This win puts the Utes back to the Final 4.  Utah will be playing against Cal Berkeley this Saturday in Glendale, Colorado at 6:00 p.m.  Mountain Time.  Both of the  semis (6:00 pm and 8:00 pm MT on Saturday, May 14)will be televised live on www.ESPN3.com and via tape delay on ESPNU.  If you haven’t seen the Utes play this year, this will be a great opportunity to see them square off against one of the best in the country.

(April 11, 2011) by Hugh Brown

UTES DOWN COLORADO 50-22

Utah’s match versus Colorado this past weekend almost was not played due to the terrible weather in Salt Lake City.  Eventually it was moved from McCarthy Field (covered by snow) to the Murray Stadium.  Played in wet freezing rain, the Utes played a good first half and pounded their way to a 50-22 victory.  As had been the case in the past, a Utah mistake set up a Colorado try just three minutes into the contest and the visitors led 5-0 to start the match. The Utes would go on to dominate the remainder of the first half, however.  Utah’s forwards put pressure on the Buffaloes scrum and Tonata Lauti fell on a loose ball in the end zone, then converted, to take a 7-5 lead.  Mike Kimball scored a try at the seventeen minute mark after some nice passes and five minutes later Cameron Loser scored another with Lauti converting.  Toward the end of the half the ball was swung wide and Kave Lauti juked his way across the try line to make it Utah 26, Colorado 5 at intermission.

A.J. Tuineau opened the second half for the Utes with a try from his wing position and Loser scored his second try (converted) to up the lead to 38-5. After the Buffaloes scored a try, Bryce Jenkins stole a ball and offloaded to Chance Fivas who scored a try down the sidelines.  Colorado never gave up, scoring two more tries, before Shon Curtis (who was making his first start at prop) put in the Utes’ final try, also converted by Tonata Lauti.  Coach Blake Burdette said the terrible weather resulted in a number of handling errors and slipped tackles, but felt good about the win.

UTES HOST AIR FORCE 3:00 SATURDAY

The Air Force Academy rugby team is disciplined and incredibly fit, but they were not considered a contender for the CPL playoffs at the start of the year as a result of a poor fall.  That has changed as the Zoomies have played well this spring.  Air Force is 3-1 (tied with Utah in the CPL West) with victories over Wyoming 52-0, Colorado 36-15, and Colorado State 46-10 (along with a trouncing at the hands of BYU).  This coming Saturday they invade Salt Lake City.  The match has been moved to a 3:00 start on the Ute Soccer Field.  Utah’s seniors will be honored before the match.

UTAH WARRIORS EDGED IN THE SNOW

The Utah Warriors played their match against Old Puget Sound Beach on an inch of snow and a gusting wind on Saturday in Salt Lake City.  The weather conditions kept the Utah backs in check and OPSB kept most of their play in the forward pack.  Puget Sound led 13-10 at the half and then upped the lead to 18-10 before the Warriors scored a converted try at the end of the match to make it close.  OPSB 18, Utah Warriors 17.  These two teams are fighting for second place in the West Conference as San Francisco Golden Gate swamped the Denver Barbarians 52-24.  The Warriors will host San Francisco this Saturday in at 4:00 pm match.

UTAH H.S./U19

The two top U19 rugby teams in the United States met two weekends ago and Highland defeated United 34-15.  The loss dropped United to number three in the April 7 U19 rankings as California’s Belmont Shore slipped into the second position. United had tied number Red Mountain, ranked 9^th out of Arizona, in an earlier match.  Snow Canyon is currently 15^th in the high school rankings.  Reported scores this past weekend:  Desert Hills 32, Las Vegas Aces 3; West Side Warriors 52, Dixie HS 12.

NORTHSIDE TOPS STEELERS

The Northside Tigers handed Provo an 18-15 loss two weekends ago.  It was the Steelers’ first loss to a Utah team in two years.  Provo still leads Utah Division I club play and were to play this past weekend, but no score has been reported.

CPL RUGBY SCORES

The big match of the week, played on Sunday, was California against St. Mary’s.  Both teams were undefeated in CPL play. Cal entered the match 21-0 while St. Mary’s was 10-1 (having split its two games with the University of British Columbia).  The Golden Bears of Berkeley prevailed, but in an exciting and match: Cal 60, St. Mary’s 34.

West:  BYU 70, Arizona 12; Arizona State 29, Wyoming 0; Air Force 46, Colorado State 10.  Pacific:  UCLA 24, Claremont 10; San Diego State 45, Cal Poly 19.  East: Army 40, Delaware 13; Dartmouth 34, Rutgers 31; Navy 24, Kutztown 20; Penn State 22, Ohio State 17.  Mid-South: Arkansas State 70, Tennessee 23; Life 55, Notre Dame 3; LSU 39, Oklahoma 5.

CPL West Standings

TOP EAST CPL – Army & Navy (4-0 20)

TOP MIDSOUTH CPL – Arkansas State (4-0 20); Life (4-1 20)

TOP PACIFIC CPL – Cal (5-0 25); St. Mary’s (4-1 20)

CPL Rankings (Apr 11 – Only college matches are included in the won-lost records)

UTES’ 2011 SPRING SCHEDULE (9-2)

Bolded teams are College Premier League matches

Take Falcon Ridge Road up to Hard Way and take a left. You will see the soccer fields as soon as you turn left. You can change the map to satellite and zoom in and see the fields. I hope this helps.

* Home of the 2010 National Champion Soccer Team “Real”!

The Virginia Cardinals were able to secure championships in 2 of the 3 divisions they entered this year, with the over 45’s and 55’s leaving with Finals victories.  Their 50’s played well, but were stymied in the Finals by Boulder, Co.

With the 45’s team losing some key players during the grueling 3 previous games on Thursday (a couple of them were former University of Utah and Haggis players),  the Finals match against the Barbarians was a defensive battle.  The Cardinals were able to break from the 0-0 tie just before halftime to go up 3-0.  With both sides turning up the heat in the second half, some great scoring runs gave the Cards the 22-10 victory.

The 55’s match was no less exciting, with athletic play and some terrific passing that only the experienced players can provide.  The first 15 minutes was a slugfest until Viselli landed the solid punch, picking up a dropped ball from the Colorado scrum half and dashing around the forwards down the sideline for the score.  With conversion good, the 7-0 score was just the start.  At 22-0 late in the 2^nd half, the Colorado scrum began to use their size, winning and keeping the ball down the field for two scores.  The last few minutes was intense, as the Cards hung on for the 22-14 victory—and the first Finals Championship in that division for the always competitive Virginia Cardinals.

So, YES, there is Rugby Life after High School—and after college—and after club—and even after Old Boys, which is usually over 35 years and older.  Many Tournaments have added the older divisions because so many rugby athletes are staying fit and playing into their 50’s and 60’s.  The Pacific Northwest Master’s Tournament in Vancouver, B.C., the Can-Am Rugby Tournament in Saranac Lake, N.Y., the Ft. Lauderdale Ruggerfest, the Aspen Ruggerfest and others are even thinking of opening an over 60’s division, with all of the these tournaments having over 60’s games this year (but not an actual competitive division).

Thretton Palamo Scores for Utah (photos by Ed Hagerty)

With teams from all over the country and playing on national television, NBC, the Utah Rugby 7′s team won the inaugural Collegiate Championship Invitational.

Utah defeated Cal for the CCI 7s title in an overtime thriller that could only do good things to sell 7s rugby, college rugby, and the athletes who played.

Don Pati scored in sudden death to seal a surprising 31-26 win.

Cal kicked off and immediately pressured, forcing a turnover . After moving hard up the left sideline, they spun it to Keegan Engelbrecht, who had lined up as second receiver, and the flyhalf took a gap, pulling out of a shirt-grab, to score one minute into the game. Engelbrecht slotted the conversion to make it 7-0.

Engelbrecht’s kicking had been key to Cal’s fortunes all day and his high restart allowed Cal to retain possession and go on the attack again. Only some quick tackling from Naki Angilau and Don Pati halted the charge.

Utah forced a scrum in their own 22 and worked it wide to Angilau, who wrong-footed one Cal defense, shrugged off Colin Hawley, and weaved around two more as the Bears scrambled to contain him. At midfield Angilau popped to Blake Miller, who pinned his ears back and went in under the sticks. Mike Wunderli’s conversion tied the game at 7-7 with five minutes gone in the 10-minute half.

A deep restart from Utah held Cal in their end,  and while Cal started to run out, a thumping tackle from Pati pushed Blaine Scully into touch.

Utah had the lineout near midfield, but the throw went long and Cal retained. Off a ruck Dustin Muhn faked infield, drawing both Utah fringe defenders that way, and then zipped back weak to score a true scrumhalf’s try. Engelbrecht added two more to make it 14-7.

But Utah got one back immediately. Palamo won the ball and then took the return pass from Zach Taylor to go all the way for the score. 14-12 with a minute left in the first half.

Utah forced a turnover in Cal’s end near the end of the half, but Palamo – seemingly with a gap to run through – grubbered for Angilau. The ball went into touch and the half ended.

In the second half, Utah clearly looked unperturbed by the presence of the intimidating Cal Bears. They took the attack to Cal and forced a dropped ball in Cal’s half. That led to a scrum, from which Palamo sold a dummy and then sidestepped his way under the posts. Wunderli hit the conversion for the 19-14 Utah lead.

Cal worked hard to get that one back and two minutes later, a big break on the outside from Colin Hawley drew enough attention that he was able to offload – despite a huge tackle on him – to Engelbrecht for the flyhalf’s second try and a 21-19 Cal lead.

Four minutes to go and it came down to who had more energy left. Utah were stuck in their own 22 but a sweet give-and-go between Pati and Palamo allowed Ryan Bailey to get the pass with 80 meters to go. The sub Utah player had enough pace and endurance to make it count, though, and he was in under the posts. 26-21 Utah.

With time winding down, Utah seemed to have it all sewn up. They had a lineout in their half and really only had to win the lineout and kick to touch. But the throw was not straight. Cal chose the scrum and worked it left to Dustin Muhn. He was corralled, spun it back right, and Connor Ring just got in at the right. Engelbrecht lined up the difficult conversion and just missed. 26-26. Overtime.

Cal kicked off in overtime and for once their kicking caused trouble, as Engelbrecht sent the ball directly into touch. Utah still looked spry despite the long final and took the free kick. Cal was penalized for coming in from the side and the Utes sent the ball left. Pati had two players outside him, but spotted the tiniest of gaps, took it, hopped past the final grasp of the final Cal defender and a minute into OT ran in under the posts. No need for a conversion in Sudden Death, and Utah, amazingly, improbably, and beautifully, had clinched the CCI 7s Championship.

Cal immediately hugged and applauded their conquerors, and Utah are champs in a brilliant advertisement for 7s.

I have not yet seen a team from the Soccer World Cup Applaud their conquerors as is common in rugby and why the fraternity/sorority of rugby keeps on growing for a lifetime.

The bruises will disappear but the memories and friendships will last a lifetime.

Participate in the poll to the left.

Utah 31
Tries: Miller, Palamo2, Bailey, Pati
Convs: Wunderli 3

Cal 26
Tries: Engelbrecht 2, Muhn, Ring
Convs: Engelbrecht 3

Sunday Results

Challenger Quarterfinals
Notre Dame 22, Florida 17 OT
Indiana 12, Harvard 0
ASU 24, Penn State 12
Bowling Green 15, Army 12

Championship Quarterfinals
California 36, Tennessee 0
San Diego State 17, Dartmouth 7
Arizona 21, Ohio State 10
Utah 24,Navy 0

Challenger Semifinals
ASU 17, Notre Dame 7
Bowling Green 27, Indiana 0

Championship Semifinals
California 33, Arizona 0
Utah 17, San Diego State 10

Challenger Final
Bowling Green 32, ASU 12

Championship Final
Utah 31, California 26

Special thanks to U of U Rugby.

Line out catch.

Get your little ones going on the right track…the fast track!

Don’t miss out on the upcoming camps (Single and Multiple days).

We are very excited to bring you the Utah Rugby Camps for this year. To those of you who have sent a child to one of our past camps, thank you for your continued loyalty. Rest assured that your child’s 2010 camp experience will be just as rewarding.

Those considering sending a child for the first time should know that the camp’s safety and integrity are our top priority, and that your child will receive professional instruction from a team of outstanding coaches. Again, thank you for considering Utah Rugby Camps for your child’s camp experience. We look forward to seeing you soon.

Warm regards,

Mark Numbers and Blake Burdette
Camp Coaches

As a player for the  St. George Sindewinders 1984-1986 and in Germany in the US Army (Won the 1997 EUSAR Championship).

I know the importance of proper skills and good coaching. Get your kids to this!

More on both coaches and signing up click here. Utah Rugby Camp 2010

Real Salt Lake Soccer

This is the first time that a High School National Championship has been held in Utah. Utah brings four rugby teams out of eight total.

The 19 time national champions Highland from Sugerhouse, Snow Canyon Warriors from St. George (In there second year), Lowland from West Jordan and United from Alphine.

As a fan and player of Rugby it is super awesome to see this come on the heals of Brigham Young University Rugby Club wining the College National Championships for the first time last year.      www.usarugby.org

Invictus…A story about South Africa coming together after apartheid during Nelson Mandela’s Presidency and having their rugby team beat the New Zealand All Blacks…The Best Team in the world.

Last but not least the movie Forever Strong…with a story of growing up and playing rugby at Highland High School.

For those who might say…who plays rugby anyway? Click on USARugby to watch a video of who does play rugby!

Rugby has 2,500 coaches, 85,000 members strong and is one of the fastest growing sports in America.

The World Cup of Rugby is the 3rd largest sporting event in the world.

Talk about a large fraternity…after a rugby game it is tradition for the teams who played to socialize afterwards, with the home team providing refreshments for the traveling team. Do you know of any other sport in the world that even wants to talk to anyone from the other team after a competitive game?

KNOCK KNOCK…Come on in mate!

This is why it is one of the fastest growing sports today.

Coming soon to the Olympic Games near you.

As rugby fans know our Utah Highland high school not only has a movie Forever Strong, but 8 plus national championships in rugby.

More to come as information arises.

Go rugby players and fans!

This is so ausome to see after playing in the first rugby game against BYU some 25 years ago.

With the Huntsman World Senior Games, the St. George Marathon, golf, softball, football,tennis, rugby and the upcoming Ford Triathlon we will still see an economic continuation, even with the current economic conditions.

In the Washington County area alone we saw a 30% increase in 2008 from the 2007 numbers.

It has been projected that the terrorism from sports will see a decrease in the first quarter, as far as the numbers show from bookings of hotel rooms.

In the Mesquite area, we are still seeing similar numbers and we should see those pickup as the Mesquite Amateur Sports Center continues to come online.

The Southern Utah and Nevada deserts have become a very popular destination for international terrorism. With a lot of that terrorism been amateur sports-based.

I hope to see this as a new opportunity for us to continue the tradition of growth, expansion and acceptance of sports.

Sports is a new economic gifts.