There's bad luck, there's lousy luck, and then somewhere below that there's Portland luck. With our first home game in what seems like two years the Portland side was swelled by some very welcome experience as they went in to the match against Springfield this weekend. So much for that. In the space of about 30 early-game seconds, all of that good news was erased when three players went down with game ending injuries, leaving the team back at square one.
On a blustery day at Fox Street, the game opened with some intense Springfield offense, and some equally intense defense by Portland inside their own 22. It was in this period that Mike Desalle picked up the first injury with a compound fracture/dislocation/laceration of his thumb. Before the ref even had time to blow the whistle for that injury, CB Brady picked up a gash to the head that would also send him to the hospital. With subs in place, play resumed only to have "little" Jake go down at Center with a separated shoulder.
I'm happy to say that after a brief tour of Portland's finest hospitals, all were taken care of, and made it back in time for the all important drink-up. Meanwhile, those left standing set about grinding themselves out of the hole they now found themselves in. The strong wind in the first half helped to keep most of the early play deep in Portland territory. Before long the Springfield backs were able to set up an overload in broken play, looking like a bunch of guys who had played together more than a few times. The all too familiar breakaway try ensued, which in past weeks might have sent the Portland boys into a downward spiral. By now however this side has faced pretty much every bitter pill that fate has handed out to them, swallowed it with a smile, and asked for more. Bouncing back off the ropes, Portland was able to string together a couple of passes of their own from the back of a scrum, ultimately sending Freddy Hayman scything through a couple of defenders and over the line.
Although Portland trailed at the half, their tail's were up, and were ready to take advantage of the wind in the second half. So, naturally, the wind dropped...
Nevertheless Portland hung on after the re-start, and were able to level the score at 12-12 with a pick up off the back of a 5 meter scrum. Alas, that was as close as they were going to get to victory, as cracks inevitably began to show in the makeshift side. No disrespect to all of those players who came on to fill in the gaps and give their all. In the end though, Springfield were able to rack a couple of breakaway scores, giving them the ultimate victory. The game ultimately fizzled out a little, with some suspicion that the game was called a little early due to the inevitable rancor that set it. Any ill feeling that may have been simmering was no doubt brought to the surface by a certain Springfield Center who squealed like a little girl, and had a little-girl hairdo to match. No doubt this character has been making friends throughout the division. I rest easy though, knowing that the long arm of NERFU will reach out to right injustice, spreading goodwill throughout the league.
The B Game also saw a win for Springfield, as they fielded pretty much the same side as in the first game. I don't know the score, but I do know that the game was superbly officiated, and saw a batch of new faces that might just be the future of the club.
Portland play their final game of the season this Saturday, at home to Newport. Kick off is at 1pm, so be sure to come out and rally round the family.
