-Match Results-
Spring 2006
May 6-7, 2006: All-Iowa Tournament
It was a beautiful weekend in Iowa Falls and some great rugby was played all weekend long. The Gentlemen came up just short in 2 out of 3 matches. All were closely contested with the Gentlemen leading at the half in 2 of them and being knotted at half in the other. In the 1st match, a highlight was a great defensive stand at the 5 meter line for the final 5 minutes of the half. Another bright spot in all 3 matches was the fact the Gentlemen got out of the blocks in each match and in the 1st 5 minutes of each game put in a score. Brandon Jones had a tremendous weekend defensively, tackling everything in sight. All who attended, gave all they had and left the pitch at match ends with their tanks empty. It was an encouraging effort by all and something positive, especially the win in the final match, for the GOD to build on. Great season!!
MEN OF THE TOURNEY: Ben Roberts--Forwards, Steve Ruden--Backs
Extra note: The men were not the only ones to step to the pitch. Katie Meyer and Sarah Shelander, also put in great efforts playing for Palmer College (I’m surprised they weren’t both offered full rides after the weekend!). On the 1st day Katie was not available, however Sarah dotted down 2 tries in each game (Wartburg and Luther) while only playing the 1st half of each. On day 2, Palmer played 1st a solid Des Moines side and at the end of the lopsided win, both Katie and Sarah had 2 tries apiece. In the final against a talented Iowa State side Palmer fell, but not until after winning the 2nd half, 5 to nil---that score coming from Katie. After a nice attack in the 1st half, Sarah was sidelined with what might possibly be an ACL injury. Both had great weekends of rugby and their commitment to the game and their teammates is nothing less then brilliant!! Three cheers for the ladies!!
April 29, 2006: Gentlemen of Dubuque 12, Rockford Ravens RFC 5
On a rainy cool afternoon the Gentlemen of Dubuque entertained a strong Rockford Ravens team. The match was definitely a forwards match, which was ultimately won with 2 great defensive stands at the end of each half by the GOD. Playing with just 15 players, the GOD, showed great character by playing hurt and giving an effort determined not to let down their mates. The first try of the match by Steve Ruden actually came while the team was 1 man down (Austin Goodman was being attended to for what would turn out to be a broken thumb). Ben Roberts scored once as well and Austin Goodman added 1 conversion (1/2). It was a great effort by all who participated—especially the defensive stands!
MEN OF THE MATCH: Ben Roberts--Forwards, Damien Arensdorf--Backs
April 22, 2006: Spring Tournament
The tourney ran as smoothly and as well as any we’ve run. Behavior by all was of high degree! As a club, the GOD played the best rugby they’ve played all year long! It was a great total team effort all day long in all respects!!
Special thanks to all who helped make this a showcase event! Congo for organizing and coordinating the many “old boys” into running our concessions. They all did a wonderful job and more then anything, it was great to see them all---with support like that from our “old boys” we can’t lose. Thanks to Katie Meyer, Ron Pole, Matt Roberts, and Corey Birkel for their energies and dedication in helping organize and run this event. And a special thanks to Steve Ruden for heading up the tourney and turning it into the best run and classiest event in the Midwest R.F.U.
MEN OF THE MATCH: Kris Kirkpatrick--Forwards, Kevin 'Frenchie' Bulava--Backs
The tourney ran as smoothly and as well as any we’ve run. Behavior by all was of high degree! As a club, the GOD played the best rugby they’ve played all year long! It was a great total team effort all day long in all respects!! Men of the Tourney for the GOD were: Forwards, Chris Kirkpatrick and Backs, Frenchie.
Special thanks to all who helped make this a showcase event! Congo for organizing and coordinating the many “old boys” into running our concessions. They all did a wonderful job and more then anything, it was great to see them all---with support like that from our “old boys” we can’t lose. Thanks to Katie Meyer, Ron Pole, Matt Roberts, and Corey Birkel for their energies and dedication in helping organize and run this event. And a special thanks to Steve Ruden for heading up the tourney and turning it into the best run and classiest event in the Midwest RFU. Thanks and cheers to all!
Now on a little more serious note. As athletes involved in a contact sport, we live with risk every time we step on the pitch. But the most important part of that statement is not that we have “risk”, but that we “LIVE”.
In the GOD’s 2nd match, rookie player Andy Zimmer—“Zim”, was involved in such a situation. Paramedics arrived at the pitch and transported him to Finley Hospital from where it was determined to AirVac him to Iowa City for evaluation of a broken neck. He was diagnosed with a C2 break and kept for evaluation. Because of his physical condition prior to the collision, Zim is going to walk away from this situation in the best of possible outcomes! He was to be released to go home with his family to Marshalltown on Monday morning, 4/24. He will be in a neck brace for 6 to 8 weeks.
Please keep Zim and his family in your thoughts and prayer’s and know that there is risk in everything we do as rugby players and otherwise and sometimes the unthinkable is going to happen. However living in fear of that is not the answer because that is not living at all. Also remember that being athletes and staying physically fit throughout our lives sometimes gives us that edge when the unthinkable does occur!
Cheers Zim!! We're with you always brother!
David
President, Gentlemen of Dubuque R.F.C.
April 15, 2006: Women Travel to Madison
Katie Meyer and Sarah Shelander traveled to Madison to play in a women’s match. In a very well played game (there were numerous All-Midwest players on the pitch), both ladies scored 2 tries apiece. It was Sarah’s 1st game ever and Katie played as well as I’ve seen!
April 8, 2006: Cedar Rapids 44 - Gentlemen of Dubuque 12
The Gentlemen of Dubuque traveled to Cedar Rapids with 11 players, most absent were due to good reasons and acceptable--mumps, work, and family. Cedar Rapids was gracious enough to give us three players each quarter (the game was played in four 20 minute quarters to allow for subs). It was a great learning game for new players and many experienced breakout games. The discipline on the Dubuque side of the ball was exemplary other than one meltdown moment. Both tries were directly the result of superior discipline. Tries were scored by Matt Roberts and Kevin 'Frenchie' Bulava, Austin Goodman added 1 (1/2 conversions, 0/1 drop goal) conversion kick. All in all, the match was well played, the learning experience invaluable and we escaped relatively injury free. WELL DONE.
MEN OF THE MATCH: Matt Roberts--Forwards, Nathan Wolfe--Backs
April 1, 2006: Augustana College 32 - Gentlemen of Dubuque 31
The Gentlemen of Dubuque traveled to Credit Island in Davenport to play Augustana College with 18 ruggers. It was a game of two halves. Augustana led after the first half 15-0 as the Gentlemen looked hurried, non-committed to the ball or tackle and unordered in defense. Communication was non-existent as well. However, the second half was totally reversed with the Gentlemen dominating the half by a 31-17 count. When full time was called the Gentlemen were knocking hard on the door. The game wasn't so much lost as we just ran out of time. All who played (everyone played at least 40 mins) should hold their head high a they all gave a worthy accounting of themselves. Tries were scored by Tyler Gerard (2), Ben Roberts, Kevin 'Frenchie' Bulava, Brandon Jones and Austin Goodman went 3 for 5 in conversions.
MEN OF THE MATCH: Ben Roberts--Forwards, Tyler Gerard--Backs
March 25, 2006: Gentlemen of Dubuque 15 - Jones County 14
In their first match of the season the Gentlemen of Dubuque traveled with twenty-three players to Monticello, IA to play Jones County. They pulled off a win in a, most importantly, well disciplined/behaved game, with all players getting a run. Brandon Jones and Matt Roberts scored tries and Austin Goodman added a conversion kick and a penalty kick to win the game. This game had a real tribute to guts, the Gentlemen came back from a 14-5 deficit to win with a penalty kick in under two minutes to play.
MEN OF THE MATCH: Kevin 'Fenchie' Bulava--Forwards, Corey Birkel--Backs