Despite another strong effort, the NoCo Flamingos dropped another league match on 9/24 at Greenbriar Park in Fort Collins.  The Colorado Springs Grizzlies were this time triumphant versus a determined NoCo squad in a final score of 39-59.  Although it was a high-scoring affair, the Flamings held the lead 10 minutes into the second half.  An ensuing barrage of wide attack by the Grizzlies and lackluster tackling by the Flamingos resulted in a late run by the visiting team.  Dotted with a handful of new starters, the Flamingo roster included debuts by open side flanker, Gabe McCabe, hooker, Ryan Kelly, and winger, Jalon Morton.  Flanker Gabe McCabe was honored with “Man of the Match” through feisty play and late try.  There were many Flamingos who unfortunately sustained injuries that contributed to a tough situation for the home team’s nicked up roster, including crowd favorites, Whitesam “Danger” Starlin and Max Charbonneaux, who will likely be out for sometime due to a severely broken nose and nice forehead gash, respectively.  The Flamingo squad looks to rebound this Saturday (10/1) against Queen City, 1pm at Greenbriar Park in Fort Collins.

In their first league match since their run at the Western Champoinships, the NoCo Flamingos fell to the Glendale Raptors.  The Glendale side, containing many upper-level players, defeated the NoCo squad in a tightly contested match in Windsor, CO during the Rocky Mountain Irish Festival on 8/27.  The final sore was 36-39.  Although the Flamingos were trailing for a majority of the game, the foot of Mike Staab kept the score relatively close with a solid showing of exceptional range.  Staab connected on 6 penalty conversions, one from 54 meters, to acquire the title of Man of the Match.  The Flamingos took the lead going int the 76th minute on a converted try, but allowed a late try themselves with only two minutes left in regulation.  The following conversion by the Raptors and tough defense for the remaining ticks granted them the victory and a solid start to their 2011/12 league campaign.  Although the Flamingos suffered their first defeat of the competition year, they were encouraged by the tough play by everyone who donned the pink and black.  The Flamingo effort netted them one point in overall league standings for a loss of less than seven points.  The Flamingos next league showdown will be against the Colorado Springs Grizzlies on 9/24 in Fort Collins.

Your Northern Colorado Flamingos have accomplished the first step on the road to Austin, Texas, and the Western Territorial playoffs, by their convincing defeat of the Queen City Rugby Club, in Denver, 45 to 13. After handily defeating the Glendale Raptors and the Denver Harlequins beating the Colorado Springs Grizzlies, the week before, NoCo set the stage for their entry to new possibilities and rugby recognition. Returning to the Glendale venue to face QCRFC, the Flamingos knew they had to score four tries and hand QC a defeat to outpace the Grizzlies table 30 points to earn the Western spot in Austin. An 84 degree breezy day found NoCo recieving the kick from QC. The first quarter of the match NoCo was in their own half more than 75% of the time, battling bids for the tryline from the Queens. A penalty directly in front of the posts near the 20 min. mark gave QC the first three pointer. QC 3-0. Captain Sol Mascarenas implored his charges to pick up the pace and make better decisions. The request paid off as the pack rumbled down the pitch with determined pod rucking and mauling til the 27th minute when flanker Ryan ‘Harmsful’ picked the ball from the base of the ruck and rambles 30 meters to score the first try of the match. The kicker of the day, Mike ‘Bird’ Staab converted the try. NoCo 7 – QC 3. The restart proved productive as number 8, Sam ‘Whiteness’ Starlin caught the QC kick, broke 3 tackles on his ramble to the try line for a second Flamingo try just 2 minutes after the previous score. The converted try took the tally to Flamingos 14-3. With NoCo finally getting on the forward moving track, the backs advanced the ball with two territory grabbing attacks, winning the ball at the breakdown, and allowing the pack to pound the ball forward. Again, No. 7, ‘Harmsfull’ found himself in the try zone for an additional try two ticks later, which was converted. NoCo 21-3. The final and bonus point score for the pink birds, with 4 min. left in the half, was achieved by Dan Silvius when he took a pass from scrum half Jeff Brundage from the 10 meter mark and slipped in for the try, left unconverted. Flamingos 26 – 3. The Denver Rugby/Queen City boys proved they had fight in them when their big lock rumbled in from 20 meters at 39 minutes for an try, left unconverted. NoCo 26 – QC 8 During the break, coach Polzin gently reminded the Flamingos about the job they had to finish. A few strategies were figured, lots of water, and the flock was ready to go at it again. The first 12 minutes of the second stanza found the teams tugging at each other in the middle of the pitch until a scrum down was presented to NoCo 15 meters from the QC line. The backs called the perfect ploy that found center Chad ‘Grape Nuts’ Graepler dotting the try, which was converted. Flamingos 33 – 8. The next 14 ticks were entertained by numerous kicks for position with many probes by both clubs into opposition’s 22. In one such probe, scrum half Jeff Brundage picked the ball from a ruck and scampered to the try line for yet another score, which ws converted. NoCo 40 – 8 QC still had fight in them and to prove it just min. later the inside center plowed through 4 Flamingo vain attempts to stop him, to score another try, unconverted at 66 minutes. NoCo 40 – QC 13. At this juncture coach Polzin started strategically replacing Flamingos. Mike ‘New York’ Donato came in to replace no. 2 Silvius, Max Charbonneau replaced Vito Sunseri at center. Not to be outdone by hard QC determination, the Flamingos built on phase after phase of play in both the backs and forwards. Pressing the advantage, with 2 minutes left, NoCo let the ball out to the backs and ‘Bird’ Staab skipped two players to ‘Rasta’ Todd Oswalt, while fullback Drew Grigsby ran behind and Oswalt executed a perfect loop pass to put Grigsby into the try zone, left unconverted. Final Score: NoCo 45 – Queen City 13. Northen Colorado Rugby is pleased to announce their entrance to the Western Territorial playoff, with the first round to be held at Austin Rugby Club, Austin, TX. April 29 – May 1. Anyone wishing to attend is heartily invited. For travel info contact Jan Nansel at 970.308.2215 NoCo Scoring summary: Ryan Harms 2 tries 10 points Sam Starlin 1 t 5 p Dan Silvius 1 t 5 p Chad Graepler 1 t 5 p Jeff Brundage 1 t 5 p Drew Grigsby 1 t 5 p Mike Staab 5 conversions 10 p 5/7 attempts

  The Northern Colorado Flamingos took another positive step in the hunt for the Eastern Rockies Rugby Football Union division II dominance with their convincing defeat of the Glendale Raptors, Saturday March 26.  A late 2pm start, a cool breezy day on the alternate all-weather pitch set the stage for the NoCo task at hand.

  With the opening kick the Flamingos progressed toward the goal controlling the ball in the rucks and pod play.  Five minutes after the start, four phases presented the first scoring opportunity by Northern Colorado with ‘Rasta’ Todd Oswald running for a good 40 meters and evertually coming to try scoring fly half Tommy Staab with Jeff Brundage kicking the conversion.  NoCo 7-0.  In the 13th minute, after continually dominating play in the forwards, the Flamingos rolled down the pitch when flanker Ryan ‘Harmsful’ Harms picked the ball from the base of the ruck and rolled in for a 5 pointer, left unconverted.  NoCo 12-0.

  Play was much contested after the restart when fullback Craig Sherman pounded a kick to the opposition five meters and the Raptor wing was unsupported an called for not releasing the ball.  A penalty ensued with hooker Mike Donato was passed the ball from the tap to set a play in motion and 3 phases later captain Sol Mascarenas was in for the pick and go try, 22 minutes into the half, again unconverted.  NoCo 17-0. 

  After productive play, six minutes later, wing ‘Rasta’ Oswald took a pass inside the Glendale 22, ran over a would-be tackler to dot the bonus point fourth try with Brundage converting.  NoCo 24-0.  The restart and resulting play found Northern Coloardo in their own 22 with the hosts probing attacks.  Lock Eric Rice found that he could not continue and replacement Ben ‘Zack’ Bernelson  took the field. 

  A kick to touch from NoCo did not find its mark and was ran back to the Flamingo defense when the Raptor fly half kicked the ball and fullback Sherman snagged the ball while charging the kick inside his own 22.  Rather than apply for touch again, Sherman ran forward…. one dummy, two dummy…running next to the touch line…three dummy and by this time approaching the opposition 22… DUMMY FOUR!! and in for the try which was converted by scrum half Brundage.  NoCo 31-0.

  Lock Henry ‘Fireman’ Vancil took the restart kick and rambled back to the half mark to set a maul that kept the ball from Glendale for 30 meters and more ground gaining phases with Ryan ‘Harmsful’ scoring at the half whistle, for his second try which was not converted.  Flamingos 36- Raptors 0.

  During the half pause there was much excited and nervous chatter as to how NoCo might cure some problems with their play, at which time Captain Mascarenas told everyone just to keep on doing their jobs and keep the multiphase play going with patience.  Scrum half Brundage was pleased with the forward and back rucking allowing him good delivery for the next phase of play.  Coach Brad Polzin then quieted everyone and told them that host Glendale would NOT be reticent, as he heard the opposition coach giving his charges an angry but controlled talk.  Replacements hooker, Dan Silvius, and back David “Aussie’ Wright were inserted to the lineup.

  The second half start did not go well.  The Raptor scrum half sped toward the goal, from midfield, when Brundage delivered a high tackle near his own try line, and after addtional exchanges of force, the referee awarded a penalty try and the complimentary, yet required, yellow card to Brundage inviting him to sit for 10 minutes.  NoCo 36 – Glendale 5.

  Playing shorthanded, Flamingos fly half Staab, pressed into service at scrum half, connected with the backs to wing Drew Grigsby for a long range try then converted by fullback Sherman.  NoCo 43- Glendale 5.  A determined Raptor XV took the restart ambitiously toward its goal reflecting the play of the Flamingos with brisk rucking.  A  Glendale backs break from midfield overloaded the NoCo defense and took the ball to the try line. Sherman put his body on the line, got up from the tackle and wobbled, found himself on the ground again. After careful examination and concern, Sherman was accompanied from the field of play and replaced by Richard ‘SA’ Carter while Brundage returned from the sin bin. Flamingos 43 – Raptors 10   

   NoCo controlled the pace of play with searing rucks, mauls and pick and go action.  In one such maul at the half mark, number eight, Sam ‘Whiteness’ Starlin grabbed the ball and rambled to the try line at the 55 minute mark. The try was unconverted.  NoCo 48 – Glendale 10.  Not yet finished, the Glendale side assembled another attack, and the perseverant scrum half scored another converted try.  Flamingos 48 – Raptors 17.   Three ticks later, wing ‘Rasta’ Oswald took a weak side pass to score his second try of the match after the pack and backs combined rucks to advance to the opposition 22.  The try was left unconverted.  NoCo 53 – Glendale 17.  Out, but still not down, the Glendale inside center scored a bruising try, with 6 minutes left, which was converted.  NoCo 53 – Glendale 24.  

  Not wanting to allow the Raptors final say, captain Sol found himself in the try zone again in the waning minute of the match to finalize the score at 58 – 24.  When handshakes and backslaps were done, Coach Polzin and Captain Mascarenas agreed that the Flamingos job is not done, when they heard of the Quin’s victory over the Co Spgs Grizzlies.  “The ball is is our court, we decide if we win the Union championship.”  says Sol.  That match in next Saturday, April 2, against Queen City in Denver.

  Man of the match honors went to ‘Rasta’ Todd Oswald.

Scoring Summary:

Tommy Staab    1 try           5 points

Ryan Harms      2 t            10 pt

Sol Mascarenas 2 t            10 pt

Todd Oswald      2 t            10 pt

Craig Sherman   1 t  1 con    7 pt

Drew Grigsby     1 t              5 pt

Sam Starlin        1 t              5 pt

Jeff Brundage           3 con    6 pt

  Northern Colorado Rugby Club defeated the Denver Harlequin Rugby Club on Saturday March 19.  Clear weather, no wind and a great crowd attended the club’s only home match this spring.

  Before the first XV started, the Fort Collins Old Boys hosted the Colorado Senior Old Boys in an oldies match.  The FC mature men (is that an oxymoron?) came out on top of the short, but sweet match 12-7.  After the match, Jeff Calhoun presented Greg Chvatal, FC Youth Rugby Coach, with patches adorned with a hammer symbol, for both the mens and youth side jumpers in rememberance of Matt Hammerdorfer.  Matt passed this life shortly after contact in a high school rugby match two weeks ago, due to an existing heart condition.  Fort Collins and Northern Colorado Rugby thank the CSOBs for their gracious and meaningul gesture.

  The first Northern Colorado, Denver Harlequin match started shortly after with spirited but scoreless action between the 22 meter marks until 15 minutes into the contest when the Denver pack was penalized for going over the top of a ruck in their own 22.  Mike ‘Bird’ Staab place kicked the 3 pointer.  NoCo 3, Denver 0.  Then next 11 minutes were heated with the Flamingo pack making advances phase by phase.  Scrum half Jeff Brundage popped a kick over the defending back line, retrieved the ball to score a try.  The try was left unconverted.  Flamingos 8, Quins 0.  The ensuing nine minutes saw a seesaw battle again in midfield until NoCo committed thier own over-the-ruck offense resulting in a penalty and a 3 point goal.  NoCo 8, Denver 3 at the half.

  Coach Brad Polzin informed the Flamingos that it was not enough.  Not enough effort, not enough ball production, and not enough scoring.  NoCo responded with hard rucking and mauling. At the 44 minute mark, when defending in the Quin 22, the ball came out to the Denver fly half with the intention of kicking to touch.  Captain Sol Mascarenas, in flanker fashion, adroitly hacked the kick on to the try zone and pounced on it for an impressive try. The try, again, was left unconverted.  Flamingos 13, Quins 3.

  The match again was back and forth until the backs found their chance to shine 52 minutes into the match.  The ball was kicked over the Quin backs and Chad ‘Grape Nuts’ Graepler outsped the defense to the bouncing ball and dotted a try to increase the Flamingo lead.  ‘Bird’ Staab converted the try.  Fort Collins 20, Denver 3.  With the restart, the Harlequins pressed every advantage and situation.  Another Flamingo over-the-top penalty was called with a quick toe by the Quins.  Eric ‘Ginger’ Rice immediately tackled the playmaker and as a result was penalized and presented with a yellow card of greeting to sit for 10 minutes.  Following advantage was pressed by Denver until a lock took the ball from a ruck and scored a try and completed with the additional two point conversion. NoCo 20, Denver 10.  

  Four tics later, Sol Mascarenas, while controlling a ruck, took a pick-and-go ball to the try line for another 5 points which ‘Bird’ converted.  NoCo 27, Denver 10.  With the return of Rice from the sin bin, Captain Sol exhorted his charges to give him 13 hard minutes to finish the game off.  Unfortunately, the result was a try from the Quin wing that outpaced the defense.  Flamingos 27, Quins 17 with conversion ,and just 6 minutes to go. 

  The following restart found the ball in the Flamingo 22 for some time when a penalty was called for not entering from the back of a ruck.  A quick tap from 12 meters out, the ball handed to a determined center which resulted in a hard earned try at the whistle with a conversion.  Northern Colorado 27, Denver Quins 24.  

  The local boys came out swinging and did not find themselves behind the entire match, but lackluster late play cost them a point with the game win by less than 7 points.  A good win, just the same.

 The second side match was hotly contested by Old Boys, first side players and a few very new players.  It is to be mentioned that the Quin coach Poindexter played with the Northern Colorado second side “to give his boys a good run’, and was recognized for such at the post match party. The Flamingos came out on top of this match with an impressive score of 43 to 34.

      Sol and Tye Mascarenas were tapped as ‘Man of the Match” for the first and second sides respectively.

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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.

Now that we have celebrated the success of a winning 2010 season its time to secure our position at Westerns.  We are in the middle of our off-season but NoCo Rugby has decided to get an early start on our training.  The team is getting together Tuesday and Thursday nights to train and get warmed up for the upcoming spring season.  Tuesday nights the team will be doing Boot camp training at Anytime Fitness in Windsor, http://www.anytimefitness.com/en-us/clubs/735/windsor-ca-health-club, training starts at 6pm.  On Thursdays we will be practicing indoors at The Edge Sports Center in Fort Collins, http://www.edgesportscenter.com (times vary, see below for details). 

To ensure our place at Westerns this year we need to stay focused on what we accomplished last year then build on top of that.  Get out practice and get a run with your team, secure your position and looking forward to the first hit of the year.

Edge Sport Center Training Dates/Times

1/13 – 8:15 pm
1/20 – 8:15 pm
1/27 – 10:15 pm
2/3 – 10:15 pm
2/10 – 8:15 pm
2/17 – 9:15 pm
2/24 – 9:15 pm

The Northern Colorado Flamingos soundly defeated the Glendale Raptors Saturday at the Wildwing pitch 49-19.  In a very important division match, NoCoRugby made their season record 3-1-1, with the tie coming at the hands of the Denver Barbarians last week.

A cool windy day set the stage on a fast pitch.  The Flamingos set the pace with a try from Jeff Brundage 14 minutes from the opening whistle and Tom Staab converted.  Steve Robinson led the pack with a close support try in the 29th minute after the pack rumbled with the ball for 7 phases making the score 12-0.  Inside center Bryan Hyland went into the try zone three phases after a lineout making the score 17-0 in the 33rd minute and unfortunately, was injured during the play.  Glendale finally got into the books with a sneaky try by the flyhalf with three minutes left in the half and the flanker kicking the conversion making the score 17-7.  Northern Colorado was having none of that and answered with a try by winger Drew Grigsby kicking the ball at the 10 meter line and outhustling the defense to dot the try in an excellent individual effort making the score 22-7 at the half..

With the wind in the Flamingos favor, they started the half slowly, but finally scoring resumed with a total team effort rolling down the pitch and Jeff Brundage touching the ball down for a try in the 49th minute making the score 27-7.  At the restart, hooker Dan Sylvius took a short kick and ran unhampered for  meters until the opposition wing slowed him till NoCo support came to rumble down the side with wing Todd Oswald running on the weak side for five points making the tally 32-7 with 31 minutes left in the match.  After ten minutes of great defense and good effort NoCo again took the ball in multiple phase rucking and lineout mauling  toward the try zone with wing Drew Grigsby finishing with another try, 37-7.   at the 65 minute mark Nick O’connell ran for a scathing try from loose play after replacing injured no. 8 Dave Luedtke, with Craig Sherman kicking the conversion, 44-7.  Glendale was not going to give up and scored a try and conversion with 10 left in the match, score 44-14.  Jeff Brundage then scored his hat-trick try at the 72nd minute making the score 49-14.   Glendale’s completed the scoring at the final whistle by their loose head prop making the end tally 49-19.

Northern Colorado Rugby captain summed the play up by saying, “You Flamingos are really in trouble now…. You showed me what you can do.  YOU are in big trouble!”   With Boulder next on the schedule and two more division matches this fall, the Flamingos have an interesting challenge ahead.  Please come and support you Northern Colorado Rugby Flamingos!  

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This last weekend the Northern Colorado Flamingos took the field as they squared off against the Denver Barbo’s.  This wasn’t a league match but still a huge battle for the team.  The Fort Collins Flamingo’s, now the Northern Colorado Flamingo’s have not had a good recorded when it comes to the Barbarians.  Over the last seven + years the Fort Collins (NoCo) Rugby team has lost every game when facing Denver.  This season we showed up to the match with a different outlook, more confidence and the will to win.

Knowing that we were going to face Super League athletes and a very technically skilled team we came out with our aggressive style of rugby and showed Denver that we were here to play.  It was a back and forth match for a full 80 minutes of play but in the last five minutes Denver came away with a breakaway try to tie up the game.  As the final whistle blew the score was 29 to 29, not a loss.  Though we would have liked to walk away with a win, controlling the field position while implementing our game plan was a huge accomplishment for NoCo Rugby against such a skilled team.

Man of the Match goes to Brian Hyland, inside center.  Brian played a fantastic game of defense, he was in the Barbo’s faces all day long.  Being aggressive both offensively and defensively gave the Barbo’s a rough time trying to work against him in the back line.  Congratulations Brian.

Northern Colorado Rugby Club defeated Denver’s Queen City Rugby Club Saturday with a convincing score of 42 to 28.  After a warm-up ERRFU tourney the week before, NoCo Rugby was eager to show local fans and supporters what to expect in the upcoming year.  Open play support was very vigorous and dominating from the start whistle.  

Flyhalf, Tom Staab opened the scoring with a penalty kick in the 12th minute of play with Chad Grappler following close behind with a try in the 15th minute.  Two penalty kicks by Queen City kept the score at 8-6  Captain and flanker, Sol Mascarenas completed excellent rucking and mauling by the entire 15 with a try in the 20th minute and Tom Staab made the conversion.  Not to be outdone, flanker Harms ran thru heavy opposition, dished to scrum half Jeff Brundage, supported the play and got the ball back to run in for another five points with Staab making the conversion.  Queen City made another penalty goal at the 35 minute mark.   Drew Grigsby finished with a long run for a try just befor the half whistle making the score 27-9.

Queen City came back after the half determined to put more points on the board with a try by their outside center five minutes into the second stanza, with their prop excecuting a long run for another try shortly after and a conversion.  Northern Colorado realized they took their foot off the gas and got back into the scoring with a try by fullback Sherman in the 57th minute.  Queen City answered with a try in the 61st minute by their number 8.  Jeff Brundage broke for a good gain in stiff defense and after supporting play ended with a 5 pointer.  Queen City was still down, but not out with a penalty goal at the 68th minute mark.  Dave Luedtke sealed the win with a rousing try after great forward control and rucking in the 77th minute.