April 15, 2006

This past weekend the Pigs played a tough U of M side and got off to a slow start to trail 28-14 at half time. A good second half by the Pigs saw the gap closed, but unfortunately time ran out on the comeback, and the match ended 42-35 in favor of the U.

The Pigs Bs then defeated the Mayhem in the second match.

Thanks to Rob Wagner who came out and took photos of both matches. They are available for viewing and purchase online at Dropkick Photos. Direct link to the U of M match and the Mayhem Match

April 8, 2006

The Pigs defeated the Feeders in this match. No further details available at this time.

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)

October 15, 2005

On the final Saturday of the fall season the Pigs defeated the Minneapolis Mayhem and UW Eau Claire. The first game agasint the Mayhem saw multiple Pigs players score against a game but inexperienced Mayhem side playing in just their 4th ever mathch. Try scorers included Tommy, Bachelor Jeff Zweber, Kramer, Twinkee (with an assist to Mark Lynch), Muddy, Jason, Pinto, Chris and Digler.

The second match saw a strong and fast Eau Claire side (augmented with some Pigs players to fill out the 15) jump out to an early 14-0 lead. Pigs’ trys from Pinto and Billy cut the deficit to 14-12, and a seesaw battle began. An Eau Claire try was followed by a try from Ponch, followed by another EC try, then a Pigs try from Muddy to cut it to 28-24. 2 more Pigs tries sealed the victory for a final score of 38-33.

October 15, 2005

Another poor effort from the Pigs led to a 10-7 home loss to Lakehead. A slow start saw a try given up and a 7-0 deficit within the first 5 minutes of the match. After that the Pigs calmed things down and gained a fair amount of possession, but were unable to break through and score. A Lakehead penalty shortly before halftime made it 10-0. That was soon followed be a penalty to Saint Paul 5 meters out from goal, but depsite repeated attempts, a try was not to be had.

The second half was more of the same, as repeated attempts from close to the Lakehead line were rebuffed, including 2 professional fouls that earned yellow cards for Lakehead players. However the Pigs were still unable to capitalize, even with the 2 man advantage. A final breakthrough came just minutes from the end when a rolling maul from the Pigs pack was driven into the try zone and touched down to cut the deficit to 10-7. It would prove too little too late, however, and another defeat for the Pigs.

Lineup:
1. Lauri Kahonen 2. Luke Utting (Captain) 3. Troy Midboe (Ben Hanson) 4. Mark Fredrickson 5. Ryan Backman 6. Danny Kieffer 7. Zac Bauer 8. Jason Naber 9. Jason Rombalski 10. Steve Pinto 11. Jason Benson (Brett Carter) 12. Jesse Struve 13. Brian VanOosbree 14. Chris Heisinger 15. Bill Bridgeman

Scoring:
Tries:
Conversions: Naber (1/1)

October 8, 2005

On this Saturday the Pigs faced a strong St. Cloud Bottom Feeders side and came home defeated – our first league defeat in 2 years. The Feeders drew first blood with a quick penalty and a 3-0 lead, but it was the Pigs who would score the first try. A ball was played out to Ryan Driessen on the wing, and when his kick was dropped by the St. Cloud winger, Ryan Backman was able to win the footrace to the ball in the try zone and touch it down for the score. A period of St. Cloud pressure followed, but the Pigs defense held firm, wining a couple of 5 meter scrums before finally coming out with the ball. It was then quickly moved out to Jason Benson who broke to midfield before being tackled. The support was excellent, and after some quick rucking the ball went out to Steve Pinto who was able to outrun the Feeder defense and make it in for the try and a 10-3 Pigs lead. Unfortunately, it was all downhill from there. Some poor tackling and dropped balls gave St. Cloud good offensive opportunities, and they took full advantage to score 2 converted tries before half to make it 17-10.

As the second half began, it soon became apparent that it would be more of the same. The Feeders went on to score four more tries and a penalty, with only one penalty managed in response for the Pigs, making the final score a 42-13 defeat.

Lineup:
1. Lauri Kahonen (Ben Hanson) 2. Luke Utting (Danny Kieffer) 3. Troy Midboe 4. Mark Fredrickson (Tommy Galante) 5. Jason Naber 6. Josh Van Gelder (Captain) 7. Zac Bauer 8. Ryan Backman 9. Jason Rombalski 10. Steve Pinto 11. Jason Benson 12. Jesse Struve 13. Jamarr Johnson 14. Ryan Driessen 15. Bill Bridgeman

Scoring:
Tries: Backman, Pinto
Conversions: Naber (0/2)
Penalties: Naber (1/1)

October 1, 2005

The Pigs came out looking strong for the second league match of the season vs. the Rochester Rogues. Attacking from the start, St. Paul held possession for a long period before finally breaking through for the first try of the match. The ball was held in the pack and driven forward, before eventually Luke Utting was able to break through for the try. Jason Naber’s kick was good for the 7-0 lead. Soon the lead would double, with more possession inside the Rochester 22, followed by quick ball out to the backs where Steve Pinto ran a switch with center Jesse Struve who powered in for the score. Naber’s kick was again good for a 14-0 lead. The final Pigs try of the half came after several penalties against Rochester that were taken quickly, rucked over, and passed to onrushing forwards, with Utting eventually getting the final pass for his second try and a 19-0 lead. Not long before the half, a ball was spun wide and dropped, which the Rogues were able to pounce on to set up a counter that went the length of the field for a try, and a halt time score of 19-7.

The second half mirrored the first, with a quick Pigs try off a counter attack from a Rochester kick. Fullback Bill Bridgeman fielded the kick and passed out to Struve, who then hit Brian VanOosbree who broke a couple tackles and got in for the try. That was followed by a try off a stolen scrum feed, with Pinto keeping the ball and squeezing through the Rochester defense to score. Naber’s kick was again good for a 33-7 lead. Rochester then fought back with a long solo run from their outside center for a converted try that cut the lead to 33-14. The Pigs weren’t done, though, and a series of runs with good support from the whole team eventually led to Naber touching down for a try to bring his point total on the day to 13, and a final score of 38-14 for the Pigs.

Lineup:
1. Lauri Kahonen (Ben Hanson) 2. Luke Utting (Jeff Gunness) 3. Troy Midboe (Alan Martin) 4. Craig Alberg 5. Jason Naber (Mark Fredrickson) 6. Josh Van Gelder 7. Zac Bauer (Mike Hankee) 8. Ryan Backman 9. Jason Rombalski (Captain) (Ryan Driessen) 10. Steve Pinto 11. Jason Benson 12. Jesse Struve 13. Brian VanOosbree 14. Jamarr Johnson 15. Bill Bridgeman

Scoring:
Tries: Utting (2), Struve, VanOosbree, Pinto, Naber
Conversions: Naber (4/6)

B-Side
With strong numbers throghout the fall, we set up an abbreviated 11 a-side B-Side match so that everyone could get some playing time in. Thanks to the guys from Bethel as well as the Old Boys who helped fill out the sides. Team Red defeated Team White 33-19.

September 10, 2005

On a hot, windy Saturday, the Pigs opened the Fall 2005 league season with a convincing road victory over Faribault. A mixed lineup of Pigs veterans interspersed with a number of new players took the field and got off to a quick start, as Mike Peloquin touched down for a try within the first 10 minutes. Jason Naber made the conversion and it was 7-0. Danny Kieffer got on the board next, stealing a lose ball from the back of a ruck and darting in for the try, and Naber’s conversion was again good. A series of mistakes, dropped balls and poor tackling set in, however, and Faribault got a try of their own to cut the score to 14-7. The lead was soon restored to 14, however, as a quick move saw the ball move through the hands of the backline to Brett Carter on the wing who scored the try. Shortly before halftime, a nice move down the left wing by Jesse Struve and Jamarr Johnson was stopped short of the line, but Ryan Backman came in support and took a pass for an easy score. Naber again converted, and the score stood 28-7 at half.

The second half would prove more of the same, as Faribault tired and the Pigs were able to score 6 tries, all successfully converted by Naber. Try scorers were (I think): Bill Bridgeman (2), Naber, Brian VanOosbree, Jamarr Johnson and Grant Dietrich (in a triumphant return from injury). And well done to Naber on an outstanding 10 for 10 kicking day, despite the windy conditions.

Lineup:
1. Troy Midboe (Jeff Gunness) 2. Danny Kieffer 3. Luke Utting 4. Mark Fredrickson (Zac Bauer) 5. Ryan Backman 6. Josh Van Gelder 7. Mike Peloquin (Mike Soucheray) 8. Jason Naber (Rich Cerasani) 9. Jason Rombalski (Captain) 10. Ben Papier-Meister (Grant Dietrich) 11. Brett Carter (Steve Pinto) 12. Brian VanOosbree 13. Jamarr Johnson 14. Jesse Struve (Jason Benson) 15. Bill Bridgeman

Scoring:
Tries: Peloquin, Kieffer, Carter, Backman, Brigeman(2), Naber, Dietrich, VanOosbree, Johnson
Conversions: Naber (10/10)

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)

April 17, 2005

Sunday saw the Pigs take on the Fox Cities (Wisconsin) Gargoyles, who had defeated Lake County (Illinois) in Saturday’s other match. We had the wind in the first half, and fly half Mark “Repo” Erickson managed to place some nice kicks to put the Fox Cities defence on their heals. While we dominated possession early and had the ball inside the Fox Cities 22 for long stretches, the Gargoyles tackling was good, and they held us scoreless for the first 20 minutes. The deadlock was finally broken when after a Fox Cities penalty for diving over a ruck, Ponch took a quick tap and was hit by a player who hadn’t retreated the 10 meters. With the extra 10 meters, Naber was able to successfully convert the attempt at goal for a 3-0 lead. The rest of the half was more of the same, as we had the ball in the Gargoyle end, but couldn’t quite break through to score. That trend finally ended in first half injury time when Ponch took another quick tap on a penalty 5 meters out and passed off to Sonnek who eluded a couple defenders for the score. Naber’s kick was again good, and it was 10-0 at the half.

The second half saw Fox Cities come out rejuvenated, and after a bad giveaway and several missed tackles, they were able to break through for a try just 3 minutes in to the second half. Just when it looked like they might use their momentum and take the lead, we drove back down to their 10 meter line, and off a well consolidated ruck Ponch passed out to Repo who hit a drop goal that wavered but went over to up the lead to 13-7. Fox Cities continued to pressure and use the wind, and had several opportunities to score, but our defense held firm, highlighted by a held ball in the try zone in the 60th minute that gave us a five meter scrum and a chance to alleviate the pressure. This eventually led to a penalty which Naber kicked deep into touch, and off the ensuing a lineout a beautiful rolling maul by our forwards ended with Luke Utting getting in for the try. The conversion was again good, 20-7. Fox Cities refused to quit, however, and continued to put on the pressure. With around 10 minutes remaining, their fullback broke through the line and looked like he had the angle to score, only for Gitch to come flying in from his wing spot to make the try saving tackle. A few more tackles and some well place defensive kicks, and the Pigs were able to run out the clock and earn the victory.

All in all, it was a great weekend, and everyone on the team played well. Despite a few injured players (both before and during this weekend), the whole club pulled together and earned a trip to Chicago for the Midwest finals in two weeks.

Lineup:
1. Troy Midboe (Luke Utting) 2. Danny Kieffer (Rich Cerasini) 3. Matt Sonnek (Ben Hanson) 4. Jason Naber 5. Ryan Backman 6. Mike Peloquin (Grizzly Malchow) 7. Zac Bauer 8. Mike Hankee (Captain) 9. Jason Rombalski 10. Mark Erickson 11. Brett Carter 12. Jesse Struve 13. Jamarr Johnson 14. Gitch Onsongo 15. Jeff Zweber

Scoring:
Tries: Sonnek, Utting
Conversions: Naber (2/2)
Penalties: Naber (1/1)
Drop Goal: Erickson (1/1)