The Nightmare started off the 2017 season by traveling down to Springfield. With low numbers, Springfield combined with some players from the newly formed Columbia team to field a full side. The match started with the Nightmare facing into a strong wind that made kicking difficult. Both sides spent the first part of the match feeling each other out and the new players getting their bearings, but the Nightmare didn’t take long to put up points. After driving down the field with some good passing and deep runs, Senior lock Issiah Sampson plunged across the try line in the 11th minute from a pick off the back of the ruck. He was followed in the 23rd minute by senior 8-man Jake Burnett, who caught a long lineout throw and weaved his way through Springfield’s backline for a long run across the try line. Not to be outdone by the forwards, the backs quickly organized their own scoring drive, playing off of several deep runs. Outside center Javier Salazar punched through for the try in the 31st minute for the final scoring of the first half, giving the Nightmare a 15-0 lead at half.
With the wind at their back, the Nightmare turned up the pressure in the second half. With punishing tackles and effective defensive movement, Springfield could not create attacking opportunities. The Nightmare had plenty though, and in the 40th minute inside center Ernesto Melgar kicked off the scoring in the second half with a bruising run off a pass from the lineout. With easier kicking conditions, flyhalf Diego Silva converted the try. Springfield came to life after this and play continued back and forth, with a few errors in judgment preventing the Nightmare from taking advantage of scoring opportunities. Springfield then took advantage of the Nightmare napping near the try line, and in the 48th minute scored a sneaky try off the ruck after a maul. Again play continued back and forth, with the Nightmare unable to keep consecutive phases on attack due to poor decision making and fatigue. That momentary lapse was finally broken by 8-man Jake Burnett, who picked the ball off the back of a ruck after a powerful run from the penalty by prop Sean McGrail and crossed the try line in the 65th minute. Silva converted the kick to bring the score to 29-5 in favor of the Nightmare. Shortly after, Ernesto Melgar picked up his 2nd try of the day as well after a nice bit of passing among the backs off a penalty. Silva converted the kick to close out the Nightmare’s scoring for the day. Springfield was able to sneak in a final try at the end, taking advantage of a tired Nightmare team and picking off the back of the scrum. The converted kick ended the match, with a final score of 36-12.
For the first match of the season, the Nightmare showed a lot of promise. There are things to be worked on, but overall the boys played well – especially the brand new players. The defense, though at times not properly aligned, was bruising. Simple mistakes kept the Nightmare from using more scoring opportunities, but there was no doubt that the boys were in control of this match the entire time. We’ll continue to work on these things at practice this week; but for now it is clear that the Nightmare will a force to be reckoned with this year.
With the wind at their back, the Nightmare turned up the pressure in the second half. With punishing tackles and effective defensive movement, Springfield could not create attacking opportunities. The Nightmare had plenty though, and in the 40th minute inside center Ernesto Melgar kicked off the scoring in the second half with a bruising run off a pass from the lineout. With easier kicking conditions, flyhalf Diego Silva converted the try. Springfield came to life after this and play continued back and forth, with a few errors in judgment preventing the Nightmare from taking advantage of scoring opportunities. Springfield then took advantage of the Nightmare napping near the try line, and in the 48th minute scored a sneaky try off the ruck after a maul. Again play continued back and forth, with the Nightmare unable to keep consecutive phases on attack due to poor decision making and fatigue. That momentary lapse was finally broken by 8-man Jake Burnett, who picked the ball off the back of a ruck after a powerful run from the penalty by prop Sean McGrail and crossed the try line in the 65th minute. Silva converted the kick to bring the score to 29-5 in favor of the Nightmare. Shortly after, Ernesto Melgar picked up his 2nd try of the day as well after a nice bit of passing among the backs off a penalty. Silva converted the kick to close out the Nightmare’s scoring for the day. Springfield was able to sneak in a final try at the end, taking advantage of a tired Nightmare team and picking off the back of the scrum. The converted kick ended the match, with a final score of 36-12.
For the first match of the season, the Nightmare showed a lot of promise. There are things to be worked on, but overall the boys played well – especially the brand new players. The defense, though at times not properly aligned, was bruising. Simple mistakes kept the Nightmare from using more scoring opportunities, but there was no doubt that the boys were in control of this match the entire time. We’ll continue to work on these things at practice this week; but for now it is clear that the Nightmare will a force to be reckoned with this year.
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