Here is this weekend's schedule as it looks currently. We may have to make changes on the fly so stay posted!
Field 1
9:30-10:35 (W) Colby v. UMaine
10:35-11:40 (W) Bowdoin v. UMF
11:40-12:45 PHS girls A vs. College women B's
12:50-1:55 PHS boys B vs. Bishop Hendrickson B
1:55-3:00 (W) UMaine v. UMF
3:00-4:05 (W) Colby v. Bowdoin
Field 2
8:30-9:35 (M) Bowdoin v. UMF
9:35-10:40 (M) Colby v. Umaine
10:40-11:45 (M) Bridgton Academy vs. Mixed B's
11:45-12:50 PHS boys A vs. Bishop Hendrickson A
12:50-2:30 PRFC A vs. Seacoast A (3-30 min halves)
2:30-3:35 (M) UMaine v. UMF
3:35-4:40 (M) Colby v. Bowdoin
Thursday, April 21, 2005
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Worcester Sauce
I was scouring the Worcester web page looking for some inspiration for the match report, but all I could figure out was that they had lost track of who had scored, and were looking to piece the game together by way of their message board.
Ten tries pretty much tells the story, and all in their favor. Clearly Worcester is at the top of their game right now, having won NERFU D1 in the Fall, opened their Spring season by winning the Savannah St. Patricks Day tournament, and kicking off their D1 National Playoff campaign next weekend. In the context of all that, the Portland effort was a little more respectable, making the visitors break a sweat during thier romp. As usual, Portland contested a lot of the set piece ball with vigor, but the differences were all too apparant when play became less structured, and the crisp passing of the entire Worcester side opened things up.
The last two weeks have illustrated that modern rugby has less to do with set pieces for either forwards or backs, and has more to do with a sides ability to quickly re-align itself and distribute the ball effectively. Modern rugby defense rarely gives up tries on the first phase, or even the second, so it becomes imperative to retain posession, and attacking options through the third, fourth, fifth phase and beyond. It ultimately makes for a much more frenetic and athletic game, but one that seems to produce points.
OK, enough of the soap box, this weekend, in addition to the college tournament, Portland are hosting Seacoast; some genuine D3 opposition. After two stern tests, hopefully this provides an opportunity for our boys to open the scoring account, and who knows where that might lead.
Stay glued to your e-mail for updates on the Saturday's activity. We need you all out to help the tournament go off smoothly.
Ten tries pretty much tells the story, and all in their favor. Clearly Worcester is at the top of their game right now, having won NERFU D1 in the Fall, opened their Spring season by winning the Savannah St. Patricks Day tournament, and kicking off their D1 National Playoff campaign next weekend. In the context of all that, the Portland effort was a little more respectable, making the visitors break a sweat during thier romp. As usual, Portland contested a lot of the set piece ball with vigor, but the differences were all too apparant when play became less structured, and the crisp passing of the entire Worcester side opened things up.
The last two weeks have illustrated that modern rugby has less to do with set pieces for either forwards or backs, and has more to do with a sides ability to quickly re-align itself and distribute the ball effectively. Modern rugby defense rarely gives up tries on the first phase, or even the second, so it becomes imperative to retain posession, and attacking options through the third, fourth, fifth phase and beyond. It ultimately makes for a much more frenetic and athletic game, but one that seems to produce points.
OK, enough of the soap box, this weekend, in addition to the college tournament, Portland are hosting Seacoast; some genuine D3 opposition. After two stern tests, hopefully this provides an opportunity for our boys to open the scoring account, and who knows where that might lead.
Stay glued to your e-mail for updates on the Saturday's activity. We need you all out to help the tournament go off smoothly.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Calling all home fans....
Stuck for something to do this afternoon?
Come out and cheer the lads on as they face up against Worcester this afternoon, at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.
Bridgeton Academy gets the fun started at 11am as they play their first game of the season, and the A Side takes the field at 1pm.
Bring your sun block, a chair and a few refreshments, and the rest of the entertainment is free. Yeah, that's right, FREE! So, bring the kids, and that's twice the savings (plus brownie points!).
See you there....
Come out and cheer the lads on as they face up against Worcester this afternoon, at the Cumberland Fairgrounds.
Bridgeton Academy gets the fun started at 11am as they play their first game of the season, and the A Side takes the field at 1pm.
Bring your sun block, a chair and a few refreshments, and the rest of the entertainment is free. Yeah, that's right, FREE! So, bring the kids, and that's twice the savings (plus brownie points!).
See you there....
Friday, April 15, 2005
A cautionary tale
I stumbled across this disturbing story of rugger's night out gone awry and thought I would pass it on. I think this, along with their dismal Six Nations showing this year, clearly sets the Scottish apart from the other home nations. It should also be noted that Portland Rugby has a disproportionally large number of members with a last name beginning with "Mc"...
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Home Opener
After a Winter that seemed like it would never end, Portland got its season underway in bright sunshine this past Saturday. Long time friends and rivals Amoskeag made the trip up to Cumberland Fairgrounds, offering up an early test for Portland's new(ish) looking side.
Before any of that stuff however, we had the treat of watching some of Portland's bygone (and not so bygone) stars do their thing in the Old Boys game. While in the past our A side might have been accused of being long in the tooth, they make for a sprightly looking Old Boys team, and it wasn't long before they were stretching their legs against a not so sprightly side from Amoskeag. To be fair, they did out number they visitors by a couple, but even after we lent them a few players, the Portland side was soon leading comfortably. The match turned in to something of an exhibition for Portland, and the way they were slinging the ball around made it clear that they had no intention of getting their shorts dirty. The final score was unknown, but I've no doubt that Portland won handily.
If the Old Boys game was an exhibition, then the A Side had a grittier quality, even if the final scoreline was as one sided. Portland fielded many new faces from the side that struggled through last Fall, along with well...ahem...a good sprinkling of familiar ones. All in all it looks like a side with a lot of promise, but one that needs to get to know itself a bit better. While Portland competed physically in both the set piece and the breakdown, and won its fair share of ball, it did not capitalize on its chances as effectively as the Amoskeag backline. Indeed, it was the visitor's decision making with the ball in hand that decided the match; turning scrappy ball in to scoring opportunities with crisp passing and sharp running.
Portland should take heart in the fact that they contested the match right down to the final whistle, and threatened to score on a couple of occaisions. It's a cliche, but there's no substitute for match experience, and after all that time indoors playing with ourselves, it was a bit much to expect Ron Jeremy to show up on the first outing. Nevertheless, Portland showed that they knew what was supposed to go where, and showed stamina. Most girls would be happy with that as a start.
Er...OK, I don't know how that got all smutty there. The day was, after all, a great family day out, with plenty of good rugby for all. To cap things off, the B side ended up playing pretty much the same Amoskeag side the A side had faced, so I don't think that game went much better. If anyone knows the score, then let me know. Despite that, the club took a good step forward, and I think most of us had a good day out.
Worcester is visiting us at the Fairgrounds this weekend, so make sure you're at practice again this Thursday. Be at Fox Street at 6pm sharp, since there's a lot to cover, including the election of Selectors "at large".
Before any of that stuff however, we had the treat of watching some of Portland's bygone (and not so bygone) stars do their thing in the Old Boys game. While in the past our A side might have been accused of being long in the tooth, they make for a sprightly looking Old Boys team, and it wasn't long before they were stretching their legs against a not so sprightly side from Amoskeag. To be fair, they did out number they visitors by a couple, but even after we lent them a few players, the Portland side was soon leading comfortably. The match turned in to something of an exhibition for Portland, and the way they were slinging the ball around made it clear that they had no intention of getting their shorts dirty. The final score was unknown, but I've no doubt that Portland won handily.
If the Old Boys game was an exhibition, then the A Side had a grittier quality, even if the final scoreline was as one sided. Portland fielded many new faces from the side that struggled through last Fall, along with well...ahem...a good sprinkling of familiar ones. All in all it looks like a side with a lot of promise, but one that needs to get to know itself a bit better. While Portland competed physically in both the set piece and the breakdown, and won its fair share of ball, it did not capitalize on its chances as effectively as the Amoskeag backline. Indeed, it was the visitor's decision making with the ball in hand that decided the match; turning scrappy ball in to scoring opportunities with crisp passing and sharp running.
Portland should take heart in the fact that they contested the match right down to the final whistle, and threatened to score on a couple of occaisions. It's a cliche, but there's no substitute for match experience, and after all that time indoors playing with ourselves, it was a bit much to expect Ron Jeremy to show up on the first outing. Nevertheless, Portland showed that they knew what was supposed to go where, and showed stamina. Most girls would be happy with that as a start.
Er...OK, I don't know how that got all smutty there. The day was, after all, a great family day out, with plenty of good rugby for all. To cap things off, the B side ended up playing pretty much the same Amoskeag side the A side had faced, so I don't think that game went much better. If anyone knows the score, then let me know. Despite that, the club took a good step forward, and I think most of us had a good day out.
Worcester is visiting us at the Fairgrounds this weekend, so make sure you're at practice again this Thursday. Be at Fox Street at 6pm sharp, since there's a lot to cover, including the election of Selectors "at large".
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
Practice 4/11
We are finally moving practice outside and stepping it up to twice a week. Going forward, practice will be held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm to 8pm at Fox Street Field. For those of you not familiar with Fox Street, click on the Directions link of the site, and it's all right there for you.
On days of potential inclement weather, check back with the site during the day to see if practice has been cancelled or moved.
On days of potential inclement weather, check back with the site during the day to see if practice has been cancelled or moved.
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