Tigers Rugby dropped an early match against Northside, then won two straight and went home happy from Colorado Youth Rugby’s 2010 Rocky Mountain Classic tournament at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday, April 3rd.  Alec Walter, Nick Allen and Andrew Hutchinson were recognized as Tiger’s Man of the Match for their effort in 3 matches played. 

Northside Viking 12, Tigers Rugby 7

Tigers Rugby 22, Aurora Saracens 12

Tigers Rugby 20, Northside Vikings 18

 Tries were scores by Patrick O’Connor, Daniel Sargeant, Warren Wood, AJ Shannon, Jimmy Higden (2), Albert Whitemore and Andrew Hutchinson.  Alec Walters made 3 of 8 conversions.

Tigers Rugby Football Club members celebrate their success at the 2010 Rocky Mountain Classic Tournament.

The Tigers Rugby Football Club trophy case. Seen above are the 2005 & 2006 Colorado Youth Rugby Team Sportsmanship Awards with the 2010 RMC 2nd place trophy.

The Aurora Saracens finished 2009 as the second rated team in Colorado Youth Rugby’s State Championship tournament. The Saracens played five contests at three different venues against Tigers Rugby Football Club in 17 days. Aurora came from behind with a big surge early in the first and second periods in the most recent contest on 3/27/2010 to edge Tigers Rugby Football Club 20-17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

The Saracens came prepared, and were strong and experienced in their skill positions. Tigers Rugby fought hard for possession of the ball and territory throughout each match. Each successive contest allowed the chance for the Tigers to learn their positional responsibilities and strategies against an onslaught of big, fast Samoan runners leading the Saracens’ attack. Pomona’s Warren Wood was the latest Man of the Match for contributing seven points on a try and a conversion kick, and for taking over the scrumhalf position for Tigers Rugby. Panther team mate Nick Allen added a resounding try. Pomona’s All-State linebacker, Daijon Tyler continues his four-year rugby career for Tigers Rugby, making sure, and at times sensational tackles in the backline and from the fullback position.

The Tigers forwards became progressively more aggressive and led the attack “through the gate” for successful advances at the point of contact. Jake Boselli, Matt McLean, Jared Riemer, Peter Loving, Patrick O’Connor, Walker Prieb, Bobby Stomski, Jake Gossman, Matt Woolem, Andrew Hutchinson and Rob Nees worked hard each day, nearly neutralizing …

Tigers rugby football club suffered a discouraging defeat at the hands of the Aurora Saracens.  The second rated team from last year’s state championship tournament, Aurora Saracens took on the Tigers rugby football club at Broomfield County Commons Park on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2010.  Aurora were strong and experienced in their skill positions.  Ultimately the Saracens got a break and a quick thinking tap gave them a seemingly easy try to break the stalemate.  Evening their record at two wins and two losses, the Tigers established an aggressive pattern of play which failed only as a result of multiple disruptive injuries throughout the course of the afternoon.

The game was tied through most of the first half until an Aurora Saracens flanker broke off a ruck inside the Tigers 22 meter line,  scored a try, converted the kick and led 7-0 at the break.  Tigers fought valiantly for possession of the ball and territory throughout the match.  The back line showed significant improvement in establishing ball movement and transition to the wing.  The forwards were aggressive and led the attack through the gates for successful advances at the point of contact.  Jake Boselli, Matt McLean, Jared Riemer, Peter Loving, Patrick O’Connor, Walker Prieb, Bobby Stomski, and, Man of the Match, Andrew Hutchinson worked hard all day, nearly neutralizing a strong and mobile Saracens pack.

Albert Whitemore, Nick Allen, Warren Wood, Christian Wallis, AJ Shannon, Anthony Puglise, Daijon Tyler and Jimmy Higden were equal to …