Saint Louis, MO - In one of their best matches so far this season, the Thunder Chickens beat Saint Louis United 40-31 in an nail-biting match at Forest Park. Saint Louis United is a new development team for the Saint Louis Bombers and the Saint Louis Hornets. Both teams are known for their tough and physical play, and these characteristics carried over to United.
Principia kicked off the game into the sun and wind. Play went up and down the field, with neither team able to score due to strong defense and intense rucking by both teams. The Thunder Chickens attempted a penalty kick at the 17 minute mark just outside of United’s 22 meter line, but missed. However, four minutes later Principia was awarded a scrum deep in their own zone. Passing between back line players James Suber, Martin Buchanan, Will Bisbee, and Tom Bisbee led to the first try of the game.
Four minutes later, United had a scoring opportunity after overloading Principia with a 2 on 1 five meters from the touch line. Tyler Marunde was able to take advantage of a poor pass and run the ball back 70 meters for another try. A weak side run by 8 man Alex Owen off of a scrum at the 15 meter line nearly led to another Principia try, but he was unable to connect his pass to flanker Graham Thatcher. Still, the rapid scoring continued with a try by W. Bisbee in the 32nd minute. United was quick to strike back, and three minutes later scored after a United player blew by several Principia tackles. The half ended with Principia up 21-5.
In the second half, W. Bisbee scored his second try of the game in the 7th minute. Just a minute later flanker Justin Taylor weaved through United’s defense to score Principia’s 5th try. However, the physical play of United began to take its toll, and United scored the next four tries. A great run by a United forward in the 11th minute let to a penalty near Principia’s five meter line, and United was able to pound the ball through Principia’s defense. United’s final try was scored in the 28th minute, bringing them to within just four points of Principia with seven minutes left in the game. However, the strong defense which was seen in the first 20 minutes of the game showed itself again, and neither team was able to make a dent until W. Bisbee made an outside run as time expired, to score and gain the hat trick.
Justin Taylor converted all five penalty kicks attempted.
Principia was aided in the front row by five United players.