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Denver [Change Location]

Denver Barbarians Win KC Blues 7s - #1 to Nat'ls

Article Contributed on: 8/8/2008 6:02:29 AM

Barbos Win in KC Blues 7s & Secure No. 1 Seed to Nationals

By Howard Kent

Tour Report: 18 to 20 July 2008, Denver Barbarians 7s to WRFU Super Regional Club 7s, Kansas City, MO

Players: Mark Bokhoven ©, Ryan Diehl, Chuck Euwema, Ben Haapapuro, Ross Kantor, Sammy Khakame, Mike McCarron, Dan Murphy, Brian Naqica, Brad Nelson, Dewon Reed, Kevin Whitcher
Staff: Sean Knight; Coach, Steve Laporta; Coach, Howard Kent; Asst. Coach/Manager.

Half of our group drove and half flew arriving in Kansas City on Friday night flight at 11:30 pm and checked into the Holiday Inn at the Plaza in Kansas City, MO. Saturday morning the club had a quick breakfast at the hotel and it was off to Blue River Soccer Complex for the 9:30 a.m. Captain's Meeting.

The Western Club 7s Super Regional Qualifier portion of the tournament was a 8-team event. The 8 teams in the field were all genuinely interested in garnering one of the 3 WRFU seeds to the National Club 7s championship sweet 16. The Barbarians were seeded #1 by virtue of a 1st place standing through the previous 2 WRFU events. There were also Men's and U19's social divisions. Although the club had already qualified for the National Club 7s, the number one WRFU seed was still up for grabs and a strong finish at this tourney would secure it.

Three pool Matches:
1st Match vs. Springfield 40/12
2nd Match vs. Austin Elite 26/0
3rd Match vs. Dallas Alliance 28/0

During the pool matches the Barbo's had played all of the members of the squad and improved their performances from match to match. The newer members of the team, Diehl, Euwema and Nelson all provided strong efforts consistently. At the end of the pool play, the Barbos were undefeated and won the pool outscoring the opposition 94 to 12, 14 tries to 2. We made 12 of 14 conversions, continuing to improve in this area. Reed picked up a hand injury in the last pool matches and was unavailable for the semis and finals.

4th Match vs. Glendale, Semi Final 21/0
5th Match vs. Aspen, Final 19/14

In the Semifinal, the Barbarians played Glendale. Glendale, once again, entered the tourney fielding an ineligible side (this time admittedly using more than the required number of foreigners). The Barbos played a strong overall team game of pressure defense and consistent attacking, with the club winning 21 to 0, 3 tries to 0 and with all conversions made.

Barbo Starters in the Final:
Mark Bokhoven, Kevin Whitcher, Ben Haapapuro, Mike McCarron, Brian Naqica, Ryan Diehl, Dan Murphy.
Subs: Sammy Khakame (Murphy 1st - 6 min), Chuck Euwema (Diehl 2nd - 2 min)

In the Championship the Barbarians played familiar foe, Aspen. The final was played with 10-minute halves. In the first half the teams traded tries with Happapuro touching down for the Barbos and Naqica converting. At half time the Barbos realized that they had controlled much of the possession and that further defensive pressure would yield a favorable result. The halftime score was 7 - 7.

The second half started with the Barbos seeing Aspen score a converted try early. Score 7 to 14 Aspen. The Barbos responded with a try by McCarron, with Naqica missing a very make able conversion. With the score 12 to 14 in Aspen's favor, the Barbos mounted a sustained attach with Whitcher scoring in the dying moments of the match, Naqica's conversion was good and the match ended with the Barbos winners 19 to 14, 3 tries to 2. The semi and final saw the Barbos more experienced players, Bokhoven, Khakame, McCarron and Whitcher perform and show leadership on the pitch when it really mattered.

We adjourned to the Hotel pool, had some BBQ and enjoyed the Kansas City nightlife.

The Denver Barbarians are once again the top team in the Western Territory of USA Rugby, which is divided into 7 Territories. This is our eighth consecutive appearance in the National Club 7s Championship and the 15th time in 23 years.

The Squad leaves for San Francisco, CA on Friday August 8.

Denver Barbarians Rugby Club was formed in 1967 and has provided over 30 players to the USA Eagles in the course of its history. Denver Barbarians Rugby Club is the only Colorado member of the Rugby Super League, the top rugby club competition in the United States. The Barbarians fell in the 2008 Rugby Super League semi-finals to eventual winner New York Athletic Club in May 2008, in New York City. The Barbarians beat runner-up Belmont Shore Rugby Club during the regular season, snapping that club's 23-match home winning streak. For more information, go to http://www.denverbarbarians.com.

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