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
Wednesday, September 17, 2003
9/13 Loss to Old Gold
The second match of the season, and first home match, was against arch-rival Old Gold. New-and-improved Fox Street Field was brimming with a home crowd on a sunny day, a perfect day for rugby. Portland got off to a great start, with both backs and forwards making strong advances into Old Gold's end of the field. Old Gold went up 3-0 on a penalty kick, however, and penalties continued to keep the Boys in Blue out of the try zone until midway through the half. Fred Hayman dove in after juking a few backs off a set piece within the 22 meter line. Back and forth play ended the half.
The second half was a slug fest in every sense of the term, and not until late did Old Gold capitalize on a picked-off pass an an 80-meter try. Portland couldn't mount enough of an offense in the final minutes to even the score. Final score: 15-5.
Portland has another home game this Saturday against Providence, 1:00 at Fox Street Field.
The second match of the season, and first home match, was against arch-rival Old Gold. New-and-improved Fox Street Field was brimming with a home crowd on a sunny day, a perfect day for rugby. Portland got off to a great start, with both backs and forwards making strong advances into Old Gold's end of the field. Old Gold went up 3-0 on a penalty kick, however, and penalties continued to keep the Boys in Blue out of the try zone until midway through the half. Fred Hayman dove in after juking a few backs off a set piece within the 22 meter line. Back and forth play ended the half.
The second half was a slug fest in every sense of the term, and not until late did Old Gold capitalize on a picked-off pass an an 80-meter try. Portland couldn't mount enough of an offense in the final minutes to even the score. Final score: 15-5.
Portland has another home game this Saturday against Providence, 1:00 at Fox Street Field.
Monday, September 15, 2003
9/6 Portland Loss to Newport
In an opening match reminiscent of this past Spring's game against Newport, Portland got off to a rocky start and didn't get untracked until it was too late to mount a comeback. Newport showed it's strength in its speedy backline, which was too much of a match for the Portland side's patchwork backfield.
Newport got on the board early with two penalty kicks off pressure from their backline. Portland, with three forwards playing in the backs, couldn't get it wide and play was sloppy early on. The Portland forwards began mauling and keeping the ball close late in the first half, and converted a strong try on 6 phases within Newport's 22 meter line. After half, Portland's strategy to keep the ball closer in to the forwards created another driving try, but Newport's speed and chip kicks into open territory were too much of a match.
The final score: 40-10.
In an opening match reminiscent of this past Spring's game against Newport, Portland got off to a rocky start and didn't get untracked until it was too late to mount a comeback. Newport showed it's strength in its speedy backline, which was too much of a match for the Portland side's patchwork backfield.
Newport got on the board early with two penalty kicks off pressure from their backline. Portland, with three forwards playing in the backs, couldn't get it wide and play was sloppy early on. The Portland forwards began mauling and keeping the ball close late in the first half, and converted a strong try on 6 phases within Newport's 22 meter line. After half, Portland's strategy to keep the ball closer in to the forwards created another driving try, but Newport's speed and chip kicks into open territory were too much of a match.
The final score: 40-10.
Monday, August 25, 2003
8/23 Amoskeag Warm-Up for Fall Season
I was going to apologize for not being there on Saturday, but after hearing about printed copies of our website being flung about, along with assorted ugly adult beverage concoctions, I am glad I missed it. The boys from Manchester came up to Portland this past Saturday looking for some payback, it seems, for the somewhat lackluster performance by their crew at the Mt. Washington tourney this past June. This week showed their commitment over the summer - they were big, strong and fit, and defeated a Portland side that knows now what it needs to do for the upcoming season.
After an initial score by Brewmeister Pfeffer, who seemed to be fit with just two practices under his belt, it was mostly a show by Amoskeag's forwards and backs. Portland had three more tries and two conversions for 24 points and practiced their tackling skills for 80 minutes, but Amoskeag's scoring was over 50 for the day.
Captain Andy remarked that the benchmark has been set, and the next two weeks of practice will require strong commitment and effort by everyone to get to where we want to be for our opener against Newport, in Newport. Get ready for the season, get out to practice this week, and get everyone else out, too. Let's get ready to play.
I was going to apologize for not being there on Saturday, but after hearing about printed copies of our website being flung about, along with assorted ugly adult beverage concoctions, I am glad I missed it. The boys from Manchester came up to Portland this past Saturday looking for some payback, it seems, for the somewhat lackluster performance by their crew at the Mt. Washington tourney this past June. This week showed their commitment over the summer - they were big, strong and fit, and defeated a Portland side that knows now what it needs to do for the upcoming season.
After an initial score by Brewmeister Pfeffer, who seemed to be fit with just two practices under his belt, it was mostly a show by Amoskeag's forwards and backs. Portland had three more tries and two conversions for 24 points and practiced their tackling skills for 80 minutes, but Amoskeag's scoring was over 50 for the day.
Captain Andy remarked that the benchmark has been set, and the next two weeks of practice will require strong commitment and effort by everyone to get to where we want to be for our opener against Newport, in Newport. Get ready for the season, get out to practice this week, and get everyone else out, too. Let's get ready to play.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Fall Schedule Changes
Please note the entirely new Fall schedule that has been updated as of 7/29/03. As you can probably tell, we have drawn a very tough road schedule. Our very own Jerry Alves has already set us up with transportation for the Away games, however, so we should be well-rested when we show up in the distant ports of call to which we are being sent to play rugby.
For those of you who are married, have kids, need to rake the lawn, etc. this Fall, make sure to clear your schedules for the dates shown. Portland will be fielding very, very strong sides this season but need everyone to make a concerted effort to make the Away games shown.
Please call Jimmy or Andy with questions.
Please note the entirely new Fall schedule that has been updated as of 7/29/03. As you can probably tell, we have drawn a very tough road schedule. Our very own Jerry Alves has already set us up with transportation for the Away games, however, so we should be well-rested when we show up in the distant ports of call to which we are being sent to play rugby.
For those of you who are married, have kids, need to rake the lawn, etc. this Fall, make sure to clear your schedules for the dates shown. Portland will be fielding very, very strong sides this season but need everyone to make a concerted effort to make the Away games shown.
Please call Jimmy or Andy with questions.
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