LPRFC D4 52 SSI 15

LPRFC D4 52 SSI 15

by | Oct 13, 2024 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

In the sweltering heat of an unseasonably hot day, Lincoln Park D4 delivered a performance that will echo through the annals of Midwest rugby, dismantling SSI with a display of power, precision, and occasional profligacy.

The first half was a tale of Park dominance tempered by the cruel hand of fate and the eagle eye of the officials. Twice, the men in gold thought they had crossed the whitewash, only for their jubilation to be cut short. First, it was Delisa, the opportunistic winger, who pounced on a Rosenfeld grubber, only to be ruled to have fumbled at the crucial moment. Then came Clarke’s moment of despair, his try chalked off for a knock-on that had escaped all but the most discerning of eyes.

But Park would not be denied. The converted number 8, Chrisos, injected an element of attacking flair that SSI simply couldn’t contain. It was his pass that finally unleashed DeLisa, who crossed for a try that had been coming since the first whistle. Rottiers, a battering ram in human form, had softened the Irish defense with a bone-crunching break that set the stage for Delisa’s score.

As the half wore on, Park’s superiority began to tell. McCann and Lee added their names to the scoresheet, stretching the lead to a seemingly insurmountable margin. But rugby, in its infinite wisdom, always has a twist in the tale. A momentary lapse in concentration, a misjudgment of the clock, gifted SSI a 5m lineout. From this sliver of opportunity, the Irish conjured a try, a reminder that no lead is truly safe in this most unforgiving of sports.

If the first half showcased Park’s potential, the second was a masterclass in its realization. Delisa, not content with a single score, carved through the Irish defense with a run so mesmeric it left spectators questioning the laws of physics. But it was the power game that truly broke Irish hearts and bodies alike.

Daley and LaFlore, twin titans of destruction, rampaged through the midfield with all the subtlety of a freight train and twice the impact. Daley, in particular, seemed to take personal offense at any attempt to tackle him, brushing aside defenders to score a brace that will give the SSI tacklers nightmares for weeks to come. Not to be outdone, LaFlore added his own long-range effort, a try that spoke volumes of Park’s fitness and ambition.

This was more than a victory; it was a statement. Lincoln Park D4 have secured the Midwest’s number one seed heading into the playoffs, and on this evidence, they will take some stopping. For SSI, there will be soul-searching and bruise-counting in equal measure. For the neutrals, it was a reminder of rugby’s capacity to thrill, even in the face of oppressive heat.

As the dust settles on this encounter, one can’t help but feel that we’ve witnessed the emergence of a force in Midwest rugby. Lincoln Park D4 have thrown down the gauntlet. The question now is: who dares to pick it up?

Team: Wilson J, Rottiers, Modev, Smith, Swancy, Church, Foley, Chrisos, Scully, McCann, DeLisa, Daley, Clarke, Lee, Rosenfeld

Finishers: Rasmussen, Harrison, David, Olander, LaFlore, Walsh E, Schoenes, Lakin

Try: DeLiasa 2, McCann 1, Lee 1, Daley 2, LaFlore 1, Clarke 1,
Con: Clarke 5, Olander 1

LPRFC D2 21 CRC Condors 29

LPRFC D2 21 CRC Condors 29

by | Sep 26, 2024 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

In the sweltering cauldron of a late summer’s day, with the mercury stubbornly clinging to the 90-degree mark, Lincoln Park and the CRC Condors served up a rugby feast that was as hot as the weather. This was a match that ebbed and flowed like a tempestuous tide, with both sides trading blows in a contest that kept spectators on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

Park burst out of the blocks with the ferocity of a caged lion, capitalising on a Peri fumble from the kick-off. It took just 90 seconds for Husselbee to carve through the Condors’ defence like a hot knife through butter, setting the tone for what was to be a pulsating encounter.

The Park faithful were soon on their feet again as the irrepressible Rivera, a man seemingly with a magnetic attraction to the try line, crashed over for his fourth score in as many games. One wonders if there’s a more in-form finisher in the league at present.

In the tight, Melody’s return to the starting XV proved a masterstroke. His scrum presence was formidable, but it was in the loose where he truly shone, embarking on barnstorming runs that required a small army of Condors to bring him down. Yet, for all their muscle up front, Park’s Achilles heel proved to be the lineout. While not completely catastrophic, it was a constant source of disruption, with the Condors proving to be particularly adept aerial predators.

As the game wore on, it was Cooley who emerged as the fulcrum of Park’s attack. His powerful surge at the start of the second half was a thing of beauty, scything through the Condors’ defence before finding the ever-present Leyman, who in turn fed the charging Thomas. It was rugby straight from the textbook, executed with clinical precision.

In the trenches, Davey was omnipresent, a human vacuum cleaner who seemed to materialise wherever there was loose ball, consistently pushing Park over the gain line. But perhaps the unsung hero of the day was Polansky, who put on a tackling masterclass. His ability to bring down the Condors’ MLR fullback in one-on-one situations was nothing short of remarkable, a testament to his technique and tenacity.

As the clock ticked down, with Park holding a slender lead, the match hung in the balance. It was then that their lineout frailties came back to haunt them, a sloppy set-piece gifting the Condors a crucial opportunity with just 15 minutes left on the clock.

Yet, in those final, frenetic minutes, we witnessed the true mettle of this Park side. Twice they held up Condor mauls on the goal line, defending their try line with the desperation of men fighting for their lives. It was heroic stuff, the kind of defensive stand that can define a season.

The match ended on a sour note, with a scuffle resulting in red cards for both sides. It was an unfortunate blemish on what had been a thrilling contest, a reminder that even in the heat of battle, cool heads must prevail.

In the end, this was a match that had everything – skill, passion, drama, and no small amount of controversy. While Park will rue their lineout woes, they can take heart from their resilience in the face of intense pressure. As for the Condors, they proved themselves worthy adversaries, pushing Park to the very limit.

As the dust settles on this epic encounter, one thing is clear: if this is a taste of what’s to come this season, rugby fans are in for a treat. The question now is, can Park build on this performance and iron out their set-piece issues? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for certain – they won’t have many tougher tests than this one.

Team: Melody, Rivera, Leyman, Driscoll, Mulkerin, Davey, Debacker, Jahner, Aiello, Carso, Polanksy, Cooley, Husselbee, Thomas, Finnegan

Finishers: Panzica, Cullen, Modev, Anderson, Fehr, Nolan, Daley, Wafer

Try: Husselbee 1, Rivera 1, Thomas 1
Con: Jahner 3

LPRFC D2 7 Chicago Blaze 71

LPRFC D2 7 Chicago Blaze 71

by | Sep 16, 2024 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

In a display of tactical acumen and relentless pressure, Chicago Blaze outmaneuvered Lincoln Park in a contest that showcased the ruthless efficiency of a well-executed kicking game. Park, for all their early promise and ball retention, found themselves on the back foot as Blaze unleashed a barrage of long, searching kicks that pinned their opponents deep in their own territory.

The opening quarter saw Park’s initial brightness fade into a two-try deficit, a testament to Blaze’s clinical exploitation of field position. Their chasers, like hounds after foxes, harried the Park back three, forcing errors that would make a schoolboy blush. It was a masterclass in territorial domination, with Blaze conducting the orchestra and Park merely along for the cacophonous ride.

Amidst the wreckage of Park’s gameplan, there were glimmers of resistance. Husselbee, a centre with the subtle touch of a sledgehammer, carved paths through the Blaze defense with runs that spoke of raw power and determination. His defensive efforts were equally noteworthy, each tackle a seismic event that resonated across the pitch.

In the engine room, Mainquist playing his first game at prop, announced his arrival with the subtlety of a freight train. The front row forward not only held his own in the dark arts of the scrum but carried the ball with the zeal of a man possessed. His defensive work rate was nothing short of Herculean, a beacon of hope in Park’s faltering resistance.

Park’s lone try, a silver lining in an otherwise leaden sky, came courtesy of the ever-reliable Rivera. The hooker’s scoring streak, now extending to every game this season, speaks volumes of his predatory instincts. Yet, in the grand scheme of this encounter, it was but a footnote in Blaze’s dominant narrative.

As the second half wore on, Park’s resolve melted faster than an ice cream in the Sahara. The heat, both from the weather and Blaze’s relentless onslaught, saw their structure wilt and waver. It was a sobering lesson in the importance of adaptability and resilience at this level of the game.

For Lincoln Park, the road ahead looks as challenging as a tightrope walk over Niagara Falls. They’ll be hoping for a phoenix-like rise from these ashes next week,

Blaze, meanwhile, will march on, their kicking game a weapon as potent as any in the arsenal of modern rugby. Today was a reminder that in the grand chess game of rugby, sometimes the boot is mightier than the hand.

Team: Mainquist, Rivera, Leyman, DeBacker, Mulkerin, Anderson, Fehr, Jahner, Aiello, Carso, Polansky, Cooley, Husselbee, Wafer, Finnegan

Finishers: Walker, Primdahl, Davey, Karris, LaFlore, Nolan, Scully, Walsh J

Try: Rivera 1
Con: Jahner 1

LPRFC D4 43 Fox Valley D4 14

LPRFC D4 43 Fox Valley D4 14

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

In a display that would have had the rugby gods nodding in approval, Lincoln Park’s D4 side unleashed a performance against Fox Valley that was as swift as it was merciless. The match kicked off with a try that had barely given the spectators time to settle into their seats, as LaFlore etched his name into club folklore with possibly the fastest debut try in Lincoln Park’s history. A mere 30 seconds had elapsed when, following a bustling 50-yard run that left Fox Valley defenders grabbing at thin air, LaFlore demonstrated the opportunism of a seasoned poacher, scooping up an errant Fox Valley pass to dot down. It was a start that had ‘statement of intent’ written all over it in bold, capital letters.

But Park were far from done. Just five minutes later, they served up a try of such exquisite quality that it deserved to be hung in the Louvre. A counter-attack initiated by Karris down the right flank, which had more zip than a caffeinated cheetah, was swiftly recycled. The ball then zipped through hands with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker before finding Beniana, who bulldozed over with all the subtlety of a rhino in a china shop.

In midfield, Clarke, Sisti and Foley turned the area into a no-go zone for Fox Valley, their tackling so ferocious it should have come with a health warning. Fox Valley runners were chopped down with such regularity, one half expected to see lumberjacks applying for the positions.

However, the rugby gods have a way of reminding us of the game’s inherent dangers. A sobering moment came just before half-time when a Fox Valley player suffered a neck injury. The ever-vigilant ILBJ staff sprang into action with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, and an ambulance was summoned. Our thoughts and best wishes go out for a full recovery, and it’s heartening to hear that he’s on the mend.

After the break, Park picked up where they left off, with Olander scoring a try so simple it could have been gift-wrapped. Picking up a fumbled ball a yard out under the posts, Olander probably expended more energy celebrating than actually scoring.

The introduction of fresh legs proved to be a masterstroke. Daley came off the bench like a man possessed, notching two tries from powerful runs and coming within a whisker of a hat-trick. Not to be outdone, Schoenes and Niewinski also got in on the act, crossing the whitewash on their respective wings with the eagerness of children racing for the last slice of cake.

In the end, Lincoln Park’s performance was as complete as it was dominant. If they can maintain this level of play, opposition teams might start checking the fixture list with the same trepidation one reserves for a dentist appointment. As for Fox Valley, they’ll be licking their wounds and hoping that the rugby gods show them more favor in their next outing. On this evidence, Lincoln Park’s D4 side isn’t just playing rugby – they’re redefining it.

 

Team: Wilson J, Walker, David, Lyons Z, Smith, Sisti, Beniana, Foley, Kishore, Rosenfeld, Callovini, LaFlore, Clarke, Olander, Karris

Finishers: Lyons T, Rowley, Robb, Patat, Daley, Schoenes, Huschen, Niewinski

Try: Daley 2, LaFlore 1, Beniana 1, Olander 1, Schones 1, Niewinski 1
Con: Clarke 3, Walker 1

LPRFC D2 48 Fox Valley D2 19

LPRFC D2 48 Fox Valley D2 19

by | 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