Game summaries provided by the coaching staffs of the Missouri Rugby Football Union.
DeSmet 27 – CBC 5
This match between these two MCC rivals and top two teams in the league was fiercely contest. Both teams played a high tempo physical style that left both teams exhausted at the end of the match.
DeSmet opened up the scoring with an Alex Tajkowski penalty kick from 35 meters out in front of the posts. CBC responded by applying pressure and 2 minutes later almost scored a try. An offensive penalty gave the Spartans a chance to clear their line but CBC would not slow their attack. A series of big runs by CBC gave Dominic Martinez an opportunity he would not miss. Dominic picked the ball up from the back of the ruck 5 meters out and powered over the try line.
The Spartans responded with a kick and chase game. Scrumhalf Paul Ringkamp found a gap next to the ruck and snuck over for a try. The conversion missed but DeSmet was back in front 8 to 5.
As the first half came to an end wing Nick Radice, finished off a nice phase of passes by sprinting through the CBC defense 40 meters for a try which Alex Tajkowski converted for a score of 15 to 5.
The bulk of the second half saw both teams make big runs but the defenses were solid. Fifteen minutes into the second half wing Justin Brock increased the lead for the Spartans with a try just beating the cover defense. The made conversion meant the score was 22 to 5 for DeSmet. With five minutes left DeSmet earned the bonus point for scoring 4 trys when fullback Princeton Russel finished a break started by Alex Tajkowski.
Marquette 25, Jeff City 10.
The Marquette Mustangs Rugby Club hosted Jefferson City Saturday at Creve Coeur Park in the final division D match for both clubs. Both clubs came into the contest with identical Division win/loss records, with 2nd place and a trip to the state tournament on the line.
Marquette started the game with a strong wind at their back but Jeff City took the initiative early and was on the attack and deep in Marquette’s territory early in the first half. Marquette used determined defense to turn Jeff City away and were able to turn the ball over before Jeff City could capitalize on their early attack.
On the ensuing kickoff a lapse in concentration gave Marquette the ball deep in Jefferson City territory. Marquette scored an unconverted try. The Nightmare continued to play hard and seconds before halftime they stole the ball and two passes later Adam Luetkemeyer scored his second try. The conversion was unsuccessful. Halftime score was JCRFC – 10 Marquette – 20.
Marquette was then able to take advantage of two Jeff City penalties deep in their own end to add points courtesy of Prouty, who split the uprights despite the strong wind and steep angles. (Marquette 13, Jeff City 0)
Later in the first half, Jeff City scrum half, Adam Luetkemeyer, broke through and got his team on the scoreboard with a long run down the sideline. On the ensuing kickoff Marquette regained control of the ball deep in Jefferson City territory and again went on the attack with their forwards. Marquette maintained possession for several phases before Senior Nick Schasch was able to punch the ball over for 5 points. Marquette missed the conversion attempt (Marquette 20, Jeff City 5). A determined Jeff City came right back on the attack and seconds before halftime Luetkemeyer scored his second try. The conversion was unsuccessful. Halftime score Marquette 20, Jeff City 10.
The second half gave the wind advantage to Jefferson City but penalties and mistakes stopped them from capitalizing. Marquette stiffened their defense and was able to hold Jeff City scoreless in the second half. Senior blind-side flanker Ryan Tulley rounded out the scoring as he picked up a loose ball from a ruck and sprinted 60 meters late in the second half, to score Marquette’s 3rd and final try of the day. Final score Marquette 25, Jeff City 10.
The win means that Marquette will advance to the State
Tournament on June 4.
