With many club playoff implications on the line this upcoming weekend, the majority of games will be played for conference positioning. This weekend will include many of those games, where the fight for conference bragging rights will be on the line. For others, the season is half way through and will be vying for necessary standings points.
Women's DI - Empire: Charlotte Rugby vs Philadelphia Rugby
The first spotlighted matchup will involve two teams who have just a couple games under the belt for the 2019 Fall campaign. Brad Richard , Head Coach for Charlotte RFC had this to say about his club's upcoming matchup while they look back on their previous success, gaining momentum moving forward.
"We are looking forward to hosting Philadelphia Women, they are consistently a top Division 1 side and we know they will play the full 80 minutes. We (Charlotte) have had a great season so far that is massively improved from last year and are up to the challenge of hosting Philly.' Richard continues, "Our athletes have put in tons of work since our close loss to Boston (33-34 on 10.12.2019) and we expect that we will take the field in a better position because of the quality competition we have had so far this season.'
Philadelphia Rugby have won their last two games, going 2-2 on the season thus far. They will have a tough battle for a playoff berth, but the upcoming matchup will be a great test to see how far they could go.
Becca Fagan, Philly Captain chipped in on her side's chances, "Philly's really looking forward to closing out our Fall season with a big game against Charlotte. We started our season a little slower than expected but really took the time to figure out what changes needed to be made and have moved into a more dynamic style of play that suits our skills & needs out on the pitch. Since making those strategic changes, our club has only been growing stronger and more confident and we're really excited to put it to the test against a team that challenged us last time we met. Our last clash with Charlotte was a truly physical back & forth and we're expecting the same level of tenacity going into this game. We'll be looking to play our game from minute one and are looking forward to adding another well earned W to our record."
Men's DI - Mid-Atlantic: Potomac Exiles vs Washington Irish
Up next, the battle for the Mid-Atlantic Men's DI, Potomac (5-2) will face off against the Washington Irish (3-1). This will be a tough match for either side in their cold and clammy weathered game. Washington Irish Club Captain, Chris Curtis, had this to mention of his club's impending matchup. "We’re looking forward to the challenge this weekend. Potomac is a very skilled side that’s proven they can beat teams with both power and finesse. We’ve been looking forward to this rematch since we lost to them back in September. We’ll be ready.”
Julius "Toga' Fanueli, Head Coach for the Irish gives due credit to the Exiles and their success, while their back and forth battle throughout the years has led to many great games.
"They are a well-coached rugby club, coached by Owen Lentz, a former US Eagle player. We have played them five times and we have lost to them five times. Four out of the five games it came down to a nail-biting ending. We know it’s always a good match when we play them. Our preparations this week were solid and the boys are ready to have another crack at it.'
Fanueli continues, "There are three D1 teams inside the 495 beltway, Potomac Exiles to the North, Washington Irish in the City, and Nova to the South. All very good clubs. Potomac Exiles lost to Nova, and Nova lost to the Irish so the 495 rugby club bragging rights are up for grabs.'
Women's DII - Empire: Village Lions vs Danbury Mad Hatters
Although this next matchup will not have playoff implications for Danbury, they are nonetheless incredibly excited for the upcoming game and know they have much to work on moving forward. Trisha Tormey, Women’s Representative Danbury RFC, added in what the Danbury season has provided for the club, "Gearing up this weekend for our last match of the season, we know this will be a tough bout for 80 minutes. The Village Lions have always been a staple within our league. They are an experienced team with some very strong players.'
Tormey continues, "Coach Mike Hale’s goal this season was for the Danbury Women to build our numbers, develop a strong team culture, and continue to play at a Divisional II standing, while giving our all every time we stepped on the pitch. We have a really good group of positive women who not only love the sport of rugby, but the culture as well.'
The Village Lions have had a great season thus far going 5-1-1, and are top of the Empire table. Liz Berridge, Vice Captain of the Lions mentioned what kind of spirited matches the Lions and Danbury have shared over the years.
"Back in May, to mark the occasion of the Village Lions Club’s 30th Year Anniversary, Danbury kindly agreed to a friendly game versus the mixed Old and Young girls of the Lions. The game, played on a sunny day also on Field 74 on Randalls Island, saw the mixed Lions side score, Old and Young girls alike. Danbury ran in a few tries (aided by some Lions loans), and all had a nice run out on the pitch.'
Berridge added, "Pertaining to EGU League games, the two teams have not gone head-to-head since Fall 2017. Going into Saturday, the Lions are looking to stick to their game plan and focus on their structure, spacing, and skills under pressure. The home side is anticipating a strong battle upfront from the Danbury pack, from what can be remembered, and are expecting a physical match.'
Men's DII - Mid-Atlantic: Roses RFC vs James River Rugby
An inter-conference clash between the Mid-Atlantic North (Roses) vs South (James River) will ensue this weekend. Patrick Grover, President of James River RFC, highlights his club's accomplishments and their mindset moving forward to potentially finish atop the table
"James River Strikers RFC, leading the Mid-Atlantic Senior Men’s D2 South conference by a single point travels to Lancaster, PA to meet a strong Roses RFC side. James River, celebrating its 50th Club Anniversary and recent European Playing Tour with stops in Belfast, Dublin, and Cardiff, has this year joined Richmond Strikers Youth Rugby in a move to grow and strengthen its future success. We play for today but always plan for tomorrow, constantly seeking better formulas for long term rugby success.'
Roses RFC have had a tough-go this year so far with a 1-3 record, but have plenty of opportunities this season, including the impending battle with James River, to flip their playoff hopes.
Women's DIII - Mid-Atlantic South: Rappahannock Rugby vs Maryland Stingers
Erick Grabman, Rappahannock WRFC Coach had much to say about his prode for the club, the effort they club has gave all season, and their positivity when it comes to accepting impending challenges.
"This weekend’s match will be the greatest test of the season for the Rappahannock Women. It is only fitting that we end our fall season with a match against the first place Maryland Stingers. This match presents us with the opportunity to jump into first place with a win. As it stands the stingers are ahead of us by a margin of three points. This will be our second match against them this fall. They are the only club to hand us a loss and we are anxious and excited to get another shot at them."
Grabman continues to discuss the competition, "When we play the Stingers we expect to have our most physical and exciting match of the season. They are a tough, physical and well coached club. They have a great combination of size, strength, speed and a high rugby IQ. They present challenges across the board for us. Their pack is strong and works well together while they have true game changers in the backline. We respect them and embrace the situations and challenges they create!'
Rappahannock coach concludes, "We are excited and know what is on the line. We are expecting to see some big plays this weekend form all of our ladies. In a match like this it take a whole team effort. We will undoubtedly face adversity this weekend. Staying positive and opportunistic is what playing for Rappahannock is about, we are a family. On rugby-day, there is nowhere else we would rather be, and no one else we would rather be with. We are looking forward to the match!'
In comparison to Rappahannock, the Maryland Stingers have had a wonderful season being top of the table, undefeated season so far. Caitlin McMahon, Maryland Stingers Captain, had this to say about her club's challenges and improvements along the way.
"We started off our fall season with a challenging match against Rappahannock and managed to eke out the victory by a two point margin so we know that they're looking to pick up the W for this match. Rappahannock is a team that is looking to contest at the breakdown and use their hard running players to make breaks.'
McMahon continued, "As we have been building to this rematch, we have been looking to maintain our momentum as a team and continue to play at a consistently high level for 80 full minutes. Every minute we play on the pitch is a minute we play for our teammate next to us and that's the spirit of rugby and the spirit we try to take with us on the pitch.'
Men's DIII - Carolinas: Columbia Olde Grey vs Clayton Bootleggers
After recently beginning their respective seasons just two weeks ago, these eastern clubs are keen for a chance in curating some momentum. Ted Hardy, President of Clayton RFC, discusses the importance of the upcoming matchup and will be concentrating on what Columbia may have in store for them.
"Even though it's an early season match, this one could be huge for us. We have an incredibly tough division this season. We have nine teams total, six of which are legitimate playoff contenders, fighting over four spots. Any chance that we get to upend one of those clubs is important to our playoff hopes. We have a massive amount of respect for Columbia and the way that they play. They are a hard-nosed club that can punish you with an experienced pack and they have talent in their back line.'
Hardy continues, "We beat them last year at our place, so we fully expect them to throw everything they have at us on Saturday. They're off to a strong start this season and will be tough to beat at home. We're coming off of a two week rest after a poor effort at Charleston. We need a huge effort for all eighty minutes this weekend if we're going to come home with a victory.'
Lewis Eliot, Second row/forwards coach of Columbia Olde Grey, had this to rebuttal his clubs chances against Clayton RFC, along with how their season has shaped their play and club continuity.
"We’re looking forward to hosting Clayton on Saturday. Like us they made the postseason last year but failed to go on a long run, so will also be hungry to lay down a marker against us. How we do will be a good barometer of how well this season is going. We had a great training session in the rain on Tuesday and the boys are pumped for Saturday. As it’s our last home game of the calendar year the club is keen to get a statement win.'
Eliot adds in about the previous matches they've had, "We’ve kept clean sheets and secured try bonuses in our first two Matrix games this season but Clayton will be a massive test of our skill and character. They’re a strong, deep side and beat us on their patch this time last year. Since that loss we feel like we’ve been gaining some momentum as a club. That game prompted us to take a long look at where we went wrong and we in the leadership group have worked hard to develop a clear identity in our playing style. We’re very excited to test ourselves against a quality opponent and close out our 2019 home slate in style.'
