LPRFC D2 48 Fox Valley D2 19

by thepom02 | Sep 9, 2024 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

In a display that would warm the cockles of any rugby purist’s heart, Lincoln Park’s D2 side put on a masterclass of forward dominance and backline flair against Fox Valley on a day when the wind threatened to be the 16th man. The cool conditions did little to dampen the fire in the bellies of Park’s engine room, with locks JJ Driscoll and Garrett Mulkerin delivering a performance that had their opponents wishing they’d stayed in bed.

Driscoll, in particular, seemed to have raided the bag of tricks usually reserved for fancy-dan backs. His slight of hand with out-the-back passes left Fox Valley defenders grasping at shadows, while his brief cameo as an impromptu scrum-half had him channelling his inner Aaron Smith with such conviction that one half expected to see the All Black maestro applauding from the sidelines.

But it was Cooley who stole the headlines, his hat-trick a dagger to Fox Valley’s hopes. The centre carved through the opposition defence with the precision of a surgeon and the bedside manner of a butcher, leaving a trail of broken tackles and bruised egos in his wake.

Park’s ability to use the width of the pitch was a marked improvement from their previous outing. Polansky and DeLisa on the wings were more involved than a pair of politicians at a free buffet, their involvement crucial in stretching the Fox Valley defence to breaking point.

In the midfield, Carso brought a level of composure that had been sorely missed, his steady hand guiding Park’s attack with the assurance of a seasoned conductor. Yet, for all their dominance, Park still managed to leave points begging, their lack of clinical efficiency at times as frustrating as a keyless lock.

Fox Valley, to their credit, refused to roll over and play dead. A brace of late tries brought them closer on the scoreboard, if not in the actual contest. It was a reminder to Park that in rugby, as in life, it’s not over until the final whistle blows.

In the end, Lincoln Park’s victory was as comprehensive as it was encouraging. If they can marry this level of forward dominance and backline creativity with a more ruthless finishing touch, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the D2 ranks. As for Fox Valley, they’ll lick their wounds and hope that the next time they face Park, the wind blows in their favour – because on this evidence, they’ll need all the help they can get.

Team: Modev, Rivera, Leyman, Driscoll, Mulkerin, Fehr, Anderson, Jahner, Aiello, Carso, DeLisa, Cooley, Husselbee, Polansky, Finnegan

Finishers: Melody, Mainquist, DeBacker, Church, Nolan, Chrisos, McCann, Scully

Try: Cooley 3, Jahner 1, Leyman 1, DeLisa 1, Rivera 1, Finnegan 1
Con: Jahner 4

D2 claim second place in division to complete the season

by thepom02 | Oct 31, 2022 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

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

Park lose to Green Bay in battle of undefeated.

by thepom02 | Oct 1, 2022 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

LPRFC D2 17 Green Bay 29

In a battle of previously undefeated teams, Park went down to a strong Green Bay squad. The first half of this match was a to and fro affair but Green Bay pulled away from a resolute Park in the second period.

It was a stalemate in the opening quarter though Park had the majority of possession but were unable to make a breakthrough. They were able to exert scrum dominance with more than one that folded the Green Pack back over itself but penalties were not forthcoming.

It was Green Bay who took the lead in the 17th minute with a break from their winger before an unchallenged lineout allowed Jahner to level the scores. Green Bay backed off to prevent a Park catch and drive but were caught out when Jahner took full advantage of the space opening up to run through alone.

Green Bay restored their lead when their left winger cut back inside as they overloaded Park’s defence.

Five minutes before halftime, Park once again tied up the game as Husselbee saw space behind Green Bay’s defence and chased down his own kick to touch down for a try.

The second half began in much the same way as had the first. Neither team was able to gain a significant advantage with both defences having the upperhand. The game was broken open between the 53rd and 55th minutes when two Green Bay tries pushed them out to a 10 point advantage.

A third Green Bay try pushed their lead even further before a Park try in the dying moments from Carso gave them a small chance of a bonus point but Green Bay closed out the game.

Team: Melody, Laux, Kirby, Driscoll (Carey), Leyman (McDonald), Griffin (Mulholand), Debacker, Jahner, Aiello (Nolan), Carso, Caccappolo (Daley / Hoedeman), Husselbee (Scully), Thomas, Finnegan, Walsh

Try: Jahner 1, Husselbee 1, Carso 1
Con: Jahner 1

LPRFC D2 vs SS Irish Match Report

by thepom02 | Sep 8, 2019 | Match Reports, News, Rugby

LPRFC D2 45 SS Irish 26

Against a much-improved and dangerous Irish side, Park played with a new-found pace to record their first win of the season.

With a reshuffled back-line – in part due to injury and unavailable players – Park found space in the wide channels time and again.

A try by Long, after a sustained period of pressure was quickly cancelled out when the Irish replied with a try. Park looked to use new wings Walsh and Murray at every opportunity and Carroll too was always willing to enter the line from his fullback position. Only two last gasp tackles, one by his own player prevented what would have been certain scores.

Schwartz, with a customary burst, scored under the posts and Murray giving chase to his own clever kick, pushed Park out to a two-try lead before the Irish responded with a second try just before half time.

Newcomer Cawley was a quiet leader of Park’s defensive organisation as their forwards had to absorb strong runs from the huge Irish pack and Waryjas especially, responded with a large tackle count.

Two scores Finnegan and one from Bean extended Park’s cushion early in the second period but yet again the Irish demonstrated their resiliency as they scored two of their own.

Park regained their composure and were not only able to run down the final minutes of the game but added to their total as Jahner took advantage of an Irish decision to not engage a five meter lineout, to turn and score.

Team: Leyman (Kowalski), Long (Shaaban), Waryjas (Heaton), Cawley, Jahner, Schwartz, Laux, Fleming, Garwood, Bean (Husselbee), Walsh, Weimer, McCann, Murray, Carroll (Finnegan)

Try: Finnegan 2, Murray 1, Bean 1, Jahner 1, Schwartz 1, Long 1
Con, Jahner 4