Louisville Rugby Football Club

Louisville vs. Indianapolis - September 15, 2007

Tough loss this weekend. We did not look good, although I was proud of the way we fought and played hard to the end. When all is said and done, rugby is a simple game. Whoever gets there the firstest with the mostest, and hits the hardest, usually wins. Finesse and fancy plays can only get you so far, and that was the case this weekend.

I have been charting the games, and I want everyone to pay particular attention to this weeks numbers. Balls won/lost in the tackles and rucks show the physical side of the game, and who won that battle. Balls won/lost in scrums and line outs speak to how effectively we are practicing our set pieces, and how well we are executing them in the games.

We lost in both instances. Where we did improve from last week was in the penalty count, which speaks to discipline, and this is likely what kept us in the game.

Shout outs this week go to Jeremy, who scored in his first start with the club (what is it about 1st time starters?); Shaun, who played very hard right till the end; Jared, who blew off some personel commitments to travel with the club, and helped turn the physical tide in the second half. This weeks MOM goes to Eric McHenry, who put in some yeoman work in the tackle. Thanks also to Joe and Johnny travelling with the club to help provide some depth.

A loss is never good, but we are still right in this thing. Valley and Dayton were off this week, but both they and Indy have significant road trips ahead, whereas our cross-matrix match is against Pittsburgh, who comes to us. Our goals of making the play-offs and hosting an opening round game are still achievable, we just need to keep working.

Also give credit where it is due, and that is to a very good Indy side. They are big, physical, well coached, and they played to their gameplan very well.  This season is a significant step up in competition compared to what we have done the past two seasons, and it took us a half to get our legs under us and match their intensity. We lost the first half 19-0, but played them even in the second half 5-5.

Again, standing and schedules can be viewed at www.midwestrugby.com. There is also a box in which you can put your email address to recieve the weekly updates from Shawn McKinney, the MW webmaster.

Da stats:

Tackle:
Stolen     3
Lost        7
             -4
Rucks:
Stolen     2
Lost        7
             -5

Scrums:
Stolen      0
Lost         2
              -2
Lineout:
Stolen       1
Lost          3
               -2

Knock-Ons:
Us              6
Them          6
                  0

Total:       -13

Penalties:

For:          15
Against:     7
                +8

Yellow Cards: 2 on Indy

Scoring:
0-5
0-12
0-19
Half
0-24
5-24
Full Time

Half: 0-19
2nd 5-5
Final: 5-24

Louisville vs. Indianapolis - September 15, 2007

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