Rocky Mountain Rugby - Weekend Preview - March 7-8

2014 WPL Championship - Glendale Raptors vs. Twin Cities Amazons | Photo by JD Black

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