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.
Monday, September 29, 2003
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.
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.
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.
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