The Pigs and Bottomfeeders both came into the match with a 3-0 record.  Both teams being playoff bound with the winner getting home field throughout the first two rounds of the playoffs.  This would be the biggest match between these two teams to date.  The Pigs having been beaten by the Feeders in the Spring were ready for revenge.

The game started with the Bottomfeeders quickly pushing the ball into the Pigs end.  The Pigs were not where they wanted to be, having to play defensively right from the kickoff.  However the Pigs defense held strong and didn’t allow the Feeders into the try zone.

The Pigs quickly pushed back in the 10th minute.  Rubber was running with the ball and was quickly swarmed by the Feeder’s backline.  Having played many years together, Dietrich saw the gleam in Rubber’s eye and knew what was coming next.  Rubber place a  perfect pop kick over the back line, that Dietrich pursued.  The ball was caught by the Feeders fullback, who saw Dietrich in pursuit.  Instead of face the pressure of Dietrich the fullback attempted to kick the ball out of the back of the try zone.  The ball didn’t make it, but Dietrich did, putting the first points on the board.

Padre missed the conversion, but made it up on a penalty kick soon after.  The score now read 8-0.  The next try was a bute, as Cros took the ball straight through 5 defenders and over the try line, with the conversion the score now was 15-0 going into half time.  The Feeders were obviously winded, with Pigs ready for more.

The second half opened with a new Circus play the Pigs back line had been working on for the past few weeks.  Padre flipped the ball to Dietz, who scooped it up off the turf and switched it to Lauren who in turn switched it over to Zeth.  Zeth had no intensions on passing any further.  Leaving a pile of carnage behind, Zeth took the ball in to bring the score to 20-0.

The backline was now on a roll.  The next try was beautifully run as the backline ran the ball through the defense with Aaron flipping the ball to Dietrich just before being tackled.  Dietrich was able to run just outside the reach of the Feeders backline and scored between the uprights.  The next try found Dietz on a breakaway with one man to beat.  He nearly broke free, but was grabbed at the last second.  As he was getting taken to the deck, he gracefully popped the ball up to Dietrich who was again off to the races.  With the conversions from Padre the final score read 34-0.  With one match remaining the Pigs are in a great position to go undefeated in league play.

The Bombers took the field for the next match.  Great play by the bombers young and old.  It’s been a long time since any of us have seen so many great rugby players wearing red and black on the field.

Scoring:

Tries:  Martin (1), Spreadbury (1), Dietrich (3)

Conversions:  Boardman (3 for 5)

Penalties:  Boardman (1 for 1)

Pigs Man of the Match:  Seth Spreadbury

Bombers Man of the Match:  Greg Lehmicke

Big Hitter:  Aaron DM Princess

Hot off their win versus the Banshees, the Pigs headed down to Rochester to take on the Rouges.  The weather was unseasonably warm, with temeratures nearing 85 degrees.  A great day for rugby.    The Pigs continuing to grow in numbers, showed up with 30 men ready to play some ball.

The match started with a quick try from Aaron and a penalty kick from Padre, giving the Pigs an early 1o-0 lead.  Rochester stormed back and closed the gap to 10-7.  With a lapse in defence the Rouges scored again to give them the lead 10-12.  Determined not to be down at half Rubber took the ball across the try line to take the lead back 17-12.  The Pigs had the first half lead, but were not happy with their play.

The second half the Pigs fitness took over.  The Rouges were obviously winded, while the Pigs continued to push into their end.  A second try by Rubber, a try by Zeth, and a penalty kick by Padre gave the Pigs a 34-20 win on the day.

The Bombers followed the Pigs with a win against Rochester B.  Good play by everyone on the day.

Scoring:

Tries:  Aaron, Seth Spreadberry, Joe Lang (2)

Penalties:  Zac Boardman (2 for 2)

Conversions:  Zac Boardman (4 for 4)

Man of the Match Pigs:  Zac Boardman

Big Hitter Pigs:  LauKahonen

Man of the Match Bombers:  Tony

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The Pigs won their first round of playoffs, 12-5 against the Green Bay Celtics.  Great win for the Pigs squad.  Our next playoff match will be at home on April 14th versus Fond Du Lac.  The full match report can be found here.

Saturday, September 17th

St. Paul vs. Minneapolis Mayhem

The day was cool and slightly overcast.  A great day to open up league play.  Although the score didn’t necessarily indicate it, the Mayhem’s skills have improved over the last few years and a good match was enjoyed by each team.  New Pig Aaron ran very hard at Center and led the team with five tries on the day earning Man of the Match.  Another new Pig, Dave, showed how tough he was and won big hitter.  78-0 in favor of the Pigs.

The second match of the day was Pigs versus Lakehead.  The teams were very evenly matched.  The first half was back and forth with neither team able to get points on the board.  With seconds to play in the first half, Lakehead found a hole and found the try zone.  Unable to convert, they led the match 5-0.

The second half opened with more of the same.  The Pigs were in position on a couple of penalties to convert for points, but the windy conditions made finding the posts difficult.  Finally a good opporunity arose directly in front of the posts and the Pigs closed the gap 5-3.  The Pigs continued to push, however like the first half Lakehead found a couple of gaps in the defense and was able to push through 2 more tries.  With 12 minutse to play Lakehead led 19-3.

The Pigs determined to keep pushing, lead a surge in the closing minutes.  The Pigs first try of the day was on a sensational run by Soft Porn.  He zig-zagged his was through the defense to close the gap 19-10.  The Pigs could now feel as though a comeback was possible.  With 5 minutes to play, the ball came out of the scrum and down the backline.  Padre looking like he was a spry 29 year old tossed the ball out to SoftPorn, who sucked in the defense, then made a magnificent pass to Dietrich.  Dietrich sensing Padre looping along the line flipped the ball to the end.  Padre realizing the defense was up tight, put down a perfect grubber that he was able to chase down and score the try.  With the score now reading 14-19, it was close, but time was not on the Pigs side.

The Pigs again took control of the ball.  Pushing hard into the Lakehead side of the field, backs and pack alike took turns taking the ball closer to the try line.  With less than a minute to play, young Greg Lehmicke took the ball straight into 5 Lakehead forwards and found a seam to push the ball into the try zone.  The Pigs came out victorious 20-19.

Having used all his old man strength in the game, Padre was unable to make it to the social to accept man of the match, but Ben Mattox stepped up to accept the award.  Great work on the day to everyone!

The Pigs opened league play with a win over the Minneapolis Mayhem.  The Bombers followed with a win versus Lakehead.  Great work to everyone who came out, especially those who ended up playing over 80 minutes of rugby.  Click here for the full match report.

Saturday, May 14th the Pigs took of the University of Minnesota.  It was a rather chilly 45 degrees at game time with a slight rain coming down.  Not ideal conditions, especially for this time of year.  The Pigs this Spring have come close in a number of matches, this match was one they were ready to win and felt the needed to win. 

The team dominated play from the start.  The Pigs defense had finally come together and they continually pushed the young U of MN squad back.  The U had a few very nice plays, but for the most part the Pigs were able to shut them down.  At the whistle the final score was St. Paul 30, U of MN 19.  Great work to everyone who played in the match and special thanks to our fans and the Bombers who weren’t able to get in this match.

Scoring:  Valek, Peterson, Bauer, Grand Pre

Conversions:  Michno:  2 for 4

Penalty Kicks:  Michno:  2 for 2

Big Hitter:  Zac Bayer

Man of the Match:  Stephan Grand Pre

Pigs win 30 – 19 over the U of MN on Saturday.  Thanks to all the fans for getting out on a cold and blistery day.  Click here for the full match report.

The Pigs traveled to Winona over the weekend for a match versus the college side.  The team traveled a little lighter than they would have liked, but were ready for a good match.

The Winona team was a strong club and matched up with the Pigs quite well across the board.  The Pigs opened slow and put a strong push on at the end of the match, but came up on the losing side with a score of 22-32.  The Bombers followed the Pigs with a nice win from the young fellas.

Pigs Big Hitter – Zac Bauer

Pigs Man of the Match – Grant Dietrich

Bombers Best Forward – Dan

Bombers Best Back – JJ