Irish Steal Victory
Washington, DC- A beautiful day on the National Mall highlighted a fiercely contested late season match up between the Potomac Athletic Club and the Washington Irish. The Irish were hosting Lady's Day, PAC was hosting their Alumni Day which made for quite a large gathering of spectators. While many of them may have been lost in mimosas or wine the rugby fans in the bunch were treated to tight contest that went down to the final whistle.
To say it simply, the entire first half possession and field position was dominated by PAC. Off the kickoff the Irish knocked it on, and that started what would be a very long forty minutes for the Irish. Less than 10 minutes into the game a penalty committed by the Irish resulted in a lineout to PAC deep in Green territory. PAC won the lineout easily and mauled right through the Irish PAC and into the Irish try zone. The kick was converted. PAC 7-0.
The rest of the first session had the Irish on their back foot and playing tough, hard defense. Despite their best efforts to play in PAC's half, it literally did not happen. PAC's flyhalf was nothing shy of surgical with his kicks with each one leaving Green pinned behind their own 22-meter line and kicking for position. When they did not kick PAC's very ball control minded forwards would maintain possession and slowly and methodically move it down the field. But each time, the Irish defense would hold and eventually produce a turnover of some sort. Credit the Irish defense for digging in after they came out flat and conceded the early try. The half ended at 7-0.
The halftime apparently revitalized the Irish. They knew that they had gotten away easy with coming out flat and would have to step up to steal a victory. Although brimming with confidence and creating several opportunities most were eventually squandered. The intensity was kept up in no small part to relentless activity on and off the ball by the Irish loose forwards led by Nate Kusner taking quick taps and leading the defense. Andrew McClure stepped in admirably at 8-Man and salvaged many a wheeled scrum by snatching the ball before it was fully wheeled. Luke Piepkorn was positively violent around the ball making stifling tackles and effectively slowing the ball. Timothy Donovan again got around remarkably well, and Justin Brandenburg threatened breaking off big runs several times and was doing everything under the sun to make a break. The Irish midfield was sturdy anchored by a starting Damien Maguire who's aggressive play and running pulled other Irish players along when they were dragging. As quipped by onlooker Evan Gallagher, "he's played rugby before." The Irish back three handled and countered kicks deftly and ultimately would make the difference.
Late in the second half, Brian "Q" McCue came on for Piepkorn and minutes later found a try. Off a PAC penalty the unremitting Kusner took a quick tap and ditched a couple defenders before finding McCue in support and off his weak hand got him a very nice ball. McCue looked to dish to the speedsters on the outside but as the entire defense shifted to play that pass he kept it and dashed in for a try under the posts. Caron with the conversion made it 7-7.
More back and forth action consumed the balance of the game. With time running down PAC was dinged with another penalty between 35-40 meters out and about 10-15 off the touch line. Knowing the time skipper Anthony Caron opted to try for points and a victory. The kick was pushed wide and fielded by a Potomac back. Rather than touch it down for a 22-meter drop out or possibly the end of the game he decided to counter. Mark Seiss caught up with him inside ten meters of the PAC try zone and physically picked him up and turned him. Pat Fritz was not far behind and immediately stripped the attacker of the ball. The other wing, John Baker, was also chasing and received the dish from Fritz. He alluded a couple defenders and dove in for the go-ahead try. The kick was hooked by Caron, but the game was blown dead resulting in a dramatic Irish victory, 12-7.
It's true that if games were scored by time of possession or field position the Irish would not have even been in this game. But in past losses this season the Irish were forced to tip their hats to teams who found a way to win, and made their own breaks. The squad has been hesitant to say, "we gave it to them," but rather acknowledge that in this game you make your own luck. Today the Irish did just that. They did not play their best game. But when it came time to, they dug in and made defensive stops when they had to. They made the most of the breaks they did get and at the end of regulation they found a way to win. That is what good, experienced teams do. Regardless of how the playoff picture turns out this was a big step for a young team and should be carried forward.
The Irish playoff fate is not yet sealed. While they have lost the ability to "control their own destiny" the resounding sentiment is that they have to go out this weekend and post a win against a tough Frederick on their home pitch and finish the season strong. This will be the last fixture for the fall season, so if you are an old boy who has not been out, a casual player who needs one more, or just a fan who hasn't seen enough, this is your last chance for a few months.
B-Side
The B-side match up did not exactly pan out the way the Irish would have liked. The strong Irish second side came in undefeated with an enormous point differential. The play was in general not up to their standards and all in all was a bit of an ugly game. Green got sucked into entirely too much dirty play and they know that. The issue has been discussed within the team and is considered to be dealt with.
When the play was clean it was largely dominated by PAC. Their large athletic forwards gave the Irish pack headaches while their backs were able to deftly maneuver around the backfield with relative ease. They were up 21-0 by the time the Irish caught a break. Threatening to score again a PAC midfielder knocked a ball on and was scooped up by Dan Ford who scampered the entire length of the field minus about 5-meters and touched it down for a try. The conversion was shanked by Ford.
There were some highlights. The entire sideline marveled at the defense of Chuck Goldston. On one particular play a PAC forward had fended off a series of would be tacklers and had only Goldston to beat. Goldston not only tackled him but drove him almost into touch in the process. Another highlight was newcomer Chris. While he appeared to have a ton of potential he broke his clavicle in the game and will be out for quite awhile. Thanks for the effort Chris. Kerry Manion was back from a head injury and once the Irish can get him back into the swing of rugby he is a very physical player that will surely make an A side impact. Jerry Crute was also back and showed that he is still very athletic at any position on the field.
Unfortunately the substitute referee (it should be said that special thanks goes to him for even officiating the game) had largely lost control of the game. Increasingly towards the end the game got ugly and was ultimately blown dead due to the latest melee. Fortunately all spectators and players remained on the sidelines while it was sorted out. It was an unfortunate end to a great day of rugby.
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