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NMT Rugby Club Opens 1-2 in Santa Fe Tournament
by Dave Wheelock, NMT Rugby Director Right: Fall 2006 New Mexico Tech Rugby Team: Standing: Curtis
Rudi, Brent Meins, Josh Hill, Cody McFarland, Britt Catron, Matt
Majors, Matt Kretz, Royce Beaudry, John Rundberg, Hunter Riek.
SOCORRO, N.M., Sept. 5, 2006 -- New Mexico Tech's Rugby Club gave a mixed performance in opening their 2005-2006 campaign, recording one win against two losses at the 34th annual Santa Fe Ten-man team tournament over the Labor Day weekend. The Pygmies finished third in the collegiate division by defeating New Mexico State University's Chiles in their third match. The University of New Mexico captured collegiate honors with a victory over New Mexico Highlands University. Unveiling a team featuring more physical stature than in recent years, Tech showed a new potential to drive straight ahead with their forwards. Britt Catron, Dylan Merrigan, Steve Graves, Matt Kretz, Tom Dotson, and co-captain Matt Majors all top six feet in height, with the valuable ability to play low to the ground when needed. Strength position players John Rundberg, Brent Meins, Nick McCarthy, and rookie Hunter Riek rounded out a lineup which promises improved ball-winning performance for the fall campaign. In their first match since May 13, Tech started strong with a try by junior scumhalf Josh Hanson after just 3 minutes of play. Captain Seth Daly was good with the two-point conversion kick. Unfortunately Hanson twisted his ankle on the play and had to come off the pitch. His pivotal position linking forwards and backs was carried on by first-year man Jay Herrera, who showed his potential throughout the day. 
Left: Jay Herrera (L) and Britt Catron run in support as Seth Daly prepares to pass to New Mexico Tech's backs. After knotting the halftime score at seven apiece, the Lobos took over in the second half, scoring two more tries to outpace Tech 19-7. Tech dropped their second match with Highlands by an identical 19-7 score. The score sheet was a mirror image of the first game, with the Vatos scoring two tries to nil in the first half, and both teams scoring one in the second spell. New club president Matt Nelson used a change of pace and strong running for Tech's score near full time. Tech got in the win column in their final match against downstate rivals New Mexico State. After spotting the Chiles to a 5-0 halftime lead on an unconverted try, the Pygmies finally got untracked to score three tries in the second half. Nelson broke free for another strong romp, then Herrera was rewarded for his heads up play in sneaking through a lightly-defended blind side. The Chiles pulled within two with just two minutes to go, but Daly finished out Tech's 19-12 victory with a quick run from a penalty to finish the job. Lock forward Steve Graves, another first year player, was named by his teammates as Player of the Day for his strong inside play. The Pygmies will take a week off to sharpen their spears before taking on New Mexico State in Las Cruces on September 16. -NMT- |