Midwest Recap: Dramatic Endings Widen Race for Playoff Berths

Men’s Premiership:

Columbus Rugby and Cincinnati Wolfhounds both entered this weekend looking to pick up their first win of the season. The Wolfhounds had been competitive throughout the season, losing two of their three games by seven or less; however, Saturday was not going to be their day. Cincinnati opened the scoring but Columbus lead by Ruan Allerston stomred back to score the game’s next 20 points. From there the Wolfhounds tried to claw back but Columbus always had an answer. Columbus winning, 35-22.

The Chicago Lions were handed their first loss of the season, when their crosstown foe, the Chicago Griffins scored in the final minute of play to claim a, 26-23, victory. It was a close game from start to finish. The game had a total of five lead changes throughout the 80 minutes.  However, the final, and most important score, came courtesy of Takudzwa Ngwenya in the dying stages to give the Griffins the win.

In another nail biter, it was St Louis that prevailed over the Palmer College Dragons, 12-10. It took until the final stages of the first stanza to see the scoreboard tick over, as the Bombers crossed the line. However, shortly after the second half commenced, the Dragons struck back with a penalty to make it 7-3. The two teams traded tries but Palmer was unable to touch St. Louis’s lead.

Metropolis Rugby is the only undefeated team in the Midwest Premiership, after they beat the Kansas City Blues, 27-14. The game began as a close affair with Kansas City trailing by only three in the 39th minute. However, Metropolis scored before the end of the half and with that score the momentum went with them, creating an insurmountable lead.

 

Women’s Division I:

After a quick start to the game by Chicago, scoring in the 7th minute, the rest of the game belonged to the Minnesota Valkyries. The Valkyries, would go on to score the next 58 points in the contest. They were led by Kristin Zdanczewicz who bagged a hat trick during the match. Final score, 58-5.

 

Men’s Division II:

Midwest:

A try at the death from Collin Severson, saw Wisconsin Rugby edge out the Chicago Blaze, 22-21. With a record of 5-0-1, the men from Wisconsin sit atop of their competition, six points clear of their nearest threat.

Indianapolis Impalas put in a massive shift against Metropolis D2 this weekend, walking away victors, 77-14. The Impalas scrumhalf, Michael Temple had himself a day with the boot, slotting 11 conversions and even crossed the line once to bring in a haul of 27 points for the day.

It was a high scoring affair between the Eastside Banshees and their hosts, the Green Bay Celtics. With a total of 71 points scored, the Banshees contributed the most points walking away, 42-29, victors.

 

Great Lakes:

In a battle for Central New York, the Rochester Aardvarks got the better of the Syracuse Chargers, 26-12. The Aardvarks now sit at 4-2 on the year, while the Chargers are sitting at 1-5. The other game played this weekend saw the league leading Buffalo rugby beat the bottom of the table South Buffalo, 60-19.

 

Women’s Division II: 

East Gold:

South Buffalo had a day to remember as they shut out Akron Rugby, 51-0. Akron was led by their wing, Sarah Faltyn who scored four tries on the day. They also received a helping hand from Kelsey Gammie, their fly half, who contributed two tries and three conversions.

West Gold:

Chicago Sirens demolished the Fox Valley Vixens this weekend in a lop-sided affair, 81-5.

 

West Green:

It was low scoring contest between the Twin Cities Amazons D2 and Palmer College Dragons. The Amazons drew first blood and scored the first two tries of the game opening a 10-point buffer. The Dragons struck back with a converted try in the 67th minute, but no further scoring took place. Amazons winning, 10-7. Anisa Feto scored four tries on Milwaukee Scylla’s way to knocking off the County Will Morrigans, 86-0.

 

Men’s Division III:

Chicago Area:

Northwest Woodsmen beat the Peoria Pigs emphatically, 62-12. They now move to 4-1-1 on the season.  Fox Valley Maoris continue to rampage through their season and moved to 6-0 on the season, after they held off a firey Chicago Dragons side, 34-21. Illiana Misfits now join the Northwest Woodsmen at 4-1-1 as they took down the Rockford Ravens, 26-10.

East:

South Pittsburgh Hooligans were no match for the Presque Isle Scallywags, who on the back of a three try effort from Brandon Mosco, beat the Hooligans, 57-19. Cleveland Rovers beat Akron, 54-26. They were led by Shane McNea who bagged two tries and Adam Gunn who slotted 14 points with his boot.

Iowa:

In a top of the table clash, the visiting Bremer County Bucks took down the Iowa City Ducks 26-12.  The Bucks remain undefeated on the season, and are now 5-0; while the Ducks fall to 3-2.

Minnesota:

St Paul’s Jazz Pigs opened an eight-point lead early in the game. The Rochester Rogues came back to score the next 17 points. The Jazz Pigs then came back and scored the final 15 points of the contest, 23-17. It was a comprehensive win for the St. Cloud Bottom Feeders, as they saw off a feisty Eastside Banshees D3 side, who refused to go away, 74-24.
 

North:

It was a back and forth affair, between Detroit and Michigan, as eight points was the largest lead for either team. Michigan held a 27-19 lead with 15 minutes remaining, but then two tries in the closing passages for Detroit saw them squeeze passed Michigan for the win.

The Detroit Tradesmen D3 were carried to victory over the Toledo Celtics, by the boot of their fly-half, Adam Saad, who scored 19 points including five penalties. The closest Toledo got was to within 4 points but the Tradesmen D3 side was able to find ways to get on the scoreboard, eventually winning, 39-19.  

Flint Rogues took down the Capital Area Crisis, 33-19. Traverse Bay Blues edged the Tri-City Barbarians 19-12. In a top of the pool clash in the western pool, the Grand Rapids Gazelles continued their undefeated season, beating Fort Wayne Rugby 32-3.

South:
Columbus Castaways showed off their muscle against the Cincinnati Kelts over the weekend, keeping them off the scoreboard, 69-0. Victor Banjo with three tries and Alex Moller with two tries led the way.

Dayton Flying Pigs kept up pace with Louisville Rugby, as they moved to 6-0 after beating White River Rugby 31-10.

Wisconsin:

Oconomowoc beat the Fox City Gargoyles, 34-29, to record their second win of the season. Fond du Lac Wolfpac beat Oshkosh Pigs, 17-0, and move to 3-1 on the season.

Women’s Division III:

Dayton Flying Pigs ran right by the Lexington Black Widows beating them, 78-5. Amber Mullen was the catalyst for Dayton, as she contributed over 30 points. In the other game, Louisville Riversharks lost to Fort Wayne Rugby, 34-19.

 

Men’s D4:

Buckeye:

Lancaster Men of Stone were impressive over the weekend, recording a 67-5 win over the Columbus Coyotes.

 

Central:

Indianapolis Impalas D4 ran over the Kenosha Mammoths, 78-0. Andrew Ciresi and Guillermo Castro, both scored doubles on the weekend.  

Iowa:

Cedar Rapids Headhunters played an exciting high-powered game against Des Moines Rugby D4, eventually winning, 33-17.