In recent years, the “Battle of 414” has been hotly contested between the Barbarians and long-time rivals Milwaukee RFC. The Barbarians have edged MRFC by a single score in two matches (24-21 in 2022, and 32-29 in 2023), as well as a 22-22 draw.
So today we expected another close match.
Blustery, cool conditions made for unpredictable kicks and line-outs throughout the day for both teams. Despite this, each were keen to attack and the large crowd of rugby fans had an entertaining day.
MRFC edge Barbos in first half
In the first half, MRFC had long periods of possession and were very accurate with ball-in-hand. They scored early to go ahead 7-0 and kept the pressure on the visiting Barbarians.
On the other side of the ball, the Barbarians had numerous line breaks and red-zone opportunities. But handling errors cost them on numerous occasions before finally leveling the scores at 7.
The two teams would trade another pair of tries and at the half-time whistle, MRFC were leading 14-12.
The second half was nearly as tight as the first, but the Barbarians attack threw even more at the MRFC defense. Yet again, handling errors would limit the impact of the red zone entries.
MRFC continued to grind and at one point extended their lead to 8 points. But the Barbarians hung and continued to ask questions of MRFC.
The extended pressure forced more errors from the hosts, and thus more opportunities. The pressure eventually payed off with the Barbarians out-scoring the hosts 3 tries to 2 in the half.
This included a dramatic line-break at the 80-minute mark by center Jordan Thompson that gave the Barbarians their first lead of the match, and the win.
Final score: 32-28.
Congrats to Collin DeOcampo on earning Man of the Match honors. Collin scored 2 tries, scrummaged for a full 80 minutess, threw nearly perfectly in the line-out, and made a tonne of tackles.
Vic has a long history in and around the sport of rugby both in Canada and the US. He has played for and started numerous clubs (Vandal's RFC, Strathcona Druids, Suffolk Bull Moose, Westside Harlequins, Milwaukee Barbarians, Hamilton Girls Rugby), and served many roles over the years at all administrative levels. Vic joined the Harlequins in 2007 and remained an active club member through the transition to the Barbarians. These days, he spends his rugby time playing tag rugby and touring with the Old Boys, keeping the club website updated, helping organize the Lakefront 7s, and fundraising.
