As the spring season continues, rugby across America has been interesting and competitive. Between club, collegiate, and high school matches, the scores from across the nation reflect just how much athleticism has risen among American ruggers in 2017.

Collegiate men’s action was mind blowing. The D1A Men’s competition in the Red River College Conference saw Baylor take on Texas A&M in Waco, TX. After 80 minutes of regulation, Baylor stood tall with the victory, 15-8. Also in Red River play, LSU took on University of Houston at Houston. LSU would end the match with a big victory with a dominating score of 129-0. Next door in Oklahoma, the Red Raiders of Texas Tech found themselves facing down the University of Oklahoma Sooners. The Red Raiders took a loss with a final score of 42-10.

Oklahoma Sooners defeat Texas Tech, 42-10; Photo by Oklahoma Sooners Rugby

Santa Clara took on St. Mary’s in California, falling to the latter 15-106. Also in California, Cal took on Utah in a PAC Conference match that set the scoreboard alight. By the end of eighty minutes, Cal was on top defeating Utah 92-12. UC Santa Barbara faced Sacramento State in a California conference showdown, rewarding Santa Barbara with a 41 -15 win over Sacramento. Stanford faced down UC Davis, only to be defeated 74-12. University of Arizona took on Utah Valley on Saturday winning, 45-10. UT-Chattanooga took on Lee University in a matrix match up. Lee ultimately took the day with a 45 – 26 victory. 

The South Independent Rugby Conference held their second qualifiers in rugby 7s. Florida International University would finish the tournament on top with their second consecutive sevens win. Defeating Middle Tennessee State University, 19-12. With that win, Florida International would qualify for a spot at the USA Rugby Sevens National Championships.

In the D2 Lone Star Conference, the University of Dallas Groundhogs traveled to Abilene to face the Wildcats of Abilene Christian University. The first half saw the score at 12-10 Dallas, with the Wildcats punching above their weight against the Groundhog forwards. Second half, however, saw conditioning takeover as the Groundhog players started shooting the gaps and scoring repeatedly to end the game, 43-10. 

Collegiate divisional women’s rugby saw an exciting weekend. In the South Independent Rugby Conference, the women of Clemson were busy this weekend playing two  matches at home against Georgia. The first match saw Clemson clench a win with tries scored by Bonnie Miller, Hannah Miller, and Hannah Horowitz. Georgia mounted somewhat of a counter attack too late, resulting in a final score of 20-5. The second tier match saw Clemson win again 14-5, with both tries scored by Brooke Elliot. Continuing in the SIRC, Kennesaw State faced down North Georgia. Kennesaw State would seize the day dealing a loss to North Georgia, 60-0. Spring Hill College took on LSU in matrix play, defeating them, 29-22. Georgia Tech competed against Tennessee at home, winning the match by a kick 27-24. Tulane hosted Alabama in New Orleans, LA. Tulane would triumph over Alabama, in a nail biter, 34-29.

Spring Hill College Women’s Rugby defeats LSU Women’s Rugby, 29-22; Photo by Nell Dykes

Coastal Carolina University faced off against the College of Charleston, pulling a tight victory via a penalty kick for the win 20-17. In North Carolina Citadel took on UNC Wilmington. After the whistle was blown, Wilmington had defeated Citadel 59-39. The women of Stanford saw action as well, facing UC in California. UC Davis took the win over Stanford, 46-0.  

Men’s Senior Division was busy this weekend, as clubs collided with in both friendly and matrix matches. In the Florida Rugby Union, Orlando defeated Miami, 36-35 and Boca Raton defeated Jacksonville, 41-21. Miami Tridents Rugby club went up against Okapi, and left with a 74-14 victory.

The Austin Blacks had a successful weekend as well, nailing D1, D2, and D3 victories over the Dallas Harlequins and San Marcos. The final scores were 35-27 against the D1 Dallas Harlequins side, 89-13 over D2 Dallas Harlequins, and 38-22 against D3 San Marcos. The Dallas Reds squadron took on HARC, and was victorious 92-8. Meanwhile, Abilene Rugby scrummed down with the Reds second unit. Abilene would be unable to hang on as they lost, 84-0. Fort Worth locked down a 22-10 victory over Oklahoma City, and Euless defeated Tulsa, 57-19. Katy was successful in their fight against Alamo City, sporting a 39-29 final score. HURT defeated San Antonio, 45-26. Following in the footsteps of their cohort, the HURT Henchmen defeated Galveston, 67-14. The Austin Huns had their big spectrum debut, as they got their home opening victory against OMBAC, 24-21. Finally, LSU-Alexandria faced off against Baton Rogue in a crossover match. In a display of their athleticism and speed, LSUA  came out on top  with a final score, 40-8.

High school rugby sported some notable fixtures this weekend, among them as the Katy Barbarians took on Jesuit. Katy, ultimately, walked away with the win 25 – 5. Katy would play a second consecutive game against the Bayou Hurricanes. Katy would end their day with their second win, defeating the Hurricanes, 26-7.

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