MEN OF THE MATCH:  Jesse Miller-Forwards, Matt Derby-Backs

September 13, 2008: Gentlemen of Dubuque 38(6)  - Iowa Falls 12(2)

MATCH SYNOPSIS:

Trys: Steve Ruden, Matt Robers, Brian Ziemet, Ryan Oberhoeffer, Nick Syska (2)

Conversion Kicks: Steve Ruden 4/6

Penalty Kicks: Steve Ruden 0/1

MEN OF THE MATCH:  Matt Roberts-Forwards, Brian Ziemet-Backs

September 20, 2008: Gentlemen of Dubuque 41(7)  - Pearl City Pumas 17(3)

MATCH SYNOPSIS:

Trys: Steve Ruden (3), Matt Derby, Bob Roling, Matt Roberts, Nick Syska

Conversion Kicks: Steve Ruden 3/7

Drop Goal Attempt: Steve Ruden 0/1

MEN OF THE MATCH:  Bob Roling-Forwards, Steve Ruden-Backs

October 4, 2008: Gentlemen of Dubuque 15 (3) - Cedar Rapids Headhunters 33 (5)

MATCH SYNOPSIS: By Dave Schlueter

It was a beautiful Fall day with temps in the 60’s, a slight breeze (not a factor), and sunny skies (also not a factor).  The match, which was preceded by the National Anthem sung by Steve Slade, started right at 1:30 PM.  The opening 20 minutes of the match was a back and forth affair with both sides battling for position (which for the most part was more important then possession).  The Gentlemen were tackling well, one man-one tackle and competing well in the set pieces.  Cedar Rapids was able to turn over a fair amount of our ball at the ruck, which proved to be our undoing.  CR erupted for 4 tries, 3 of them converted.  One of the scores came as time expired at the half and another came on a questionable penalty try.   Score at the half was CR 26 to nil.  The Gentlemen settled themselves down over halftime and battled back to claim the second half by a 15 (3 tries) to 7 (1 try) tally.  All 3 tries were scored by the forwards, 2 by the 8-men (the Roberts boy’s) and 1 by Mark Smith playing at prop, all from close in and as a result of retaining possession in the red zone.

Positives:  The forwards played well in the set pieces, scrums and lineouts, winning clean ball for the back line consistently.  I can’t recall losing any scrums except one that was wheeled and I also don’t recall losing any lineouts other then the one we threw quick.  Tackling was good for the most part except for the second 20 minutes of the first half.  Kick’s for touch were also well spotted and our attack at the penalty spot of going quick and catching the opposition on the back foot thus gaining an additional free 10 meter’s was also effective and head’s up rugby.  Other then the 20 minute stretch in the first half, our poise, discipline, and attitude was good.  Every Gentlemen who entered the match gave their all to the end.

Negatives:  Most of these negatives refer to the second 20 minutes of the first half.  We definitely hurt ourselves by losing our own ball at the ruck and we continue to have a difficult time poaching the other teams possession.  Our own ball we need to do a better job of making a winnable presentation  and then protecting that with support in the form of a bridge or a clear or a corkscrew pry of the opposition.  Poaching comes down to one man, one tackle and regaining our feet.  At tackles and rucks we have too  many players not on their feet.  Ideally we want all of our players on their feet all of the time!  Even when tackling or being tackled, we need to immediately regain our feet so we can play!  This is definitely our biggest Achilles heel.   Our use of the boot for position during open play was not effective as we kicked to them and not to corners or open space and they countered with effective return.   We need to make the makeable conversions.

Disappointing to lose this pivotal game as our destiny is now no longer in our hands.  However, nothing has been decided yet and we still have life.  What we need to do, what we have to do, is take care of those things we can control.  We need to win out these last 2 matches and score at least 4 tries in each to gain maximum points, remembering that the match’s are 80 minutes long so we don’t have to score all the tries in the first 20 minutes of the match.  Let’s keep our composure, stay together, be disciplined, and go to Algona and take care of business this coming weekend.  Let’s remember that like the second half of the CR match, there are no 25 point tries.  So let’s take it one step at a time, with poise, and prepare to win at Algona.

Scoring:  Tries; Matt Roberts, Mark Smith, Ben Roberts, Conversions; Steve Ruden 0/3

MEN OF THE MATCH:  Rob Brown-Forwards, Matt Derby-Backs

October 11, 2008: Gentlemen of Dubuque 34 (6) - Gopher College RFC 27 (5)

MATCH SYNOPSIS: By Dave Schlueter

The Gentlemen traveled 3 and ½ hours to play in Algona in a must win situation.  The numbers were low but the moral was high as the lads prepared to meet the boys from Gopher.  Using a makeshift lineup, the Gentlemen scored first in a see-saw game which resulted in a halftime score of 12 to 10 in the Gentlemen’s favor.  The G O D played the second half one player down as Rob Brown left the match with a concussion.  However, the lads were able to tack on 4 more tries to lead to the final margin of victory despite a desperate comeback effort by Gopher which was enabled by numerous G O D miscues. 

Positives: First, we did what was required in winning the match and in gaining maximum points with the 6 tries.  Playing with 2 geriatric’s, one also crippled, and a makeshift lineup which had to make adjustments on the hop due to the injury, the boys never gave in and kept their discipline and focused on the task at hand.  Our lineout’s were mostly effective, tackling was good, and at times we controlled the ball and played inside the opponents half.  We did a better job of regaining our feet after tackles or after being tackled.  Despite the officiating, which was less then average, the lads appeared to maintain their discipline.

Negatives: We had a real difficult time taking care of the ball losing possession numerous times with knock forwards and handling miscues.  Our scrum was high as was some of our support at the ruck.  We definitely need to lower our levels and raise our intensity at the point of impact.  Our game strategy was acceptable in parts but for the most part, we spent way to much time playing out of our own half.  We need to still find that part of the game where we use our foot and kicking placement to put us in a position to score without expending large amounts of energy working the length of the pitch.  We need to find consistency in our ability to kick for post and kick in at kickoff.

All and all, and considering the team we were forced to put on the pitch, everyone gave a great effort and accomplished what was required.  We certainly need to stop shooting ourselves in the foot, keep our composure in all situations, and develop an affective strategy to shorten the pitch.  Great job by all whom traveled-playing and supporting!  Now all we can do is what we can do!  Let’s go to Iowa City this Sunday and win, with maximum bonus points.  Let’s make a statement to the rest of Iowa DIII!!

Scoring:  Tries; Steve Ruden (2), Matt Derby, Mark Smith, Rob Brown, Brian Ziemet

Conversions; Steve Ruden 2/6

MEN OF THE MATCH:  Ron Pole-Forwards, Dave Schlueter-Backs

October 19, 2008: Gentlemen of Dubuque 24 (4) - Iowa City Ducks 0

MATCH SYNOPSIS: By Dave Schlueter

On a crisp autumn afternoon, the Gentlemen traveled to Morse, Iowa to play against the Ducks from Iowa City.  The Gentlemen fielded 16 players for the match and not knowing how the CR/Algona game played out, were intent on winning with a bonus point.  The match started as a back and forth affair, till Rob Brown broke out for a 60 meter try from his center position.  Steve Ruden slotted the conversion.  With 5 minutes left in the half Ruden tacked on anther try finishing off a very patient attack by the forwards inside the opponents 5 meter line.  Again, the conversion was spot on.  The Ducks threatened at half’s end but the Gentlemen denied them the try zone and went to the half up by a 14 to nil count.  The second half saw the Ducks self destruct.  After trys  by Brown and new winger, Don Heming, the Duck’s card count escalated and at game’s end they had 9 players left as 2 received red cards and 4 yellow’s in the matches last 10 minutes after the Gentlemen had already sealed the victory and the bonus point.  Final score was registered as 24 to zip as the Gentlemen missed the last 2 conversions kicks, which were both at severe angles into a strong wind.

Positives: Discipline, composure, control were the key words to the great showing the G O D put on versus a potentially dangerous team loaded with loose cannon’s.  Our forwards again were dominating at the scrum and at the line out, winning our own ball and disrupting theirs.   Despite once again playing with new team members and a few filling in at new positions, the Gentlemen played as a team with positive communication and support.  Our clearing at the ruck was especially impressive as our lads blew away the opposition at the point of attack to procure clean second phase ball.  Kicking at post was improved as we made the kicks we need to make (in front of the post).   Defensively the Gentlemen neutralized the heart of the Iowa City offense by shutting down their centers with good support and tackling.  We scored a try at the end of the first half and denied the opposition potential unanswerable points in the same half.  Our red zone defense was unbreakable all game long and as a team, for the most part, we did a great job of shortening the pitch and playing on the oppositions half.  We also did a nice job of knowing field and wind conditions and using them to our advantage.

Negatives: We had a couple of moments where misused a free kick and then shortly after that a penalty kick.  We still lost some of our own ball but some of that occurred with the opposition having hands in and the sir not identifying it.  However our protection and recycling of our own ball was much improved.

Great effort by all!  We went into the game not knowing how the CR/Gopher game came out and did exactly what we needed to do by winning with a bonus point!  I think this was our best overall effort and the improvements from seasons start to this match as far as rucking support, decision making, game strategy, and discipline were evident.  We’ve put in some great foundation work for the future, but after this season it’s time to also remember that the future is now!  There is not a team in Midwest rugby DIII that we can’t play with.  The ability to play for a National title is no longer just a dream!  Well done by all, three cheers!

Scoring:  Tries; Rob Brown (2), Steve Ruden, Don Heming

Conversions; Steve Ruden 2/4

MEN OF THE MATCH:  Mike Fielding-Forwards, Rob Brown-Backs