May 6, 2006
On a beautiful rugby afternoon in Rochester, the Rogues play host to the Pigs in a spring friendly. After kicking-off, St. Paul’s defense forces a Rochester kick. Grant counters combining with MOTM Jammer and Hightower to bring the ball into a maul. The Pigs role the maul deep into the Rogue half of the pitch where Josh breaks away for the first try of the match. Rochester answers quickly with a tap-and-go penalty exposing an over-lapse in the Pigs’ defense to take a 7-5 lead, their only lead of the day. The pigs continue with strong defense. A penalty kick for touch puts the line-out eight meters out. Quick hands from fly-half Billy cycles through the backs to Grant touching it down for the second St. Paul try. The Pigs, now on a role, earn another line-out. The ball is spun out to MOTM Jammer who glides over the goal line. St. Paul phases deep into Rochester territory. A try comes after a pop to MOTM Peaches off a ruck and a run of ten meters. The Rogues narrow the gap with a breakaway try. Unwaught by the miscue, the Pigs continue to drive toward the Rochester goal. MOTM Jammer passes the ball to Eric on the wing who pops the ball inside to the sprinting Gitch scoring as the half expires. Pigs 29, Rogues 12.
Early in the second half, MOTM Jammer intercepts an errant Rochester pass. He runs down field and dishes to Hightower who scores between the posts (only to attempt the conversion himself and miss). Rochester scores right away after charging down a scrum- half kick. The Pigs drive again when aggressive play from Ike and Josh results in a try. Another great decision by MOTM Jammer gives the ball to Chachi who sprints in from 22. The scoring keeps coming when MOTM Peaches takes it in (heroically on his own) from 15 meters out. The Pigs’ final try is scored by Billy after a successful eight-man pick by Josh. Co-men of the match medals are awarded to both Jammer and Peaches.
Lineup:
1. Troy Midboe (Joe Exner), 2. Alan Martin, 3. Ike Muringai, 4. Ryan Backman, 5. Jose Costa-Kramer (Mark Fredrickson), 6. Danny Keiffer, 7. Tommy Jokinen, 8. Josh Van Gelder, 9. Jason Rombalski, 10. Billy Bridgeman, 11. Ryan Driessen, 12. Bill Roberts (Gitch Onsongo), 13. Jamarr Johnson, 14. Eric Anderson (Jeff Zweber), 15. Grant Dietrich
Scoring:
Tries: Van Gelder(2), Dietrich, Johnson, Kieffer (2), Onsongo, Backman, Driessen, Bridgeman
Cons.: Bridgeman (5 for 9)
Referee: Larry “Trinny” Mendez (Trinidad)