Second Half Big for Eastern Rockies Collegiates

Article by Alex Goff | Originally published at erugbynews

Stillwater, Okla. – The West LAU College All Star Tournament was held November 4 to 8 at the home of Oklahoma State University, with Eastern Rockies taking the title after a dramatic scramble to make up points differential.

​Rich Cortez led a team made up of players from Air Force, Wyoming, Colorado, and Northern Colorado. Because of not having time to train together, ERRFU was expected to be rusty in their opening game, and that's exactly what happened.

During a half rife with ERRFU handling errors, Ozark took full advantage and put up four tries in a 26-5 first half. Ozark scored again to make it 33-5, and then ERRFU launched a dramatic comeback, scoring 31 points. Ozark, however, scored that critical last try to win 38-36.

Ozark faced Rio Grande in the next game, and used a mostly second side in that contest as Rio Grande won 40-16. Suddenly, Eastern Rockies were back in it, and needed to win by 26 to advance to the final. Down 7-5 at the half, Eastern Rockies again poured it on in the second period, scoring 36 and winning 41-12 – a difference of 29.

In the other pool, Missouri RFU withdrew, leaving Heart of America and Texas to play a single match. Heart narrowly prevailed over a much bigger Texas squad 21-19, but critically they lost Truman State flyhalf and All American Sean Foley to injury.

Led by the brilliant play of Air Force flyhalf John Feely, ERRFU then defeated Heart of America in the final 50-15. The game was tight for much of the first half before the fitter ERRFU side pulled away. Ryan Dombreck and Mark Burley each scored two tries, while fellow Air Force Zoomie John Lockhard added one. Wyoming's Cory Sittner also added two tries, while Dan Murphy (Colorado) and Cory Lambert (Northern Colorado) also scored. Heart of America's points came from tries by Kevin Jones of Truman State (two) and Phil Connealy of Kansas State.

In the consolation match Texas defeated Rio Grande 32-6.

Cortez voiced pride in a team that didn't get discouraged.

"Credit goes to the kids who were committed not give up, made sure of their communication with each other, and constantly covered each others mistakes," the coach said.

Alec Klinghoffer did well in running the event, which was blessed with excellent weather.

​ERRFU LAU Team
Barbour, John
Beers, Tom
Burley, Mark
Casias, Adam
Cordova, John
Daigre, Rene
Dean, Ryan
Deas, Roseman
Dombrock, Ryan
Falkenberg, John
Feely, John
Fenn, Tom
Herman, Eric
Lambert, Cory
Lambrecht, Brandon
LeMay, Brian
Lockard, John
Longo, Nick
Masek, Josh
Murphy, Dan
Powers, Craig
Rademacher, R J
Shea, Tom
Sittner, Cory
Thompson, Troy
Tyrell, Zach
Ulibarri, Jason
​
Rich Cortez
Dan Fitch
Mike Marlowe
Tom Mulka

School
AFA
AFA
AFA
AFA
AFA
UNC
WYO
AFA
AFA
WYO
AFA
CU
AFA
UNC
WYO
AFA
AFA
AFA
WYO
CU
UNC
AFA
AFA
WYO
WYO
WYO
AFA
​
WYO
 
 

Position
Center
Flanker
Center
Lock
Scrumhalf
Flyhalf
Lock/prop
Wing
Flanker
Lock/FH
Flyhalf
Scrumhalf
Flank/fly
Hook
Hook
Prop
Flanker
Prop
Prop/hook
Wing
Flank
Flanker
Scrumhalf
Center
Lock/flank
Flank/8
Flyhalf/FB
​
Coach
Assistant Coach
Assistant Coach
Manager