September 20, 2008

No further details available…

September 13, 2008

The Pigs traveled to St Cloud and came out on top of a tough match to get the league win and maintain possession of the Big Ass Brown Jug.

September 6, 2008

The Pigs got off to a good start in league play with a win over the visiting Rochester Rogues. St Paul got off to a good start and took a big lead before Rochester got in 2 last minute trys to make the score a little closer.

August 30, 2008

The Saint Paul Rugby Club went undefeated in pool play, then beat Metropolis 24-12 in the final to win the 35th Annual Jesse James Rugby Tournament on Saturday. Thanks to everyone who came out, from new players to regulars to old boys to supporters, who made this event a success on and off the field.

October 27, 2007

It was a beautiful, sunny fall day in Green Bay as the Saint Paul Pigs made the long trek across Wisconsin to Green Bay for this Midwest Playoff match to take on the Wisconsin RFU Champion Green Bay Celtics.

After the opening kick, the Pigs uncharacteristically got off to a good start and moved the ball deep into Green Bay territory. Despite holding possession for 10 minutes, however, no score would come and after a couple mistakes and some missed tackeles, Green Bay capitalized to score a try on a long run and take a 7-0 lead. The Pigs soon fought back with a Jason Naber penalty, but that was followed by a second Green Bay try and the score stood 14-3. After another Naber kick cut the deficit to 14-6, more mistakes let the Celtics punch in another try and take a 19-6 lead, which they would hold at the half.

The second half looked to be more of the same and didn’t look good, as within the first 5 minutes the Celtics ran in 2 more long breakaway tries thanks to more poor Pigs tackling and took a seemingly commanding 31-6 lead. As they have all season though, the Pigs refused to die and began to fight back. Hard running by the backs started to put the Green Bay defense on its heels, and excellent forward support kept the ball in the Pigs’ possession. 3 Pigs tries from Zeth, Colby and Zac in a 20 minute span later, it was 31-25 and a stunning come from behind victory seemed within reach.

Despite holding possession inside the Green Bay 22 for the last 7 minutes of the game though, some stout tackling kept out the Pigs attack, several times stopping mere inches from the Green Bay try line. With the ball still only 5 meters out from the line, the referree blew his whistle to end the match and with it the Pigs’ playoff hopes for 2007.

After the end of the match, Jeffrey “Kato” Gunness announced his retirement from the Pigs after 13 years, and in a touching cermony buried his boots at midfield.

Line Up:
1. Ben Hanson, 2. Alan Martin, 3. Jeff Gunness (Troy Midboe), 4. Chris Ries (Mark Fredrickson), 5. Jason Naber, 6. Ryan Backman, 7. Josh Van Gelder (captain) (Zac Bauer), 8. Chris Swanson, 9. Jason Rombalski, 10. Scott Colby, 11. Dennis Edwards (Steve King), 12. Seth Spreadbury (Zach Fjelsted), 13. Aaron Hyman, 14. Andy Schwartz, 15. Grant Dietrich

Scoring:
Tries: Colby, Spreadbury, Bauer
Consversions: Naber (2/3)
Penalties: Naber (2/2)

October 20, 2007

In this matchup of teams each with only one loss on the season, it was a predictably very close, back and forth match. The Pigs started brightly for the first few minutes, but then fell back into some old bad habits and started giving away possession, eventually leading to a penalty and a try by Lakehead and an early 8-0 deficit. That score would remain until shortly before halftime when Ryan Backman powered over for a try that was converted by Jason Naber for an 8-7 score at the break.

The second half saw more of the same back and forth play, as first St Paul went up 12-8 on a Grant Dietrich try in the corner, before Lakehead scored again to make it 12-13. Then a bad penalty by the Pigs was tapped quickly and spun out by Lakehead, which led to another try and an 12-18 Exiles lead with around 12 minutes to play. The Pigs were not to be denied on this day though, as 5 minutes later, after a penalty 15 meters from the posts, a forward crash was followed by a nice solo run by Zac Bauer who touched down for the try. Naber’s conversion was good, giving the Pigs a 19-18 lead. Some late Lakehead pressure followed over the last minutes of the game, but the St Paul defense held firm and held on for the win to clinch a Midwest playoff berth and end an excellent Fall Regular Season.

Line Up:
1. Ben Hanson, 2. Alan Martin, 3. Jake Gronemeyer, 4. Chris Ries (Mark Fredrickson), 5. Jason Naber, 6. Ryan Backman, 7. Josh Van Gelder (captain) (Zac Bauer), 8. Chris Swanson, 9. Zach Fjelsted, 10. Scott Colby, 11. Diego Bonita, 12. Aaron Hyman, 13. Dennis Edwards (Steve King), 14. Andy Schwartz, 15. Grant Dietrich

Scoring:
Tries: Backman, Dietrich, Bauer
Consversions: Naber (2/3)

October 6, 2007

The Pigs suffered their first defeat of the Fall 2007 season at the hands of the Banshees. No further details available at this time.

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)

September 22, 2007

Dennis picked me up at my apartment early afternoon. When we stopped to gas-up his truck, it slipped my mind to get water. Dennis was hungry, so we headed down to Cosetta’s. He had a slice of pepperoni and a water, where I had a slice of sausage and a diet coke. After a quick stop to get a case of the champaign of beer (the lite version), we arrived at the Eagan pitch just before two o’clock. Several Pigs and coach Zweber were already there watching the Rochester/Ban-she match, as so were the Mayhem. I talked with some guy who once wore red shoes, but now wears blue . . . I forget his name. I congratulated the Inspector on the birth of his first granddaughter. At the conclusion of that match, the Pigs’ players started warming-up and I went to shoot the breeze with Brad, the ref. The players continued to warm-up, so Ike and I made a quick trip for another case of champaign (this time the non-lite type in the funky new orange cans). As the kick-off approached, it became apparent that there was no water to drink. Grant gave me the keys to his Honda and I went to Holiday. By the time I got back, the Pigs were already up 19-0. Being I missed three tries, I ditched the idea of writing a formal match report. Ironically, Animal also went to get water.

I do know tries were scored by Colby, Andy, Grant, Hightower, Cros, Kit, Zeth, and of course Dennis (at the age of 46 . . . setting a Pigs record for oldest player to score a try in a league match). Colby, Zach, and Leprechaun added conversions. I’m sure I missed few tries. Roger asked me the score; I told him I lost track at 70. Among others attending the match were Skillet, Billy Bridgeman, Naber, Lau and Latchkey Tommy, and Big Gay Dan Corley. The Final ended up being Jazz Pigs 112, Mayhem 0.

Both teams sat around the pitch and socialized for a while before heading down to Joe and Stan’s (with bouncer Jason Kemp) where the socialization continued. Men of the Match awards were awarded to Hightower and Anthony, as well as Nate of the Mayhem. Festivities continued until about ten when some went to Gastoff’s and others re-congregated at Ponch and Abby’s for beer and brats, dip that Andy called de-lish, and ginger snaps. Joining us was Peaches and his bride. The party went on for a few more hours. Dennis and I left, stopped at White Castle, and went home. For the third week in a row, it was a total team effort.

Line Up:
1. Chris Johnson (Anthony Stenberg), 2. Cory Becker (Kato Gunness), 3. Twinkie Exner (T-Bone Midboe), 4. Hightower Backman (captain), 5. Fishbowl Fredrickson, 6. Kramer Hanson, 7. Cros Martin, 8. Snuggles Swanson, 9. Zach Fjelsted (Ponch Rombalski), 10. Scott Colby, 11. Buca Lundberg (Leprechaun King), 12. Bald Nate Riedel (Jake Gronemeyer), 13. Zeth Spreadbury, 14. Andy Schartz, 15. HG Metro Dietrich (Uncle Denny Edwards).

September 15, 2007

With only one league play victory over the St. Cloud Bottom Feeders in the last four attempts, the St. Paul Jazz Pigs headed into Saturday’s rugby match eager for a change. After easily handling St. Cloud in the spring at All-Saints, St Paul was looking for better success in the autumn. And with the new Big Ass Brown Jug up for grabs, the stakes were even higher.

Spending the morning of the All-Minnesota tournament observing and recruiting college players (and doling out koozies), the Pigs experienced a renewed sense of vitality approaching the 1:00 kick-off.

The early going was tough for the Pigs. St. Cloud took almost complete control, despite missing a penalty attempt. Using a cross between their traditional method of “creative rucking” and a new spreading the field method, the Feeders gained both possession and ground. In a blink, the St. Cloud fullback intercepted an errant Pigs pass and broke through for a 50 meter try between the posts and a 7-0 lead. A successful penalty goal for St Cloud then made it 10-0 shortly thereafter. All the pre-match vitality the Pigs attained from recruiting and doling out koozies was passing fast. A sloppy pop kick caught the Pigs off guard and St. Cloud chased to touch it down. The lead became 15-0 and St. Cloud controlled. But the power of the Big Ass Brown Jug was just starting to bite the Pigs. Finally in the 38th minute, Ponch quick-tapped a Feeder penalty from 20 meters out and ran it to the goal line. T-Bone picked the ball out of the ruck and powered over the line as the Pigs scored their first try. The half ended with St. Paul trailing only 15-5.

Koozie and Jug power started favoring the Pigs. Just three minutes into the second half, the Pigs moved deep. Fly-half Scott Colby broke two tackles on a 25 meter run for a try and the conversion cut the St. Cloud lead to 3. Four minutes later, St. Paul took the lead for good. A 22 meter drop was blocked by fly-half Colby who ran it down to 3 meters (great support!). A couple phases later, Twinkie dove over for the Pigs’ third try and a 19-15 lead. In the 59th minute, the Pigs’ pack stole a 5 meter scrum. A phase later, Jason Naber reached out to touch the ball down, converting his own try (Jason Naber was 4 for 5 on conversion attempts). The Feeders were sin-binned in the 66th minute. Taking advantage of the man-up situation, Ponch again quick tapped a penalty running the ball down to the goal-line. This time Chris Ries reached across for the try. St Paul’s lead was now 33-15. St. Cloud added two tries in the final four minutes, but the Pigs held out for a 33-27 victory. For the second week in a row, all tries were scored by different Pigs players and it was another complete team effort.

Line Up:
1. Ben “Kramer” Hanson (Chris Johnson), 2. Alan “Cros” Martin, 3. Troy “T-Bone” Midboe (Joe “Twinkie” Exner), 4. Chris Ries (Mark “Fishbowl” Fredrickson), 5. Jason Naber, 6. Ryan “Hightower” Backman, 7. Chris “Kit” Swanson, 8. Josh Van Gelder (captain), 9. Jason “Ponch” Rombalski, 10. Scott Colby, 11. Andy Schwartz, 12. Mike “Buca” Lundberg, 13. Seth “Zeth” Spreadbury (Aaron Hyman), 14. Zach Fjelstad (Tony Stenburg), 15. Grant “HGSM” Dietrich

Scoring:
Tries: Midboe, Colby, Exner, Naber, Ries
Consversions: Naber (4)

B-Side
St. Paul & friends vs. St Cloud & friends
12-19

Many Pigs and others (including, all the way from Detroit Michigan, Joe Wetschka) combined for a B-side match against a team of Feeders and others. Despite a valiant comeback effort by the Bombers, the St Cloud and friends side prevailed by a try, 19-12. Special thanks to all the college players who joined us for this match on Saturday.