Doylestown - Hibernians: 37-27   (22-10)

TEAM: Sam Fiorelli, John Martino, Geoff Baldwin, Gage Miller, Jim Golinski, Todd Albers, Mike Walton, Todd Hoffman, Akira Tateyama, Fred Backhaus, Sal Raniello, Dave Bowmaster, Rob Smith, Jesse Woodward, and Kevin Castner.

Referee: Dan Mahoney

This was the type of game where I could use a page just to list all of the substitutions.

The match started on a bad note.  At 2 minutes, Doylestown scored a try  off  a line-out about 10 meters out with a forward drive (no conversion).  0-5.  It did not take long for things to get worse.  Off  the ensuing kickoff,  D-town controlled the kick and sent the ball straight out their back line.  The Hibos got caught with an overload and the D-town winger had a nice easy 50 meter jaunt for the second try of the game (no conversion).    0-10.  The Hibos had their chance to get on the board in the eleventh  minute when D-town gave up a penalty, which they did a lot of in this game.  Unfortunately, the kick missed its mark and the score remained 0-10.

In the eighteenth minute, the Hibos did punch one in.  After some nice rucking and ball control, the Hibo back line created an overload on the weak side of the field.  This opened up a space for Dave Bowmaster to break through the opposition for the first Hibo try (no conversion).  5-10.

At twenty minutes in, Zack Padgett was subbed for Geoff Baldwin in a tactical substitution.  Hacksaw  was moved to prop.  At twenty-seven minutes, Brian Houy  replaced Hacksaw at prop due to an injury. 

Off  a line-out in the thirty-first minute, D-town scored their third try of the match (conversion made).  5-17.  The troublesome thing about this try  is that it was a Hibo line-out.  Possession was a Hibo problem throughout the match.  D-town gave the Hibos twenty line-outs and and fifteen penalties through the entire match.  Compared  to four line-outs and seven penalties given to them.  It appeared that D-town wanted to give this game away.  The Hibos could not capitalize. 

Another substitution, Bill Bowen came in for Turtle – injury sub.  In the thirty-fifth minute, the Hibos dodged a bullet when a D-town player chased down a ball into the try zone, and fortunately, knocked it on.  This respite did not last long.  Off  the ensuing scrum , while the Hibos were trying to kick out of their own try zone, a D-town player blocked the kick and landed on the ball for a D-town try (no conversion).  5-22.  During this episode, Jesse took a knee to the head and was cut open.  Mike Mihalik replaced Jesse as a blood substitution.

In the fourth minute of injury time, Mike Mihalik had a brilliant 25 meter run.  It was actually 50 meters with the side to side moves that Mike was putting on.  I have not seen cuts like that since Barry Sanders retired!  While Mike was napping after his run, the Hibos punched one in.  It came off  a ruck and Kevin Castner inserted from the full back position for the Hibos’ second try (no conversion).  10-22.  The half was called after this try.

Second Half

In a half with very little positives, there is one thing I can point out.  The Hibos never lost their heart.  There was never the feeling of giving up.  Following the example of exceptional play by the likes of Todd Albers, the Hibos kept plugging away.  Todd played with all-out intensity through the entire match.  Although Todd plays this way in every match,  it often goes unnoticed.  (Sorry Todd)

The start of the second half began with Scott Aivazian coming in for Brian, and Jesse returning and replacing Mike Mihalik.  In the third minute, a penalty was awarded to the Hibos, but the attempted kick was short.  As I mentioned earlier, heart was not lacking, Fred Backhaus chased the kick and almost scored.  Unfortunately after all of Fred’s hustle, an unlucky knock-on was the result of his efforts.  In the tenth minute, another penalty was awarded to the Hibos.  Jesse’s kick was true and the Hibos put three more points on the board.  13-22.

 In the seventeenth minute D-town struck again with a long sixty meter run for a try (no conversion).  13-27.   This try can be attributed directly to poor tackling.  Rob Smith, who had torn his biceps in the first half, was subbed out with Mike Eden.  Give Rob credit for staying in as long as he did.  Leo Kelly came in for Kevin and moved to fly half, and Freddie moved to full back.  Mike Mihalik subbed in for Gage at second row.  Mike, how does it feel to play wing  and second row in the same game? 

In the thirty-first minute, following some very sloppy play by the Hibos,  D-town was awarded a penalty.  The kick was made.  13-30.

In the thirty-sixth minute the Hibos scored off  second and third phase ball initiated by a penalty.  Sammy picked up a loose ball and muscled his way in to the try zone (conversion – Leo Kelly).  20-30.

D-town came right back after this and was awarded a penalty, which they used to kick for field position.  After the line out and some poor tackling, D-town scored their final try of the match (conversion made).  20-37.  Another example of the Hibos not giving up came two minutes into injury time.  On a fullback insert, Freddie managed to give the Hibos their final try of the match (conversion – Leo Kelly).  27-37.

Some thoughts on the match:

I could not help but wonder if this was the same team that controlled the game last week.  Doylestown wanted to give us this game through knock-ons, penalties, and kicks for touch.  We did not take it.  Our forwards were getting pushed around in the scrummages and the line-outs belonged to Doylestown.  I am not blaming the forwards, this was a team loss.  I know that nobody is asking, “why does this happen?”.  We all know that practice is the key.  Two of the biggest areas to work on is support and tackling.

I would like to say that it is great to see all of the new players to this team! It is great having you out.  Boys, it will come around, believe me I have seen it happen.  There is too much talent on this team. 

 

Scrums:   Hibos      2 won  ---  4 lost

               D-town  6 won  --- 0 lost

Lineouts: Hibos       13 won  ---  7 lost

               D-town   3 won  ---  1 lost

Penalties Against:   Hibos 7  ---  D-town -15

  

SECOND XV: Tim Dankanich, John Martino, Geoff Baldwin, Bob Brabston, Brian Houy, Greg Howard, Gage Miller, Jeff Koch, Frank Connors, Leo Kelly, Kevin Castner, Dave Bowmaster, Zack Padgett, Scott Aivazian, and Dante Rohr.

First and foremost, Thank You to all of the players who played in both matches.  Dave Bowmaster and John Martino played the entire A game, and played just as hard in the second game. 

The scoring in this game occurred quickly, as Doylestown received a penalty five minutes in and turned it into a try (no conversion).  0-5.

Play was back and forth for the remainder of the half, with neither team gaining a real advantage.  Boys, when you have a winger like Scott Avaizian out there, you have to use that weapon! 

Second Half:

Mike Rosenburg came in for Kevin and played wing to test out his shoulder. 

Second half play started off with no real advantage to either team, and a lot of back and forth play. 

With only five minutes remaining Zack Padgett punched in a try to tie the game (no conversion).  5-5. 

Just as it appeared this game would end tied, The Hibos were awarded a penalty.  Leo Kelly found the mark and put through a game winning kick.  8-5.  Congratulations lads, you won the first Hibo match this season.