Three-Quarter Season Review
The Stormer’s Men stand at 6-1 for the spring 2016 Season and atop the Red River North Standings. The only blemish on their record a hard fought 27-41 loss at Tulsa, despite a Red Card in the 33rd minute which caused the Stormers to play with only 14 men for the last 42 minutes of the match.
Playing within the friendly confines of the Little Rock Rugby Complex, the Stormer’s are 3-0 this season to increase their Home winning streak to 21 games. There are two more home games on the spring docket, April 2nd vs Fort Worth Rugby and the anticipated rematch with Tulsa on April 23rd.
First year Coach Brad Hogate brings his Ivy League experience with him to formulate a strong defense that is allowing on average 15 points per match thru the first 6 contests. The offense is continuing its scoreboard dazzling pace from last year as they are putting up an average of 51 points on their opponents.
Early in the season the Stormer’s offense was led by newcomer Mike Baum. Baum was also filling in for last year’s MVP Chance Hugh’s boot as Hugh recovers from Lis franc surgery in the offseason. Hugh came back for the Tulsa match to score a Try, Slot in two penalty kicks and add two Conversions however a reoccurrence of the injury has led to the need for a few more weekends of rest. Baum has had to sit out a few matches to heal an injury but is expected back soon.
The last few games the Stormer’s offense has been powered by the pack highlighted by Win Noble’s four try performance vs. DARC in early March. Following a slow start, the ever hyperbolic Ronnie Parkinson has picked up the pace and the kicking job in Baum’s absence by converting on 11 Tries.
Darren Oliver continues to quietly and steadfastly put together another strong season with 9 Tries to his credit despite playing out of position, scrumhalf, for the OKC match and missing the match at Shreveport.
The defense has been buoyed by the effervescent Team Captain Josh Wolverton. He was solely responsible for causing four turnovers by attacking the ruck with abandon. His ability to get over the ball in a tackle situation and cause either penalties or turnovers is unmatched in the Stormer’s history.
The Stormers have had trouble with the injury bug this spring but a deep and experienced roster has accepted the challenge. The list of contributors has inundated not only the Try scoring sheet but most all of the Red River North Conference in 2016.
FORT WORTH 2-13-16
The Little Rock Stormers Men travelled down to the Metroplex for a matchup with the always tough Ft. Worth Rugby Club. The weather conditions for the 2:00 Kickoff were partly sunny, 65 Degrees, with a gusty southeast wind to 17 MPH. The field conditions were excellent as Fort Worth plays on an artificial surface.
The Stormers started the Match with lightning bolt speed. Scrumhalf Matt Guest scored before a single minute had elapsed from the Referee’s official timepiece. The conversion was accurate for a 7-0 lead. Mike Baum, Win Noble, and Corey Jones continued the precipitant illumination of the scoreboard before the timepiece reached 20 Minutes. Baum’s Try came in the 6th minute with a conversion, Noble’s Try followed in the 11th minute with no conversion, and Jones in the 18th minute with a conversion.
Defense ruled the final 20 minutes of the first half until the very end when Baum scored his second try in the 40th minute. The conversion was no good but the Little Rock side was staked to a 31-0 Lead
Fort Worth scored in the 50th minute but failed on the conversion. The Stormers responded quickly with a Try by Team Captain Josh Wolverton. The Conversion following Wolverton’s Try was no good. Noble scored his second try of the match in the 58th minute with the conversion made the score 43-5.
The 60th minute was highlighted by a Fort Worth Try without a conversion. The Stormers finished the match with 3 more Try’s. Darren Oliver in the 65th Minute, Baum with his third Try of the match and Gianni Palmiero entered the Try Zone for the first time this season. Two of the three conversions were good to pin the final score as 62-10.
The Stormers B Team travelled to Fort Worth. They were also victorious winning a close contest by a mere conversion.
Man of the Match “A” Side: Matt Guest
Man of the Match “B” Side: Tom High