LPRFC 55 Wisconsin 30

On the seasonal Friends and Family Day, Park indulged their enthusiastic supporters with a try-laden performance. Credit too must be given to their opponents Wisconsin who contributed to a game of entertaining, attacking rugby on a hot spring day.

Due to the last minute cancellation of their scheduled second game opposition, Oconomowoc, Park made the choice to get all players available into the single game. This effectively meant wholesale changes at half-time, but by then Park’s starting XV had put up 43 points to no reply.

It was as good a start as Park could have wished with 3 tries in the opening 12 minutes. A 40-yard run from Schwartz began the day after just 2 minutes; a run that probably covered closer to double the official total as he cut back and forth across the field. Branham doubled the lead just 3 minutes later taking advantage of an overlap created wide on the left.

When Schwartz added his second score, this time from a measured 80 yards, Park were well on their way to victory. Park did have to weather some pressure from Wisconsin but when their opponents were finally driven back from Park’s line, Park once again resumed control.

Countering from a Wisconsin kick, Park attacked the left-hand side and Marunde took a Bean skip pass the distance for his try.

Two tries from the skipper, Brady, the second an interception run back under the posts put Park firmly in control and a Jahner try on the stroke of half-time pushed the scoreboard past 40.

In the early stages of the second half, Wisconsin struck back with two tries of their own before Park regained their momentum, now with a completely new team. A long run from Olander setup Aeillo on the short-side and Leyman added to his scoring run of late, this time with a more pedestrian stroll. However, the heat obviously did affect his speed as “the fastest prop you have ever seen” was caught from behind despite stepping his opposition fullback.

Wisconsin finished strongly with 4 tries in the final quarter but Park saw out the game for a convincing win.

Thanks to all who came to watch and support the club; your continued presence at our games is a huge motivational factor in our performances.

Squad: Lund, Boroski, Boghani, Perrizo, Schaede, Togher, Schwartz, Jahner, Brady, Bean, Finnegan, Griffin, Branham, Ehlert, Marunde, Sowa, Harvey, Primdahl, Leyman, McCaffrey, Hildreth, Jewell, Beatley, Aeillo, O’Malley, Boretti, Huschen, Frisch, Weed, Olander, Mullen, Horan, Wright, Rosenfeld, Prengeman, Hill, Andrus, Piekarski, Erik, 

Try: Schwartz 2, Brady 2, Branham 1, Marunde 1, Jahner 1, Aeillo 1, Leyman 1
Con: Bean 4, O’Malley 1