LPRFC D2 31 Milwaukee Barbarians 24

Park earned a hard-fought victory in their final match of the season, which determined who finished second in the division to Green Bay.

Park dominated possession for much of the first half, but a failure to maintain possession inside their opponent’s twenty-two thwarted their confident build-up play.
Park looked as fluid as they have all season in the middle third of the field, with quick rucks providing a platform for the backs.
Half breaks were constantly created by the support lines.

In the 11th minute, Kirby bulldozed his way over wide on the left with patient picks sucking in the Barbarians defense.

Park didn’t score again until the 35th minute, often avoiding short lineouts.
Griffin, a physical presence in the back row all day, cut inside to finish a good move following a turnover after a long run down the left wing had edged the Barbarians ahead by a conversion.

This lead lasted just seconds. The Barbarians were first to the kickoff, tapping back to a supporting player who ran almost unopposed through the disorganised Park defence.

Park started the second period with the same confidence they had started the first, despite being down two points at halftime.
Due to a Carso injury midway through the first half, McCann took over at fly-half, but Daley in at center gave Park plenty of front foot ball.

Park’s next try came from wide on the right wing. Thomas, who appeared to be boxed in close to the touchline, gave his opposite number the tiniest of inside feints before a viscious cut took him clear down the wing for a 50-yard score

Laux extended Park’s lead six minutes later with a more routine strong drive, and Park’s lead became a little more comfortable.

The Barbarians fought their way back in the fourth quarter. A try at the 57-minute mark brought them within a try, and momentum was shifting in their favor. With only four minutes remaining, another try brought them within two points of Park, but a missed conversion kept Park ahead.

The Barbarinas fought hard for the victory and had one final break down their right wing, which Husselbee intercepted with a thumping tackle and then settled the match with a kick and chase in the final seconds.

Team: Melody, Rasmussen(Schwartz), Kirby, Moline (Driscoll), Leyman (Debacker), Griffin, Laux, Jahner, Aiello (Scully), Carso (Daley), Walther (Caccappolo), Husselbee, McCann, Thomas, Finnegan (Carey)

Try: Kirby 1, Griffin 1, Thomas 1, Laux 1, Husselbee 1
Con: Jahner 3