ST. CHARLES, MO - The Principia Thunder Chickens participated in the Lindenwood's 7s Open Tournament on Saturday, ultimately finishing third. Pool play games were against the University of Colorado, McKendree University, and the University of Central Missouri. Strong winds all day complicated kicking and passing for the teams.
Principia opened the tournament with the first try, just 30 seconds into Principia's match against Colorado, when Damir Conci broke through the Buffaloes' defensive line and offloaded to Celino Petersen for the try. After the ensuing kick-off went out of bounds, Colorado took a scrum center and then held the ball through multiple phases (and several penalties by Principia) until finally freezing a Principia defender and breaking a tackle to score. Colorado soon scored again, but Petersen closed out the first half by kicking a grubber through the defense and recovering his own kick in Colorado's in-goal for the try.
In the second half, Colorado's forwards scored through quick passing after catching Principia's defense out of position. The Buffaloes scored again before Principia got another try near the end of the match, allowing Colorado to hold on for the 24-19 win. Principia's next two games against McKendree and the Central Missouri were won by Principia 28-12 and 50-0 respectively.
The Thunder Chicken's semifinal match was against the winner of the other pool, Marian University - Indianapolis. Pressure on the opening kick-off by Marian almost led to trouble for Principia, but also opened up an attack line for Principia by Bradley Mayekiso, Damir Conci, and Jacob Warrick to gained 40 meters of territory. However, a loss of the ball after a Marian jackal off of the tackle forced a turnover. Trading possessions, Marian scored the first try of the game after Principia gave up the ball inside their own-22 at a ruck. Marian then scored a second try, bringing the halftime score to 12-0. Marian scored another two tries to Principia's lone try in the second half, giving Marian the 22-7 victory.
Principia's final consolation game was a rematch against Colorado. This time, Principia put the pedal to the metal and scored six tries — four of them by Mayekiso — giving the Thunder Chickens the 36-0 victory and securing the "Plate", which goes to the third place team.
Up Next: The Thunder Chickens' next tournament will be in Kansas City at the Mid-America 7s on Saturday, April 9th.
