Neighborhood rivalries were renewed as Tigers Rugby Football Club defeated Northside Vikings RFC, 31-5, on Championship Field in Broomfield County Commons Park on April 2nd.

Northside Vikings RFC, coached by Rich Duncan, the Colorado Youth Rugby (CYR) Director of Competitions, drew from a talented pool of players and students from Adams County High Schools for the spring boys' high school rugby season. A merger with Adams County RFC ( Legacy HS players) was not enough to tackle the rucking and ball control of Tigers Rugby Football Club (Arvada/Broomfield).

The Vikings currently hold the top spot in the CYR North Division at 3-2-0. Tigers Rugby is climbing the rankings with four league matches left to play in April. You can go to this link to get a look at the race:

http://www.errfu.org/template.php?sid=89#332.

Tigers Rugby forwards fought a rough battle to beat the Vikings with great possession skills in rucking and mauls, giving the back line consistent and successive opportunities to attack the division leaders. Andy Maul, the Holy Family HS speedster, took the helm at Fly Half with feeds from HFHS freshmen Albert Whitemore. Quincy Anderson (HFHS), a four year Tiger, played 8-man and captained the Tigers' third league win (against no losses).

Travis McKee (Pomona HS) and Marcus Lucero (HFHS) added punch to the rucking and mauling, mixing spirited play and diplomacy. Quincy Anderson scored three tries on the day, including the first two, with Charles Martinez (currently home schooled) adding two (drop-kicked) conversion. Marcus Lucero (HFHS)and Mike Sadowski (Pomona HS) almost capitalized on a series of well-orchestrated rucks and mauls with help from Whitemore and Anderson. Driving 50 meters to the try line, and earning only respect for time well spent, they helped create a Tigers half time lead at 14-0.

Duncan Yost (HFHS)scored a backbreaking try with a forwards' charge to open the second half, then received the ensuing kick off, and returned it to the Vikings 22-meter line to prove the point. Martinez missed the conversion. Steven Thatcher (HFHS), a first year player, scored his second try ofthe season, and Joseph Gonzales (Centaurus) missed the conversion.

Northside got on the board with a 5-point try and missed the conversion kick. Quincy Anderson finished the scoring to complete his "hat trick" performance and commanded the Tigers Rugby "Man of the Match"award and a game ball. Joshua Carvalho, of Pomona HS converted the kick for a 31-5 final score. The sportsman-like Vikings have a tradition of naming the opponents' Man of the Match. The Vikings honored Andy Maul for his attacking skills and contribution to this critical Tigers victory.

Tigers filled out a second side after the A-side match, starting their 13 varsity alternates and dropped the nightcap to the Vikings 19-0. Tigers had bright moments from their back line and scrum, and the competition for those precious league game selections is getting interesting. Over all, each player from Tigers Rugby squad seems committed to their one goal: to learn and get better.

On Monday, the Tigers underclassmen played a pair of 7-7 ties. In their first match of the CYR Freshmen/Sophomore Festival #2, Tigers (with added players from Cherry Creek), came from behind to tie the Vikings & SWARM underclassmen on a try by Jacob Gossman (HFHS). Jake rolled out of a maul after a consistent surge by the Tigers' forwards and centers. In the later match, Joseph Gonzales (Centaurus HS) scored another try, this time from the inside center position. Cherry Creek Rugby Club's kicker handled the conversion kicks nicely to give the combined forces the even tallies.

Tigers are 8-7-2 overall and 3-0 in league play. On April 5th, the Tigers Rugby Football Club opens the Rocky Mountain Classic Tournament with Ridgeview Academy, the hottest club in Colorado. After downing 2008 CYR State Champions, Regis Jesuit, and runner-up Denver East, Ridgeview (3-1) meet the charging Tigers (3-0) at Robert Easton Regional Park near Dakota Ridge High School at 11:00 am this Saturday. Next week, Freshmen & Sophomores play in Festival #3 at Mossbrucker Park with Cherry Creek again. League matches continue for the Tigers next week at home on April 9th (Aurora Saracen) and in Colorado Springs on April 12th.