Week 4 Results (Twin Cities Classic)

The main, featured game this week is an absolutely monumental clash between the rugby teams of the Twin Cities, the home team the Freeport Moose and the away side the Algona Grizzlies, though one can expect a large contingent of both supporters, considering the geographical closeness of these two teams. Today, the SSLR will be offering full game coverage, from the kickoff at 3:00 all the way through till after the game, we’ll be giving you updates on what’s going on. So, stay tuned for what is sure to be an incredible game

Freeport Moose Squad

Loosehead Prop: Andrew Flimani
Hooker: Glenn Lowman
Tighthead Prop: Roger Tindall
Lock: Charles Nowak
Lock: Christopher Gillum
Blindside Flanker: Brian Harris
Eightman: Matthew Dove
Openside Flanker: Martin Witt
Scrum Half: Patrick Grisham
Fly Half: Paul Burgin
Inside Centre: Manuel Durst
Outside Centre: Antonio Heath
Right Wing: Jimmy Simpson
Left Wing: Lucas Wolf
Full Back: Frank McGinley

Algona Grizzlies Squad

Loosehead Prop: Craig Gifford
Hooker: Martin Benn
Tighthead Prop: Mathew Ellsworth
Lock: Stephen Freeland
Lock: Stanley Schade
Blindside Flanker: Stephen Allison
Eightman: Allen Werner
Openside Flanker: Mike Hayashi
Scrum Half: Larry Wilmouth
Fly Half: Glen Pichardo
Inside Centre: Richard Brock
Outside Centre: Ernst Wakefield
Right Wing: Todd Messier
Left Wing: Victor Brennan
Full Back: Travis Cleaver

Game Jerseys





The Match Report

14.55: The Escambia National Stadium is packed to its 110,000 capacity, with both the luminous green and blue of the Moose and the ominous red and black of the Grizzlies plain to see to all observers within the crowd. The atmosphere is electric, banners everywhere, as seen in this shot of the crowd:

The mayor of Freeport is tossing the coin, a commemorative coin for what is hopefully to be the first of many twin cities classics. Freeport have called heads, Algona tails. And it’s... Tails, Algona win the toss! They decide to receive and very soon Freeport kicker and fly half Paul Birgin will get this exciting game underway.

15.00: And we’re off! A long kick by Birgin, accompanied by the roar of an expectant crowd sends Algona scrsmbling backwards, and right winger Todd Messier makes the catch and brings the ball a long way forward to just short of the halfway line. Let the game begin!

15.05: So far Algona have been camped on the halfway line, trying desperately to find a gap. Freeport’s forwards are doing well to hold back Algona’s explosive back line, who have propelled the Grizzlies side to 3rd in the league. This is good, patient rugby.

15.11: A howling error from grizzlies fly half Glen Pichardo, just as Algona were making ground, heading deeper into Freeport’s half, Pichardo knocks on after fumbling a seemingly easy reception, giving the Moose a scrum, which they easily won and now Freeport are advancing steadily into Algona territory

15.17: Freeport have won themselves a penalty! With the Moose advancing rapidly, the young Asian flanker Mike Hayashi entered a ruck from the sides, gifting the Moose a penalty they’ll easily convert. Birgin steps up and – yes, it’s there 3-0 Freeport, the home fans are ecstatic.

15.25: Try for Algona! The Grizzlies seemed to take on a new lease of life following conceding that penalty, marching straight up the field and managing to camp on the Freeport try-line. Despite valiant defence, Todd Messier broke through near the right corner flag, giving the Algona Grizzlies a 5-3 lead. Algona kicker Travis Cleaver tried to convert to make it 7, but the angle was to tight for the veteran, 37 years of age and sill going strong. So, it’s still tight, game on.

15.38: So, just before the break, Freeport have earned another penalty, this time from a fishy offside decision. They look like they’re going to kick as Paul Birgin steps up. Yes, and it’s coolly done, bringing Freeport a slender lead, 6-5 to the Moose.

15.40: HALF TIME. The score is 6-5 in favour of Freeport and it’s been an exciting, if slightly scrappy game of rugby so far. Although both teams have so far performed admirably, the Moose have put on the better performance so far, showing the initiative to take force the turnover and defending admirably against the much talked of Grizzlies back line.

16.00: And we’re off again, much to the delight of this massive crowd. Let’s see how this game turns out.

16.16: Its an Algona try! They certainly have started off as the brighter team, turning over the ball in a Freeport scrum after a massive push from the Grizzlies pack and then slowly advancing down the field. However the breakthrough came from Ernst Wakefield, renowned for his pace, who broke, incredibly, three tackles to run into open air and dive under the posts. Travis Cleaver converted to put him at 1 from 2 in the game and to put the Grizzlies into a 12-6 lead.

16.28:Freeport are trying desperately to get through and get that try that would win it for them, but the Grizzlies are making it difficult, showing tremendous fluency and teamwork in their defence.

16.32: TRY! The whole of Freeport leaps up in jot whilst the sea of Red Algona fans groan as an intricate passing play involving 5 players comes good for the heart throb Lucas Wolf, who caught the ball and skilfully slipped past Martine Benn’s outstretched arms. It’s an important conversion for Paul Burgin who’s been the centre of attention all game. If he scores Freeport win, if he misses it’s an away victory. The stadium falls quiet as only a rugby ground can. He thumps the ball – it looks good, Freeport fans rise anxiously from their seats, and it’s good! Freeport lead, 13-12!

16.40 Freeport win, after an incredible game, it’s theirs the twin cities classic goes to the Moose. Fans are out on the pitch, whilst Algona fans nestle their heads in their hands – so close but yet so far. It’s been a great, tense game of rugby here in the Escambia National stadium, what an incredible day! Celebrations will continue all through to tomorrow morning when the rest of the SSLR will play. Until then, so long!

Week 4 Round up

Here are all the results from this weeks games:



So many great games, and all of them close, every loser picking up a bonus point. The highlight of the weekend was of course the twin cities classic between Freeport and Algona, but also Sonic City finally managed a bonus point in their game with fellow struggler's the Dawson Blizzard. So lets take a look at how all this affects the table:



So Kalama lead, but this is probably a false representation after the Magpies bye week. Sonic City are still sitting bottom but at least they've now picked up a bonus point. So join us on Wednesday for the Semi Final of the Supporters Shield. Next week there will be no league games, for we make way for international friendlies in the brand new SSRF. So, join us then, thanks for reading