April 30, 2005
This match saw the Pigs take on a tough, experienced and fast Pearl City (Iowa) team in the semifinals of the Midwest playoffs in Lemont, Illinois. Things started badly for St. Paul, as just three minutes into the match a lost ball and a couple of missed tackles led to a quick Pearl City score and a 5-0 deficit. We fought back quickly however, and off the ensuing kickoff earned a penalty which Jason Naber converted to cut the lead to 5-3. Unfortunately, the same scenario repeated itself a few minutes later, with another Pearl City try (this one converted to make it 12-3), followed shortly afterwards by a Naber penalty kick and a 12-6 score. Following this, we finally solidifed our defense and despite seeing little of the ball, we managed to frustrate the Pearl City attack for quite a while. This included a spell of about 10 minutes of Pearl City possession inside our 22 where our defense held strong and kept them out. The pressure finally proved too much, however, and shortly before half they brok through for a try in the corner, and a halftime score of 17-6.
The second half saw more of the same, as they continued to attack, and we began to tire. Injuries to a number of players limited our substitution options, and Pearl City began to put together more moves utilizing their outside speed, and eventually pulled away. Four tries for them had made the score 45-6 when we finally broke through for a try of our own. A penalty at midfield was kicked to touch 10 meters out by Naber, and a rolling maul off the ensuing lineout allowed Luke Utting to crash over for the try to make it 45-11 as Naber’s kick was no good. Unfortunately that was the end of the scoring for the Pigs on the day, and 3 more Pearl City tries followed to leave the final score at 66-11.
All in all, it was a still a decent showing (against the eventual Midwest Champions), and a step in the right direction as we continue to build and improve the club.
Lineup:
1. Luke Utting (Captain) (Ben Hanson) 2. Danny Kieffer (Rich Cerasini) 3.Troy Midboe (Matt Sonnek) 4. Jason Naber 5. Grizzly Malchow 6. Zac Bauer 7. Joe Huberty 8. Jake Hodgson 9. Jason Rombalski 10. Mark Erickson 11. Brett Carter 12. Jesse Struve (Kris McCoy) 13. Jamarr Johnson 14. Jason Benson (Ernest Wayde)15. Jeff Zweber
Scoring:
Tries: Utting
Conversions: Naber (0/1)
Penalties: Naber (2/2)