Thanks to Coach Denny Rowlands and Captain Jamey Kohlbeck for this match summary.

Gateway Ruggerfest
April 14-15, 2007
St. Louis, MO

Last weekend Metropolis RFC traveled to St Louis - Missouri to compete in the 2007 Gateway Ruggerfest. With absolutely appalling first day conditions - 32 Degrees \ Strong winds with a combination heavy rain, sleet & light hail being blown in sideways, Metropolis fielded 2 teams with just 27 players including 6 colligate players that traveled with the team. Both teams played strong fundamental rugby in sloppy conditions, showing good composure and control throughout the tournament.

The A-Side won 2 of their 3 pool matches, making it through to the Semi-Finals of the Premier Division where they lost to the former Super League team the Kansas City Blues. The B-Side went through to win the Open Division despite not winning their only pool match (2 others were Forfeited) & losing the final due to a refereeing error, that was rectified after the match with the Tournament Director recording that both teams won!

* A Side

Pool Game 1 vs. Tulsa RFC Lost 5- 7
Pool Game 2 vs. Kansas City RFC Won 10 - 7
Pool Game 3 vs. Rowdies Rugby Lost 3 - 5

Semi-Final vs. Kansas City Blues Lost 8 - 17

* B-Side

Pool Game 1 vs. Some Team Lost
Pool Game 2 vs. Mizzou Won by Forfeit
Pool Game 3 vs. Who Knows Won by Forfeit

Final vs. St Louis Hornets Won 13 – 12 (Referee told the opposition that it was 13-14 with only a few minutes to go.)

Thanks to the following collegiate players that made the trip down with us –

UW-Stout

* Josh Kilvinger
* Thomas Meyer
* Kyle Malaney
* Mittens

St Thomas

* Ian Wolf

St Johns

* Andrew Day

I look forward to seeing their Rugby careers progress through the Midwest collegiate system & wish them all the best.

Cheers,

Coach Rowlands

Thanks for the update Denny. I'd also like to thank the college guys for coming with us on the trip and especially Bluey for sending us 4 of his Stout guys that played hard on and off the pitch.

One correction. We beat Tulsa in our first match of the day 7-5. In our second match, we were saved by the right boot of the crafty old boy, Greg Stern. Down to our last play and having a shot at post we called on Stern to save our bacon...err...bad reference. He split the goalposts like the Red Sea from a tough right angle. VERY NICE.

When asked how he felt at the end of the day Sunday knowing he played a lot of minutes because of a lack of backs on the trip, Stern said. "It's hard to get tired when you just watch their flyhalf run past you."

Big weekend ahead with the A side playing the Banshees and the B side playing the Pigs.
The weather has finally turned our way. We'll see you at practice Thursday and on Saturday for a full day of rugby. Good time for the old boys to come out and dust of the rust before the O.L.s wash ashore.

Cheers,

Captain Kohlbeck