USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity Glendale Raptors v San Francisco Golden Gate at Infinity , Saturday Rocky Mountain Regional Rugby Report 5.1.14 In this Issue: James Paterson’s Excellent Super Rugby Adventure, Part I - from Colorado high school rugby fields to the Super Rugby Stadium - Getting There - “… I was called into Rugby Park and received a Canterbury Rugby Academy position…” NSCRO - National Finals from the Kettle: Championship and 3 rd place match reports USA Rugby Men’s College D-1A Playoffs: then there were four… College Access Guide: Pacific Rugby Premiership - weekend recap: Raptors - Dolphins; table; upcomers - Glendale v San Francisco Golden Gate; Denver Barbarians at OMBAC, Saturday 5.3.14 Raptor Eye View: with Raptors captain, Zach Fenoglio Colorado High School - Best Four from each division square off this weekend for berths in their respective finals at the northern reaches of this great town! Men’s Clubside D-2 & D-3: Playoff Frames - initial rounds at Glendale this weekend; then Dallas, Texas on weekend of May 17,18 GlobalComps: Richard and Trotski - o Super XV Rugby - results by numbers, conference tables, upcomers o Aviva, Top XIV, Pro12 - Premiership; T14; RDP12: Glasgow, with Dave Brubeck Special, Take 5 in makeup o Heineken Cup Championship – Saracens v Toulon hR’s Back Page o Daktari’s Rugby Cypher o Down the Whistler - “Breaking Bad”
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USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
Glendale Raptors vv San Francisco Golden Gate aa tt Infinity,, SS aa tt uu rr dd aa yy
Rocky Mountain
Regional Rugby Report
5.1.14
In this Issue:
James Paterson’s Excellent Super Rugby Adventure, Part I - from Colorado high school rugby fields to the Super Rugby Stadium - Getting There - “… I was called into Rugby Park and received a Canterbury Rugby Academy position…”
NSCRO - National Finals from the Kettle: Championship and 3rd place match reports
USA Rugby Men’s College D-1A Playoffs: then there were four…
College Access Guide:
Pacific Rugby Premiership - weekend recap: Raptors - Dolphins; table; upcomers - Glendale v San Francisco Golden Gate; Denver Barbarians at OMBAC, Saturday 5.3.14
Raptor Eye View: with Raptors captain, Zach Fenoglio
Colorado High School - Best Four from each division square off this weekend for berths in their respective
finals at the northern reaches of this great town!
Men’s Clubside D-2 & D-3: Playoff Frames - initial rounds at Glendale this weekend; then Dallas, Texas on weekend of May 17,18
GlobalComps: Richard and Trotski -
o Super XV Rugby - results by numbers, conference tables, upcomers
o Aviva, Top XIV, Pro12 - Premiership; T14; RDP12: Glasgow, with Dave Brubeck Special, Take 5 in makeup
o Heineken Cup Championship – Saracens v Toulon
hR’s Back Page
o Daktari’s Rugby Cypher
o Down the Whistler - “Breaking Bad”
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
Glendale Raptors vv San Francisco Golden Gate aa tt Infinity,, SS aa tt uu rr dd aa yy
James Paterson’s very excellent Super Rugby Journey: Part I
those who would envision a sporting life at the very pinnacle of
competition in the Southern Hemisphere, if not the world, here is one
man’s story:
In his early years, James Paterson played soccer as our game was
unavailable to him at that time and place, but once his family moved to
Colorado, he became involved in high school rugby and the rest, as they
say, is history. “Paddo” gained local notoriety when he captained his U-
19, State of Colorado, All-Star squad to its only championship in the
*Rocky Mountain Challenge (RMC)**
Fundamental Super XV Pathway
James is the scion of the Paterson Rugby Clan that includes Rugby Colorado’s winningest coach ever, father
John. He began his passage, which led to Super Rugby and national recognition as a member of the United
States Eagles, as a youth on school rugby grounds in the identical manner that each and every schoolboy in
Colorado does; with dedication and commitment, he has risen to rugby’s greatest heights as a member of
Super Rugby’s Highlanders, US Eagles team member and Glendale Raptors stalwart, though currently he is in
the rehabilitative process.
Of primary importance in a young player’s development is the quality of
the individual’s initial instruction. James was fortunate at the onset that
he, along with a dozen schoolmates, became charter members of the
high school rugby startup, Colorado Springs Grizzlies, coached by his
father, John; and to which he quickly adapted his athletic potential.
James schooled under the guidance of Paterson the Elder, then with
current Old Blue RFC Director of Rugby, Steve Lewis, and the Colorado U-
19 Select Side All Stars.
As to the import of quality instruction in an individual player’s early development, Paterson is adamant: “It’s
critically important to have good coaches when you are younger. The biggest thing about youth coaches in
the USA is that they focus on sound fundamental skills, as it’s very difficult to correct bad habits later on and
much easier to start with good habits and techniques at a young age and build on them.”
Getting Noticed: a measure of fortune involved
As there is no single route to the Super XV, no combines or official tryouts per say; rather a candidate’s play is
viewed over the course of an entire season of lower division play, then (in New Zealand) a player will see
action in Air New Zealand Cup, NZ’s premier domestic competition.
“Once in the ANZ Cup, you have to be one of the top performers within your
selection region to make it to the next level,” and Paddo admits, “my
progression was rather fast.”
“There are a few stages in order to get there. You really don’t have a try-out in
terms of a camp, combine or game, but you are viewed across a whole season
or in some cases earmarked and followed all the way up.
It all began (for me) with playing well in a club rugby game less than a week
James, 3rd
from left, & RMC-winning
teammates celebrate tournament
championship all images: CSGRFC
James, 3rd
from left in scrumcap, as U-15
James, right, w/flatmates Adam
Whitelock (left) and Owen Franks
(center) in NZ
F or
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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after moving to New Zealand. I had a really good game against the top team and fortunately the development
manager and selection coaches were (in attendance) watching others.
I was called into Rugby Park and received a Canterbury Rugby Academy position. I would then, on top of my
club trainings, receive extra skill training, with an eye on nutrition, weight lifting and sports physiology. Once
selected for this, I was in a three-year plan. During this phase I trained with the (Canterbury) Crusaders and Air
New Zealand cup teams alike, (so that) every once in a while you’re given a feel of what that environment is
like.
During my first year in the academy I was playing for the Canterbury U-19 squad. I received an invitation,
along with a couple of other guys, to go to the New Zealand U-21 selection camp. It was a four-day camp in
Palmerston North. I had a very strong trial game and subsequently was selected for NZ U-21. This was big
because at the time I was young and had two years availability. This kind of put me on the national radar.
Once we returned, the Canterbury U-19 was playing the opener for the Crusaders-Brumbies game at AMI. I
had one of my better games and managed a hat trick. Fortunately, (All Blacks coach) Robbie Deans was
outside watching the match before the (Super Rugby) game. The following week I was signed up for the
Crusaders wider training group. So my progression was a little faster than others to this level.
The following year I made the Canterbury NPC team, though unfortunately I had a big knee surgery due to an
injury suffered in the previous season’s semi-final. I then missed the
Super Rugby season for the Crusaders.
Once recovered, I signed a contract to play with the Highlanders in
Dunedin where I spent the following two seasons.
It all came down to a series of good games at the most opportune time.
There are a lot of quality players that play in New Zealand and at the end
of the day it comes down to making the most of your opportunities when
presented with them.”
Diet: the critical aspect
As every athlete operating at national and international echelons is very aware, diet is the handmaiden of
exercise that enables optimum performance, a tenet that James is enthusiastic about: “Proper diet is hugely
important. Having a good diet is the only way to ensure that you are in the best condition to play, and most
importantly, recover from games faster so that you can maximize your training time.
We had nutritionists that would tightly watch what we eat. Diet specifics depended on how hard you were
training and what your individual goals were. Mine was to put on muscle in a high activity scenario. I would
have to have multiple protein shakes on tough training days. I would eat a lot of natural protein, egg whites,
chicken, Greek yoghurt, red meat as well. I would also eat at least 5 times a day. I would take casein protein at
night before bed also. I would stay away from anything with sugar like soda and treats as well, except for my
pre-game ritual which was a chocolate bar and a movie the night before a game.”
* - 2014 Rocky Mountain Challenge will be held on the weekend of June 14, 15 at the Aurora Sports Park,
home of nationally-ranked, U-19 clubside, Aurora Saracens and their grounds, “The SnakePit”.
** - in addition to the estimable Mr. P, that elite squad contained current PRP Denver Barbarians captain, Logan Collins and
Glendale Raptors front row, Zack Kennedy.
next time… Paddo’s Super Rugby Journey, Part II - “Being There”: comprehensive, though not 100% work all the time… motorcycling
the African Coast to Namibia, et al
Paddo (#14) on the pitch
w/Christchurch Old Boys
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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Nike Rugby Camps - Denver
OVERNIGHT CAMP @ University of Denver July 31st - August 3rd ($499)
• Boys only, ages 9 - 18, all ability levels welcome • Accommodations at the University of Denver
• Rugby activities take place at prestigious Regis Jesuit HS
• Commuter option available: 9:00am - 4:00pm ($325) • Seminar sessions on exercise and science training,
mental preparation and film analysis • Camp includes key fundamental drills, education
modules, competitive match play, all meals, housing and evening activities
DAY CAMP @ Regis Jesuit High School
June 23rd - 25th ($195) • 9:00am - 3:00pm, boys only, ages 11 - 18, all ability
levels • Hosted at Regis School’s top-notch athletic facilities
• Camp include key fundamental drills, education modules and competitive match play
CAMP DIRECTOR: Zach Fenoglio, seven-time Team USA member
TEAM DISCOUNT:
• Day Camps: 5 or more players from the same team: $20 per player
• Overnight: 5 or more players from the same team: $30 per player
AMOC: Tim Luscombe (Referee); Dan Hattrup, Greg Wolf (RAs)
St John’s Roster Starting XV Reserves #1 - Peter Fagrelius #16 - Zach Zoltek 2 - Dwight Higgs 17 - Bayert Salverda 3 - Garrett Larson 18 - Zach Muehlenbein 4 - Mike Hillman 19 - Wes Kemper 5 - Lukas Ramsey 20 - Tanner Hersch 6 - Ricky Kiley 21 - Bobby Thomas 7 - Noah Van Nevel 22 - Richie Brown 8 - Steven Oczak 23 - Brian Raddick 9 - Nick Mans 10 - Tony Bauer 11 - Charlie Peterson 12 - Rob Otting-Crandall 13 - Casey Walsh 14 - Conall Quinn 15 - Joe Thomspon
New England Roster Starting XV Reserves #1 - Will Darbouze #16 - Elou Joseph 2 - Ryan Gurrola 17 - Justin Lamphear 3 - Sam Parker 18 - Sosori Borrey 4 - Darryl Wilson 19 - Ayomide Aimakhu 5 - Mike Korn 20 - Chris Prochaska 6 - Carlos Arteaga 21 - Zach Hall 7 - Perry Owens 22 - Ryan Crowley 8 - Aj Mudford 23 - Gary Spencer 9 - Ian Luciano 10 - James Tayson 11 - Brendan Johnson 12 - Anthony MacQueston 13 - Jay Muniz 14 - Conor Fantasia 15 - Ky Young
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
Glendale Raptors vv San Francisco Golden Gate aa tt Infinity,, SS aa tt uu rr dd aa yy
USA Rugby - Men’s College D 1-A
Quarterfinal Results:
University of Colorado v Life University: 3 - 57
Lindenwood University v Davenport University: 64 - 32
St Mary’s University v Santa Clara University: 103 - 10 Arkansas State v Cal ifornia Polytechnic : 43 - 12
Upcoming Semifinal Rounds: Saturday, May 3 Life University Running Eagles v Arkansas State University Red Wolves at Marietta
St Mary’s University Gaels v Lindenwood University Lions at Moraga
Championships : Saturday, May 10 at Stanford
Nike Rugby Camps - Denver OVERNIGHT CAMP @ University of Denver
July 31st - August 3rd ($499) • Boys only, ages 9 - 18, all ability levels welcome
• Accommodations at the University of Denver • Rugby activities take place at prestigious Regis Jesuit HS
• Commuter option available: 9:00am - 4:00pm ($325) • Seminar sessions on exercise and science training, mental
preparation and film analysis • Camp includes key fundamental drills, education modules,
competitive match play, all meals, housing and evening activities
DAY CAMP @ Regis Jesuit High School June 23rd - 25th ($195)
• 9:00am - 3:00pm, boys only, ages 11 - 18, all ability levels • Hosted at Regis School’s top-notch athletic facilities
• Camp include key fundamental drills, education modules and competitive match play
CAMP DIRECTOR: Zach Fenoglio, seven-time Team USA member
TEAM DISCOUNT:
• Day Camps: 5 or more players from the same team: $20 per player • Overnight: 5 or more players from the same team: $30 per player
www.ussportscamps.com 1.800 645.3226
15s 15s
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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University of Northern Colorado at Greeley: website: http://www.unco.edu Men - http://www.unco.edu/campusrec/clubsport/mrugby.htm Women - http://www.unco.edu/campusrec/clubsport/wrugby.htm
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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Pacific Rugby Premiership - 4.26 recaps
Glendale Raptors topped Santa Monica Dolphins , 42 - 31, at Webster Field on Saturday to
remain at the head of PRP’s inaugural class. Glendale earned the f ive match-point victory
behind a strong forwards effort coupled with cl inical three-quartersl ine action.
San Francisco Golden Gate will play in the Inaugural PRP Championship after turning back
Belmont Shore , 27-15, on the road in Los Angeles.
OMBAC got the bonus-point win over Olympic Rugby Club , 46 - 39, at Qualcomm Stadium.
This upcomer, and OMBAC’s re-match of the only f ixture postponed this season v Belmont ,
are integral to the last league standings in 2014, the Inaugural Pacif ic Rugby Premiership
season.
Brendan s Pub
404 Broadway
◊ Kevin Geraghty ◊
proprietor
“good people, great kitchen, fine sounds”
~ ever so nice ~
Nike Rugby Camps Summer Youth Rugby 15s Camps instructed by USA Eagles front row,
Zach Fenoglio - [email protected] and staff day camp: Regis Jesuit High School campus, June 23-25, 2014
overnight camp: at University of Denver, July 31 - August 3
15s
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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k
OMBAC (26) v Denver Barbarians (28) at Qualcomm Stadium: Denver wil l l ike the win here to remain in 3r d place on the table, the larger the barger the better for the Barbarians; OMBAC, too, have their eye on the show posit ion, and with a game in hand, a win here for the home team would enhance that potential;
Glendale Raptors (51) v San Francisco Golden Gate (45) at Infinity Park: If you’re wondering what the championship match wil l be l ike in the Kettle on May 17, come see this match as players may change after this Saturday’s result, but the sides wi l l remain the same; this’l l burn the barn;
Olympic Rugby Club (16) v Belmont Shore Rugby (26) at Ray Sheeran Field on Treasure Island: Belmont also have their eye on 3r d posit ion, but they’l l need victory here, and then again in the makeup with OMBAC for that to happen; O Club wil l be on f ire in its last f ixture of the season in the Bay Area. Expect the best, ‘cause that’s what’s on tap on Treasure Island, Rugbyday!
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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RA : Congrats on Saturday’s victory in LA against Santa Monica Dolphins. With the result of 42-31, was there any point in the match you reckoned the win in doubt?
ZF : Santa Monica deserves a lot more credit this year. They are a very talented squad and have the abil ity to put up a lot of points. I felt very confident in our abil ity during the game as we responded wel l to Santa Monica's scores. The game was definitely not a sure win by any stretch, but I felt we responded well to Santa Monica's strong attack.
RA : Every t ime this season you’ve achieved 33 or better points total, and twice when you were in the 20s, you’ve won. How important your offense to ult imate victory?
ZF : I really believe we have the best back l ine in the league. Additionally, our forwards are doing their role in the attack to allow us to set up a lot of scoring opportunities. Those elements coming together have allowed us to score the most points in the league. What I think is pretty special , however, is that we are #2 in points allowed. Our defense has not been perfect this year, but overall I think what has helped us most is that we are playing very consistent on both sides of the ball .
RA : It seems when it ’s needed, the big stoppage is appl ied every t ime by a different player. Anybody(s) come up with those Saturday at Santa Monica?
ZF : We have had a lot of guys really step up and put their bodies on the l ine when needed. Christian Sarmento, Man of the Match from the weekend, really was solid on both sides of the bal l . He made some great defensive plays and carried wel l on offense. Additionally, Doug Graves has quietly continued to have one of the best years. On both sides of the ball he is so impactful and has stepped up big this year!
RA : Well if you look past this upcoming weekend and San Francisco Golden Gate you’d be seeing double as win, lose, or draw you’l l see them again in the Inaugural PRP tit le match, May 17t h at Infinity. SFGG’s offense is extremely capable and its scoring average is just better than 33 points-per-match. What’s the plan for its containment?
ZF : We are going to see what this week has in store for us from a game plan perspective. It 's obviously a unique situation as we wil l play them back-to-back. The important thing is , we worry about our own side of things and continue our development as a team.
RA : How’s overal l team health? Anyone on the roster from last week unable to work on Saturday?
ZF : Couple of bumps and bruises as usual , but everyone is eager for the last few weeks!
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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Semifinal Playoff Rounds - Saturday, May 3 at Mountain Range:
Red (Premier) Division: Semifinal #1 - Colorado Springs Grizzl ies v Cherry Creek Bruins, 2pm; Semifinal #2 - Aurora Saracens v Denver East High Angels, 6pm
White Division: Semifinal #1 - Junior Gents v Fort Coll ins, 2pm; Semifinal #2 - PAC v Castle Rock Pirates, 4pm Blue Division: Semifinal #1 - Ridge View Academy v Central Terrors, 4pm; Semifinal #2 - Junior Griffins v Northside Dragons, 6pm
correction: In last week’s report we identif ied John
Barkmeier as the curent Boulder Lions coach. That’s
Day camp: June 23-25 Overnight camp: July 31 - August 3 Regis Jesuit High School (Day); University of Denver (Overnight)
15s 15s
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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D-2 Men's Roundup, Upcomers
It’s a Raptors Roost (ripetitivo)
Club (MPts) Won Lost Drawn #s 1 & 2 go to playoffs Glendale Raptors (40) 8 1 0 Park City Haggis (36) 7 2 0 Denver Highlanders (36) 7 3 0 Denver Harlequins (19) 3 6 0 Colorado Springs Grizzlies (11) 2 7 0 Northern Colorado Flamingos (2) 0 8 0
It’s on to Frontier Conference Playoffs, Saturday and Sunday,
the upcomer, at Glendale’s Infinity Rugby Complex
15-a-side RUGBY, all summer long… in the
cool Colorado Mountains, howzat
sound, college buoy?
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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2014 Men’s Division-2 Spring Schedule and Results - updated constantly
March 8 Colorado Springs Grizzl ies v Glendale Raptors 14-82 ; Denver Highlanders v Northern Colorado Flamingos 26-10
March 15 Northern Colorado Flamingos v Denver Harlequins 19-26
March 22 Park City Haggis v Colorado Springs Grizzl ies; 81-19; Glendale Raptors v Northern Colorado Flamingos; 67-0
March 29 Park City Haggis v Denver Harlequins; 62-22; Glendale Raptors v Denver Highlanders 60-28
April 5 Glendale Raptors v Park City Haggis; 77-38 Colorado Springs Grizzl ies v Denver Harlequins; 34-22
April 6 Denver Highlanders v Park City Haggis; 32-17
April 12 Northern Colorado Flamingos v Colorado Springs Grizzl ies: Denver Harlequins v Denver Highlanders: 10-34
April 26 Park City Haggis (36) v Northern Colorado Flamingos; Denver Harlequins (19) v Glendale Raptors (40); Denver Highlanders v Colorado Springs Grizzl ies: 45-20
Men’s clubside Division-2 and Division-3 initial playoff rounds this weekend on the StoveTop beginning Saturday at 9am with Queen City RFC’ s fixture, and culminating on Sunday with the title matches.
Friday, 5.2.14 Blues (20) v Reds (16) at Eden Park: travelers hurting and homeys looking to profit from their pain; Rebels (16) v Sharks (31) at AAMI Park: visitors wi l l l ike a win as they hit their f irst spot on tour; homeside to be fractious regards that account; Saturday, 5.3.14 Crusaders (22) v Brumbies (30) at AMI Stadium: homeboys got a shot at sitt ing at the NZC class’ head today, but they must win large here; Chiefs (25) v Lions (16) at Waikato Stadium: hometown’ll be good for road- weary warriors; Big Cats-on-the-barbeespit? mebbe so, gonna f ind out; Waratahs (24) v Hurricanes (26) at Al l ianz Stadium: both can i l l-afford the loss situational ly posit ioned as they are, but ‘Tahs’d get the worst of loss- ai lment, one should think; mebbe; Stormers (10) v Highlanders (24) at Newlands: visitors l iking a win in Capetown, but that would mean homeys campaigning in Antarct ica, forsooth; Bulls (20) v Cheetahs (14) at Loftus Versfeld: hosts wil l look to celebrate SA return in a f iver with the Quick Cats picking up the bil l now
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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Aviva Premiership: Top four playoff - #1 v #4; #2 v #3; 2 more upcoming
Won Lo st Drawn MPts
Sar acen s 18 2 0 80
Northampton Sa ints 15 4 1 71
Bath Ru gb y 14 5 1 64
Le icester T igers 13 5 2 64
Har leq uin s 13 7 0 58
Sale Sh arks 12 8 0 56
London Wasp s 8 12 0 44
Exeter Ch iefs 8 12 0 40
Glou cester Ru gb y 7 13 0 37
London Ir ish 6 14 0 31
Newcast le Fa lcon s 3 17 0 20
Worcester Warr iors 1 19 0 12
Upcomers
Friday, 5.2.14
Bath Rugby (64) v Northampton Saints (71) at Recreation Ground: Bath could yet see a home match f irst playoff round, but they’l l need Saints scalp here;
Saturday, 5.3.14
Gloucester Rugby (37) v London Irish (31) at Kingsholm: Denizens of Cast le Grim should l ike victory here now;
London Wasps (44) v Newcastle Falcons (20) at Adams Park: 5 for Wasps?
Saracens (80) v Worcester Warriors (12) at Copthall Stadium: Sarries should celebrate t it le after this;
Sale Sharks (56) v Leicester Tigers (64) at Salford City Stadium: both need win to remain in play; this’ l l l ight up the town;
Sunday, 5.4.14 Exeter Chiefs (40) v Harlequins (58) at Sandy Park: Quins can i l l afford the loss that Chiefs would gladly organize
Saracens topped Falcons on the road, 23-18; Northampton back to winning at home over London Irish, 36-21 and remain in second; Bath defeated Worcester, 32-20; Harlequins kept post-season plans on f ire by edging Tigers, 24-20, and have those Cats hindquarters in sight yet; as does Sale, just, after the big win at Sandy Park, 55-12;
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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French XIV: #s 3-6 playoff 1s t Round as #s 1, 2 bye; then semi-f inals - 1 left
Won Lost Drawn M Pts Tou lon 15 9 1 73 Montpel l ier 14 10 1 71 Clermont Au ver gne 14 10 1 69 Rac in g Metro 15 8 2 69 Castres 13 10 2 66 Tou louse 12 11 2 64 Stad e França is 14 10 1 64 Bordeau x Begles 12 13 0 59 Brive 10 13 2 57 Grenob le 11 12 2 53 Bayonne 10 14 1 50 Oyonnax 11 13 1 50 Perp ignan 10 14 1 50 Biarr it z 5 19 1 30
Upcoming the T-14 Last Rites for al l but 6
Toulon driving the unruly busload now after comprehensive defeat of Perpignan , 46-31, on the road while Montpell ier fal ls to second spot after unhappy defeat at Castres , 15-22; sad, too, Toulouse for to t ie at bell igerent Oyonnax , 19-for-each; non-fulf i l lment for Bayonne also, in the mountaineering expedition at Grenoble with 42 spl it evenly; lowly Biarritz said, “hanh-hunh!” to Brive on the Bay of Biscay, 19-13, and Brive are off icial ly vacationing, along with those seated below them at table, after league play ends next round; Stade Français most l ikely made playoffs for themselves, while more than l ikely knocking Bordeaux Begles from the after-hours party frames in Paris, 37-23; Clermont vexed after their 6-22 trip at Racing with whom they are now all chummy in 3r d posit ion
Saturday, 5.3.14: Bayonne (50) v Castres (66) at Jean Dauger: travelers could yet secure a f irst round home fixture with the win and even a bye, but win must be large and they’l l need much help from their pals, Toulon;
Bordeaux Begles (59) v Biarritz (30) at Chaban-Delmas: even f ive here for homeboys may not be large enough, but they’l l p lay l ike it is; travelers riding cocky into town after ending the Brive post-season plans last week; two disruptive wins running for visitors? probably not;
Brive (57) v Oyonnax (50) at Amedee-Domenech: home team may be unhappy with recent outcomes, but they’l l not be showing that Saturday, Rugbyday;
Clermont Auvergne (69) v Perpignan (50) at Marcel Michelin: 5 for CA?
Montpell ier (71) v Racing Metro (69) at Yves-du-Manoir: for a f irst round home f ixture, or possibly even a rest? Bangety-banger… bang:
Toulon (73) v Stade (64) at All ianz Riviera : travelers need at minimum 5 to stick around; maybe that won’t happen as Toulon are planning to eat the world just now;
Toulouse (64) v Grenoble (53) at Ernest Wallon: homeside has got to have as much as it can obtain from this match in order to play on;
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
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RaboDirect PRO12 - 2 left
Won Lost Drawn MPts Le inster 15 4 1 74
Glasgow 16 4 0 69
Munster 15 5 0 68
Ulster 14 6 0 65
Ospr eys 12 7 1 60
Scar lets 9 10 1 46
Ed inbur gh 7 13 0 37
Card if f B lu es 7 12 1 37
Connach t 6 14 0 34
Dragon s 6 13 1 31
Benetton Treviso 5 14 1 29
Zebre 4 14 2 25
Glasgow Warriors with the 5-point, home, makeup victory, but only just at 37-34, of
February’s postponement v Edinburgh . With that joy, Glasgow have jumped from fourth-to-
second on the RaboDirect Pro12 table. Edinburgh , too, with a pair of points for loss-within-
seven and 4+ trys, have advanced on the table and sit ahead of Cardiff Blues , though both
are equal regards match points.
Five sides are now in contention for four, semifinal playoff spots:
Leinster lead the pack, but their match at Ravenhi l l on Friday evening with
Ulster is of crit ical importance to both clubs: for travelers to cement their spot
at the top, and for hosts to cement their spot in the Best Four and possibly
keep on track for a f irst or second place f inish and f irst-playoff round, home
derby;
Glasgow are at Benetton Treviso on the upcomer and should l ike as many
points from the match as possible; their hosts must reckon this to be a t it le
match and wil l comport themselves onfield In a manner worthy of that grade;
ditto Ospreys at Zebre; Ital ian surprise to foil Welsh post-season plans?
Munster should l ike the big road victory at Murrayfield on Sunday, though that
wil l not be an easy task as their hosts nearly racked their warrior cousins last
week at Scotstoun and they’l l be looking to shelve an Irish scalp this week
Upcoming Thursday, May 1 Zebre (25) v Ospreys (60)
Friday, May 2 Benetton Treviso (29) v Glasgow (69) Scarlets (46) v Dragons (31) Ulster (65) v Leinster (74)
Saturday, May 3 Connacht (34) v Cardiff Blues (37) Edinburgh (37) v Munster (68)
USA Rugby: Men’s D-2 & D-3 Conference Championships, Sat/Sun at Infinity
Glendale Raptors vv San Francisco Golden Gate aa tt Infinity,, SS aa tt uu rr dd aa yy
Heineken Cup Championship
Saracens versus Toulon at The Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, Wales on Saturday, May 24
Both f inalists lead their respective domestic competit ions, which wil l f in ish in the interval between now and the H-Cup Championship. So we’l l reserve report until those comps are complete.
Nike Rugby Camps - Denver OVERNIGHT CAMP @ University of Denver
July 31st - August 3rd ($499)
• Boys only, ages 9 - 18, all ability levels welcome
• Accommodations at the University of Denver
• Rugby activities take place at prestigious Regis Jesuit HS