Saturday, September 15th was the first fall match for Menagerie Rugby Club and a fine day to run around the pitch. How lovely to hit someone other than our own teammate! We were glad for the commitment of the County Will Morrigans who cam up from Joliet, IL, and for the college mates that helped them out that day at All Minnesota in Blaine. Sunny and in the 70s, Menagerie practiced their offense up and down the pitch. Dishin' balls and hittin' holes were the stories of the day.
The backline was full of great runs, brilliant communication and play making, and plenty o' scores. Cath, Tracy, Kaela, Sonya (So-so), and Mary scored as veteran backline players for Meangerie. Tami brought it close enough to the try line for a splendid assist. Rookies Summer and Speedy scored their first tries, Speedy again and again, 4 tries total (though we may need to find her a new nickname, lest the competition be warned ahead of time!!) Mary made 80% of her conversions and was also awarded a penalty try. That, in addition to some great field vision/ball placement throughout the game from Cath. So-so, Kaela, and Mary...gotta love those feet!
The back backpats are almost done, but can't be left without mentioning Tracy's relentless energy and hunger for the ball. Tracy C ran with the ball in the green zone and was tackled--and came UP with the ball--and was tackled--and came UP with the ball--and once more was tackled--and UP again--to run it in for a try mid-game. There were forwards behind her for support, but she can take that ball ANY DAY. Can't wait to see it again!
The forwards had one of the most fluid back-pack games in recent Menagerie history. Many back scores were on the third or forth phase from ball that was touched or carried by all players on the team, including our own Mamajama Gayle, who would not let up on her possession for any defense: Wham! Into the opposition, ball down, blown over, start again. Every forward carried the ball, including flankers Haras and KC, sly devils on the pitch, sneaky petes whenever they had the ball. KC slithered and Haras pranced, each 5-10-15 meters before being touched.
The pack won all offensive scrums and a portion of defensive scrums as well. Starting front row Gayle, Abby, Carol, and back row Jess and Hojo, with 8-April, made SINK and DRIVE the winningest cadence. If that wasn't enough, ball-hungry forwards retained possession throughout the green zone, enough for Jess D-G to score that ball down beneath the big girls in the try zone.
I don't pretend to remember everything accurately. If something is embellished and it makes you look better, no thanks necessary. If I forgot a play, I may not have seen it in the first place - you know, on a detour....
From the Desk of Abigail "Detour" Rombalski