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2008
Seattle Game 1 - Match Report
Portland Powers Its Way Over
Seattle Grizzlies
Written by Martin Coventry
& Ben Cyphery - Posted
April 20, 2008
In
a test-run game on the field being used for the inaugural Portland
Invitational Tournament (June 14-15 at John Deere Field), the Portland
Power hosted their rivals the Seattle Grizzlies on Saturday, April 12th.
It was decided 16-a-side would work for both teams and there was plenty of
space to stretch the legs in the first full-squad game of 2008 for both
clubs.
Portland
was eager to improve on last year's first game, when Seattle handed it to
them for the biggest loss in club history, 133-22. Prior to the game,
Seattle looked to have the advantage in height, but they were missing a
handful of their big name players. Portland had its biggest squad to date
with 19 players, but
was also a little green and they were missing a couple of key players as
well.
Photo By: Matthew
Ginn (Trillium Media Services)
To
view (and possibly) purchase over 100 professional photos taken by Matthew
Ginn during this game, Click
Here. Remember, $1 from each print goes to the club to fund
future events...
First Quarter
Both teams came flying out of the gate. The return of the Grizzliest
Grizzly, Colin Murphy, was a concern to Portland and he was tagged by Ben
Cyphery in the middle. Josh Anfinson was dogged by the ever-present Clay
Atkins. Ross Tucker pestered Martin Coventry from the first bounce. Both
teams were feeling each other out without much action on the scoreboard.
Despite defensive pressure, Anfinson got loose for Seattle's first.
Cyphery turned the tables on Murphy and scored the Power's first goal for
the season.
Portland
1.1-7 vs Seattle
1.3-9
Second
Quarter
Portland got into their stride early on in the second and began to pile on
the pressure in the middle, winning the centre breaks. A combination of
Morgan Will's taps and the quick hands & feet of on-ballers Coventry,
Glen Green (Greeny) and Todd Jackson set up several forward thrusts. There
was accurate passing to the forwards and they didn't let us down. Goals
came from senior players Sean Quinn and Michael Robertson (Robbo). Paul
Spencer kicked a nice goal from about 30 yards out and Isaac Koval took an
impressive mark and goaled close in, both of them new players for the club
in their first-ever games. Seattle had no answer to the Portland pressure
and the backline - led by Clay Atkins, Scott Johnson, Sean-Paul Henry and
Mark Bartlett - kept their limited opportunities to no score for the
quarter.
Portland
5.4-34 vs Seattle
1.3-9
Third Quarter
Seattle came back hard at the start of the third quarter. Tucker got loose
from Coventry on several occasions and kicked a goal. The half-backs of
Seattle got the run going and the goals piled up from Ian Rubesch,
Anfinson and Ed Fayette. Portland was in trouble.
Bartlett switched into the middle to give Portland a spark and it worked;
he kicked to Coventry from the full back line and Alex McPhee made his
presence known when he took a nice mark under pressure on the end of the
next kick from Coventry. Alex went on to kick the goal of the day from a
very tight angle, running into the forward pocket. Coach Green then took
advantage of an opportunity down forward and bagged a goal. Portland had
fought its way back into the quarter and it was polished off by a long
bomb on the run from Irish import Henry for goal.
Portland
8.4-52 vs Seattle
5.7-37
Fourth Quarter
There were only 3 kicks separating the teams going into the last quarter.
Seattle wouldn't lie down and battled hard to the last. Rubesch showed he
can do more than just play down back with his second goal for Seattle.
Portland held strong to the lead, keeping the defensive pressure on at all
times. Spencer slotted through goal number two. Robbo took a nice mark and
kicked one last goal that truly put the game beyond reach for Seattle.
Portland
10.6-66 vs Seattle
6.9-45
It was a great day for PNW football; just a taste of things to come this
year! Many thanks to Seattle for making the trip and to Peter Klaebe for
umpiring the game. Both teams will give Denver and Vancouver a run for
their money in June - we hope to see you there!
Goals:
Portland -
M. Robertson 2, P. Spencer 2, B. Cyphery, G. Green, S-P. Henry, I. Koval,
A. McPhee, S. Quinn
Seattle -
J. Anfinson 2, I. Rubesch 2, R. Tucker, E. Fayette
Best
Players:
Portland -
M. Bartlett, M. Coventry, M. Robertson, B. Cyphery, G. Green, S-P. Henry
Seattle -
P. Lindsay, J. Anfinson, I. Rubesch, C. Richmond, R. Tucker, E. Fayette
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