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Denver Highlanders rugby kicks over K.C. Blues

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Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 10/25/2007

10/20/2007

The Denver Highlanders traveled 34-strong for two games in Kansas against former Super League stalwarts the Kansas City Blues. On a very large pitch somewhere in rural Kansas the boys took the field knowing that a win was essential to maintain hopes of championship rugby in the spring.

Electing to play into the wind the Highlanders started well, controlling the game and earning a Gibson penalty for a 3-0 lead. More good play in the Blues 22 saw a turnover wasted when a forced wide pass went loose and the Blues pounced to make it 3-7 very much against the run of play. Two useful forays deep into enemy territory went unrewarded when Ryan Diehl inexplicably stopped and tried to cut inside and a fine Clinton Camp break also foundered for a lack of support.

However, Diehl, in what was to be a typically schizophrenic performance, then made good by intercepting and going sixty yards for the score. Gibson goaled for a 10-7 half-time lead.

Obviously feeling that the strong wind would do the job for them, the Highlanders then played the worst 25 minutes of rugby all year, missing tackles, knocking-on, ignoring team-mates in superior positions and generally under-performing. During this period, the Blues scored two long-range tries reminiscent of the Boulder debacle and the Highlanders were on the ropes 21-10 down with 15 to play.

Improved scrimmaging saw Brian Ellsaesser knock on over the line and substitute, Mike Herskowitz (on for Camp), also denied. However a Bokhoven chip and chase, converted by Gibson pulled it back to 21-17 and three clutch penalties from Leif Gibson saw the Highlanders hold their nerve and finish 26-21 winners.

The B side finished a tremendous unbeaten year under new coach Steve Tarr when they overcome a 13-0 half-time deficit to triumph 30-18 in a bad-tempered affair which saw one Blues player sent off and another in the bin for dangerous high tackles.

Andrew Bean at fly-half controlled the game well, the go-ahead score coming from Serge who, cat-like, pounced on a loose ball on the opposition line. All in all, a successful weekend apart from the those two lost souls who missed their flights back.

Not exactly sure where this puts us in the league standings at this point, but it would seem that a win this weekend against Kansas City RFC (the other KC club) would dramatically improve our chances of returning to the playoffs next spring.

Let's all get out to Dick's Sporting Goods park this weekend to cheer them on - the weather's supposed to be nice.

Field 10 - Dick's Sporting Goods Park- Saturday Oct. 27
1:00 Highlander Olde Boys vs. Colorado Old Boys
2:00 Highlander "A" vs. Kansas City RFC "A"
3:30 Highlander "B" vs. Kansas City RFC "B"

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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

posted on 10/26/2007 @ 3:20:00 PM

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“I hope you take heed of my words as they are very important, when things go bad you want me on your side." Semper Fi Captain Thomas "Sweaty" Sweatman, United States Marine Corps

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DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 997 stories and 1147 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 3.08.

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