Fort Hood men win Alamo City rugby tournament
Transcription
Fort Hood men win Alamo City rugby tournament
SPORTS www.FortHoodSentinel.com May 8, 2014 D5 Fort Hood men win Alamo City rugby tournament BY SGT. 1ST CLASS JOSHUA JOHNSON 14th PAD The Fort Hood Rugby Football Club defeated the University of Texas San Antonio at the Alamo City Rugby Fiesta 7s Tournament in San Antonio April 26 in the final match to win the tournament championship. “With our great victories, Fort Hood Rugby has quickly become the talk of Texas rugby,” said Dan Chase, Fort Hood Rugby head coach. The Phantom Warriors went undefeated through six matches, earning first place. The team faced three Texas rugby clubs to determine the standings for a playoff round, the winners of which faced off for the title. “The entire tournament was a great experience,” said Mario Scott, 3rd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, who scored five tries, which are similar to touchdowns in American football. Not all of the scheduled teams showed up to the tournament, “but it did not stop the host from putting on a great showing,” Scott said. After winning the tournament, Fort Hood RFC combined with Alamo City RFC for a rugby 15s match against the Old Pauline Football Club, a rugby club from England touring in the U.S. whose scheduled opponents could not make the match. Old Pauline was victorious. Rugby 15s is a different style of play compared to 7s. For 15s, 15 Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Joshua Johnson, 14th PAD Fort Hood Rugby Football Club players prepare for battle on the pitch before their first match in the Alamo City Rugby Fiesta 7s Tournament April 26 in San Antonio. The team went undefeated in six matches, winning the tournament championship. players are on the field for 40-minute halves. For 7s, only seven players are on the field for seven-minute halves, and they are typically played in a tournament format. “Our game is 7s,” Scott said. “Our “We were all out there, burning up in 90-degree weather, on a turf field, wearing these huge men’s old jerseys, some of us playing for the first time. It was just an incredible feeling and a proud moment.” Though the women had just enough people to field a team for the event, they are still seeking more individuals to join the team, Hexom said. “As a new team, we are always looking for new players,” she said. “You don’t need experience; we can teach you the sport. We just need women who are willing to learn, work hard and get a little aggressive. Rugby is just a fun sport and a great way to hang out with incredible people, on top of being part of an amazing tradition.” TOP, Brianna Hexom, Fort Hood Rugby Football Club women’s team captain, goes for a tackle at the Rugby 7s Expo at the Scottish Festival Saturday in Arlington. The Fort Hood women’s rugby team debuted at the event playing two matches against the Dallas Harlequins Women’s RFC, losing their first match, but winning the second. ABOVE, Jeffrey Hexom goes airborne, diving into the try zone, scoring for Fort Hood Rugby Football Club during the Rugby 7s Expo at the Texas Scottish Festival Saturday in Arlington. The Fort Hood RFC went 2-1 at the event. speed is overwhelming and our experienced players constantly coach us on technique even as the game goes on.” The Fort Hood RFC took momentum from the win in San Antonio to the 2014 Rugby 7s Expo at the Texas Scottish Festival Saturday in Arlington. The men’s team won two of three matches, losing only to a solid Oklahoma City team. The Fort Hood RFC women’s team debuted, playing two matches against the Dallas Harlequins Womens RFC at the Expo, losing the first, but winning the second. “We have a lot of really raw talent that performed incredibly well on Saturday,” said Brianna Hexom, the women’s team captain from the 3rd BEB, 3rd BCT, 1st Cav. Div. With the first match under their belt, members of the team are looking forward to growing the team and taking part in more events in the future. “The women’s team has big aspirations, but it all starts with little steps,” Hexom said. “Finally getting to play together as a team was a great step in the right direction.” The Fort Hood RFC practices every Tuesday and Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at Venable Village Field on U.S. Highway 190. The club is open to civilian and military personnel and has men’s, women’s and youth teams for various age groups, starting from age 4 through high school. For more information about the team, visit Fort Hood Rugby Football Club on Facebook. Mario Scott moves the ball forward during a friendly rugby 15s match with Old Pauline Football Club, a touring team from England, April 26 in San Antonio. The Fort Hood RFC combined with the Alamo City RFC to play Old Pauline after their opponents couldn’t make the scheduled match.