City strong in home opener

Kansas City RFC vs. Springfield

Seymour Rugby Park

Kansas City, MO

September 24^th 2005

By Wayne Nicholsen

KC R.F.C. struck early and often against Springfield R.F.C. in their first home game of the season.  Seymour Rugby Park was the stage for this clash that became a one sided affair shortly after the kickoff.  After 10 minutes of a seesaw defensive battle with both fly-halves testing the opposing back three, City’s forwards changed the tone with punishing running and smart, well organized play that frustrated Springfield.  As a result, City’s new pivot Jimmy Logue slotted three penalty kicks to build an early lead.  The attack carried through the day and City would eventually score six tries, shutting out Springfield.  Final tally:  47-0

Another new face that deserves some credit for his superb command of the pack is scrum-half Mark Butler.  "The Sizzler’s" authority and control of the pack is something that has been lacking for several seasons.  In tandem, the imported half-backs are shaping a better organized City team.  “We’re gaining momentum as we become more familiar with each other,” says captain Neil Snow.  “Logue and Butler have really added a new dimension to our play and I can only see us getting better.”  Other notable additions to this years team are John Nauss, Danny Clarke and Joe Simms.  Nauss’ decision making, speed and accurate foot have taken a large amount of pressure off the rest of the squad.  Danny Capps was the man on the day and another great addition this season with great scrumaging and defensive effort.  Clarke and Simms have stepped up their games and earned more playing time as a result.

The club is really starting to gel after a couple of weeks of adjusting to one another.  Many new college and high school graduates as well as the new Kiwi’s are making a real impact.  City has also added some out of town transfers that is making the future look very promising. 

Next weekend KC will travel to Denver for their first league match against the Highlanders.  The old boys will also be in tow to give the Denver locals a taste of years gone by.  Rookies, stop by your local drug store and load up on some Bengay, Icy Hot etc…  Bring some extra knee and ankle braces and say a prayer for the guys you may not even know yet,  they’ll need it.  Good luck to everyone in Denver and hopefully this will be a trend started last season in New York that will stick around for years to come.

1  Danny Capps                                                            

2  Danny Clarke                                                

3  Matt Dockstader

4  Harry Kuan ^ 60                                                        

5  Charlie Hirner  ! 70                             

6   Ric Coward @ 40        

7   Wayne Nicholsen

8   Mike Haase 

9   Mark Butler

10  Jimmy Logue # 60   

11  Joe Simms $ 40 % 60

12  Matt Casper

13  Ray Camahort

14  Neil Snow ©

15  John Nauss

Subs:  ! Pestinger, @ Kanak, # Blades, $ Higbee, % Stephens, ^ Jackson,  

Tries:               Nauss 2, Simms, Nicholsen, Hasse, Higbee 

Conversions:    Logue 4

Penalties:        Logue 3