Saturday, March 7
Pacific Rugby Premiership Glendale Raptors 35-21 Denver Barbarians Women's Premier League Friendly Glendale Raptors 51-17 Twin Cities Amazons Men's College Division 1A Colorado 31-5 New Mexico Colorado State 34-5 Air Force Men's Club Division 2 Denver Barbarians D2 33-29 Glendale Raptors D2 Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Champions Cup Semi-Finals New Mexico Highlands 73-5 Western State Colorado School of Mines 31-22 Denver Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Challenge Cup Semi-Finals Northern Colorado 50-14 Colorado - Colorado Springs Red Rocks 31-10 Colorado Mesa Men's Club & College Friendlies Queen City Rams NR Denver Highlanders (scrimmage also played with Glendale) Denver Harlequins vs. Northern Colorado Flamingos Colorado Springs Grizzlies 54-5 Northside Marauders Colorado College 43-0 Colorado State - Pubelo Women's Club & College Friendlies Glendale Raptors II 29-14 Colorado State Sunday, March 8 Women's Club Division 1 Twin Cities Amazons 36-15 Denver Black Ice Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Champions Cup Final New Mexico Highlands 46-27 Colorado School of Mines Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Challenge Cup Final Northern Colorado 41-20 Red Rocks Women's Club & College Friendlies Colorado College vs. Red Rocks It was as intense as a rivalry should be but in the end a fantastic trio of tries from Preston Bryant was good enough to see the Glendale Raptors beat rivals Denver Barbarians 35-21. With the win and SFGG’s draw with Santa Monica the Raptors now have the top of the table to themselves with four wins and one loss. The Barbarians move to 2-3 on the season and will look for a win next week to set themselves back at .500.
Despite the eventual result Denver were the first on the board as Ata Malifa, who has been playing well the last few weeks, scored to give Denver a 7-0 lead only three minutes in after Max De Achaval hit the conversion. However, that would be all Denver would get until the second half as the Raptors blew open the match thanks to two tries from Preston Bryant, a try from Brett Willis, as well as two conversions and a penalty from Dan Fleming. At the half Glendale led 22-7. Fleming would add to the lead only a couple of minutes into the second half with a penalty before Denver earned an penalty try to inch back into the match. With De Achaval’s conversion the Barbarians found themselves trailing only 25-14 with plenty of time to play. Bryant and Barbarians center Taylor Howard would then trade tries ten minutes a part to push the score to 30-21 in favor of Glendale with less than ten minutes remaining. Glendale then sealed the match for good when Brodie Orth, who attended Eagles camp last week, scored the final try of the match just five minutes from time. Once again Glendale showed why they were the top regular season team last year. The team also benefited from having their large contingent back from Eagles camp. For the Barbarians it was another tough loss to a rival and puts a big dent in any plans of controlling their own playoff destiny the rest of the season. This weekend brings a host of high-quality rugby to the Rocky Mountains, including a rematch of the 2014 WPL Championship and the always-scintillating local derby between the Glendale Raptors and Denver Barbarians at Glendale's Infinity Park stadium.
In November 2014, the Glendale Raptors (women) defeated the reigning (2013) WPL champions, the Twin Cities Amazons, in a classic match at Life University's Championship Rugby Field in Marietta, Georgia. Down 10-8 at halftime, the Raptors stormed back with the guidance of WPL MVP Hannah Stolba to eke out a 16-15 victory that was only secure when an Amazons' conversion attempt fell short with one minute remaining. This weekend's friendly rematch will serve as the stadium opener at 1:00 PM. Following that match, the 2014 PRP Finalist Glendale Raptors men's squad will take on the historic local powerhouse Denver Barbarians at 3:00 PM. Matches between these sides are usually the best men's rugby matches each year in Colorado. This year, Glendale and Denver enter the match sitting 2nd and 6th (respectively), after each squad struggled early on the road. With momentum now behind them, and fewer trips to California remaining, each side is capable of ending the weekend in the PRP's top two with a victory. Elsewhere in the Rockies, the Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference playoffs will take place at Infinity Park South and the University of Denver, and the premier division of men's collegiate rugby, Division 1A, resumes with high-profile matches between New Mexico and Colorado, as well as Colorado State and Air Force. Be sure to check out these matches live to support your local rugby community! Saturday, March 7 Pacific Rugby Premiership 3:00 PM - Infinity Park | Glendale Raptors vs. Denver Barbarians Women's Premier League Friendly 1:00 PM - Infinity Park | Glendale Raptors vs. Twin Cities Amazons Men's College Division 1A 1:00 PM - University Field | New Mexico vs. Colorado 1:00 PM - Colorado State Rugby Field | Colorado State vs. Air Force Men's Club Division 2 1:00 PM - Infinity Park South | Glendale Raptors D2 vs. Denver Barbarians D2 Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Champions Cup Semi-Finals 3:00 PM - Infinity Park South | New Mexico Highlands vs. Western State 4:30 PM - Infinity Park South | Denver vs. Colorado School of Mines Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Challenge Cup Semi-Finals 6:00 PM - University of Denver Rugby Field | Colorado - Colorado Springs vs. Northern Colorado 7:30 PM - University of Denver Rugby Field | Colorado Mesa vs. Red Rocks Men's Club & College Friendlies 9:00 AM - Infinity Park South | Queen City Rams vs. Denver Highlanders 3:30 PM - Parkfield Lake Park | Denver Harlequins vs. Northern Colorado Flamingos 4:30 PM - Williams Field | Northside Marauders vs. Colorado Springs Grizzlies 7:00 PM - Washburn Stadium | Colorado College vs. Colorado State - Pubelo Women's Club & College Friendlies 11:00 AM - Infinity Park South | Glendale Raptors II vs. Colorado State Sunday, March 8 Women's Club Division 1 1:00 PM - Dick's Sporting Goods Park #8 | Denver Black Ice vs. Chicago North Shore Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Champions Cup Final 10:00 AM - University of Denver Rugby Field | TBD vs. TBD Men's Small College (NSCRO) Frontier Conference Playoffs - Challenge Cup Final 12:00 PM - University of Denver Rugby Field| TBD vs. TBD Women's Club & College Friendlies 1:00 PM - Red Rocks Rugby Field | Colorado College vs. Red Rocks
Despite temperatures in the 20s around kickoff the Glendale Raptors had no trouble heating up in a 32-19 win over Belmont Shore. After losing to OMBAC in the first week of the season Glendale have now one three matches in a row, including their first in a long-homestand, and are looking once again like title contenders. After a strong start to the season Belmont Shore have now cooled off and are at 2-2.
The match was tight early with Belmont Shore taking an early lead in the second minute as Ed Pitts broke through the Raptors defense and fed to Ryan Cochran for the try. Andy Jackson would step up and hit the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Glendale responded only minutes later as Brett Willis scored in the corner. The Raptors had used their forwards to push Belmont Shore back and when Belmont were penalized the Raptors made them pay with quick ball from Mose Timoteo and Daniel Fleming out to Willis. Fleming would add a penalty ten minutes later after Belmont were penalized at the scrum Timoteo took the quick tap for the score. Mark Simpson would then add to the score when he collected a grubber from Fleming. Further tries from Cristian Sarmento and Jack Howard put Glendale ahead 32-7. Belmont would grab two late tries from Brice Schilling to make the final score more respectable. The match was even more impressive for the Raptors considering they were missing five players to Eagles camp, including a major chuck of their front row. Even without those players they were able to dominate the Belmont Shore scrum at times. In a match-up between last year’s regular season champions and this year’s upstarts it was the champions that came out ahead as Glendale beat Santa Monica 46-26 in Los Angeles. With the loss Santa Monica moves off the top of the table but stays second by securing a bonus point. Glendale are right there at 2-1 and 10 points with a game in hand on leaders SFGG.
Glendale had the first opportunity to score within the first five minutes by Armandt Peens would miss the penalty. Instead, it was the Dolphins that would take advantage of their opportunities as scrumhalf Charlie Purdon scored from a quick tap penalty on the five meter line to give Santa Monica a 5-0 lead. That lead would hold up for about ten minutes before Glendale hooker Zach Fenolgio would score in similar fashion. Once fly-half Daniel Flemming hit the conversion Glendale would lead 7-5 after 20 minutes. After giving up the try Santa Monica rallied and only two minutes later scored their second try of the match when Ali Ross touched down. Mathieu Lesgourgues would step up and make the conversion to put Santa Monica up 12-7. As was the nature of the back and forth first half Glendale would respond quickly with a pass from Cody Melphy setting up Peens for the score. Santa Monica would then retake the lead through a Chris Baumann try and Lesgourgues conversion. Glendale would try to equalize with a try from Chad London at the stroke of halftime but the conversion missed giving Santa Monica a 19-17 lead at the break. Not wanting to give up a second loss of the season Glendale responded with a big second half. Five minutes in Melphy would score to put the Raptors up 22-19. Mose Timoteo would add to the total just before the 50th minute mark when Melphy did the hard work on a 60 meter break and fed Timoteo for the try. When Flemming made the conversion the Raptors led 31-19. Santa Monica would score a final try though flanker Philip Osborne but the day would belong to Glendale. The Raptors added tries from London, on a blocked and recovered grubber kick, and Austin Welch, as well as a penalty from Flemming to finish the scoring. Mike Tolkin’s Eagles will prepare for a three-match tour to South America, the Pacific Nations Cup, and the upcoming Rugby World Cup in England and its buildup matches with a spring camp in Sunrise, Fla., Feb. 26 to March 1.
Thirty-three domestic-based athletes, including Todd Clever (unaffiliated) and Mike Petri of New York Athletic Club, as well as two international-based, capped Eagles in Ronnie McLean and John Quill, have been called to assemble at long-time Eagle training venue KICS Facility. John Cullen, Tim Stanfill, Ben Tarr, and Matt Trouville will head to Florida having gained their first test caps last fall in matches against Fiji, New Zealand, Romania, and Tonga. The Eagles’ tour was highlighted by the sold-out crowd of 61,500 at Soldier Fieldin Chicago for the Eagles’ match against the All Blacks. Tolkin and staff, including Assistant Coach Justin Fitzpatrick, held a forwards camp at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., earlier in February with 20 pool players, which gave the staff time to work with players in specific set piece scenarios. An Eagles Select XV squad will be chosen from this weekend’s camp to play three A-side matches against Uruguay and Argentina Jaguars in South America in April and May. “After a long time apart, our Spring Camp always serves as an opportunity to get the Eagle pool players back on page with how we operate, and it also serves to introduce any new tactics that we’re looking to implement for the upcoming international season,” Tolkin said. “Moreover, it provides a venue for some talented new and younger players to be seen and evaluated for the first time at this level.” Boys High School All-American and AIG Men’s Junior All-American Ben Cima, currently enrolled and playing rugby at University of Maryland, earns his second call to an Eagles camp, with his first coming prior to the Eagles Select XV’s Americas Rugby Championship campaign last October. Eagles November squad member Angus MacLellan and Kutztown University’s Niku Kruger and Mike Lawrenson – the latter now attending Palmer College – also represent the college ranks in the Spring Camp roster. Alec Gletzer of University of California and Kyle Sumsion of Brigham Young University were unavailable for selection. “It is an exciting time as our pool continues to grow in numbers and talent, and both of these factors present our staff with greater opportunity as well as greater challenges,” Tolkin said. While Tolkin welcomes back Toby L’Estrange from an injury sustained in early 2014, the Eagles will be without Adam Siddall, who has retired from international rugby. The fly half started seven of his eight international tests with the Eagles, including his debut against Canada in Edmonton May 25, 2013. His 52 points from eight conversions and 12 penalty goals helped the Eagles to three wins, including a latevictory against Georgia Nov. 16, 2013. Life University graduate and current club standout AJ MacGinty will get his first taste of an Eagles assembly in Florida. The American Rugby Premiership’s leading scorer with 75 points is now eligible to represent the United States at the test level. Danny Barrett, who missed out on the majority of the match against the All Blacks due to an injury sustained in the first few minutes, is one of five Men’s Eagles Sevens representatives at the Spring Camp. Folau Niua of 12 caps and Andrew Durutalo and Zack Test, called upon for the ARC, will travel to Sunrise with Barrett and Maka Unufe. The sevens team is coming off of its first Cup Semifinal of a World Rugby HSBC Sevens World Series leg since 2010 at USA Sevens Valentine’s Day weekend. “The Spring Camp takes on further significance as we look towards selecting players for the development tour to South America in April,” Tolkin said. “The camp is also the starting point for building the Rugby World Cup squad later this summer. There’s quite a lot of competition for spots among the domestic players alone, so the way players go about their business on and off the field, no matter their longevity with the Eagles, will be incredibly important in how they are evaluated by the staff. “I’d like to personally thank the clubs and universities for the use of their players, some during the competitive season, and I would like to thank the Men’s Eagles Sevens program for their cooperation and participation in our camp.” KICS Facility, adjacent to Sawgrass Grand Hotel, affords the players and staff the unique opportunity to walk directly from the hotel to the training field, maximizing the on-field time over the course of the weekend as well as minimizing ground transportation costs. Fort Lauderdale Rugby Club will also support the Eagles with equipment and operational needs during camp. The Eagles Select XV’s matches in South America begin in Montevideo against Uruguay Thursday, April 23, before two against Argentina Jaguars Tuesday, April 28, and Saturday, May 2, in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, respectively. Men's Eagles Spring Camp PLAYER | CLUB/SCHOOL Danny Barrett | Men's Eagles Sevens Chris Baumann | Santa Monica Dolphins / New York Athletic Ben Cima | University of Maryland Todd Clever | Unaffiliated John Cullen | Seattle Saracens Andrew Durutalo | Men's Eagles Sevens Zach Fenoglio | Glendale Raptors Lemoto Filikitonga | Metropolis Rugby Troy Hall | New York Athletic Seamus Kelly | San Francisco Golden Gate / New York Athletic Olive Kilifi | Seattle Saracens Niku Kruger | Kutztown University Ben Landry | Seattle Saracens / Milwaukee Barbarians Mike Lawrenson | Palmer Dragons Toby L'Estrange | New York Athletic Club Chad London | Glendale Raptors Angus MacLellan | Davenport University Al McFarland | New York Athletic AJ MacGinty | Life Running Eagles Ronnie McLean | Ealing Trailfinders Folau Niua | Men's Eagles Sevens Brodie Orth | Glendale Raptors / Boston Rugby Mike Petri | New York Athletic Ben Pinkelman | Denver Barbarians / Colorado State University John Quill | Dolphin Rugby (Ireland) Jope Ravolaca | Seattle Saracens Mike Shepherd | Seattle Saracens Tim Stanfill | Seattle Saracens Shalom Suniula | Seattle Saracens Ben Tarr | Glendale Raptors Zack Test | Men's Eagles Sevens Phil Thiel | Life Rugby Matt Trouville | Seattle Saracens Maka Unufe | Men's Eagles Sevens Nick Wallace | Glendale Raptors Unavailable for selection Alec Gletzer - University of California Kyle Sumsion - Brigham Young University Injured Louis Stanfill - Seattle Saracens Rugby Football Club Men's Eagles Coach Staff | Spring Camp Mike Tolkin - Head Coach Justin Fitzpatrick - Assistant Coach, Forwards Nate Osborne - Assistant Coach, Backs/Attack Phil Bailey - Assistant Coach, Defense Neil McMillan - Strength & Conditioning Coach Chris O'Brien - Assistant Coach/Video Analyst Richard Quincy - Physiotherapist Zach Vyhnanek - Physiotherapist Marc Kowalsky - Doctor Sean Lindersmith - Assistant Manager Tristan Lewis - Team Manager Men's Pacific Rugby Premiership
San Francisco Golden Gate 27-31 Glendale Raptors Santa Monica Dolphins 45-13 Denver Barbarians Men's Club vs. Men's Collegiate Colorado State University 22-19 Boulder Rugby Denver Barbarians D2 40-19 University of Colorado Red Rocks College 16-75 Queen City Rams Men's Collegiate University of Denver 28-5 University of Colorado B Boys' High School Aurora Saracens 30-5 Boulder Rugby Ridgeview Rugby 15-20 Titans Rugby |
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