NM Tech Rugby Club Tour of England

All photos: Bill Tafoya. Below, Members of the Warlingham rugby club (striped jerseys) and New Mexico Tech rugby club (dark blue) following the home team's narrow 28-22 victory.

by Dave Wheelock, NMT Rugby Director

SOCORRO, N.M., March 21, 2006 -- While running close twice, the New Mexico Tech Rugby Club nevertheless returned from England without a win in three matches played during their March 9-19 tour. The team was beaten by Warlingham Rugby Football Club on Saturday, March 12, Bideford RFC the following Wednesday, and the University of Bristol RFC on Saturday, March 18.

Tech's touring side, composed of twelve student and twelve alumni players, was weakened by the loss through injury of three standout players, ironically suffered in the weeks preceding the tour. The team compensated admirably for the absence of John Rundberg, Matt Majors, and co-captain Pat Garcia, yet inarguably missed their services, particularly in the two close games.

The Pygmies narrowly lost 28-22 to a young side from Warlingham, at that club's sprawling complex in the greater London area. Shrugging off unseasonably cold temperatures encountered during their entire stay in England, the Americans went up 10-0 in the first five minutes courtesy of a penalty kick at three minutes by flyhalf Cory Micander and a 25-yard sprinting try by center Patrick Simons. Warlingham collected their wits and the two teams battled evenly until ten minutes from halftime when one of Warlingham's two centers cashed in on some fine back play for a converted try, 10-7 to Tech. But Simons, aided by Micander, struck back a minute later and Tech took a 17-7 lead into a shivering five-minute halftime.

Warlingham's management beefed up their side with some senior first team players during the break, and coupled with a seven-minute lapse in defensive concentration by Tech, Warlingham outscored NMT three tries to one in the second half, with the Yankees. score completing Simons's hat trick from an intercepted pass. The visitors, needing only one converted try - 7 points - to win, pressed close with several sustained attacks over the last 15 minutes, but Warlingham held fast to preserve their 28-22 win.

(Photo caption, right) Wednesday, March 15, 2006 -- Bideford, Devon County, England. NMT Rugby Club's forwards resist a drive by their Bideford RFC counterparts. The English team scored a seven-point try in the final minute to widen their winning margin to 26-16.

The midweek match was a floodlit affair with Bideford RFC, in that charming small town near the Atlantic in northern Devon Country. Bideford presented a strong team but the touring side had gelled too, resulting in a high-level match which entertained those brave enough to attend. Bideford led 14-6 after 40 minutes on the strength of organized forward play as Tech was held to a penalty goal and drop kick by Micander. Bideford added a try 15 minutes into the second half while Micander connected with his third three-pointer before Tech pulled within three points with 20 minutes left on a penalty try when the home side was judged guilty of repeated offenses during the Pygmies. strongest assault on the try line. Bideford scored again just before the final whistle to flatter themselves with a 26-16 final score.

(Photo caption, left) Wednesday, March 15, 2006 -- Bideford, Devon County, England. NMT's Phil Turner skies for a lineout throw supported by (L to R) Brendan La Counte and Ben Brooks.

NMT's chartered bus moved on to Somerset County to face the University of Bristol in that maritime city on the last full day of the tour. UBRFC, whose first team is in hot contention for the English national university championship, trotted out a squad composed primarily of second team players to face the Pygmies. Such is the relative strength of English rugby that the Americans struggled for ball possession the entire match, and failed to record a single try. Tech could only manage three first-half penalty kicks from Micander while Bristol.s impeccably-organized team play resulted in 19 first-half points and a parade of second-stanza scoring moves as Tech's defense was worn thin in a 44-point blitz.

Happily the Tech tour was about more than victory on the pitch. The team also toured Twickenham, the constantly-evolving national stadium, and attended a professional match in London. Stonehenge and the Roman city of Bath provided a glimpse into England's deep history, and hosts from Bideford RFC conducted a day trip to Devon's spectacular north coast. In Bristol the tourists hobnobbed among a bustling commercial district and the players were housed in the homes of their opponents, providing a close-range view of English student life.

The Pygmies, sans their older post-graduate brothers, next see action April 1 as the Las Vegas Vatos and Santa Fe Santos both visit Socorro for a round-robin of friendly matches. Detail inquiries should be directed to NMT rugby director Dave Wheelock at 835-5854.