News Archive

Picture by Creative & Chaotic Photography

The Impalas are on the road this week for a must win match vs. Columbus. Indy has lost it’s first 3 straight division match-ups and has left no room for mistakes in their remaining schedule. The importance of commitment to training and traveling with good numbers has never been more prevalent. The team has shown it’s growth and potential with the help of new Kiwi coach Paul Greener, but have not found the fitness to put their new skills to use for a full 80 minutes.

All players, new and old, it’s time to dig deep and pull together for what can still be a playoff run. Training begins at 6 pm, but the effort to get out at 5:30 will allow for a stronger start.

Departure for Columbus
- Sat, 9/24 @ 7:30 am. from TBA

Kickoff: Sat. Sept. 17th @ 1 pm, Central State Hospital.
Players must be there at 11:30 am.

ROSTER:

1. Peter Decoursey
2. Zack Shetterly
3. Ken Leffel
4. Joe Walker
5. Dave Butz
6. Dennis Asava
7. Roger Kuk
8. Al Thompson
9. Mike Temple
10. Dave Snyder
11. Clinton Meeham
12. Jerry Woodward
13. Nick Hinkle
14. Ian Neberieza
15. Shea Allen

16. Jon Wade
17. Evan Roberts
18. Zack Hahn
19. Joe Brooks
20. Jorgè Calvente
21. Andy Bowen
22. Mike Baukert

Next Saturday, Sept. 10th, we will be traveling up to Detroit for our 2nd regular season game. Plan on departing from McD’s at 116th and 69/37 by 7 am Saturday morning. Let’s keep the good numbers going at training this week, and take 2 full sides up for our match! Roster for Saturday is as follows.

1. Ken Leffel

2. Lorenzo Bowens

3. Peter DeCoursey

4. Dave Butz

5. Andy Bowen

6. Gene Witchger

7. Rodger Kuk

8. Dennis Asava

9. Mike Temple

10. Dave Snyder

11. Clinton Meehan

12. Evan Roberts

13. Jack Evans

14. Ian “rat” Neberiza

15. Shea Allen

16. Zach Hahn

17. I. Brooks

18. Chasz

19. Papa

20. Mike Baukert

21. Red Rob

22. Beast

Game  is 1pm at central state click here for directions. Players be there at 11:30AM.  Line-ups are below. If anyone wants to come help line the fields and set up show up at 10am. Thanks, and good luck Impalas.

A side game 1 PM                                                 B side game 3PM

1. Peter DeCoursy                                                  1. Elijah Beast

2. Lorenzo Bowers                                                2. Will Clark

3. Ken Leffel                                                           3. Red Rob

4. Dave Butts                                                          4. Kris Yoder

5. Joe Walker                                                        5. Steve Rosco

6. Geno Witchger                                                 6. Joe Brooks

7. Roger Kuk                                                          7. Brian “Bluff” Daniels

8. Evan Roberts                                                    8. Joe Cop

9. Mike Temple                                                     9.  Papa New Guniea

10. Scott Peterson                                                10. Joe Stucky

11. Clint Meehan                                                  11. Paul Bisesi

12. Dave Snyder                                                    12. Central Illinois Wing

13. Chung Wang                                                   13. Nick Hinkle

14. Ian “rat” Neberiza                                          14. Dylan Mckay

15. Shea Allen                                                        15. Jerry Woodward

16.Dennis Asava                                                   16. Dennis Asava

17.Zach Hahn                                                        17. Tech # 1

18.Jack Evans                                                        18. Tech # 2

19. Nick Hinkle                                                      19. Tech # 3

20. Jerry Woodward

21. Al Thompson

22. Zach Shuttlerly

The Fall rugby season has begun.  The Impalas start practice at the Fitness Farm on  August 9th 2011 from 6-8 and every Tuesday and Thursday.  We have a real opportunity to field a great squad this year and we need to get everyone out and running around.  If you are new to the area or just interested in seeing what rugby is all about contact Gene Witchger at 317-374-0799.

On July 16th the Indianapolis Impalas will host the first annual Sifa Sevens Rugby Tournament at Central State Hospital.  To help us prepare for the tournament 7′s Practice has began at Broad Ripple Park every Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM.  The first game kicks off at 2 PM.  The city is providing lights and a medical tent.  After the tournament there will be a social at P.J. O’Keefe’s Irish Pub, where the Super 15 playoff games will  be replayed.  It is very important to get good numbers out so we can support Sifa and his family.

The Indianapolis Impalas will be traveling up to Muncie IN to take on BSU.  We will be meeting at the McDonalds at 116th Street and I-69.  We will be leaving no later than 10:30 AM.  The game is at 1PM and below is the roster we will be taking.

The St. Louis tourney came and went. Most of us laughed, and Kenny cried. Overall the trip was a good time. The impalas entered the social tournament missing a lot of its key players. And defiantly missed Butts in the boring city of St. Louis. But players stepped up and some good rugby was played. The impalas lost their first two games against the St. Louis Royals and Mizzu U. These games were definitely lost due to the fact that the team agreed to let Kenny try and coach during his blackout stint. But he bought us all shots so it was worth it. Saturday night was an overall success and Bluff bought Geno a drink, what a good man. Going in to the second day we faced the Sunday Morning Rugby team. The Sunday Morning team was very intimidating and big, but the not so sober team was lead out by captain Geno without any fear and ready for a win. Psycho Zach scored a huge try that was followed up by a huge and game-changing try by Super Sub Mike Peterson, who trucked about 8 players on route to a 5 yard run to put the game away. It was truly beautiful. Rat was finally able to hold on to a few balls and ran in a couple tries after the game was out of reach.  Pat Sawyers had a few powerful runs as he trucked half of Sunday Mornings team.  The impalas won 45-5. Joey Neb, Joe Cop, Andy Bowen, Coco, the NC BOYS, and the rest of the team played well good job team.

Next week the Impalas will travel to Ball State. Get to practice and keep the winning streak alive.

Written By: Geno Witchger

Game number two of the Indy Impala’s spring season kicked off against the South Side Irish at 1:00 pm on March 26. The impalas took the SSI field in freezing weather looking to avenge the last week loss to the Chicago Blaze. The opening kick off to the impalas was knocked on by SSI awarding the Impalas a 22 drop that later led to a 5 meter line out that was won by Joe Walker. Then after a set piece the ball was kicked out to the Impala’s fastest and #1 wing Clinton Meehan who took it for the first try of the day for Indy. The kick was no good from the far right side line, making it 5-0 Indy.  After back and forth play from both teams SSI scored their first try and missed the extra point, making 5-5. Indy kicked off and SSI drove the ball to the middle of the field where they converted a Indy penalty into 3 points on an easy kick, making it 8-5 SSI. Indy won the ensuing kick off but quickly turned over the ball that led to another try by SSI; kick was good making it 12- 8 SSI. Both teams battled for possession leading to Bluff injuring his nose, blood sub, in enters Rodger. After a SSI scrum won by Indy the backs fumble the ball to the Irish leading to another easy try, kick good making it 19-8 SSI. In the past this could have meant trouble for the Indy team, but what SSI did was woke up a sleeping giant that had been waiting to run someone over all winter. Indy kick the ball and the ball fell into the hands of the giant himself Mike Peterson who rumbled down the field for a long run inside the 22, this lead to a penalty tap that M. Peterson easy took in for a try under the post, kick was good making it 19-15 SSI. This was a key moment in the game that showed the Impalas weren’t going down without a fight.  Bluff reenters at flanker for Rodger. SSI kicked the ball off to Indy. After a couple lineouts won by Joe Walker, Indy turned the ball over and SSI ran it in for another try, kick no good making it 24-15 SSI. Indy’s kick to SSI led to a line out that Indy won leading to two crash balls by Geno that opened up a Scott Peterson try, kick was good making it 24-22 SSI.

Halftime

Indy’s kick to SSI led to a stolen ball by the Impalas. After a won scrum Scott Peterson scored his second try, kick good giving Indy a 29-24 lead. Pat Sawyers left with a blood sub with Stuckey coming in at second row. Pat soon reentered for Kenny Leffel who went out with an injury. After back and forth play from both sides, SSI almost drove in a try but Indy held the ball up and the try was saved. Subs entered with 15 minutes remaining in the game. Geno moved to inside center, watch out. Didn’t last long first pop ball from Scott led to bloody nose. Bluff reenters for Geno, Rodger moves to center. With the game still close, Clinton took it in his hands to put it away for good with a blazing long run for a try, kick was good putting Indy up 36-24. With tough play for the remaining 5 minutes the Indy Impalas left Chicago with a 36-24 win over the South Side Irish.

Back of the Game: Clinton Meehan

Forward of the Game: Mike Peterson

Written By: Geno Witchger

This Saturday, the Impalas will be heading up to Chicago to take on the South Side Irish. All players must meet at the McDonalds in Broadripple (1020 Broad Ripple Avenue) at 8:30 AM. We will be leaving no later than 9:00. Game time is 1:00 PM CST. Save the booze for Saturday night. DON’T BE LATE.