Tigers Rugby Football Club stepped into uncharted territory with a 29-7 victory of Cherry Creek HS Rugby Club. A perennial powerhouse, the Bruins were upstaged by the aggressive Tigers Rugby lineout defense, ball movement by their backs, tight five, back row and scrum half play. Albert Whitemore took a game ball home as “Man of the Match” for his effort in playing advantages repeatedly, and putting intense pressure on the Cherry Creek playmakers. The Tigers improved their Division I league record to 2-0. The overall club record progressed to 4-3-1.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Tigers Freshmen and Sophomores joined forces with Northside Vikings for the season. Alec Walters led the Tigers/Viking alliance in to battle against Regis Jesuit first, failing in a late comeback attempt, by a score of 20-12. Against East HS, the Tigers showed significant control and rapidly improving ball movement, pressuring the Angels with more than the 17-5 score implies. Nick Dorwart, Walker Prieb, Michael Figundo, Robert Kaniecki, Charlie Ellwood, Danny Fiorino, Luke Rockwood, Braden Thunell, Ryan Rockwood, and Mitchell Thunell combined with 5 Northside underclassmen to learn the game together through the spring. Schemes and patterns were becoming increasingly apparent to the last play of each match.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tigers Rugby’s pack was up to the challenge on this night, beating Cherry Creek 29-7. Winning 75% of the scrums, and developing a strong push, the tight five was outstanding (Jake Gossman, Jake Boselli, Matt McLean, Walker Prieb and Jared Hutchinson). Led by Patrick O’Connor at 8-man, with flanker support from Peter Loving, Andrew Hutchinson and Mitchell Thunell, the back row played out their combinations with good success early, creating breakaway advantages for Albert and Jimmy Higden. Nick Allen redefined the fly half position. He was aggressive, determined and hugely successful, scoring two critical tries. The Tigers Rugby backline combination of Allen, Warren Wood, Zach Underwood, Fullback Anthony Puglise, and Wings AJ Shannon, and Jimmy Higden is well supported by Christian Wallis, Alec Walters, Luke Rockwood and Eric Robles. This is the first win over Cherry Creek at any level in our history. Tigers Rugby holds a 4-21 record against Division I teams over the 6 previous years, and have made consistent progress in distinct ways every year. Being 2-0 in league play, and 4-3-1 overall shows depth and growing experience. The genius of Assistant Head Coach Nick Samaras is showing.
Scoring:
– Albert Whitemore, Missed Conversion 5
– Nick Allen, Made Conversion Andrew Hutchinson 7
– Jimmy Higden, Missed Conversion 5
– Nick Allen, Missed Conversion 5
End of first half 22-0
– Albert Whitemore, Made Conversion Albert 7
– Cherry Creek, Made Conversion 7
Final: Tigers 29, Cherry Creek 7
Man of the Match, Albert Whitemore
To play Tigers Rugby, or for general information, call (303) 506-8110.
Saturday (3/6/2010):
Pleasantview Park’s Rugby Stadium is a dream come true. 22 meter deep try zones with the goal posts on the goal line and beautiful flat grass pitch – the way rugby is supposed to be played.
http://soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/pleasant_view_fields
Monday (3/8/2010):
Freshmen and Sophomores play at North Area Open Spaces in Thornton. Kick off is at 4:30, and we will need to be there early (3:30 pm) to get a good draw. We will be done when the sun goes down (6:00 pm).
http://soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/northwest_open_space
Upperclassmen practice at Broadlands starting at 3:15
Wednesday (3/10/2010):
Regis Jesuit HS (under the lights), A side (Colorado Catholic HS Rugby Championship match), B side
Kickoff at 7:30 pm. Warm ups (dressed) at 6:30 pm.
http://soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/regis_jesuit_high_school
Completed Matches
2/20/2010 Denver East Invitational 0-22 A side, 5- F/S. 5-5 B side (1-1-1)
2/24/2010 Northside Vikings 24-5 (1-1 A side, 2-1-1)
2/27/2010 SWARM 22-14 (1-0, 3-1-1)
3/1/2010 Fresh/Soph Festival #1: Regis 12-10, East 5-17 (1-2 F/S, 3-3-1)
3/3/2010 Cherry Creek 29-7 (2-0, 4-3-1)
Pending Matches
3/6/2010
Tomorrow (Saturday) we warm-up at 10:00 am in Boulder’s Pleasant View Park in the Rugby Stadium: http://www.soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/pleasant_view_fields
3/8/2010
Monday, Fresh/Soph warm-up at 3:30 in North Area Open Spaces in Northglenn: http://www.soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/northwest_open_space
3/10/2010
Wednesday, we warm-up at 6:30 pm at Regis Jesuit HS Stadium to play for the Colorado Catholic HS Rugby Championship Trophy: http://www.soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/regis_jesuit_high_school
3/13/2010
Saturday, Spring Fling Tournament: (Warm-up time TBA) in the Northwest Open Space in Northglenn: http://www.soccerfieldsofcolorado.com/maps/northwest_open_space
3/17/2010 (Wednesday) Aurora @ Broomfield County Commons Park – 3:30 Warm-up
3/27/2010 (Saturday) Aurora @ Dick’s Sporting Good’s Park Soccer Stadium – 1:00 pm
4/3/2010 (Saturday) Rocky Mountain Classic Tournament @ Dick’s Sporting Goods Park (DSGP)
4/5/2010 (Monday) Freshman/Sophomore Festival #3
4/7/2010 (Wednesday) Denver East HS @ Broomfield County Commons Park 5:00 pm
4/10/2010 (Saturday) Tigers Rugby B-side @ Ranch Rugby (ThunderRidge) TBD
4/14/2010 (Wednesday) @ Chaparral HS – 5:00 pm
4/19/2010 (Monday) Freshman/Sophomore #4
4/21/2010 (Wednesday) @ Colorado Springs – 5:00pm
4/28/2010 (Wednesday) CYR Promoting/Relegating Matches TBD
5/1/2010 (Saturday) State Quarterfinal Matches @ DSGP
5/8/2010 (Saturday) State Semifinal @ DSGP
5/13/2010 (Thursday) State Championship matches @ Englewood High School
5/22/2010 (Saturday) State All Star matches, location TBD
