Combining the teamwork of basketball, the speed of rugby and the physicality of hockey, quad rugby provides for an intense competitive experience for athletes and spectators alike.

The Denver Harlequins, the reigning Division 1 champions, hosted the U.S. Quad Rugby Association's sectional playoffs at Craig Hospital, 3425 S. Clarkson St. in Englewood from March 14 to 16.

Originating in Canada in the late 70's, the sport was created specifically for athletes with quadraplegia, a disability that affects all four limbs. Each player is given a numerical ranking based on their level of disability, from .05 to 3.5 in .5 level increments.

A higher number means the athlete has a higher level of function. A team can have no more than eight "points" on the court at any one time.

Often called murderball, the game is played on a regulation basketball court, with two teams of at least four players who compete for four eight-minute periods.

The game is relatively simple, the athletes, in specialized metal wheelchairs, attempt to advance the ball across each other's goal line while adhering to a 40 second play clock.

According to Mike Wheaton, xxxxxxxx, "Hard-hitting action and front-end collisions are just as much a part of wheelchair rugby as in standard rugby."

Additionally, a player can only hold the ball for 10 seconds at a time, and can occupy the key, a box in front of the goal, for ten seconds at a time. There can be no more than three defensive players in the key at any one time.

One point is awarded for each successful goal. Players may ram and block each other and attempt to steal the ball from opposing players.

A player may also be penalized for a variety of infractions, and is sent to the penalty box for one minute or until a goal is scored by either team. Clean hits that knock a wheelchair over are common.

The chairs themselves are specialized by the athletes and have modifications such as guards to protect the spokes, front ram plates to block and hold opponents and two sets of casters to help prevent the chairs from falling over in the heat of competition. The chairs can cost upwards of $3,000.

Six teams from across the West met for the tournament, including groups from Texas, Arizona and Utah.

Sunday's final match between the Denver Harlequins and the Texas Stampede featured three future Olympic athletes, Denver Harlequins player/coach Jason Regier, player Chance Sumner and Texas Stampede player Shinichi Shimakawa, who will compete for the Japanese national team this summer in Beijing.

Wheelchair rugby made its debut as a demonstration sport at the 1996 Paralympic games in Atlanta.

Playing in front of a packed house on March 16, Denver won the match 54-49, and the tournament. The Stampede finished second.

Orval Regier traveled from Buhler, Kan. to support his nephew Jason Reiger, a member of the Harlequins. "It's amazing what these guys can do, Regier said. "It takes a lot of dedication. Every day he (Regier) lifts (weights) and exercises. He has developed more strength in his upper body since he started four years ago."

Shirley Ediger, also of Buhler, agreed, "Perseverance is key, " she said.

The Harlequins' win qualifies them for the USQRA National Tournament to be held in Louisville, Ky. in April.

For more information about the Denver Harlequins, visit http://quadrugby.harlequins.org.