Tigers Rugby kickedoff it’s 2011 season with a win over the Denver East HS B side 15-0 on the East HS Turf field, in the first of three matches Saturday afternoon, February 19th. AJ Shannon opened the scoring from the left wing as the back line went wide early. The back row took control for the remaining period, with #7 Andrew Hutchinson and #8 Peter Loving scoring tries. Alec Walters went 0-4 on conversions.
1. Rob Nees
2. Jeff Madigan
3. Jake Gossman
4. Walker Prieb
5. Jonathan Thomas
6. Patrick O’Connor
7. Andrew Hutchinson
8. Peter Loving
9. Alec Walters
10. Nick Allen
11. AJ Shannon
12. Warren Wood
13. Jimmy Higdon
14. Matt Wright
15. Tyler Hsin
The East Invitational scrimmages have been a traditional preseason fixture for eight years. For as many years, the Tigers A side fell to the mighty Angels 19-0 in the second test. The East 8-man opened a quick 5-0 lead after a missed tackle created space for consecutive 20 meter breaks. Tigers played a man down for most of the period after Jeff Madigan drew a yellow card and 10 minutes in the Sin Bin for a high tackle. In spite of playing a man down, without Madigan or Warren Wood, the backline nearly had the game neutralized, when a forward pass nullified a Jimmy Higdon try. Shortly after, in the wake of frustration, the East right wing found a seam, and then the edge to blow open a good battle. These two teams face off again in 5 weeks in a Rugby Colorado Division I league match on the Angels home turf.
AJ Shannon, Jimmy Higdon, Michael Bowman (Zulu), Jeff Madigan (Zulu) and Jake Gossman scored (5-point) tries against the East HS C-side. Tigers Rugby continued to struggle kicking. Higdon, Hutchinson, Walters and Gossman missed conversions, while AJ Shannon collected his 12th point, converting Higdon’s try. A final score of 27-0 was a welcome finish for Tigers.
Tigers Rugby is grateful to their hosts, who met them at Anthony’s Pizza for a social gathering. Congratulations to new Tigers who all had an impact including those who played in their very first matches: Jonathan Thomas, Devin Weeks, Jamison Escobar, Matt Wright and Michael Bowman.
Next opponents: Regis HS (Bishop’s Cup match) on Wednesday, 3/2/2011 at Broomfield County Commons Park at 132nd & Sheridan.
