by thepom02 | Aug 26, 2019 | Match Reports, News, Rugby
LPRFC D3 12 Chicago Riot 79
With a patched up side, Park were overmatched by one of the Division’s top teams. With several players unavailable, it was always going to be a difficult matchup especially in the pack where Park were fortunate to find 8 able bodies.
The Riot came out of the blocks hard and scored 4 tries in the opening quarter before Park were able to use the kicking game a little more effectively to relieve some of the constant pressure.
There were bright spots even in such a lopsided score. The Mullen to Carey connection in the lineout was a constant source of possession with Carey also being a threat at many of the breakdowns. Heatley too provided a nuisance defensively from the unfamiliar position of No 8.
It was winger turned wing-forward Mechling whose workrate impressed the most, throwing his body into the fray against much bigger foes.
While always difficult for Park’s backs to get much frontfoot ball, on the occasions they did, they looked to attack wide with newcomer Hennessy proving to be a slippery runner and Prengaman scoring a try in the corner on his return to the side.
In the second half “Miles” Davis scored Park’s second try with an interception from 30 yards and the clock was turned back to circa 1998, the last time Wilson appeared in the No 8 jersey.
Team: Primdahl (McCaffrey), Mullen, Larios, Carey (Wilson), David, Fraser, Mechling, Heatley (Eppert), Aiello, Olander, Hennessey (Engle), Huschen, Frisch, Prengamen (Davis), Burke
Try: Prengamen 1, Davis 1
Con: Olander 1
by thepom02 | Aug 12, 2019 | Match Reports, News, Rugby
LPRFC D2 32 Fox Valley 12
Sideline tank tops were in abundance as Park battled the heat and their opponents in an earlier than usual pre-season warm up.
It was not an auspicious start to the game as Park gave up a try after only 3 minutes following a break down the Maoris’ left wing but parity was soon restored by Finnegan taking advantage of an overload to score the first of his four tries on the day.
Despite the hot weather, Park worked hard to develop their up-tempo, running style and created several chances through unselfish support lines – only the odd forward pass preventing even more opportunities.
New club captain, Laux, lead from the front, a constant menace at the breakdown all game and setting up McCann for Park’s second try with a steal at the ruck.
Called to start at the last minute, Heatley pressed his claims to the hooker spot with stellar work in the loose.
Further tries by Davis and Laux sandwiching a second from Fox Valley gave Park a 20 – 12 lead at halftime.
For much of the second half, neither team was able to add to the score until Finnegan completed his hat-trick in the final ten minutes.
Try: Finnegan 3, McCann 1, Laux 1, Davis 1
Con: Jahner 1
LPRFC D3 24 Fox Valley 5
With both sides being short of two full squads, a third half was agreed upon to allow each team to get essential pre-season minutes for their players. Many had already made their way into the game as substitutes in the first 80 minutes.
Park continued on in an impressive manner with Frisch opening the scoring with a 50 yard run that included at least 4 cutbacks and changes of direction.
Branham to Long proved to be a better choice than Long to Branham as the center-cum-backrow put away his Number 8 for a try under the posts before Finnegan grabbed his fourth of the day and Aiello scooped up a rolling ball for surely the shortest try of his career.
One more score was left on the table when Shaaban did not quite have the pace to out run the Maori wing from 40 yards.
Try: Frisch 1, Long 1, Finnegan 1, Aiello 1
Con: Olander 1, Finnegan 1
by thepom02 | May 6, 2018 | Featured, Match Reports, News, Rugby
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
by thepom02 | May 8, 2017 | News, Rugby
With the Spring 15’s season coming to a close after a successful run to the Midwest semi-final, we are starting to gear up for the 7’s over the summer months.
7’s training will begin on May 16th and continue every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 pm. The location is Belmont Harbour just south of the Trapeze School.
This is available to both current players and anyone new to the club or those players who may be back in Chicago for the summer. Depending on availability, we typically enter teams in most of the Midwest tournaments and will often have two sides if the interest is such.
Please contact Nate Brady for more details.
by thepom02 | Aug 3, 2016 | News, Rugby
A successful summer for Park’s 7s team.
Drinkin’ Park Closes Out Summer with Three Tournament Wins
Drinkin’ Park, the 7s affiliate of Lincoln Park RFC, has just finished off its 2016 summer season, participating in five separate tournaments and coming home with three tournament victories.
Drinkin’ Park got off to a fast start by winning its first tournament of the season. On June 11 at Jailbreak 7s in Joliet, Illinois, Park went undefeated on the day, ultimately edging out the Iowa Select Sevens side in a close-fought championship match in blistering heat, largely thanks to some newly implemented structure and strategy on both offense and defense.
A week later, Drinkin’ Park kept the momentum going at the Highland Games in Itasca, again rolling through pool play undefeated before finally taking home the hardware by way of a Krakens forfeit. Lincoln Park’s more “robust” Eatin’ Park side also competed in the tournament, although its results did not properly reflect the valiant effort, superior showmanship, entertaining style of play, and attempted drop-goals for which Eatin’ Park is so widely known.
At Shipwreck 7s at Chicago’s Schiller Woods the following week, Park made its way into the knockout round, but fell short to the Chicago Frogs in the semifinals, unable to find the offensive organization and defensive structure that had served it so well in the prior two tourneys.
However, Drinkin’ Park would regain form two weeks later in Cleveland’s Rock n’ Roll 7s, despite the team’s forwards operating on a combined 3-4 hours of sleep. Park went undefeated in pool play, won its semifinal match, and defeated Ohio University to win the tournament’s social bracket.
The sevens season was closed out in Grand Rapids, at Rock Hard 7s. Drinkin’ Park was unable to escape pool play, hampered in part by some untimely injuries leading up to the tournament, but the squad of eight that was able to make the trip certainly left it all on the pitch, after which they returned home to celebrate a successful 7s season.
All in all, the club is very pleased with Drinkin’ Park’s summer. We would like to thank everyone who played in a tournament, came out to support, or got a run in with us at one of our Tuesday/Thursday sessions, and after a short break, we’ll see you at 15s in the fall!
