Stripes Take Round Two

It didn’t take long for the Stripes to get on the board against the Stars in the second match of the Top 60 camp. The Stripes scored first and often taking a 48-5 victory in a match that saw the Stars scrambling to find defensive solutions and offensive harmony.

Though the tale of the numbers would tell that the Stripes had an easy time with the Stars, any of the players, on either side, would attest to a different story. Both teams barraged the other on either side of the ball, as was expected, and the Stars were not short of opportunities. In fact, they threatened the Stripes’ defensive wall quite a few times, but couldn’t capitalize until the waning minutes of the match when their offense, firing on all cylinders, strung together some quick ball and offloads to put five points on the board.

The Stars will try to build on this offensive unity during their sessions over the next couple of days. The Stripes’ plan is to stay focused and keep the momentum on their side. The teams will meet for the final time on Saturday at 2pm.

Box Score:

Stars (5)

Tries: Denham

Stripes (48)

Tries: Pankey (2), Lundstrum (2), O’Malley, Zier, White

Conversions: Bizer (2/7)

Penalties: Bizer (3)

Stars v. Stripes Round 1

In a match that pitted the top 60 15s players in the country against each other, the Stripes team beat the Stars team 34-3 in a physical match. Play was fairly even in the first part of the match with the Stars controlling the ball and field position. However, the Stripes got on the board first with a try.

The Stars countered quickly and made it a 5-3 game, and that's where the score stayed for most of the first half. That first half was one full of smashing runs and hard tackles. Both teams grappled to implement their new offensive scheme, and so for the most part, the defenses controlled the action in the opening half.

The waning minutes of the first half and the second half saw more scoring, and it was the Stripes who poured it on. Scoring two tries in the final minutes of the first and then matching those 17 first half points in the second, the Striped rolled to a 34-3 victory.

Despite the dominating performance by the Stripes later in the match, the Stars showed tenacity and moments of fluidity in their offense. Both teams were not content with their performances and intend to make the second round of Stars v. Stripes a much more competitive and technically sound match.

Box Score:

Stars (3)

Penalties: Gleason

Stripes (34)

Tries: Kmiecik, Bizer (2), Blaney, Turley, Kingzett

Conversions: Bizer (2)

Top 60 Camp

This week the USA Women’s National Team is holding its Top 60 camp at the University of Northern Colorado, in Greely Colorado. The camp is the selection vehicle for the upcoming tests against France, in June, and the Nation’s Cup, in August. Players have been divided into two teams and will compete in three scrimmages during the weeklong camp. Coach Pete Steinberg expects this camp to not only be a means for implementing the Eagles’ game plan, but to showcase the “highest level of domestic competition ever on US soil.”

Check out upcoming blogs to get match recaps and highlights, and visit my Rugby Journal to get my own take on the camp.