Western Rugby Union Championship
Match 1: Baton Rouge vs. Queen City - Quarter-Final
Match 2: Baton Rouge vs. Dakota Outlawz
Match 3: Baton Rouge vs. Little Rock
Date: April 30
- May 2, 2004
Time: 11am Friday, 5 pm Saturday, 10:30 am Sunday
Venue: Rolling Hills Park,
Ft. Worth, TX
Referees: Various Refs from Western RFU
Submitted by John Godbee(PR Chairperson)
The Baton Rouge Rugby Club failed to advance to the USA Division II Final 16 and
were eliminated from post season competition last weekend at the Western USA
Rugby Union Championships in Ft Worth, Texas. On Friday, Baton Rouge lost to
Denver Queen City Rugby Football Club 28 - 10 in a match in which the winner
overcame a 10 point deficit and simply wore down the smaller Baton Rouge side
early in the second half. Baton Rouge made some personnel changes midway through
the second half and pressured the Colorado side for the remainder of the match,
but could never seem to connect on the final pass which would have resulted in a
score. Queen City went on to win the Western Rugby Union Championship.
A somewhat demoralized Baton Rouge side faced a huge team from Aberdeen, South
Dakota in the first consolation match and were stunned with 38 quick Aberdeen
points to none of their own in the first half. The second half was a different
story. With nothing to play for except pride, Baton Rouge stepped up their
intensity and aggressiveness and played the second half as if it were a
championship final. The final score was 38 - 0, but both teams knew they had
been in a match.
In the final consolation match to avoid last place in the Tournament, Baton
Rouge finally found its offense and routed a scrappy Little Rock, Arkansas side
45 - 5. Baton Rouge finished 15 - 6 on the year. They were the second place team
in the Texas Rugby Union, Division II and the 7th Place team in the Western USA
Rugby Union, Division II. Practice will resume in September.