Apr 17: Lions v Albany
Posted on Monday May 17th, 2010 @ 12:11:16 pm

On a gray day in Albany, the Lions traveled up to the capital for a re-match of last year’s regional semi-final. Having lost to a speedier, more pulled-together side in the fall, the Lions were perhaps a bit apprehensive, but also anxious to prove that they were Albany’s equal.

The referee was capable, and very quick to call up messy ball, which (along with knock-ons from both sides because of the wet conditions and slippery ball) resulted in many, many scrums. The scrum was the only area of the game in which the Lions clearly dominated. The Albany pack was smaller and seemingly less practiced, and even though at least 12 different people packed down for the Lions, their scrummaging remained consistently solid throughout the game.

Jess Houser remarked that, “set pieces looked surprisingly good for as little live practice as we get with so few forwards numbers at practice, but loose play, rucking and defense suffered from some poor decision making.” The Albany Knickerbockers were savvy and skillful enough to take advantage of lapses in the Lions’ defensive line, and managed to score both by working the ball both around the outside and by breaking through the line.

Albany didn’t steamroll the Lions by any means, but an edge in terms of possession and a little more composure near the breakdown led them to a 4-try lead (3 of which were converted.) The Lions were late to adjust their defensive strategy to counter Albany’s attacks, and Houser added that the Lions, “need to get better as individuals and as a team at recognizing earlier when something isn’t working (i.e., trying to poach) and shifting the game play (i.e., hit and move the pile, win the ruck instead of poaching.)”

Continued hard work by the Lions resulted in very tidy try in the waning minutes of the second half. From a maul formed at the front of a lineout about 15 meters off of the Albany try line, flanker Tricia Stanley peeled off of the back with support. Another maul was formed and driven forward, and Cerra Cardwell took the ball from the back and muscled her way across the line for her first Lion’s try!

Inside center and runner-up WoM Erin Martschenko had this to say about the game: “Amazing effort by the forwards who kept the team in the match. The team really pulled together and played solid rugby despite not having several veteran players with us.” Woman of the Match was new-to-scrumhalf Dana Szakacs who, “showed a lot of composure and potential,” and worked well with the Silent Force for the day, flyhalf Kim Dacres.

Houser summed up the Lions’ efforts: “We are not yet a team playing great rugby, but we are a team trying to play great rugby. And that’s what it’s all about (until, of course, they start paying us.)”

Final Score: 5-26
Try: Cardwell

Lions XV (substitutions not noted):1 Kelly Rogers 2 Meredith Harmon 3 Taryn Goodman 4 Sari Warren 5 Angie Catalano 6 Emma Fisher 7 Tricia Stanley 8 Jessica Houser 9 Dana Szakacs 10 Kim Dacres 11 Sarah Landry 12 Erin Martschenko 13 Caitlyn Colman-McGaw 14 Rebecca Mulder 15 Kathleen Ryan

A second-side match with 25-minute halves allowed the Lions to regain a bit of face, with 3-4 players running in scores. Many players doubled up from the first game, and thanks to them, because it was nice that everyone who traveled and was fit to play got to have a run out. Cerra Cardwell scored again (double boot?) and Dana Szakacs also scurried in with a try. There were several series of play that led to the tries, and the team had some fun, in spite of an intense hail storm. Stacey Wiedaseck had a great first go at hooker and rookie Rebecca Mulder also scored from the wing (another boot!)