Article by Erik Geib, Men's Club Representative With three weekends to play before the 2016 Frontier Conference Championships, the playoff picture for the Men's Division 2 and Men's Division 3 competitions is coming into focus.
MEN'S DIVISION 2 Following a 44-6 victory over the Denver Harlequins in Grand Junction, the Provo Steelers remain atop the standings in Men's D2 with 46 league points (PTS). Provo can clinch a spot in the playoffs with a single league point (PTS) in its final match versus Glendale on April 23. If Provo can secure 5 league points (PTS) in that match, it can assure itself the #1 seed in the playoffs and a trophy for being regular season champions. Also in Grand Junction, the Glendale Raptors won a critical match over Park City Haggis, 32-29. The win puts the Raptors back into the thick of things, but it has two huge matches remaining - both against playoff contenders. If Glendale can win out, and deny Boulder a bonus point in doing so, it controls its own destiny. The loss to Glendale puts Park City Haggis in a difficult position, but not an impossible one. The defending RMR D2 champions can still secure a playoff berth with a win over the Denver Harlequins and the right results in other matches. Park City's best-case scenario is a late-season collapse for Boulder and a Provo victory over Glendale. However, should Boulder and Park City finish tied - and the same number of wins - Park City also holds the tiebreaker over Boulder. For Boulder, making the playoffs is a simpler equation: win out, and control its own destiny. Boulder doesn't need anyone else to lose as long as it keeps winning, and it still has a good shot at a playoff berth even if it stumbles once. Though Boulder cruised to a big victory over Colorado Springs last weekend (60-17), it has a huge match against the Raptors this coming weekend at Infinity Park South. A win there will virtually cripple the Raptors, and put Boulder only 5-6 points (PTS) away from the playoffs with two games to go. After this weekend, Boulder has an April 23 match with the Barbarians and a make-up match with the fifth-place Harlequins to play. Despite sitting at 4-6 overall, the Denver Harlequins could play a major role as spoiler, with two matches to play against contenders. The Harlequins' record doesn't reflect their talent, and the Quins only have a -7 overall points differential (PD) for the year despite some struggles to close out wins. Provo Steelers: 11 GP, 46 PTS | 4.18 PTS/GM | MAX: 51 PTS Boulder Rugby: 9 GP, 35 PTS | 3.89 PTS/GM | MAX: 50 PTS Glendale Raptors D2: 10 GP, 36 PTS | 3.60 PTS/GM | MAX: 46 PTS Park City Haggis: 11 GP, 39 PTS | 3.55 PTS/GM | MAX: 44 PTS Important games remaining (Men's D2): April 16 - Glendale Raptors D2 vs. Boulder Rugby April 23 - Provo Steelers vs. Glendale Raptors D2 April 23 - Park City Haggis vs. Denver Harlequins April 23 - Boulder Rugby vs. Denver Barbarians April 30* - Boulder Rugby vs. Denver Harlequins *April 30 is the assumed make-up date. The match may take place any time between now and May 1, however. MEN'S DIVISION 3 With Queen City's 85-12 victory over the Northside Marauders, City clinches a spot in the RMR Men's Division 3 Championship against their crosstown rivals, the Denver Highlanders. The Highlanders have already clinched the top seed and will host on either April 30 or May 1. Both clubs still have matches to play against Littleton, but those matches will technically give each team 5 points according to league rules. Littleton's inability to field a team properly in the Fall means that though it can win on paper, and put points towards a Centennial Cup championship, it can't technically take points (PTS) away from either Queen City or the Highlanders in their final matches. The Glendale Raptors' third squad, despite a late run, is technically eliminated. The Raptors lost their opportunity over two consecutive weekends, losing first to the Highlanders 27-5 on March 19, and then Queen City 63-24 the following weekend (March 26). Wednesday, March 11
Men's College Division 1A Colorado 17-17 Wyoming Saturday, March 14 Pacific Rugby Premiership Denver Barbarians 42-39 Old Mission Beach Athletic Glendale Raptors 51-31 Olympic Club Rugby Men's College Division 1A Colorado State 59-21 Colorado Men's Club Division 2 Boulder Rugby 29-15 Glendale Raptors D2 Denver Harlequins 24-10 Denver Highlanders Men's Club Division 3 Glendale Raptors D3 18-12 Northern Colorado Flamingos Men's Club & College Friendlies Olympic Club Rugby II 34-22 Queen City Rams Boulder Rugby d. Northside Marauders Women's Club & College Friendlies Colorado 27-15 Boulder Babes Glendale Raptors II 42-17 Denver Black Ice Sunday, March 15 Men's College Division 1A Air Force 61-19 Wyoming Colorado State 59-21 Colorado 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 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 To the Member Clubs & Teams:
Many of you are aware of the facts relating to the fall season competition in DIII and the confusion surrounding the forfeiture of games under league rules. The facts of the case are as follows: · Glendale forfeited two matches under the direction of their due to the mistaken belief that his players did not want to compete for post-season competition · Glendale forfeited to Queen City and the Denver Harlequins, but not to Northside or Northern Colorado · RMR policies stipulate that two forfeits in a season result in a team’s scores reading as 20-0 forfeits for the remainder of the season · RMR policies were emailed prior to 2013-2014 season but not emailed prior to 2014-2015 season and were not online before both forfeits occurred · Had Glendale forfeited to all 4 teams, it would be in 5th place and Northern Colorado would be in 2nd; Currently, Glendale is in 4th and Northern Colorado is in 3rd Further: · The original D3 schedule consisted of 7 teams, with the Fall season being a play-in to a 4-team round-robin the Spring to qualify for the Frontier Conference playoffs Two teams (Colorado Rush, Littleton Eagles) have effectively dropped out of the league Equitably: · With only 5 teams remaining, no one wishes to leave a club behind for the Spring · With only 5 teams remaining, there is no point in seeing the Fall as a the qualifier for the Spring · Teams want the Fall results to count, but also want to honor elements of the original format · Teams want the Glendale mistake to be accounted for but don’t necessarily want Glendale out of the competition The Rocky Mountain Rugby Union, in weighing the facts of the case, has reached a decision regarding the Men’s Club Division III competition. We propose the following solution: · A hybrid schedule will be enforced, combining the original plan with the practical realities of our existing competition · Glendale’s Fall results will be marked as 20-0 forfeits in accordance with RMR rules · A Rocky Mountain D3 Championship will be held on May 2 · Qualifiers for this championship will be the Spring champion, which recognizes the original value assigned to the Spring season and the other participating team will be the overall champion, which recognizes the flexibility needed for our now-5-team league · If the Spring champion and the overall season champion are the same club, the second-place team from the overall season will participate as the other team in the game. Of course, the Champion will already be determined and will receive the National Playoff bid. (If the Spring Champion and the overall season champion is not the same club, the National Playoff bid will be on the line.) Nevertheless, RMR will present a trophy for that game to be given to the winner. RMR will also award trophies for the D2 season and championship game winners. · Note: Glendale will be eligible for the Rocky Mountain D3 championship if it wins the Spring season The adjusted Division III Fall/overall standings will then be as follows: 1. Queen City, 5-0, 25 PTS 2. Northern Colorado, 4-1, 21 PTS 3. Harlequins, 3-2, 17 PTS 4. Northside, 2-3, 12 PTS 5. Glendale, 1-4, -4 PTS The RMR Executive Committee believes this is the fairest solution to declare a champion—one determined on the field of play with due deference to the rules of the competition. Please let me know if you have any questions. Kind Regards, Rich Cortez Note: The original draft of this letter stated Glendale's record would be 0-5 with -5 PTS. That was an error that did not reflect the Rush's departure from the competition and Glendale's forfeit victory over that side. The Denver Harlequins turned in their first 4-try performance of the season in dispatching Boulder Rugby at Denver's Cook Park. Up 22-0 just 22 minutes into the match, the Harlequins were led by the boot of outside center Thomas Oliver, who scored 18 of the Quins 33 points - including an 8th-minute try. Boulder, who came out relatively flat, was able to 12 points in the final 15 minutes to narrow the margin of defeat to 33-17. The victory propels the Harlequins into third place in the Rocky Mountain Division 2 competition, though that position is also a result of having played 6 matches thus far in the season. In a tight race to make the 2015 Rocky Mountain Championship weekend, all teams are still within striking distance of the top 4, with no team that's played 6 matches not having at least 13 league points. For Boulder, the loss sees the club on the outside just looking in, as the team currently sits in 5th. Elsewhere in the Rockies, the Queen City Rams finished their Fall campaign unblemished, defeating the Denver Harlequins' reserve side by a score of 39-10. Despite picking up a yellow card, Flyhalf Scott Trench led the Rams with 17 points, turning in yet another excellent performance. In picking up the win, Queen City now has 8 league points between them and the second-place Harlequins, and puts itself in good position to once again reach the USA Rugby National Round of 32 in May. The Glendale Raptors' third side was also in action, pacing past the Northern Colorado (NoCo) Flamingos, 27-7. It is unlikely that Glendale will reach the Division 3 playoffs after forfeiting their first two matches (for wanting to play more than 23 players), but the win does do damage to the Flamingos' odds of making the postseason. NoCo will need to turn in a strong Spring performance and hope for a hiccup or two from Queen City. In other D3 news, the Northside Marauders picked up a 20-0 forfeit over the Colorado Rush. Men's Division 2 Standings | October 26, 2014 Men's Division 3 Standings | October 26, 2014
The red-hot start to the Colorado Springs Grizzlies’ season finally cooled to a simmer, as the Denver Harlequins traveled downstate and emerged victorious, 15-12. An early, 3rd-minute try from slippery Springs scrumhalf Travis Carrasquillo was not enough to rattle the Harlequins’ resolve, as they responded in form with tries from 8-man Sosefa Vitapa and fullback Kregg Hyer in the 14th and 33rd minutes (respectively). Taking a 12-7 lead into halftime, the Peter Borlase-coached Quins knew they needed to maintain pressure to pick up a much-needed win. A penalty kick (PK) by Thomas Oliver in the 47th minute extended the Denver lead to 15-7, but a bursting try from Grizzly wing Nicholas Rosales brought the Springs within 3 points with 15 minutes to play. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, the Harlequins’ defense held firm, and the low-scoring affair reflected both sides’ standing as the top two defenses in the league. Elsewhere in the Rockies, the Gentlemen of Aspen moved into the win column during their third match of the season, with a 38-36 barnburning victory over the Denver Highlanders. The Aspen back-three accounted for 33 of 38 points on the day, and flyhalf Daryl Furlong was sensational in directing his club around the pitch. Despite a 6-try effort from the gutsy Highlanders, the boot of Aspen wing Cyle Bilger appeared to be the difference, as the Gentlemen converted all five of their tries, with Bilger picking up a PK as well. Wiehan Pretorius and Garrett Lincoln also bagged a pair of tries each. The Provo Steelers made their first trip across the mountains this year, falling to the Glendale Raptors’ D2 squad, 52-17. Traveling light, the Steelers displayed much heart in pushing the Raptors around the pitch, particularly dominating in the scrum, but they were unable to overcome the incredible pace and skill of Glendale’s outer backs. For Provo, center combination Misi Tukia (2) and Etu Lavulavu accounted for all three of the Steeler tries, while Glendale’s sensational backline grouping of Rohan Fenton (3 tries), Kleslie Alovili (1 try), Kyle Harris (1 try), and Nathan Fa'amatuainu (1 try, 6 conversions) helped the Raptors put in their first complete performance of the season. In Division 3 action, the Glendale third side raced past the Northside Marauders, a second-year club from the northern Denver suburbs, by a score of 88-0. The Glendale D3 squad had previously forfeited two matches for playing too many players, so the result gets the Raptors back into the hunt for the Rocky Mountain GU’s only D3 playoff spot. Next week will see a massive Division 3 clash between the Denver Harlequins D3 team and the Queen City Rams, as well as an opportunity for Glendale D3 to keep its momentum going against a physical Northern Colorado Flamingos squad. In the final Division 2 match of the Fall, Boulder Rugby will also travel down to Denver for their second encounter of the season with the Denver Harlequins. Boulder won the previous encounter this season, 15-11, and this match will give one club or the other a distinct advantage in securing a spot in the 2015 Rocky Mountain Championship weekend. Held May 2-3, the 2015 Rocky Mountain Championship will involve the top two teams from Division 2 competing for the #1 seed in the Frontier Conference playoffs. The loser of that match will be forced to play the winner of the #3 vs. #4 match (also May 2), on Sunday, May 3, for the right to the #2 seed in the Frontier Conference playoffs. To be held May 16-17, the Frontier Conference playoffs are the de facto USA Rugby Round of 32 and Round of 16 events, with the champion of the event heading into the USA Rugby National Quarter-Finals on May 30. Division 2 Results | October 18, 2014 Colorado Springs Grizzlies 12-15 Denver Harlequins Gentlemen of Aspen 38-36 Denver Highlanders Glendale Raptors D2 52-17 Provo Steelers Division 3 Results | October 18, 2014 Colorado Rush 0(F)-20 Denver Harlequins D3 Glendale Raptors D3 88-0 Northside Marauders Men's Division 2 Standings | October 19, 2014 Men's Division 3 Standings | October 19, 2014 The Rocky Mountain Rugby Union is a geographic union within USA Rugby that encompasses one of the nation's most historic rugby-playing areas. Rocky Mountain member clubs have captured 21 national championships, including 11 at the Men's Senior Club Elite / Division 1 level. Overall, Rocky Mountain teams have appeared in 42 national championship finals since 1979, when USA Rugby first began conducting national championships. The union currently consists of 17 senior men's teams, 4 senior women's teams, 17 collegiate men's teams, and 11 collegiate women's teams.
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