Scioto Valley Downs Flying Pigs

Broadcast Email : Scioto Valley Downs Flying Pigs

SVRFC Email Notice: 04/28/08. Scioto Valley Downs Flying Pigs Columbus, Ohio -- In their first home game of the season, Scioto Valley took down the Dayton Flying Pigs. Valley should have dominated, but committed enough mistakes to let Dayton remain competitive.

Valley scored first when center Kevin Mongold broke through the defensive line for a 60 meter run loaded with dummy passes, down the sideline before cutting inside and giving the ball off his hip to supporting wing Lance Vesely who finished off the run for a try. Flyhalf Kurt Weaver made the conversion.

Toward the end of the first half Valley put up another try with some impressive back play. Center Elliott Pollard broke the line and passed from the tackle to fullback Ben Casey, who took it another ten meters and in turn offloaded out of contact to wing Mike Coughlin who had another ten meters of daylight before touching it down for 5.

However, it was the first-half penalties that let Dayton stay alive. Valley spent far too much time in their territory. Because the field position was often in Dayton's favor, they were able to attempt several penalty kicks in the first half, of which they made two.

The second half was very much like the first half, though Valley's play improved slightly and they were able to stay outside of their 22 for much of the half.

Vesely had a second try to his name that day, when he crashed from the blindside, taking a pop pass to the inside from Mongold and hitting the hole for a 15-meter try. Weaver made the conversion.

Dayton, however, kept up the pressure. After several phases just outside Valley's 22, they finally found a hole and broke through to touch it down in the corner. Dayton made the conversion.

Valley was soon within scoring position. The Leper forwards maintained control of the ball with several phases off the fringes of the rucks, keeping Dayton on their heels before Conor Malloy finally pushed it over the line.

Scrumhalf Kevin "Skip" Scipione was sin binned shortly after and Pollard filled in. While a man down, Valley still managed to get the ball into Dayton's territory. With a ruck 10 meters out, Pollard passed to Weaver, to Mongold, who sliced through Dayton's backline defense for a try under the posts. Weaver made the kick for the additional 2 points.

With minutes left, Valley attempted a back line play but, with some poor timing, knocked it on. Dayton capitalized on the loose ball and took it to the try zone.

Shortly after the restart, the whistle blew for full time and Valley's win was official. The final score was 29-20.

As usual, the second game was another fun to watch victory for the Blackholes, who took on a motley side composed of Marion, High Street and Scioto Valley Old Boy players.

Although things were off to a slow start by both teams, the Holes soon fell into a rhythm which included better rucking and tackling than in the first game. Valley's second side began pulling ahead.

Plays of note include center James Wilkie's breakaway 60 meter try and rookie center Russ Crist's first career try. Crist's previous accomplishments include a 90 meter interception run during his first match -- only to be tackled three feet short of the try line. Brian Purcell, previously of the famed quintuple tries against Pittsburgh, also had a 50 meter run down the sideline for a try.

Valley hosts the Akron Warthogs this weekend at Rhodes Park.

(Coughlin, 4-28-08)

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