Griffins Dominate Impalas; The Great Griffin Pig Roast!
The Chicago Griffins gained a solid victory against the Indianapolis Impalas and will have a final home fixture this Saturday as it celebrates its homecoming match and Old Boy Morgan Nichols’ legendary pig roast.
A fast and occasionally furious game left the Indianapolis Impalas on the short end of a 47-24 score at Red Lobster Stadium Oct. 17 on a near-perfect day for rugby.
“It was a fabulous game and a fantastic day,” said Old Boy Kurt Wiebe on the sidelines with wife Karen and Old Boy Todd Dumstorf and wife, Julie. “The guys came looking for a solid effort.”
Also on the sidelines was Jordyn Wallace who was on a date with Impala player Jeshua Harris.
“It was my first game watching the Impalas,” she said. “It was a good one.”
No stranger to rugby, Jordyn became a rugby fan when she was in the U.S. Navy stationed in Bahrain and watched rugby matches between international players.
The match started fairly evenly, with an Impalas try called back in the first five minutes because it was touched down past the try zone. The Griffins began to dominate and by the half it was Griffins 28, Impalas 5. The Indy team put on a great effort in the second half but could not catch up.
The game was played under clear skies and cool temperatures with Tom Foley referee and Clair Baker and Eoin Quaid assistant referees. Old Boy Ed Michals told Foley he thought the referee crew did an outstanding job.
Although the Griffins received two yellow cards and the Impalas one, the teams shared post-match beer and pizza on the sidelines and voted for Man of the Match with the traditional beer chug. The Griffins picked No. 8 for the Impalas, Michael Muleya. The Impalas chose T. J. Van Rensburg, the Griffins’ No. 9. Michael appeared to win the beer chug.
Next for the Griffins will be the regular season closer against the Cincinnati Wolfhounds at Red Lobster Stadium, Saturday, Oct. 24, and a homecoming celebration for all Griffins, family and friends. Morgan is again hosting a fabulous pig roast, an event all should attend if possible.
The Wolfhounds remain a tough D1 opponent and a point ahead of the Griffins in the Eastern Conference of the Midwest Premiership League. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. at Red Lobster. Free admission, plenty of free parking, and the weather forecast looks good.
Many thanks to Walt and Ruthmarie Eisin, daughter Audra and husband Dan and children Amelie and Calla, and special guest Judge Elaine Bucklo for attending the Impalas match. Many thanks to photographer Sheryl Bury Michals and her assistant Ed Michals; and thanks to the Dumstorf-Wiebe sub-committee on finding a new post-match pub. There may be a future for post-match analysis at Mullens Bar and Grill, 8313 W. Lawrence Ave.
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