D4 win CARFU Championship

D4 win CARFU Championship

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

LPRFC D4 8 Silverbacks 5

Park had to dig deep into their reserves to defeat their divisional opponents after defeating the Silverbacks with a late come from behind rally last week.

This was an attrition game. Neither side yielded an inch. Every yard was fought hard, and breaks were few and far between.

Park suffered an early setback when Sampey went down to a dislocated ankle in only the 9th minute. A long delay waiting for the ambulance did nothing to lower the adrenaline pumping the the players.

Mainquist provided a physical presence in the early stages with some thumping tackles, while Panzica, despite his lack of size, was scything in his own tackle technique.

Thomas maintained Park's offense structure and marshaled his back line and forwards, but the early going was mostly between the twenty-twos.

In the 28th minute, Jewell continued his fine scoring streak by finishing a well-worked team move by taking a wide pass out on the left.

Nicholas, Short, and McDonald gained valuable yards by simply maintaining possession up the middle, allowing their teammates to reorganize and regain momentum.

Park's defense finally gave way to a powerful run from the Silverback's No. 8 from the base of a short scrum.

The second half started off similarly.
Both teams worked hard to seize opportunities that were scarce. As new players entered the fray, no one took a step back. The tackling was fierce and frequently in groups of twos and threes. No player was left alone by his team. 

A Thomas penalty in the 52nd minute gave Park a lead they would never relinquish.
Even when the scrum creaked, Park dug in their heels and fought until the end.
Twice, it appeared that they might have sealed the victory with a late try, but both times it was called back for a forward pass.

A goal line stance midway through the half was a game-changing moment.
The Silverbacks charged towards Park's try line time and again, but Park repelled them. It was a moment of destiny.

Park had to negotiate one final scrum in the dying seconds, and just as it looked like the Silverbacks might get a steal, Lyons rescued the ball with his foot, and Thomas kicked it clear out of bounds for the win.

Team: Short (David), Nicholas (Rowley), McDonald, Maninquist (Patat), Foley (Lyons), Brown, Panzica (Stern), Jewell, Thomas, Olander, Rosenfeld, Barnett, Hoedeman, Sampey (Callovini), Carroll (Moran)

Try: Jewell 1
Pen: Thomas 1

D2 claim second place in division to complete the season

D2 claim second place in division to complete the season

by | 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

Lincoln Park D4 continue winning start

Lincoln Park D4 continue winning start

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

LPRFC D4 39 Chicago Riot 10

A convincing win for the Flying Forties as they take their league record to 2-0. Park were comfortable in all phases as backs and forwards combined for 6 tries.

It took only two minutes for Park to get on the scoreboard when Olander broke through from his fly-half position. Sampey converted and his accuracy from the tee this season is helping Park add to their points and apply pressure to opposing teams.

Despite an inexperienced second row - Patat moving up from the backrow and David a more welcome move back from the coalface - Park's scrum was solid and gave Jewell from No. 8 and Thomas at 9 a solid platform from which to launch attacks.

Brown, making his first full start, was a busy and energetic addition to the backrow and there is more promise to come.

Park did receive a temporary setback in the twelth minute when the Riot pulled back a try, a rare letdown in Park's defence.

Jewell scored Park's second try finishing a great team move with a pass from Carroll and a long run from Sampey added to the score in the 30th minute.

Early in the second half, the Riot once again gave Park cause for concern but following this early try, Park took control of the game.

Rosenfeld put Callovini clear to touchdown and Jewell added his second.

A diving tackle from Short close to Park's line did prevent a Riot foray turning into points but a try, conversion and penalty from Sampey closed out the game.

Team: Short, Nicholas (Rowley), Sowa, David, Patat (Panzica), Lyons, Brown, Jewell (Manyara), Thomas (Kishore), Olander, Rosenfeld, Barnett (Huschen / Kravchuk), Carroll (Brady), Callovini (Herrera), Sampey

Try: Jewell 2, Sampey 2, Olander 1, Callovini 1
Con: Sampey 3
Pen: Sampey 1

Park split the proceeds at Fox Valley

Park split the proceeds at Fox Valley

by | Aug 29, 2022 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

Fox Valley 10 LPRFC 30

An excellent first half keyed Park's second win in two games to start the season. On a hot and humid day, Park lost much of their attacking momentum in the second period, but had done more than enough early in the game to complete a comfortable victory.

Their defence was excellent for most of the match with Husselbee - fast becoming a leader in that regard - fronting up with a several turnovers and a blocked kick that lead to a Carso try.

An early Jahner penalty just inside the 22 gave Park the lead but despite playing almost exclusively in the Fox Valley half, it was not until the 18th minute that Park finally broke through for a try; McCann finishing a wonderful move that involved a multitude of Park players.

Park's backline is looking increasingly dangerous as this season progresses and despite a couple of enforced changes, they found consistent success in the wide channels through Finnegan and Walther.

A Fox Valley penalty in a rare excursion into Park's half narrowed the scoreline before a Finnegan break was ably supported by McCann for his second try.

Carso touched down under the posts following a Husselbee blocked kick to end the half as park went in with a 25 - 3 advantage.

The second half showed Park's defensive resilience. They found it more difficult to gain territorial advantage but resolute tackling turned back their opponents and for much of the half the match drifted into a stalemate.

Fox Valley finally broke through in the 66th minute before Walther completed a fine individual performance with a try in the dying moments.

Team: Melody (Sowa), Laux (Moran), Kirby, Moline, Leyman (Mulholand), Debacker, Foley (Driscoll), Jahner, Nolan (Aiello), Carso, Finnegan, Husselbee, McCann, Walther (Walsh E.), Walsh J. (Scully)

Try: McCann 2, Carso 1, Walther 1
Con: Jahner 2
Pen: Jahner 2

 

Fox Valley 36 LPRFC 7

In their first outing of the season, this was very much an evaluation game for Park's D4 team. It was a match with several players making their LPRFC debut and a team that is still learning to gel together.

Park looked energetic in the opening minutes with newcomers Barnett and Manning combining well with old-hand Rosenfeld in the wide areas. Thomas too looked composed at scrum-half, martialling his forwards.

Stern and debutant Mainquist provided hard yards in the pack and Panciza continues to play well above his weight in the tackle area and breakdown.

Park went behind after 8 minutes when Fox Valley were awarded a penalty try for an offence close to Park's goal line and the Moaris extended their lead midway through the half with a try wide on their left wing. A long break added a third try to complete the first half scoring.

Park settled a little in the second half and began to put together a little more multi-phase play. Barret and Patat continue to improve and Aiello showed his versatility with an outing on the wing.

A Barnett try sandwiched between two more from Fox valley gave Park a well-earned score for their persistence and never-say-die attitude.

Team: Mulholand (Driscoll), Nicholas (Rowley), Sowa (Carter), Stern, Mainquist, Lyons (Barrett), Panzica (Patat), Moran, Thomas, Rosenfeld, Manning, Barnett, Walsh E. (Aiello), Parker, Scully

Try: Barnett
Con: Thomas

 

LPRFC 43 SS Irish 31

LPRFC 43 SS Irish 31

by | Aug 21, 2022 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby

LPRFC 43 SS Irish 31

Two late Irish tries in the final minutes of this encounter gave Park a little cause for concern, but it was in the end a well deserved win. There is certainly room for improvement in the coming games as Park struggled a little at the breakdown with the Irish causing constant disruption, but when they procured quick ball, Park looked dangerous in attack.

Griffin and McDonald added physicality to Park's pack in the early stages with strong running and some bruising tackles and new flyhalf Carso was effective in controlling the tempo of the game.

Park started well with a try from McCann after just 10 minutes, the center making a smart break up the middle before veering to score under the posts. His center partner Husselbee added to the lead with a clever chip and chase down the left sideline.

With perhaps Park's best team score of the match, Long scored his first of two tries, appearing in support wide on the left to complete a score that involved multiple players.

Despite resolute goal-line defence, Park were unable to keep out the Irish for their first try as their pick and drives eventually found space for a score.

When Melody replied in similar fashion in the last action of the first half, Park held a comfortable 26 - 7 lead.

A converted try and long range penalty kick inside the first 15 minutes of the second half gave the Irish momentum. Park were starting to look a little shaky and handling errors and penalties were giving the Irish a platform from which to attack.

A 40m penalty by Jahner edged park back into a 12 point lead before two tries in 4 minutes gave Park the cushion they needed to see out the game. A long Finnegan run was finished by Long in support and a 60m Thomas interception try put Park over 40 points.

Two late Irish tries gave them a little hope but Park held on for victory.

Team: Melody, Long (Mulholand), Kirby (Sowa), Moline (Foley), McDonald (Debacker), Griffin (Carey), Laux, Jahner, Nolan (Scully), Carso, Anderson (Caccappolo), Husselbee (Daley), McCann, Thomas, Finnegan

Try: Long 2, McCann 1, Husselbee 1, Melody 1, Thomas 1
Con: Jahner 5
Pen: Jahner 1