Match Report

Ramblers at Nash Bash
March 28th & 29th, 2009

Rams go unbeaten at Nash Bash

Game 1: Fisters Early Penetration Awakens Slumbering Rams
With a strong squad of 24 players travelling to Nashville for Nash bash it looked like a fun weekend.  Our first game was Saturday afternoon against the Toledo Fisters (no really!). This is the touring side of the Toledo Celtics. The weather was perfect for the Rams attacking style of play, however as the Fisters kicked off, recovered their kick off and ran in for a score with only a single Ram making any attempt to play rugby, we realized maybe too much fun had already been had.  With sheepish grins all around and shouts of “OK, let’s start now” the Rams watched the conversion go over. 7-0 Fisters. The Rams kicked off and put a little pressure on the Fisters, before they penetrated our back line and saw a second score in under five minutes.  As the tumbleweed rolled through the dead silence of our try zone and the smell of bourbon hung in the air it looked like it would be a long afternoon!

Finally the Rams awoke from their slumber and charged into some action. The forwards competed hard at the kick off and managed to turn over the ball. Some strong hit ups and crash running by our centers saw the Rams eventually advance into the Fisters try zone with center Adam Schmitt scoring in the corner.  The conversion looked doubtful due to the high winds, but Justin Vogt slotted over a superb conversion 14-7 Fisters.
The Rams secured the resulting kick off and a Hell Mary kick down filled resulted in some great positional play. With superb pressure for the wings and full back the Rams were awarded a penalty 10 meters out, flanker Colin Heath quick tapped and charged through the Fisters for a score. Conversion good, tied game 14-14. The Fisters were nowhere near done and their strong, mobile forwards worked the ball up the field and some poor tackling saw the Fisters regain the lead with a converted try.  21-14. Late in the first half the Rams managed to tie the game when #8 Eric Livingston picked up from a ruck just inside the Fisters 22 and ran in for a score. 21-21.

Half time came and with the Rams only playing a good 20 minutes out of a possible 40 the mood was somber.  A couple of changes were made and the Rams retook the field.  The intensity and physicality of the game intensified as both teams sensed they had a good chance of victory. The Fisters got on the board first with a long run up the field and some poorly missed tackles. 26-21. Some strong forward work advanced the Rams into the Fisters half and a scrum resulted in a wonderfully worked blindside play that saw wing Derek Gnade score in the corner. Missed conversion, 26-26.
With 10 minutes left to play the Fisters settled for a penalty after pounding our try line for 5-minutes that saw one try held up and a 5-meter scrum defended. Penalty 26-29

Justin Vogt then capitalized on some more solid attacking play and slotted over a wonderful drop goal to take the lead with 20 minutes left to play. Rams 29-29. With 5 minutes left to play center Patrick Flavin put the game out of reach with a wonderfully played move for a converted try. Final score 38-29. Although the Ramblers started slow (actually slower than slow), they chased the game hard. The good signs were that the Ramblers were able to get several of their rookies in and also saw players trying out new positions. Special mention goes to Milky Iffrig for a good job converting from Prop to hooker and taking on the line out throw ins. Also wing Kamron Ahmad who was shuttled around the back line to eventually end up at open side flanker. I think his smile showed where he’d prefer to play! Also special mention goes to the mystery Rambler who right hooked Captain Colin Heath to close his eye for the weekend.

Game 2: Winger Dominance Holds off Celts
After a night on the town, a bleary eyed group of Ramblers took to the field against the Cincy Kelts on a blustery, cold day.  With several players out due to injury the Ramblers took to the field.  The game against the Cincy Kelts was definitely tougher than expected and although the Ramblers dominated the set pieces and the territory, they just could not capitalize in the red zone.  Strong tackling, wayward passes and penalties kept the Ramblers out of the try zone.  In fact a good break by the Kelts saw them capitalize on an overlap and score in the corner and a superb conversion put them up 7-0.  Another game for the Ramblers to chase and with only 30 minute halves time was limited. The main reason for Nash Bash was to get playing time for our Rookies and as a result the substitutions came thick and fast, however with 6 backs on the side line, 5 of them wings, it made for some interesting choices. Chad McDerrmott was an early sub and this resulted in him scoring, after being specifically told to stop passing! Tied game 7-7. Half time saw more changes and we added back Doug Aten to the second row, to join fellow back Kamron Ahmad in the pack. 
With a back line consisting of 4 wingers and several rookies the dynamics of the game began to change. In fact, just before wing Tommy Flynn was promoted to hooker, Centers Patrick Flavin and Dan Wischmeyer decide to clash heads that resulted in 5 stitches and 2 staples between them.
They loss of structure did see the Celts retake the lead with an unconverted try. However despite all the changes the Rams settled down and with the old timers directing the rookies from the sidelines order was restored and the Rams came back with center/flanker Tony Moore scoring a converted try to take the lead. Some superb defending saw another certain try by the Celts held up and the resulting scrum saw the Ramblers retain the ball. The Ramblers held out for a 14-12 win and another win. Special mention goes to all our rookies and players who were playing in some unusual positions. All stepped up to the plate and all appeared to have fun, although Aten at second row was interesting! The player of the weekend was Kamron Ahmad, who went from wing to full back to starting flanker and was very impressive at all positions!

Good Job!.

Upcoming dates (details to come later):
April 10th Old Boy/ Current player Happy hour at Maggie’s
April 18th: Game to be decided
April 25th B-side against the Bombers
May 9th: End of Season banquet
July 25th: 75th Golf Tournament