How’s your rugby? 10.18.13

In this periodical:

Match Reports and Recaps

Standings

Colorado Crusaders High School Boys Fall Camp

Despatches and Transitions: a perspective on the 2012/13

competitive cycle

Season Wrap: by the Numbers – 2, 4, 4, 4, 5, 6, 19, 23

Jack’s Back!

Justin T, 303 and the Youth Rugby Referee

To the Max – Grizzlies on the Prowl

The Grizzlies of Bristol Bay, AK

Liam Lewis: Incipient Angel

Mountain League – Vail’s Triple Crown

2013 Men’s Clubsides: Many pictures, minimal text

Mytjalies Beck Pages: a light-hearted look at some reasonably heavy gear: hugo Richard

Truth & Beauty: within touch

Rugby AfterLife: At the Gates of Rugby Heaven

At the Rugby School: Truth & Beauty

Highflying Bristol is #1 on a lot of tables

image: USAFA RFC

USA

Reports and Recaps

USA Rugby Division-1: Women

Detroit WRFC v Black Ice WRFC - by Blaine Martin; Detroit, MI - 9.21.13:

Black Ice Chills Detroit Women

written by: Blaine Martin

In a complete turnaround from last year’s 107-5 shutdown, the Denver Black Ice came out on top in a 29-10 victory over the Detroit Women.

Penalties plagued Denver throughout the game, and Detroit was able to start the scoring off early with a quick tap from an offsides call that led to a try in the corner, no conversion. Denver responded in kind, scoring minutes later on a quick tap in the center of the posts. The conversion by flyhalf Alice “Boot” Plant put Black Ice in the lead.

Play was back and forth throughout the remainder of the half, but a mixture of excellent kicks for touch and hard one-up defense helped secure the field for Black Ice. A solid forward drive near the end of the half led to a pick from the back of the ruck and a score in the corner from Man of the Match Katie “Howie” Howell to put Black Ice up 12-5.

The second half was much of the same, with each team exchanging penalties and pressing hard on defense. A series of messy turnovers gave center Blaine Martin the opportunity to run the ball in, but Detroit rallied immediately and used their momentum off a series of penalties and quick taps to score once again, 17-10 Black Ice.

With Detroit on their heels, Black Ice was able to push the pace of the game and score a beautiful try in the corner when a quick tap was brought up short of the line, forcing the powerful Black Ice forwards into a series

of punches. Patience and clean possession kept the ball in Denver’s hands, sucking the defense in and opening up space on the outside for fullback Molly Albano to take the corner and dive in for the try.

The final score of the game came off a beautiful 70m run from scrumhalf Sara “Bobby” Shanley after messy ball at the back of the ruck forced a quick pick. A step around the final defender saw her into the try zone, and a beautiful sideline conversion from “Boot” ended the scoring for the day. With ten minutes left in the half Blaine Martin was given a team sin bin for not retreating 10, but Detroit was unable to capitalize and a kick to touch from Albano ended the game, 29-10 Black Ice.

Several new players nicely compliment the experience and familiarity on the Denver team. Their performance at this year’s Detroit match is evidence of the hard work and progress of the last season. “I am happy with the strides we have made since last year and we were able to take most of our starting team to Detroit this year to compete,” said Coach Wendy Cook. "We look forward to Detroit coming out in the Spring."

The Denver Black Ice lack D1 competition within their conference and will have to travel throughout the season to earn a “ranking” for National Qualifiers. “Since we are the only team in our region that is Division 1, it has been hard to find quality games. We have to travel 3 times this fall to find competition. We have a lot of talent and we hope to be able to travel strong so we can continue to grow as a team," says Cook. Black Ice will travel to New Mexico next week to play the DII Atomic Sisters and will have a D1 match against Dallas. They also have another Midwest match up against the Minnesota Valkyries scheduled for early November.

NSCRO Men: Red Rocks v UNC

UNC debut success at Red Rocks

University of Northern Colorado opened its inaugural NSCRO campaign with a solid road victory over Red Rocks on Saturday. The Bears, operating under new coach Chris Sarmento and piloted onpitch by former Colorado Springs Grizzlies high school standout and United States Rugby Football Foundation Scholar Dallas Frye, were quicker to breakdown and more proficient at obtaining turnover ball therein, though a spirited Red Rocks side of size and determined spirit meant points for the hosts in the warmth of a stunning fall day at the scenic Pavilions Rugby Grounds on campus in the west Denver hills.

Red Rocks came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and swiftly had UNC on its rear leg inside the Bears 22 with impressive three-quarter line work of its hefty #10, Loren Baker, and the fulsome bashes of centers Steven Morrison and newcomer (2nd match) Levi Dufford. Further effort by the host pack brought the home side to the UNC doorstep, but a knock-on into goal stifled the movement and allowed Bears standoff Kyle Nachbar to clear his lines. A series of penalties levied on the men from Greeley kept ball in Red Rocks hands initially, but mishandling by the hosts negated those advantages until a penalty award quickly-tapped by Baker five meters out from the visitors goal had that sly fox across for fullback Mark Hatfield's conversion and it was 7-nil for the home side with 5 minutes gone.

Bears got onboard when right wing Jeff Smith rounded the defense and scooted 18 meters for an unconverted corner grounding: 7-5 Rocks after 8 ticks of referee Dan Hattrup's clock.

Lead change in the 16th minute as tighthead Marc Thomas shrugged off a tackle en route to an impressively fast 20 meter dash to goal: missed conversion meant a 10-7 advantage to the visitors.

UNC knocked on the re-start inside its own 22 meter line. A wonscrum and the hosts were challenging deep in the Bears business district, but turnover permitted Nachbar's clearance from inside his goal and the action returned upfield.

Former Colorado Springs Grizzlies star, outside center Cody Schwann, threaded the Red Rocks backline for 30 meters before crossing to make it 15-7 UNC in the 21st minute and the Bears scored the bonus point try at minute 28 when a successful pick-and-go by Frye prefaced his burst over the line: 20-7 Bears.

Next numbers were for the home team as a fine bit of maulwork saw its forwards inside of the UNC 22 meter line and slipping ball tidily, quickly challenging the visitor goal. A pick-and-go by newcomer engine roomee, Joshua Rodriguez, from the loose and a magical hotstep by that big man saw him past a pair of defenders and into goal for his grounding, which was converted by Hatfield and Red Rocks had drawn to within six: 20-14 at 35: tension palpable onfield and the spectators strung along touch shouted encouragement to the sides.

UNC got the final shout of the first forty after clearance by Nachbar had a Red Rocks lineout at its 10 meter line. Bears pilferage of the lineout throw resulted in swift service to its three-quarters line and replacement center Luke Divich fled through a large gap and outpaced the chase for 35 meters and his dot; 25-14 UNC lead as referee Hattrup sounded the halftime whistle.

Better continuity in the maintenance of its possession by its forwards meant more of that for a longer period of time in the first half for UNC while the opportunistic Red Rocks XV were quick to capitalize on ursine mistakes.

After the re-start, UNC got a try from its blindside, Bryce Spaun, who galloped across from 6 meters out; abetted by Nachbar's conversion, the numbers went to 32-14 at minute 52.

A further Bears grounding by engine Kyle Smith, countered by an impressively earned score by Red Rocks center, Steven Morrison, who was always going to score with his hard work and industry evident onpitch all day, and a record of 37-19 to UNC was recorded.

Scoring

Red Rocks - Try: Baker, Rodriguez, Morrison; Con: Hatfield (2);

UNC - Try: Smith, Thomas, Schwann, Frye, George, Spaun, Smith; Con: Nachbar

Match Official: Dan Hattrup

of note: new Red Rocks second five-eighths, Levi Dufford, displayed estimable form in offense, but it was a stoppage on his opposite number midway through the last 40 that has my head still ringing!

: and 7 trys from seven different players for UNC means goodness, though the Bears 1-from-7 conversion rate means something else entirely - if I'm a UNC player and want to ensure my selection to the first XV, I'm a start practicing my shots-on-goal!

: massive player numbers for Red Rocks mean naught-but-very-good!

USA Rugby Division-2: Men

Raptors soar over Quins

Glendale were thorough in 76-15 defeat of Harlequins at the heated StoveTop on Saturday. With six starters out due to injury, Denver looked ragged yet ready through the first forty, but consistent, concerted pressure by the Raptors and swift, sure counters meant for five home scores after re-start through sixty minutes and made way for the big win for the home side.

Inside center Leon Perez got Raptors aboard with a penalty struck from inside Quins 22 off the left post. 3-nil Glendale with five off the clock. Much activity through the next 18 minutes, though no further scores as turnovers at breakdown begat rumbling forays from each side's big men and enveloping stoppages-to-turnover, followed by crashes from the inside backs that produced lively, enjoyable spectacle for the crowd along touch and on the East Terraces.

Former Colorado Springs Grizzlies captain and U-20 All American, out-center Seth Halliman, fended his way to space at the Quins ten meter line and set fullback Ben Cappa free to cross-and-dot; with Perez' conversion it was 10-0 Raptors in the 23rd minute.

Harlequins responded with an impressive three-quartersline gambit that brought them to within goalsight, and a savvy pick and dive by lock, Dan Fecter, had him across goal for the grounding that made it 10-5 Raptors with 26 minutes gone.

Halliman spread the Quins defense and brought wing, Greg Campo, streaking back inside at the visitors 25 meter line to enable the speedy finish by Perez: with his own conversion, it was 17-5 at minute 29.

Glendale's rush defense caused turnover ball at Quins 22 and saw the Raptors #5 second row through for the try that, with Perez' added deuce, made it 24-5 at the 35th minute.

Quins 8-man, Joe Vitapa, finished a strong bit of Denver forwards work with a pick-and-go over the line (and ground) just prior to referee Marc Nelson's halftime blast, and it was 24-10 to the home side as the lads went off for instruction.

Raptors looked clinical and were hurt by their own mishandles at times, while Quins suffered from discontinuity due their injury plague. However, the Harlequins pack fared well overall and new halfback, Eric Kemp, had fine craft on display through the first forty of the enjoyable, hard-hitting match.

Six trys for Raptors after re-start through 63 minutes put the match effectively away with dots by: Cappa (42') with a dizzying scamper for 35 meters; right wing Kyle Harris (47'); a brace by left wing Greg Campo (53' & 56'); followed by a pair of 30 meter dashes by center Chris Sarmento (60' & 63') - five converted - meant 64-10 tallies.

Now Denver erupted in the form of a loping, slicing charge to goal by backrow, Anselem Gardner. The deceptively quick ranger fended away a pair of pursuers and broke past another in his impressive jaunt to make it 64-15 in the 70th minute.

Our man of the match, #15 Ben Cappa, closed out the scoring with a couple of dots, one of which he converted, for a final scoreline of 76-15 at ref Nelson's last blast.

Scoring

Glendale - Try: Cappa (4), Perez, #5, Harris, Campo (2), Sarmento (2);

Con: Perez (6), Sarmento (2), Cappa; Pen: Perez;

Denver - Try: Fecter, Vitapa, Gardner

Match Officials: Marc Nelson, Steve Gore, Joe Zevin

360 degrees: Raptors center, Chris Sarmento, coached his University of Northern Colorado Bears men's college clubside to victory earlier in the day at Red Rocks, then made rapid transit across town to come off the bench for a brace of Raptors trys.

Player to watch: Quins halfback Kemp - he's all the right #9 qualities - look forward to catching his act again!

Women's Premier League: Glendale v New York

Raptors sharp in victory over New York

Glendale looked form, fit and fiery in comprehensive victory over New York Rugby Club at a warm and sunshiny StoveTop on Sunday just afternoon. Consistently effective support work by forwards Kittery Wagner and Sarah Wilson well-abetted by openside flanker Rachel Ryan, at breakdown and in the openfield made for plentiful ball for pivot Hannah Stolba's talented backline.

Right wing Nicole Prescott made the corner and flew through space before being brought to ground two meters from New York's line, but the fast flyer was able to offload to Raptors fullback, University of Colorado All American Erin Overcash, who finished surely: 5-nil Raptors early.

New York showed it had come to play with big rangy runs out of the loose by second row Rosie Meisher and the darting, jinky maneuvers of halfback Jess Berry from the base of its scrum which brought play into the Raptors 22 through the first quarter of lively action, though the East Coasters were unable to breach a host defense that sagged well, isolated often and effected turnover ball.

With a Glendale scrum won 9 meters from New York's goaline, ball snatched swiftly by Raptors backrow lock, Laura Miller, enabled her the slicing, angled run to goal for a grounding that made the numbers 10 and 0 through the 22nd minute.

Ball swiftly provided to Stolba meant a slick stunt in the centers and Overcash's hard charge to space for her try and Stolba's conversion: 17-0 Raptors at minute 35.

Raptors got the bonus try as #6 flanker, Joanna Kitinski, broke free inside NY's 10 meter line and passed to tighthead Sarah Wilson in impeccable support for #3's dot just shy of referee Kurt Weaver's halftime tweet. Players went to halftime respite 24-0 to the home side.

New York were well in the mix through the initial quarter of play, but seemed to lag somewhat in the latter stages of the half as Glendale's method began to form and function fluidly.

Replacement Jamie Burke finished a fast five meters from the loose for her grounding at the 45th minute as kickoff ball never came out of New York territory; with Stolba deadly on completion, scoreboard turned to 31-0, Raptors favor.

At the three-quarter mark in the match Glendale second row, Taryn Brennan, made 12 hard yards look easy before handing off to blindside Kitinski for a further half dozen, whose pass to Prescott in support saw her close-and-ground for Stolba's conversion: 38-0 at 60.

Raptors scrumhalf Brittney Houston, who'd been recycling the pill in fine style all day long, kept one herself, popping into space and accelerating through 15 meters to dot for Stolba's additional deuce: 45-0 in the 63rd minute.

New York were able to realize joy after their most extensive interval in Raptors territory, working a forwards clinic in terms of possession maintenance and usage; ball put to fullback, Lisa Roselin, a crease and she was through that rapidly and over for the try that made it 45-5 at the 72nd minute.

Raptors had the final shout with replacement back, Hallie Koeppen, breaking a pair of tackles en route to her grounding and Stolba's conversion at time for a 52-5 record.

Scoring

Glendale - Try: Overcash (2), Miller, Wilson, Burke, Prescott, Houston, Koeppen;

Con: Stolba (6);

New York - Try: Roselin

Match Officials: Kurt Weaver, Joe Davis, Kasia Wegrzyn

Women’s Premier League: Raptors are 3-0 in the league and sit in topspot of the Blue Conference, while New York go to 0-3 in that division’s basement.

Next up for Glendale will be a transit to Gotham City for a return match Saturday, October 19.

USA Rugby Division-2: Men

credit: Denver Harlequins RFC

Denver Highlanders v Denver Harlequins

With a blowy and vagrant wind on a perfectly clear autumn day and the white stuff visible on the Continental Divide to the west, Highlanders hosted Harlequins at the Jake on Saturday. Landers and Quins have been doing battle for over four decades and have witnessed fearsome clashes during that space; this was to be no different.

Highlanders worked kickoff ball into Quin territory quickly with short bangers out of the loose, threatening the Jesters line twice before being turned away, and ball turned over was well-cleared by Harlequins pivot Brian Perna. The hosts were back inside their opponents 22 and in the business district once again. Sketchy backline

work in the near channels begat knock-ons which reversed the flow of play and, with fast work from their backrowmen from the breakdown, Harlequins soon had Highlanders on the unsteady rear leg.

A cheat by the home side had Quins fullback, Sylver Romero, take a smack at goal from midfield that had the legs yet drifted wide left at day's end: 0-0 with two fingerfulls gone.

But Quins were right back at it with Perna fending his way to space inside Highlanders ten meter line for a fast fifteen, then handing to first five-eighths, Kahelemauna Taumoefolau, for bit more and then the big man put his left wing, Stefan Marr, away with as sweet a looping transfer as we'd see this day. Marr was seriously through the gap and, ears tucked he closed quick, crossing-and-dotting for Romero's conversion: 7-nil Quins with a dozen off referee Marc Nelson's timepiece.

More pep in the visitors deliberate movements and flashy three-quartersline work through fifteen until a Quin caught laying about at tackle meant the big touch kick by Highlanders #10, Kyle Gross, to within five meters of the Quins goaline and a Highlanders lineout. Theft of the pill by a high-flying Jester enabled clearance by Perna. And Quins forced the turnover that had Highlanders scrambling in defense of slicing bashes from the visitor forwards out of their steadily forward-moving maul.

Maul to ground and a wee Highlanders paddy out of place sighted by Nelson had Romero increase Harlequins advantage to 10 with a penalty deftly-struck from the ten meter line. Quins looking sharp midway through the first forty.

Now came Highlanders with crashes from the center Erics, Landauer and Plvan, picking up short, conservative patches of land until Mike Backens, who featured at loosehead and 8-man on the day, burst into space and made big yardage before offloading to lock, Brad Tannis, for his finish: 10-5 as Highlanders got aboard in the 25th minute.

Harlequins extended their margin to an even dozen when Highlanders botched a backline move and the ever-ready Marr scooped the bobbler off the ground for a 65 meter scorcher: Romero's added deuce and 17-5 for Quins at 35.

A flipper well-employed by the Highlanders standoff had that #10 in space at the Quins ten meter line for a tricky thirty before unloading to lock Rex Randall in support for his cross-and-dot: two more by Gross in completion and the match tightened up at 17-12 to Quins, and Nelson sounded the halftime whistle.

Mishandling in the near channels by the home team absolutely murdered a number of healthy forays into Harlequins territory, while Quins showed better consistency and continuity backed by smart tactical boots from Perna and his relieving clearances to touch.

Considerable meters gained by the Quins forwards after re-start caused a measure of alarm for the hosts, but an effective grapple at the breakdown put Highlanders in possession and onto the front foot. Infringement by Quins at tackle had Gross' sticksplitter well-driven from the 22 off the right post edge Highlanders within two, 17-15, in the 49th minute and the sides returned to midfield for the re-start.

Now the intensity flared bright and hot as each side's physical forwards style of play meant for lively, short bursts out of the loose pieces by the big men, countered by sure containment and bastard turnover ball, then more of the same. Perna got the yellow ticket for fractive work at breakdown (67') and Highlanders were quick to realize advantage as replacement halfback Tim Guerra broke weak from a scrum taken against the head 18 meters out the Harlequins goal. Backens, working in close support from his loosehead prop slot, gathered the

pill and broke across goal for the grounding that meant Highlanders first lead at 20-17 with 68 ticks off the clock.

A lengthy Highlanders maul from their 22 past the ten meter line was brought to ground; Quins were pinged for infringing at breakdown and Gross had the home side within Harlequins ten meter line on a boot to touch that sliced the wind. A Harlequins lineout theft provided pilfered ball to replacement half, Erik Kemp, who cleared to the dangerous outside backs, but a mishap on transfer resulted in stoppage and turnover ball.

Highlanders came strong into the Quins business district and though the visitors exacted the turnover, hastily-cleared ball made for a host lineout, eight meters from Harlequins goaline. No capitalization by the home side as a Lander ping after the take saw Quins clearance to their 22 and the lineout throw. Won lineout ball and 8-man Joe Vitapa gained a couple before offloading to Marr who stepped clear and blazed for fifty, then put openside Derek Mansanerez away for a final, fast fifteen of closing in the corner: new leader with Harlequins back in front, 22-20 in the 76th minute.

With time flowing fast, Guerra slung ball from the breakdown to Gross inside the Quins ten meter line. The furtive flyhalf ghosted dodgy into space and wove a circuitous path to goal for the bonus-point try that, along with his own conversion, made for a 27-22 record for Highlanders at Nelson's last blast and this classic clash was for the books.

Scoring

Highlanders - Try: Tannis, Rawlins, Backens, Gross; Con: Gross (2); Pen: Gross;

Harlequins - Try: Marr (2), Mansanerez; Con: Romero (2); Pen: Romero

Match Officials - Referee: Marc Nelson; RAs: Stu Geiger, Matt Piele

XV

NO COST!!! Fall high school boys rugby under the guidance of the finest instructors in the

best Academy tradition

What’re you doing Saturday? Widen your rugby horizons and feel the rush of SchoolHouse XVs this fall!

d’ya get it?

Standings: in competitions of union clubs through 10.12.13 -WPL: Blue Conference Glendale Raptors 4-0-0 20 Beantown 2-2-0 12 DC Furies 2-2-0 9 New York RC 0-4-0 0 : Red Conference Twin Cities Amazons 4-0-0 19 Berkeley All Blues 2-2-0 11 San Diego Surfers 1-3-0 5 Atlanta Harlequins 1-3-0 5 -* WD1 Black Ice 1-0-0 5 -MD1 Utah Islanders 2-0-0 9 Glendale Raptors 1-0-0 5 Denver Barbarians 1-0-0 5 Boulder 0-2-0 1 Provo Steelers 0-2-0 1 -MD2 Denver Harlequins 2-3-0 12 Glendale Raptors 2-0-0 10 Park City Haggis 2-0-0 10 Denver Highlanders 1-0-0 5 Denver Barbarians 1-1-0 5 Colorado Springs Grizzlies 1-2-0 5 Northern Colorado Flamingos 0-3-0 0 -MD3 Queen City Rams 2-0-0 10 North Marauders 1-0-0 5 Colorado Springs 1-0-0 5 Denver Harlequins 1-2-0 5 Casper 0-0-0 0 Colorado Rush 0-3-0 0 -NSCRO Men New Mexico Highlands Vatos 4-0-0 20 Colorado School of Mines Orediggers 3-1-0 15 University of Denver Pioneers 3-0-0 15 University of Northern Colorado Bears 3-0-0 15 Regis University Rangers 3-2-0 14 Western State Mountaineers 2-2-0 12 Red Rocks Red Fox 2-2-0 9 Colorado Mesa University Mavericks 1-2-0 6 University of Colorado - Colorado Springs Lions 1-3-0 5 * Black Ice Women’s RFC play in USA Rugby Division 1 and as such are the only WD1 team in the state. They are currently undefeated against WD1 teams outside Colorado

Noto bene: if you’re seeing a

stat you reckon incorrect, let

us know and we’ll sort it

Despatches

&

Transitions

2012-2013

Competitive

Cycle

ERRFU in the 2012-2013 Competitive Cycle: by the numbers

2: The Hannah Stolba-led Glendale Raptors placed second nationally on the

Women’s Premier League table in elite club-rugby action this past season.

They’ll look to up that finish by one as they tackle their upcoming fall

schedule starting at Beantown RFC (Boston, MA), September 8 (W!) and

then the Raptors WPL home opener the following weekend, on Sunday 9.15

v DC Furies RFC (Washington, DC) (W!) . See the Raptors sew up their

division, Saturday October 26 at Infinity Rugby Complex’ StoveTop in

Glendale.

4: Colorado Springs Grizzlies RFC took fourth in America at the high school National

Invitational Tournament in May. The Grizzlies started strong with a convincing win over

the Westerville (TN) Worms RFC, and then dropped their subsequent match to

eventual tournament champ, United (UT) RFC. Colorado Crusaders High School Camp

happening on Saturdays (now!) if one is jonesing for the contact. Open to all, all are

welcome! And it’s free

4: University of Denver RFC claimed a place at the “Best Four” NSCRO (National Small

College Rugby Organization) table with a pair of victories in the Cowboy Cup (TX) and

then a perfect (2-0) showing in the regional PacWest competition. Pioneers suffered

an agonizingly close loss to ultimate tournament champ, St. John’s College (MN) RFC,

by a margin of two: 35-37.

4: Denver Barbarians RFC booked their seat at the Best Four table with

wins over OMBAC and Santa Monica Dolphins RFCs in Texas in May. Up by

15 with 15 to go in their semifinal match against – you guessed it –

eventual tournament champion, Life Running Eagles RFC, the hometown

favorites lost, 37-40.

Stolba & Raptors - formidable at 15s

High-flying Grizzlies

Pioneer power!

Barbos are bad... in a very, very good way!

5: Summit County GRFC (Girls high school) were fifth

at the National Championship Tournament in

Wisconsin this year.

6: Glendale Raptors knocked off 2012 National Division-1 Clubside Champion,

Belmont Shore RFC, in the Round of Sixteen in Texas before falling to Olde

Puget Sound Beach (OPSB) RFC in the Round of Eight.

23: Denver East High Angels RFC celebrated its 25th year in operation with

a top 25 Rugby Magazine national ranking. The Angels finished second to

Colorado Springs Grizzlies on the Colorado High School Premier Division

table.

23: Aurora Saracens RFC claimed its first-ever Rugby Magazine national ranking this season on the U-19 table.

Sarries have benefited much from the tutelage furnished by new backline coach and former Denver

Highlanders RFC standout, Scott Bredehoeft, and will look to advance their fine finish further in 2014.

SC GRFC attended a training session with Colorado Springs

Grizzlies prior to each side’s trips to their respective national

competitions

Raptors defeated defending National Champs, Belmont Shore RFC, ensuring

new blood at the top of USA Rugby’s Division 1 Men’s Clubsides in 2013

East specializes in teamwork!

Saracens offense upgraded this past season

noto bene: came the final week of play in ERRFU’s Division 1 men’s competition, the standings were

incomplete as Barbarians v Boulder (which had been snowed out the previous fall and in the early spring as,

too!) and Raptors v Highlanders had yet to play; with late season snow on the way, the entire scheme of

things was in the balance!

Well Infinity Rugby Complex is always open

for rugby, so it was just a matter of

Highlander and Raptors deciding they’d play

their match and they reckoned they’d play on

the Monday evening at Infinity’s StoveTop.

So that was that.

Or was it?

As the sides warmed up (figuratively, not

literally!) in the teeth of a bountiful spring

snow event, a call came in that the match

official was in non-moving traffic on Route 36

and that we wouldn’t see him any time soon!

Enter Erik Geib, referee par excellence. Mr. Geib’s domicile is nearby Infinity, so that man got the call and

responded forthwith, the match got played and

all was well.

Snow Event, Part II rolled into the following day

when Denver Barbarians and Boulder RFCs were

attempting to complete their league

competitive commitment. The match would not

have been played were it not for the eerie

prescience of Barbarians General Manager, Rob

O’Connor. For it was Mr. O’Connor who

determined that the possibility of the match not

being played an unacceptable occurrence. In

Geib, on the far side of the scrum, facilitates rugby on the day image: L. Trotski

Loveland's lit city turf field - just what GM O'Connor ordered image: h. Richard

order to ensure that a field would be available come Hades or High Water; Mr. O’C sorted a venue just off I-25

and accessible to all (reindeer included!). This pair of rugby stars made certain that rugby would be played in

the form and spirit that it is ever intended. Next time you run into either of them, it’s beer-buying time and

you’re the principal!

Saturday October 19, 6pm at The Kettle – The Re-match - #s 4 and 6 on USA national

men’s clubside table sort who’s who and what’s what – could be the best rugby you’ll see this year!

In another outstanding performance by a referee (ain’t they all?), T. Luscombe managed incipient

hostility at the ERRFU D-1 Championships with sublime skill, enabling rugby. Kudos!

Jack's back - #1 on every scoresheet! image: USAFA RFC

Cadet First Class Jackson Bristol has come a long way down Rugby's Road in the 13 years the young man has spent on the pitch. The Air Force Academy senior, who will graduate in the spring next year, has earned recognition of USA Rugby as an invitee to national team camps (7s - 2012 and 2013 & 15s - 2013), in addition to playing on the Air Force 15s side in USA Rugby's (USAR)Varsity Cup, USAR's

Bristol, when he breaks into the open, is an impressive sight to see; the Zoomie is difficult to bring to ground

elite college competition.

With the TRY League (Colorado’s Youth Rugby Program) providing Bristol the basics of rugby, Jackson augmented that knowledge in secondary school and now at Air Force Academy for the Zoomies as a Competitive Team Captain. Bristol's style is fast and fulsome: reminiscent of the play of former Eagles 7s stalwart and current Denver Barbarians 7s coach, Mark Bokhoven.

"I knew he (Jack) was a rugby nut like me when he, as a freshman, was talking to me about French Top XIV rugby," says USAFA head rugby coach Joe Muehlbauer. "By the end of his first year, he was starting for our 1st side. He's blessed with a big athletic body, but it has been his hard work and dedication that has taken him to the next level," Muehlbauer adds.

Life can be, as Bristol describes, "… a bit challenging." He goes from class, to practice, to dinner; and then it's back to his room for homework. The political science major admits road trips can be difficult as well: "We usually leave on a Friday and don't come back until Sunday evening… doing homework or studying on the road is always tough… things do add up quickly… but when you love something as much as I love rugby, you find time for it. It's that simple," states the earnest and likable cadet.

Jack made the US Eagles shortlist and was able to attend the 15s camp at Occidental College this summer, yet he was unable to make their subsequent trip to New Zealand due to military commitments. "Frankly, it's difficult for academy athletes to participate in some camps because of service duties. We simply don't get as much time off as other college students," yet he continues, "To be selected (for the camps) is an honor and I

hope to attend as many as possible."

In self-assessment, Bristol says, "I feel that I have not reached my pinnacle. I strive everyday for perfection on and off the pitch and I believe that is why I get better. I will never be satisfied with my (current) rugby ability. I have come so far, but I still have far to go."

Bristol gives credit and recognition to his coach and team:

"Coach Joe (Muehlbauer) has been instrumental in my continued development. His passion and insights have brought me to the point I'm at now. I work hard to maintain his trust in my abilities and decisions. Coach Joe has a way of bringing out the best in his players and I'm just proud to be one of them and to be called a Zoomie."

Bristol in space with support… uh-oh the defense! Image: USAFA RFC

In Air Force's upcoming 15s fall season, Jack and his mates will square off against the likes of: Navy (Shea Cup), CSU and CU. Expect to hear more from Bristol as he well-represents his country at the highest levels both on and off the pitch.

Justin T, and the Youth Rugby Referee

The TRY League, Colorado's youth (ages 6-16) rugby experienced significant growth in 2012, so that numbers

swelled to over one thousand participants, boys and girls, at the Saturday Summer Jamborees. With this surge

in numbers, the entry-level rugby recreation had threatened to outpace the ability of its infrastructure to

provide infield management in the form of match officials for the competitions. Enter Justin Tafoya and his

well-seasoned rugby administrative skills.

Since the turn of the century Tafoya brothers, Justin and Josh, have been at the forefront of TRY League

expansion; initially working with Denver Parks and Recreation's Curt Garrett in the summer youth rugby

program, then at Bill Baer's East High rugby academy as players and then instructors; now the pair conducts

the 303 RFC Youth RFC, the crucial level of American rugby - its heart and soul in terms of potential.

Josh is head coach of the wildly successful 303 RFC and Justin performs the mundane day-to-day, behind-the-

scenes work that enables the Saturday play and empowers our youth.

Justin is an accomplished, professional sports photographer when duty calls, but it's his efforts at creation and

organization of the TRY League infrastructure that is truly remarkable. There is much work that goes on that

no one ever sees excepting its final product: Saturday Youth Rugby Jamboree. And perhaps the most difficult

aspect of the ongoing youth recreation is providing for its onfield management.

Enter Justin Tafoya, initially as assistant, but quickly that part-time position became Tafoya's alone and he

tackled that task with his customary verve and commitment. Enlisting the aid of union stalwart, Mark

Musselman and upcoming, fast-tracked ERRFU referee, Steve Gore, Justin set about ensuring proper field

management of the split-venue (north-Denver and south-Denver) Saturday Youth Rugby Jamborees.

"This being my first year, I had a few different ways that I recruited refs," Tafoya states. Working from a list of

those who's previously officiated youth, the new youth referee manager created an experienced core. Next

was the implementation of a three-hour ref clinic at TRY's pre-season meeting in the spring. Tafoya and Gore

then held two more clinics and spread the word to the directors of TRY clubs. In addition, Tafoya created a

youth referee training program containing

the format for developing junior referees.

"Recruiting (referees) is an ongoing process

and something I will be working on

throughout the year," says Tafoya.

Matt Francis

Teenager Matt Francis, who has played

three seasons for North-side Dragons YRFC

is a prime example of Justin's target group.

"I started as a referee at the beginning of Referee Francis signals the mark image: J. Tafoya

the 2013 season," Francis claims and speaks to that initial experience: "Being a referee this year was a unique

learning experience that helped me better improve my game and

understand the rules of the game itself." It also allowed the youth referee occasion to reflect and recognize,

"Throughout the season there were times when spectators, coaches and players (voiced) disagreement with

decisions I made." But Matt realized that in the process (both good parts and the bad) there was an education

to be had: "I learned toughness and I took confidence out of those experiences this year."

Moms, girls, too!

Tafoya's recruiting regimen has proven a bonafide success. "We had three 13-14 year-old girls referee out of a

population of 15-20." Tafoya's TRY League officiating group also boasted, "One mother, who refereed under-8

matches." Individuals seeking to join the Youth Referee Association need only contact Mr.

Tafoya@303.748.4754

Fall League

Register for 303’s fall league by going to the link below. Trainings will be Mondays and Wednesdays, 8/26 -

10/16 at City Park's Football Field #3. We will have 6 weeks of matches on Saturdays from 9/14 to 10/19 at

Jacobs Park (1101 S. Quebec St.) from 9am-1pm. Please message Justin with questions.

Grizzlies at USA U-20s

Robeson, left, & Russell post-match image: A. Robeson

The engine room that powered Colorado Springs Grizzlies RFC to the 2013 Colorado State rugby

championship saw duty in the USA Rugby High School All-Americans match on campus at University of

Northern Colorado at Greeley on Saturday. Max Robeson and Jacob Russell were on opposing sides in

action at the culmination

of the emergent Eagles

camp.

Robeson’s “brace” aids

US All-American Reds

victory over USAA Blues

– 2, 35-minute halves

Second Row Max

Robeson’s solid effort at

the sets and ranging

busywork in open play meant for significant contribution to his side’s 50-34 win past USAA Blues on

campus of University of Northern Colorado at Greeley on Saturday morning. The 2013 Springs graduate,

who along with his engine room partner, Jacob Russell (playing for the Blues), represented Colorado

Rugby well on the day as the USA Eagle hopefuls clashed at the end of the emergent men’s potentials

camp.

The second of Robeson’s groundings came after the deceptively speedy big man broke out of the loose at

his own 10 meter line and outpaced the chase to goal just prior to referee Derek Summers’ halftime shout

and enabled Reds to claim their first advantage of the match at 31-24.

US Blues jumped to a 24-7 lead just past midpoint in the first stanza, but four unanswered groundings by

the crimson crew had Reds on the good side of the numbers at the half. Steady forwards pace and slick

distribution by the Blues #10, abetted by early Reds handling errors, made for much front foot action

initially by Blues and their healthy, early lead.

Blues got back up at 34-31 with trys by #15 (his 3rd) and a dot by their 8-man, 20 minutes through the

second half, but an impressive final fifteen by Reds saw three trys grounded and the record.

Grizzlies teammate, Seth Halliman, is in the Southern Hemisphere just now with US U-20 side on tour to

Argentina and Chile.

Match Officials: Derek Summers, Erik Geib, Brighton Khumalo

Liam Lewis – young flyer with Raptors in his rearview and Angels on the horizon!

USRFF Higgins Scholars’ Summer at Sea

Former Colorado Springs Grizzlies players, Dallas Frye and Matt Ryan, spent their summers in productive manner even if their story might sound a bit fishy. The backrow dynamo, who hail from the Colorado high school Canterbury Crusaders-styled RFC in the Springs, are United States Rugby Football Foundation scholarship awardees who polish their intellectual skills and ply their respective rugby trades at Cal Poly (Ryan) and University of Northern Colorado (Frye); they spent the summer fishing Bristol Bay, an arm (and a strong one at that!) of the Bering Sea (the body of water that protects Sarah Palin from the hordes).

Frye on a tear! image: Curtis Fletcher

Liam started with Denver Parks and Recreation Summer Rugby program in 2008 and then became a charter member of 303 RFC. Mr. Lewis then spent the 2011-2013 seasons with Glendale Raptors Youth RFC. The East High freshman intends to play for his school, Denver East High Angels RFC in the upcoming (2014) boys high school competition.

After transiting to the big state, the pair hit the docks in the timeless lingua franca of jobsearch: “Work?” Ryan got aboard and berth that first day; it took Frye somewhat longer. 24 hours to be exact, and after a trial shot for half day scrubbing decks, shifting shtuff and whatnot, the versatile player (#s 6 through 13 with competence) had himself a deckhand position and an adventure with pay at 7% of the final haul. In typical Frye fashion, however, that cut was entry level for by the time the voyage ended inside six weeks, Dallas had been promoted to deck boss and his stock had risen to 12%, a more than 70% bump inside a two-month period of effort. And he’s six offers of work on half dozen different ships come summer, 2014!

Vail RFC tops in the Rockies

For the second year in a row, Vail ran the table in ERRFU’s summer mountain competition. In addition to a blemishless league record, the club placed first at the CowPie and SkiTown rugby tournaments over the course of its highly successful 2013 campaign.

Ryan (w/ball) ranging the pitch image: Cal Poly RFC

XV

2013 USA Rugby Men’s National Clubsides

D-2 champions Wisconsin brought it all

D-3 Champions, Oceanside RFC (CA) thrilled spectators with a

100-minute finals match D-2 Champions, Wisconsin RFC, brought it all

D-1 Champions, Life Running Eagles RFC, Best of Best in 2013!

15s 15s all good

All following images by Tom Sitzman, Mark van der Molen

this man’s got the

whistle, you’re in

for a good match!

Denver Barbarians & New Orleans RFCs

were in the Big Show

Former Denver Highlanders, Vail RFCs’

pilot and current Old Blue RFC’s D-o-R,

Steve Lewis was on hand

Breckenridge Blue Goose RFC’s C. Faller, R. Weber, D. Chapman,

K. Gerbes and the Chavis were there in support of the rugby

Black Ice’s Jess Lincoln (far right) and friends were there in

support of Saratoga Stampede RFC

OC v OB, D-3 Finals, one fine rugby match! Barbarians claimed second on the National 7s Table, too!

2012 runners-up, Wisconsin RFC, closed well and on top this year Denver Highlanders were there in numbers in support of the day

Mytjalies Beck Pages:

h. R.

The Blaikie

P. Hoskins, Sr. Mr. Garrity

Mrs. Fulk and Kobilca

Ken Matthews

hugo Sez: truth and beauty are evident onpitch regularly if only one is attuned properly… it may be an awful verity and unlovely pretty, yet it might cause one to speculate in a ruminative, and ultimately, productive manner should one be of that capacity.

Rugby AfterLife: At the Gates

One time a short line of had formed outside the access to Rugby Heaven, which looks exactly like a set of uprights though these are magnificently constructed of near-translucent and eerily indestructible alabaster embedded with ovalescent pearl, into whose crossbar is carved the motto: “Rugbi para Todos” in elegant, heraldic text. These "upper-rights" shimmer gloriously with all the possibility and potential of a new season, and beckon all with the promise of a rush-to-goal well-closed or the visceral thrill of ball well-struck. My buddy, Vikus von Veerden-Hoffen and I were lounging by the gate as is our wont of a day, watching the arms sergeant - The GateKeeper called “Sarge” - and his subordinate maintain the role by querying applicants as to their bonafides vis-a-vis life’s chit as recorded in his Big Bang Book of Bounty, occasionally called, "The Book of the Big" or simply, "Das Book". Within is the record of one's rugby life. Sarge studied an entry in the great volume at length and then looked up, considering the individual at the line’s head: “It seems you’ve had a good run… Let’s see now… always paid club dues in a timely manner… impeccable training attendance… hold on! '95…? There’s nothing input for 1995 in your club's treasury ledger!” “ I, uh… was out of work and our club president let me to wash the ‘A’ side jerseys, post-match, for my dues that season,” he replied, toeing a neat, depressed conical in the cloudbank within which he hovered. “Aaaa-hah!” exclaimed Vikus with glee, “and no bargain there I’d warrant! Did it ma’self one year, and damned ugly business it is, pardon… wot?” he finished and looked guiltily about after his use of the “d” word. “I see here you’ve lined field, run sidelines when asked, cleared debris from along touch post-match as well as made annual contributions to national rfu, too… very impressive,” Sarge looked up from the pages of the prodigious tome and pronounced: “And you may not be aware that, however insignificant your contribution to the national rfu might seem to you at the time that you gave it, your generosity has been continuous, well-received, and crucial to your country's national and international schemes. You are apparently a far-seeing, forward-thinking person. Welcome… Mytjalies!” And head held high, that man entered the Kingdom of the Preposterous Pill, as Rugby Heaven is sometimes called, to the joyful trumpeting of all and every. Sarge turned to the next in the queue, a short pony-tailed figure whom he looked up and down. Muttering to himself, he swiftly scanned pages until he found the entry he sought: “Ah-hah! Scrumhalf, I see. Neither back nor forward… hmnnn. Dues-payer, always threw a tenner to the national union. You are one fortunate player, I thinks… a very acceptable rugby life, then…” he turned an ethereal page in Das Book and smoothed its edges… looked up with alarm: "Hang on, what have we here? 2002? It seems you were member of a group who conspired to and then did carry out, the theft of a rugby ball at Aspen Ruggerfest. Can this be so?” Each and every glared hard at the individual, who appeared stunned at the scope and depth of research evidently contained therein Das Book. A rapid, quaking shake tremored the heavens. Triple Vee lost his balance and fluttered around some until he regained equilibrium.

“Was it game pill?” sternly queried by WW Himself from beyond in melodious if tumultuous echo. “Well, actually it was a ball being used for run-up, but it did have Ruggerfest emblem on it,” this returned sheepishly. “And I feel baah-aaad about that,” she added in a kind of remorse. “Oh, well said,” replied the Sergeant with furtive grin. “We were going to have you on for a bit, but… capital response. You’re in!” And she was. The Hallelujah Chorus erupted. Now came the third in line before The Gates. GateKeeper’s head lowered as he scrutinized an entry in The Book of Big. His head rocketed to horizontal and he held his place with a finger, “It seems you were engaged in a paid, administrative position, that correct?” “Yes, and I was responsible for increasing…” responded the man with a chest-puff. “Shut it!” ordered Sarge harshly and he continued in the manner of The Judge, “Did you, or did you not then, conspire with a cabal of like-minded confederates to deny the gift of the rugby pitch to individuals… and youth it seems they were!” his voice deepened and rose in volume with each word pronounced. The supplicant cowered weakly; all’s gazes were riveted on the figure. A spot of drama, thinks I… well, that'll work. “Well… yes, but I was only following the rules…” “And was there a codicil in those rules that enabled transfer, should you have seen fit to grant it?” “Well, yes but…” “So you did willingly deny rugby to youth… and now you have the temerity to acknowledge that it was because of rules that were in your power to supercede?” “Well… yes, but we were trying to keep things level,” he replied, and a tear leaked wiggly from the corner of a squinty eye, perspiration springing sweetly from his silly, shaven pate. “In competition things are never level!” came the thunderous message, reverberating all around, “… S’why it’s competition! You want level, you should have played soccer, boyo.” "But I was only…" offered the troubled supplicant meekly… weakly. "I'll ask you only one thing… Have you ever had the greatest of good fortunes to actually take the pitch as player?" the query, though the answer be already known. "Well, I played…" "So you have felt the roiling emptiness in your gut as you await the first whistle of The Blessed Eighty (reference duration of match)… A void that can only be filled with crashing physical contact and the freedom of open space?!!!" Thunder, lightning and cowering all round now as Paradise's Paddock shook with the awesome power of The (real) W: WW himself.

"But I'm going…" "Too right you are! We know where you're going. Burn bright my errant son, burn bright… ly." And a hole in the mist appeared beneath that woebegone entreator's feet, a downward depending vortex formed and the hapless creature was flushed away, the only thing remaining of his time a piercing yelp as he disappeared, "Eeek… that's hot!" moral: Rugbi para Todos

Truth & Beauty at Rugby School – h. Richard

September 19 International Talk Like a Pirate Day

Arggghh you ready fer it, matey? These guys are!

Inaugural Growers’ Cup

All Comers Rugby 10scontact: higher

rugby

‘13

So. Today we're going to talk about

Truth and Beauty…

I can’t… I

just can’t!

Cheese and crackers!

hunh??

I know

the

answer!

Six?

Soon… I

think

… and Simon Zebo’s action in

support of Healy’s try for Ireland

v Wales in last season’s 6Nats

I saw it!

I’m gonna do it!

Man’s got 8 hands

& a coupla

extra feet, too!

Quick

thinker

got it

done!

are they

at war?

nearly as

good as

these!

can't be six

Faster doer!

darn tootin’ ‘e did!

rugbi para todos