September 29, 2007
A stormy Faribault morning gives way to a sunny Saturday afternoon as the St. Paul Jazz Pigs (3-0 in the Minnesota D-III Rugby League) battle the hometown Boksprings. Coming off a 112-0 victory over the Minneapolis Mayhem, the Pigs are looking for another firm victory. But victory isn’t easy early as Faribault, facing the wind, takes ground by a series of kicks and counters. Eventually, the Pigs take possession in Bokspring territory when Faribault is off-side on a kick. Center Aaron Hyman breaks forty meters, but the Pigs lose possession though poor rucking. Faribault takes a series of penalties which the St. Paul pack crashes into deep territory. A short pitch to lock Chris Ries scores the first try from ten meters out. With a 5-0 lead, St. Paul moves the ball by kicking for touch. Windy and sloppy line-outs result in lost opportunities. Much of the rest of the half consists of unsuccessful mauling and too many scrums.
The teams switch ends; this time St. Paul faces the wind. Faribault continues to take penalties rendering the Pigs in excellent field position. Kato crashes in after another quick tap penalty to the one meter line. Effective rucking gives Chris Ries his second try. Faribault commits even more penalties and the Pigs keep rucking effectively. Zach Fjelsted scores easily off a pick and the conversion makes it 17-0. The next score come when Jason Naber breaks for twenty meters. Two passes later, Cros runs between the pipes for a try. St. Paul add a final try when Zeth Spreadbury drives off the 1-2 switch left of a scrum. Strong defense ensures a Pigs shutout with yet another total team effort.
Line Up:
1. Ben Hanson (Troy Midboe, Cory Becker), 2. Alan Martin, 3. Jeff Gunness, 4. Chris Ries (Mark Fredrickson), 5. Jason Naber, 6. Ryan Backman, 7. Danny Kieffer (Zach Fjelsted), 8. Josh Van Gelder (captain), 9. Jason Rombalski, 10. Scott Colby, 11. Jesse Struve (Seth Spreadbury), 12. Mike Lundberg, 13. Aaron Hyman (Jake Gronemeyer), 14. Andy Schwartz, 15. Grant Dietrich
Scoring:
Tries: Ries (2), Fjelstead, Martin, Spreadbury
Consversions: Naber (3)