Portland stumbles, then stumbles some more

After a promising start to the season the bye week seemed to have interfered with Portland's mo-jo as first one wheel, then another has come off their playoff campaign. With one week left to go, post-season play is still a mathematical possibility, but our destiny lies as much in the hands of others as our own.

Having been previously indefatigable at home, Portland took their first misstep by failing to capitalize on their territorial advantage against Hartford, and then yielding a succession of penalties towards the end that allowed the visitors to put the game out of reach. Both tackling and decision making were poor, while a lively Hartford pack made every ruck and maul a hard fought contest.

Despite some extended periods in the opposition half Portland failed to turn the screw, and on most occasions Hartford were able to respond with 40+ yard breakaways to relieve the pressure. Hartford had the better of the try count 2-1, and both sides racked up three penalty kicks each. Portland got theirs early, to keep them in contention despite the failure to convert pressure in to tries, but Hartford got theirs late, when they needed them most, to help put some daylight between themselves and the hosts. Final score, Portland 16 - Hartford 23. 1 point for the near miss.

A week later Portland took the long trip to Burlington only to suffer a similar fate, coughing up too much ball in contact, which the host side was able to put away to their advantage. Overnight rain made for slippery conditions on an otherwise perfect rugby facility, and handling errors were to be frequent throughout the match.

Burlington struck first, taking advantage of players still shaking off the fog of 4 1/2 hours on the road. For the first quarter Portland struggled to get out of their own half, but held their own in the set piece and managed to prevent any further points being scored.

After a converted Burlington penalty, Portland eventually found themselves in the opposition half, giving them the opportunity to swing the ball wide through their backs, and despite coming up short of the line, the forwards were able to finish the move with a series of quick rucks.

Portland soon scored again, but this time it was all forwards, as they dominated a 5-meter scrum; stopping just short of a full pushover, but getting close enough to crash over from a quick pickup at the back. Both tries were unconverted, but it gave Portland a slender 10-8 lead going in to the half.

Burlington soon wrested back the momentum, striking back early in the second half with a quick move to their backs. Within several minutes they were at it again, pouncing on a ball fly hacked through our advancing defense. Both kicks were missed, but Burlington now held a 18-10 lead.

Portland came back with a drop goal from Evan Harding and another try of their own, and for a while the game hung in the balance at 18-18. Burlington were to have the last word however, after stealing the ball at a lineout and working it quickly wide and breaking several tackles to send their winger over in the corner. The conversion was made, and the scoreline moved to 25-18. That's how it stayed for the last 10 minutes despite some near misses by both sides. Another solitary consilation point for the close loss.

On both these occaisions the B side were able to win their own contests and add a silver lining to the otherwise gloomy score sheet. The B's continue to put in strong performances, thanks in large part to the numbers of new players that have been turning out each week. Sprinkle that group with a handful of wiley veterans and you have the making of a good side, and a great breeding ground for Portland's future talent.

Portland's final game of the season will be away to Newport and will feature the second fixture of the year for Portland's "new" old boys side. A bus has been laid on for the event and $30 will get you a seat on it plus some refreshments. Any old boys looking to get a run in before the weekend can find us at Memorial Field on Tuesday (7-9) and Fitzy on Thursday (7:30-9). If you'd rather conserve your energy for the day of, we understand.

River Crossed, Gold Pwned

Sorry, but things just got backed up and before you know it there are two games in the books and no match report to show for either. I'll blame the Jaeger.

Well, the good news is that they were both wins for the good guys, so you can sit back off the edge of your seat.

Going back two weeks Portland turned over Charles River at home to the tune of 35-15, with four tries to secure the bonus point. Three of those tries went to Fred Hayman, who still couldn't get MOTM and one to Byron Brinkley. Instead those MOTM honors went to Scotty Derrig. The B's also won, with a similar scoreline and MOTM honors going to Ed Lutjens.

This past week Portland made their first road trip to the gravel and grass strewn goodness that is Moakley Park in Boston. Old Gold had been having a bad run of it, and that run continued after a 31-7 victory to the visitors. In a tense first half Portland's lone try came from Steve Stewart, with a penalty from Andy Nelson giving a slender 10-7 lead. Things were to open up in the second half however, with scores for me, Matt Winch and Derik Hammond. Gareth Matthews converted a couple of these and Evan Harding the other, and that's how it all ended up, with another bonus point secured. MOTM honors went to back-from-the-dead, Dave Jackowitz.

The B's continued their own winning streak too, again with a similar lopsided result. Great performances from the new talent as well as a couple of solid ones from the veterans. Colin Dumont picked up another MOTM shot for his elusive running (and scoring), while the other scorers are encouraged to post of their feats below.

Elsewhere in the league South Shore is the only other team to sport an undefeated record, yet they continue to gift their opponents try bonus points like it's bloody Christmas! Hey, fellas, let's put a little daylight between us and them, eh?

Portland have a bye week then host Hartford on 10/13.

South Shore Stalemate

Portland and South Shore went toe to toe this past weekend but all either side had to show for it was a 7-7 draw after 80 minutes of spirited play.

Morning rain gave way to afternoon showers, yielding some slippery conditions, but that didn't deter the powerful South Shore backs from running the ball at most opportunities. After repeated forays into the Portland half this pressure eventually told when the South Shore winger broke free of a tackle just inside the Portland 22 and thus put himself clear through to score. 7-0 to the visitors, and although they continued to apply pressure for the remainder of the half they were unable to make any further breakthroughs.

Some changes at the half saw Portland begin to exert some pressure of their own, which was soon rewarded with a(nother) try fo Steve Stewart, who seems to be able to squeeze through gaps most of the rest of us would get stuck in.

Most of the second half was played at a frenetic pace as both sides tried to break the stalemate. Although each had their opportunties, neither was able to convert them and so in the end things remained tied up at the final whistle. Portland moves to 1-0-1, although probably sit somewhere like 3rd place in the league thanks to a dearth of bonus points.

Fortunately the B game was to provide more in the way of scoring, and probably entertainment value also, as the enthusiastic B's looked to reverse their fortunes from the previous week.

Portland opened their account in the first half through a quick tap penalty taken by Murph (senior) that caught South Shore napping and allowed him to sneak in to the try zone. No conversion, so that was all the scoring for the first half. 5-0 in Portland's favor.

The second half saw the champagne moment of the day as another old timer, Leo Caouette, floated through the South Shore defense and evaded several tackles before eventually offloading to Brendon Gibb to finish the move. 10-0 Portland.

Finally, Mr. Highstepper himself, Tractor, bullied his way into the end zone for one more score. This time Matt Winch's conversion was good, bringing Portland's total to 17. South Shore on the other hand, most of whom were playing their second game of the day, just seemed glad to get it over with, so that's how it ended up.

MOTM honors for the first game went to Evan Harding and his new kicking boots, while honors for the second game went to Leo and his dancing slippers.

Portland host Charles River this Saturday, at Dougherty Field again, 1pm.

Portland tops Providence

Given the early state of the season, we're playing our cards close to our chests this week with a slightly more tight-lipped match report than usual. Hopefully by revealing just the bare facts, our plans for a lazer-death ray can remain a secret, and we can reserve any editorial comment for the weather or the after match activities.

One inescapable fact however is that Portland came out winners this past weekend in their opening league fixture of the 2007 season, on a day hotter than a stolen tamale and a pitch dryer than a biscuit.

Mmmmmm...biscuits.

With the sun at its highest play kicked off and the initial onslaught came from Providence as they poured it on good and heavy. There were some tense moments from the home side, but they were eventually able to clear their lines and settle things down in midfield. Play see-sawed for a while but then Portland opened the scoring with an try from Steve Stewart, who's tireless performance would go on to earn him man-of-the-match honors for the day. Andy Nelson made the conversion.

Portland scored again shortly afterwards, this time through Ryan Facey, with another conversion from Andy Nelson, bringing the score to 14-0, which was how it was to remain until half time.

Whatever Providence was drinking at half time it must have been good as they struck back with a vengeance, running in two quick scores under the posts, and before you could say "wtf?" it was all tied up.

Both sides continued to slog it out under the hot sun, and never were substitutes more welcome. Through some concerted pressure Portland were able to earn a penalty in kicking distance, which Andy Nelson was able to convert and give the home side a slender lead.

Tensions began to grow on both sides as the clock wound down, and rucks and mauls were entered with ever increasing ahem..."enthusiasm". With about 15 minutes remaining an attempted kick ahead by Providence was fielded inside the Portland 22 and instead of clearing to touch Portland opted to run it back in search of a knockout punch.

The ball passed its way through several pairs of hands as it worked its way upfield and eventually found itself in the possession of Jerry Alves (I think) who crashed over in a cloud of dust to complete the move. Andy continued his kicking streak to make the conversion, and bring the scoreline to 24-14 in Portland's favor.

Despite continued pressure from Providence, and a few late handbags, that's how it remained, and I would guess that even the visitors were a little glad to hear the final whistle after 80 of the hottest minutes in a while.

The ensuing B-game saw many new (and some welcome old) faces pull on the scarlet jersey and take the field despite the continued high temps. The contest was to be an even one, with both sides scoring two tries a piece. Tractor was the definite protagonist of one of these moves, while either Brendan or Francis gets credit for the other.

Unfortunately however it was kicking that would be the decider in the B game, and while Providence made both of their conversions, Portland missed both of theirs, and so it finished 14-10 in favor of the visitors. Newcomer Colin Dumont earned man-of-the-match honors for his hard running and tackling at Wing and Center.

So that's all the news we're willing to print. Tune in next week for the more snark-free commentary. Portland hosts South Shore this weekend, also at Dougherty Field.

Looking for the Providence game?

...well look no further than the maps below for the locations of both the on-field and post match festivities.

It's leauge season for reals now, so come see if all the hard work will pay off. Game on!

Here's where the game will be played, otherwise known as Dougherty Field:

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Top food, top beer and above all topless waitresses.

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Training moves (again)

In case you haven't clocked it yet, training has moved again, this time back to Payson Park. We should remain here until the clocks go back, at which time we'll move back to Riverton and take advantage of their floodlights and wonderful drainage.

If you can't find Payson Park by now, shame on you, but if you've just moved here or like to color-in, here's another map.