Match Results Midwest Final Four
5/1-2/10 St. Charles, IL
5/1 - Match 1:Gentlemen of Dubuque RFC 17 (3) v Cedar Rapids Headhunters RFC 29(3)
5/2 - Match 2:Gentlemen of Dubuque RFC 31 (5) v Cleveland Eastern Suburbs RFC 24(4)
MATCH SYNOPSIS: By Dave Schlueter
The weekend was beautiful, with neither sun nor wind playing factors in matches or strategies of play. In match one, the G O D got on the board 2nd but converted to take a 7 to 5 lead. The match sea sawed back and forth with half knotted at 12’s. The 2nd half saw Cedar Rapids pull away on the strength of untimely penalties by the Gentlemen within striking range of their fly half, whose 4 penalty kicks proved the 12 point difference in the final. The Gentlemen did miss an opportunity to close the gap to 5 points at match end when we knocked the ball on while going in for a sure try. In the match for 3rd place, the Gentlemen went out on top early with a converted try by Michael Taylor, however, like Saturday, Cleveland did come to play and the momentum of the match switched back and forth throughout. The G O D would go up by 10 to 14 points but the opposition always responded. With no time left Cleveland dotted down and converted the final points of the match leaving the Gentlemen with the victory and 3rd place at a very competitive tourney. Cedar Rapids won the championship by a 32 to 24 tally over the Fox Valley Maoris in the final. Special recognition must go out to the wives, mothers, and girlfriends of our team members. You all were fantastic in how you not only became a part of the club, but made it so much better and stronger! We could not have accomplished any where near the success we had this year without your work, support, and love! You have adopted this club and made it your own!
Brilliant!
Positives: Despite the disappointment of not advancing to South Carolina, the lads came back on Sunday and finished off the best season in G O D RFC history with a victory and a 3rd place medal. Our discipline of ourselves was mostly of a high degree even in the face of questionable refereeing, which though not a determinate in the matches, was a disappointment at this level. The guys supported each other on and off the pitch, as did a brilliant showing of supporters! This team definitely has love for each other, top to bottom!
Negatives: I don’t really have any negatives. We know we have some things that we need to improve on to win a National Championship. We need to win our own ball in set pieces, we need to learn to come in 2’s and poach opposition ball, we need to protect ruck ball with no more then 2 to 3 supporters hot on the ball carriers heels, we need to know the importance of one man- one tackle, and the ball needs to be recycled much quicker. But, I love the team we are developing and it’s great to get that first big sniff of what is required to be champions! This is not the end of a National Championship season, but the beginning! Love you all.
Match 1
Scoring: Tries: Steve Ruden (3)
Conversions: Michael Taylor 1/3
Men of the Match: Backs—Steve Ruden, Forwards—Mark Smith
Match 2
Scoring: Tries: Steve Ruden, Michael Taylor (2), Zach Singsank
Conversions: Michael Taylor 3/5
Men of the Match: Backs—Matt Derby, Forwards—Tyler Polley