The Indianapolis Impalas couldn’t hold off the Chicago Griffins.
The newcomers to the Midwest Premiership League started strong in the Griffins home opener at Red Lobster stadium Saturday but began falling apart by the end of the first half and never scored until the final 10 minutes of the game.
The result was a 66-12 Griffin win and a reality check for the Impalas following their 41-22 victory over the Cincinnati Wolfhounds in Indianapolis the previous week.
“It’s a tough jump from D2 to D1,” remarked Jon Little, Impalas’ head coach. “Very tough.”
Besides the lopsided score, the game was marked by three yellow cards against the Griffins and several injuries to Impala players. Chris O’Malley was the referee. Sydney Ramgolam and Tim Walsh were assistant referees.
The game was played in beautiful weather at the Griffins own Red Lobster Stadium.
The Griffins fielded a fast and furious running attack led by flyhalf Luke Carty with Nolan Corley at inside center and a return at outside center by Josh McAdam, who has been playing for the Miami Sharks of MLR. Mark O’Keefe, Jeff Hain (captain) and newcomer Sean Verdon rounded out the backfield. Carm Consolino at scrumhalf led a strong forward pack that kept up pressure and a strong defense.
The Griffins kicked off to start the game and the Impalas began with aggressive attacks and some ball stealing. At 10 minutes, the Griffins stole an Indy scrum at the 50 and O’Keefe ran in the first Griffin score. Carty converted making it 7-0.
Indy fought back to the Griffin five meter line. Two penalties and a yellow card against the Griffins seemed to set up an Impalas score, but Indy lost the ball and the Griffins kicked it away.
Three minutes later Corley ran in a try and Carty converted. Twenty minutes into the first half it was 14-0. Corley and O’Keefe each scored again with Carty converting to make it 28-0 at halftime.
That was how it went for the Impalas with scoring drives blunted by penalties, fumbles or botched set plays. The Griffins kept up the pressure and sent in subs in the last 20 minutes, including Nick Kuras, son of Old Boy Bob Kuras, at outside center.
Indy finally scored from a penalty at the Griffin 10 at 73 minutes, no conversion, and followed up with a try in the last two minutes converting the kick after, ending scoring for the day.
Many thanks to those cheering on the Griffins, including the Manny Aranda fan club of the CRC Sirens Women’s Rugby Club which he coaches. They showed up in force with volume. Others on the sidelines include: Bob and Julie Kuras; Derek Delap; Lee Jones; Charlie Byrne; Carl Dittmer; Walt and Ruth Eisin; Paul Robar; Angelo Manlapaz; and Sheryl and Ed Michals.
Great thanks again to the inimitable Sheryl for her photography work. Here’s the link to the pictures on the Griffins website:
https://chicagogriffins.com/match-photos-griffins-vs-indy83025
Another tough road trip for the Griffins Saturday, Sept. 6, to face the Detroit Tradesmen. The Detroit club beat the Cincinnati Wolfhounds 34-22 at Cincinnati Aug. 30. Other scores: Lions 120, Metropolis 0; Blaze 34, @Kansas City 5.
