. He will be greatly missed, and we look forward to seeing him again soon. ***
Portland travels to Hartford this week to take on the Wanderers.
