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Old Match Reports

On a beautiful rugby afternoon in Rochester, the Rogues play host to the Pigs in a spring friendly. After kicking-off, St. Paul’s defense forces a Rochester kick. Grant counters combining with MOTM Jammer and Hightower to bring the ball into a maul. The Pigs role the maul deep into the Rogue half of the pitch where Josh breaks away for the first try of the match. Rochester answers quickly with a tap-and-go penalty exposing an over-lapse in the Pigs’ defense to take a 7-5 lead, their only lead of the day. The pigs continue with strong defense. A penalty kick for touch puts the line-out eight meters out. Quick hands from fly-half Billy cycles through the backs to Grant touching it down for the second St. Paul try. The Pigs, now on a role, earn another line-out. The ball is spun out to MOTM Jammer who glides over the goal line. St. Paul phases deep into Rochester territory. A try comes after a pop to MOTM Peaches off a ruck and a run of ten meters. The Rogues narrow the gap with a breakaway try. Unwaught by the miscue, the Pigs continue to drive toward the Rochester goal. MOTM Jammer passes the ball to Eric on the wing who pops the ball inside to the sprinting Gitch scoring as the half expires. Pigs 29, Rogues 12.

Early in the second half, MOTM Jammer intercepts an errant Rochester pass. He runs down field and dishes to Hightower who scores between the posts (only to attempt the conversion himself and miss). Rochester scores right away after charging down a scrum- half kick. The Pigs drive again when aggressive play from Ike and Josh results in a try. Another great decision by MOTM Jammer gives the ball to Chachi who sprints in from 22. The scoring keeps coming when MOTM Peaches takes it in (heroically on his own) from 15 meters out. The Pigs’ final try is scored by Billy after a successful eight-man pick by Josh. Co-men of the match medals are awarded to both Jammer and Peaches.

Lineup:
1. Troy Midboe (Joe Exner), 2. Alan Martin, 3. Ike Muringai, 4. Ryan Backman, 5. Jose Costa-Kramer (Mark Fredrickson), 6. Danny Keiffer, 7. Tommy Jokinen, 8. Josh Van Gelder, 9. Jason Rombalski, 10. Billy Bridgeman, 11. Ryan Driessen, 12. Bill Roberts (Gitch Onsongo), 13. Jamarr Johnson, 14. Eric Anderson (Jeff Zweber), 15. Grant Dietrich

Scoring:
Tries: Van Gelder(2), Dietrich, Johnson, Kieffer (2), Onsongo, Backman, Driessen, Bridgeman
Cons.: Bridgeman (5 for 9)
Referee: Larry “Trinny” Mendez (Trinidad)

First Half
The Pigs traveled to Iowa to take on Des Moines Saturday on a soaked pitch, a notable wind, and steady drizzle. Kicking off into the wind, St. Paul is able to earn a early possession after a Des Moines turnover. With strong pack play and use of the centers, the Pigs are able to drive and phase deep into their opponent’s territory. Unfortunately the drive is stopped inside the 22. Despite several changes of possession, the pigs hold the side from Iowa’s capital city to their own half of the field for much of the opening minutes. With the wind at its back, Des Moines uses a kicking game to gradually gain ground. The Pigs hold tight but Des Moines is able to expose a gap in the defense to score and take a 7-0 lead after the kick. St. Paul continues to drive and phase, but Des Moines takes advantage of the wind to gain ground by kicking. Des Moines adds two more tries to lead 19-0 at the break.

Second Half
After an early Des Moines try, the Pigs finally take advantage of the wind and advance by kicking penalties for touch. Hard play by all results with the Pigs winning a scrum eight meters out. Buttons picks the ball out of the scrum to dash in for St. Paul’s first try of the match. Continuous improvements throughout the game gives life to the team. Zac is able to break though late for a second Pigs’ try. The entire St. Paul side played tough match with heart and determination the whole 80 minutes despite traveling with only 16.

Lineup:
1. Ike Muringai, 2. Danny Kieffer, 3. Troy Midboe, 4. Ryan Backman, 5. Nathan Riedel, 6. Zac Bauer, 7. Tommy Jokinen, 8. Brian Buxton, 9. Ryan Driessen, 10. Jason Rombalski, 11. Billy Bridgeman, 12. Nate Wagner, 13. Andy Sandberg (Jeff Zweber), 14. Eric Anderson, 15. Dennis Edwards

Scoring:
Tries: Buxton, Bauer
Conversions: Bridgeman (1/2)

This past weekend the Pigs played a tough U of M side and got off to a slow start to trail 28-14 at half time. A good second half by the Pigs saw the gap closed, but unfortunately time ran out on the comeback, and the match ended 42-35 in favor of the U.

The Pigs Bs then defeated the Mayhem in the second match.

Thanks to Rob Wagner who came out and took photos of both matches. They are available for viewing and purchase online at Dropkick Photos. Direct link to the U of M match and the Mayhem Match

The Pigs defeated the Feeders in this match. No further details available at this time.

The Pigs traveled to Green Bay Saturday to play the Celtics in the first round of the Midwest Union rugby playoffs. Playing with a notable north wind at its back, St. Paul confined much of the play in the opening minutes to the Green Bay half of the pitch. Securing a ball out of a scrum, scrum-half Jason Rombalski booted the ball pinning the Celtics deep inside the 22. The St. Paul defense charged deep forcing Green Bay to take a penalty for diving over. Jason Naber easily dissected the posts from 20 meters out the give the Pigs a 3-0 early lead. Green Bay charged back bringing the ball to the 22, but a strong Pigs’ pack forces them into touch. A miscue on the line-out gave Green Bay the ball who punched into the corner touching it down to take a 5-3 lead. The Pigs hold firm and gain territory when Mike Hankee runs 30 meters off an 8-man pick, but the ball is then turned over. The Green bay full-back is able to kick it down the full length of the pitch where Grant Dietrich touches it down for a 22-drop saving a try. After a few possession changes in the St. Paul Half of the field, the Celtics swipe another line-out from the Pigs to score between the pipes for a 12-3 halftime advantage.

The St. Paul side gets a break to start the second half when Green Bay’s kick-off does not go 10 meters. Off the ensuing scrum, the pack is able roll a maul down to the 22 only to loose possession from a knock-on. The Pigs hold firm continuing to keep play to the Green Bay half of the pitch and gain another line-out at the 22. However, Green Bay strips the ball out of the maul running it back 80 meters and shortly score for a 17-3 lead. A depleted St. Paul side finds it more difficult to hold possession and territory as the game runs on. Green bay adds another try as injuries and fatigue takes hold on the players from Minnesota’s capital city. The Pigs continue to drive hard late into the game, but all naught as the final whistle sounds from the referee.

Lineup:
1. Lauri Kahonen, 2. Luke Utting, 3. Troy Midboe (Danny Kieffer), 4. Ryan Backman, 5. Jason Naber, 6. Josh Van Gelder (Phil Wagner), 7. Zac Bauer, 8. Mike Hankee (Mike Lundberg), 9. Jason Rombalski, 10. Billy Bridgeman, 11. Joe Cera, 12. Jesse Struve, 13. Brian VanOosbree (Alan Martin), 14. Dennis Edwards, 15. Grant Dietrich.

Scoring:
Penalties: Naber (1/1)