Around the Grounds: May 20th, 2017

This past weekend was a massive one in terms of good footy around the USA this past weekend.  In addition, we had four new women’s teams make their debut as the USAFL club count reached 39.  Here’s how things went down.

80-35 TOURNAMENT – Des Moines, Iowa

The short-sided tournament was set up as an eight team knockout, with the winners of the first round progressing to the semi-finals and the losers playing a consolation match to ensure that all teams played at least two games on the day.

Men’s Tournament
QUATERFINALS:
Oklahoma City Flyers 9.4.58 def Chicago Swans 8.7.55
Minnesota Freeze-Blue 12.12.84 def Tulsa Buffaloes 1.3.9
Des Moines Roosters 15.20.111 def Wisconsin Wombats 1.2.8
Denver Bulldogs 7.12.54 def Minnesota Freeze-White 4.3.27

The opening round of the tournament saw the Oklahoma City Flyers’ straight kicking make their first official USAFL game a happy one, winning by three points.  It was an easy win for the locals over another debutant, Wisconsin, while Minnesota’s two teams split their matches.

CONSOLATION:
Chicago 12.8.80 def Tulsa 4.6.30
Minnesota-White 6.12.48 def Wisconsin 7.4.46

SEMIFINALS:
Des Moines 9.9.58 def Denver 7.8.50
Minnesota-Blue 13.9.87 def Oklahoma City 3.5.23

FINAL:
Minnesota-Blue 9.9.63 def Des Moines 1.4.10

In the end, it was the Minnesota-Blue side that was much the best, but they had to scrap against two up and coming teams in Des Moines and OKC to get over the line.

Recaps: (Minnesota, OKC, Wisconsin)

Women’s Match:

Des Moines/Wisconsin/North Star 5.4.34 def by Minnesota Freeze 12.8.80

Three women’s sides playing their first ever matches combined and put up a strong fight but ultimately bowed to the Freeze by 46 points, as Minnesota begins the season with the end goal of improving their showing from Nationals last year.  (Recap)

TEXAS CUP LEG 1 – Dallas, Texas

Austin Crows 4.1.25 def Houston Lonestars 2.8.20
Dallas Magpies 1.4.10 def by Austin 5.2.32
Dallas 6.5.41 def Houston 5.4.34

With AFLW best-and-fairest and winner of every other trophy Erin Phillips in attendance, the Austin Crows’ winning streak was extended to 25 games.  But, it was very close to being ended at the hands of the Lonestars, who couldn’t kick straight against the Crows and it cost them.  Host Dallas earned a split on the day, the victory a hard earned one against a difficult Houston outfit.  Recaps: (Dallas, Austin, Houston)

STUMPDOWN THROWDOWN – Portland, Oregon

Men’s Matches:
Portland Two 4.3.27 def by Seattle Black 8.3.51
Portland One 10.5.65 def Seattle Green 6.2.38
Portland Two 14.7.91 def Seattle Green 0.2.2
Portland One 3.4.22 def by Seattle Black 9.5.59

The two clubs each split their squads, and each club walked away with two wins and two losses on the day, with the black clad Grizzlies taking home men’s honors.  USA Revolution debutant Max Depina led all Seattle goalkickers with four. (Recap)

Women’s Matches:
Portland Sockeyes 2.0.12 def by Los Angeles Dragons 10.5.65
Portland Sockeyes 6.6.42 def Seattle Grizzlies 5.2.32

It was a triumphal debut for the LA Dragons ladies as they, combined with a couple of players from Seattle, beat up on Defending D-2 champions Portland.  The Sockeyes earned a split with a win over Seattle in the nightcap.  Seattle captain Marian Dickinson, Portland's freedom rep Jessica Blecher, and LA Rookie Darin Kleinsmith were the two leading goalkickers with six, five, and five, respectively.  Recaps: (Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland)

ATLANTA VS BATON ROUGE - Atlanta, Georgia

Atlanta Kookaburras 12.4.76 def Baton Rouge 5.6.36

Atlanta got their first win of the season, as Steven Townley’s six goals paced the Kookas to a 40 point win. (Recap)

SCAFL ROUND 3 – Irvine, California

Orange County Bombers 7.6.48 def San Diego 6.7.43

The Bombers held off the mighty Lions by five points in the first round of Southern California metro play, as OC improved to 2-0.  Mike Birch booted home four goals in the exciting four point win. (Recap)