Match score 4/10/10 Saturday
Gentlemen of Dubuque RFC 53 (9) v Quad Cities Irish RFC 0
MATCH SYNOPSIS: By Dave Schlueter
The weather was pleasant with a gentle breeze, sun, and temps in the 60’s, as the Gentlemen took the pitch to host the Irish from the Quad Cities. The match was played at Holy Ghost’s green area, above the school. The pitch was a little narrow yet surprisingly, very playable. The Gentlemen started off the scoring with a try by Michael Taylor 5 minutes into the match, under the posts. The conversion was skew. By half the score had grown to 24 to nil. The Irish played very gutsy and spirited rugby the whole way, but the size, speed and numbers of the G O D proved too much to overcome. By the final hooter the match score had settled at 53 to 0.
Positives: Everyone got a run on the pitch and all who participated, especially the rookies, gave a good account of themselves. Obviously training has prepared players properly to play, cheers to Reno. The forward pack was again dominating and became more so as the match progressed, so fitness and pace both looked good. As the backline sorted out how to play on the somewhat narrow pitch, they also played well and supported each other. Discipline was good throughout, playing what was called and even on the yellow card, the effort was toward winning the ball. We played hard nosed rugby, not cheap.
Negatives: It took us a little bit to get out of the blocks, but give some credit for that to the pitch dimensions and more of that to a spirited Quad Cities side. Kicking was a little spotty throughout whether it be kick in, touch, or conversions. We still lost way too much of our own ball from the big boys running bangers off of the rucks. A big part of that seems to be how we are carrying the ball and the other part was presentation of ruck ball. We must protect the ball from being stripped on the carry or tied up (which is what happens when we carry it like an American Football fullback) and more of our big bodies need to learn the technique of putting back a proper and legal squeeze ball.
All and all, an improvement over the first match and a great overall effort by everyone.
Scoring: Tries: Steve Ruden, Matt Roberts, Matt Derby, Shane Murphy, Brian Zeimet, Michael Taylor, Ross Dillavou, Jeremy Klein, Aaron Burbach
Conversions: Rick Besler 4/8, Michael Taylor 0/1
Men of the Match: Backs—Jeff Wertz, Forwards—Aaron Burbach