April 1, 2006
The Pigs traveled to Green Bay Saturday to play the Celtics in the first round of the Midwest Union rugby playoffs. Playing with a notable north wind at its back, St. Paul confined much of the play in the opening minutes to the Green Bay half of the pitch. Securing a ball out of a scrum, scrum-half Jason Rombalski booted the ball pinning the Celtics deep inside the 22. The St. Paul defense charged deep forcing Green Bay to take a penalty for diving over. Jason Naber easily dissected the posts from 20 meters out the give the Pigs a 3-0 early lead. Green Bay charged back bringing the ball to the 22, but a strong Pigs’ pack forces them into touch. A miscue on the line-out gave Green Bay the ball who punched into the corner touching it down to take a 5-3 lead. The Pigs hold firm and gain territory when Mike Hankee runs 30 meters off an 8-man pick, but the ball is then turned over. The Green bay full-back is able to kick it down the full length of the pitch where Grant Dietrich touches it down for a 22-drop saving a try. After a few possession changes in the St. Paul Half of the field, the Celtics swipe another line-out from the Pigs to score between the pipes for a 12-3 halftime advantage.
The St. Paul side gets a break to start the second half when Green Bay’s kick-off does not go 10 meters. Off the ensuing scrum, the pack is able roll a maul down to the 22 only to loose possession from a knock-on. The Pigs hold firm continuing to keep play to the Green Bay half of the pitch and gain another line-out at the 22. However, Green Bay strips the ball out of the maul running it back 80 meters and shortly score for a 17-3 lead. A depleted St. Paul side finds it more difficult to hold possession and territory as the game runs on. Green bay adds another try as injuries and fatigue takes hold on the players from Minnesota’s capital city. The Pigs continue to drive hard late into the game, but all naught as the final whistle sounds from the referee.
Lineup:
1. Lauri Kahonen, 2. Luke Utting, 3. Troy Midboe (Danny Kieffer), 4. Ryan Backman, 5. Jason Naber, 6. Josh Van Gelder (Phil Wagner), 7. Zac Bauer, 8. Mike Hankee (Mike Lundberg), 9. Jason Rombalski, 10. Billy Bridgeman, 11. Joe Cera, 12. Jesse Struve, 13. Brian VanOosbree (Alan Martin), 14. Dennis Edwards, 15. Grant Dietrich.
Scoring:
Penalties: Naber (1/1)