Rough Winds Put Heavyweights
Over-the-bar
by Jack Harrold
The first game of the year is often a tough challenge. How well will the team work together? Who are the strong players? Who need more development? Does the lineout have our players matched up against the opposition correctly? All of these questions loom in your mind before your first game; before the team has been tested. This is even more difficult when your opposition has already played a game and answered some of those questions for itself. Such was the adversity for McBob’s Gael Winds as they took the field for the first time this season against the Silver Spring House Heavyweights, who had narrowly won their first match on Opening Day.
From the opening toss, it appeared that this would be no easy contest for either side. Both defenses turn play around at critical moments. McBob’s Pat Foley, Matt “Parkay” Goelz and Captain Kyle Christenson bounced around the middle of the field helping to transition play from defense to offense. Likewise, Heavyweights Pat MacLeod, Colin Zuelzke and Captain Joel “Jo-El” Ingebrigtson darted around breaking up any Gael Wind momentum they were able to conjure up. By the end of a very defensive quarter, the Heavyweights were up 0-2 (2) to 0-0 (0) by the only two points scored that quarter.
After the first water break, the defensive struggle continued. Both goalies, McBob’s David “Chico” Monfre and Silver Spring House’s Joel Travis showed incredible poise. Both deflected, caught and cleared all shots headed their way. The fullbacks and goalies of both sides displayed stoic resolve and determination not allowing a single goal for either side; a mere three points, 0-2 (2) McBobs to 0-5 (5) Silver Spring House, separated the two sides at the half.
With the score so tight coming into the second half, it was truly anyone’s game. Which side would make the best adjustments? McBob’s amped up their play seemingly determined to catch up by placing