Northern Colorado Rugby Club won the spring season opening match, 36 – 7, taking on the host, University of Northern Colorado (UNC), Saturday March 5th. A cool spring day set the mood for a very physical and fast paced match between neighbors here in the northern reaches of the state. With the opening kickoff it was apparent the UNC club was not going to let the more experienced NoCo Rugby Club come to their pitch without a fight. NoCo allowed the kick to go unclaimed and UNC showed the oppostition what to do with the mistake. Norther Colorado Rugby gathered it resolve and proceeded to ruck, maul and pass its way to the try line. UNC committed a hands-in the ruck offense inside their own 22, with just 3 minutes into the game, giving fly half Mike ‘Bird’ Staab a successful kick at goal, to open the scoring. NoCo Rugby kept pressing UNC in their half, making it hard for the college side to do anything but defend. Chad Graepler scored the first try after great rucking and ball retention at the 8 minute mark, with ‘Bird’ Staab adding the conversion kick. NoCo 10, UNC 0. Near the 23 minute mark, scrum half, Jeff Brundage picked the ball from a 6th phase ruck near goal and used his diminutive size to sneak round the first channel to dot a try near the goal post with Mike Staab adding another conversion. NoCo 17, UNC 0. At 36 minutes, the pack was working its magic near the try line again, Mike Staab took a weak side pass,scored and converted near the sidelines. NoCo24, UNC 0 at the end of the first stanza. Coach Brad Polzin breifly praised his charges and discussed second half strategy, reminding the side that these UNC fellows were not going to lay down after being shut out the first period. The NoCo fellows responded by taking control of the ball rucking and mauling its way to the promised land with ‘White’ Sam Starlin scoring a pick and go try from the 5 meter line. The try was left unconverted. NoCo 29, UNC 0. With that, the UNC boys found themselves frustrated making attack after attack and coming up with little to show for it until their flyhalf weaved his way through much of the NoCo side and scoring after a 65 meter run for the line 50 minutes into the match. The try was converted easily. NoCo 29, UNC 7. The final try of the match was scored under the posts by flanker Ryan Harms’ful’ after being unaccounted for in the back line and speeding 35 meters to the zone with 24 minutes left. ‘Bird’ Staab added the conversion. Final score: NoCo 36, UNC 7. Coaches Brad Polzin, Terje Whitmore and Jan Nansel praised the team for its cohesive effort, excellent rucking and great play in general.
