Men's Premiership: Life Running Eagles vs New York Athletic Club
Starting off this week's 6 pack preview, are two heavyweight clubs that have just as much prowess as success. Life Men's RFC is in its 39th year as a team, all of their players are enrolled at Life University, with majority of their players are graduate students. This is a different club than their Men's D1A team, which has won the past two national championships.
Life Head Coach, Blake Bradford, highlighted the future matchup and its significance within their competition. “There is a history of rivalry between Life and NYAC and the games always tend to be a tough battle as what was seen during our week 1 clash with them in New York. The ARP is a very tough competition and has produced the D1 National Champion six out of the last seven years.' Bradford continued, "We have had a slow start to the season and we look forward to the opportunity this weekend to compete against a quality team, like NYAC. We have had a great week in training and have worked on improving some areas of our game.”
NYAC has bolstered a solid start to their season as well, and will be aiming their sights on attaining a well-deserved victory against this dangerous Life side. The NYAC Rugby club was established in 1973 and has won the USA Rugby National Championships in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2012 and 2015. The Club has hosted a number of players throughout the years that have gone on to represent the USA men's National Team, much like Life Running Eagles RFC. Their coaching staff is top rated in USA rugby with a mix of international coaching talent anchored by former US Eagle Head Coach, Mike Tolkin.
Women's DI - Eastern: Atlanta Harlequins (A) vs D.C. Furies
The former WPL team, DC Furies will be facing off against their conference foe in Atlanta Harlequins D1 side. The Harlequins (A), will be loooking to continue the successful trend that their WPL team has shown the potential of so far this year. The Furies have been improving on their pattern and structure in order to rebound to their first game defeat to Charlotte Rugby.
Atlanta Harlequin’s (A) Manager Mary Howard had this to speak to what has gotten the Harlequins to this moment in their season: “The Harlequins Division 2, now Division 1, side has been on the rise following a low turn-out year in 2017. After a lot of hard work from veteran players “Scorpio” McCoy, Amanda Lam, and Bri Boldon, to name a few, our numbers have seen a strong increase. The rise in numbers gave us the momentum to develop a strong team culture that we hope will cement our growth and development for many years to come.' Howards continued with, "The Harlequins' focus continues to be on growing the game of rugby, especially in the South. We are so excited for the growth not only in our club, but in the Atlanta and Georgia regions, and are thrilled to represent the South and test ourselves this Saturday.”
Atlanta forward’s captain Brandalyn Watts spoke on her favorite aspect of Harlequin’s rugby and what she hopes to see on Saturday: “We have an incredible culture built on hard work and support, and we are so excited to see that culture in motion on Saturday. The DC Furies have been a staple in the women’s game for a long time, they are an experienced team with strong players, and we are excited to play a very hard game of rugby on Saturday. We are grateful for the opportunity to play the sport we love for the team we love. I’m really looking forward to an exciting match this weekend.”
To compare their experiences to Watts comments, Sharifa Love President of DC Furies had this to say about their clubs' history and season thus far: "This is an exciting match up for us because we’re two clubs that are familiar with each other from playing in WPL east, but we’re entering a new phase of competition with no expectations in the DI arena. Numbers are a little light for us on the road, but this is not a new phenomenon for traveling rugby teams so we’re not focusing on that.' Love continues, "We’re excited for lots of playing time, we’re looking to execute our game plan that we’ve been working on in practice, we’re going to have a good time playing the game we love, and hopefully we can come away with a W. For the Furies this is a time of transition and growth and this game on the road vs. Atlanta is a part of that journey."
Furies head coach, Nick Hildebidle, is determined in improving his clubs performance on the whole, this upcoming weekend: “As a team, we weren't happy with our performance two weeks ago against Charlotte, but I also think it helped us refocus on what we're capable of this season. We've had two weeks of solid training sessions and are looking forward to testing ourselves against Atlanta on Saturday.” And Hildebidle had some shoutouts toward some key Furies players in this weekend's match:
Captain Kerri Stancil, prop and Co-captain Gloria Cho, scrumhalf;
Vets to watch: Lauran Glover - center, Cheri Chen - hooker/flanker
Rookies to watch: Brigette (Bruce) Maggio and Maria Sylvia
Men's DII - Mid-Atlantic: Doylestown Dragons vs Old Gaelic Rugby
This Division 2 battle of the undefeated will land upon the Doylestown versus Old Gaelic week three matchup, with the Dragons as the host for this battle. In the past 5 years of this head-on match, Old Gaelic have the upper-hand by winning 3 of the 5. This will be a bruising and too close to call match which will have the victor leaving the pitch with side-effects of increased confidence.
Frank Lentz, Old Gaelic Coach mentioned the highly spirited rivalry between the two clubs and is excited for the upcoming weekend: "While the entire D2 MAC is competitive, Doylestown has become the team to beat in recent years, especially for Old Gaelic. They handed us our only regular season loss in the 2018-2019 season, and we really let ourselves down as a team when we saw them again in the playoffs. This week is not so much about revenge as it is learning from our past and improving each year.' Lentz continued, "We come into this season with a renewed focus on consistency and commitment. We know where we can improve, based on matches so far this year— where we have had success, and where we need to focus in practice this week to give us the best opportunities against Doylestown.'
Head coach Lentz also praised his current club and their dedicated players and coaching staff who have bought into the club culture: "We have a great mix of personnel— young guys who are hungry to take the field and experienced players who can focus that enthusiasm during the match. We have a great coaching and administrative structure that puts in significant time in preparation and planning for both practice and matches. Most importantly we have a team dynamic that is really special. We prop each other up and we’re good friends on an off the field. There is an immeasurable benefit to that dynamic that no amount of practice can replace."
The head coach for Doylestown Dragons, Michael Bondar, is aware of fact that Old Gaelic is hungry for improvement and will be looking forward to the impending challenge: "The Doylestown team enjoyed incredible success in the 2018-2019 season, ultimately placing third in the Nation. In the early part of the new 2019-2020 season, for the Dragons, like all other clubs, the main concern was addressing players lost and players gained. The talent pool in Doylestown is ever increasing and this season’s lineup is likely the deepest they have had in years. Experienced players have stepped up their game as well as new young players graduating college and returning to the team.'
Bondar continues by addressing how their club had regained its matured numbers along with experienced talent and how they will affect the upcoming matchup: "The return of former Academy standouts, Ryheem Powell, and second year breakout Colin Patrick, have proven to be incredibly beneficial. The men have worked hard through the pre-season in order to fill voids and work out bugs and they have performed well in the first couple regular season matches. However, Old Gaelic has become a formidable rival that will provide a worthy challenge. Utilizing the systems implemented by Chris Amoratis, and the toughness instilled by Mike McCandless, DRFC is confident they will emerge with another victory on their quest for a National Championship.'
Women's DII - Midwest East Gold: Pittsburgh Forge vs Buffalo RFC
Another undefeated matchup this round is comprised of the powerful Pittsburgh Forge and Buffalo RFC clubs. Both clubs have an impressive 3-0 record, in a classic matchup of Unmovable Object meets an Unstoppable Force.
Chelsey Mitchell, Pittsburgh Forge Women’s Rugby Captain, had this to say about her club's chances and hopes this weekend: “The Forge women enter this weekend against Buffalo with multiple goals in mind. Finishing the Fall 2018 season left the team unsettled and prepared to achieve even more in the 2019 season. With new recruits and returning players working together, the women are developing Forge Women’s rugby on the field, and excited to meet Buffalo on the pitch again this weekend for a rematch. Leadership looks forward to watching players 1-23 step on the field and maintain the Forge Women’s brand of rugby for 80 solid minutes!”
The Buffalo Women's RFC side was formerly the 2018 Midwest Conference Champion run, which whom are also celebrating their 15th season as a club. The playoffs for this competition start October 26th and run through November 9th. The Buffalo Women's RFC side will have their sights set on returning to their ways atop the conference as champions.
Men's DIII - Midwest: St. Cloud Bottom Feeders vs St. Paul Jazz Pigs
Once again, there are many solid clubs to be highlighted within the USA Club Rugby sphere, including another undefeated matchup in this Minnesota battle with the Bottom Feeders hosting the Jazz Pigs (insert jazz hands). The Jazz Pigs are down only one point in the standings, and this match's victory blueprint will come down to grit and bounce of the ball.
Team captain and flyhalf for the Jazz Pigs, Tony Miller, stated his excitement for the big cross-state match, including some potential unsavory weather: "This Saturday is a battle for the top seed in Minnesota Playoffs and it is only fitting that it will be decided in what is likely to be sleet and snow. The St. Paul Pigs have a long history with St. Cloud, a rivalry since the St. Cloud club was formed. We came into this season with high expectations and anticipated that this would be a huge match when the schedule was first released. Both teams know each other well and we expect this to be another close, hard fought game."
This season the Pigs success has been lead by their forwards, who like to set the tone early, have proven to be dynamic in open play. Prop Justin "Juggy' Parsons and Flanker Travis Spencer are some of their best playmakers, and finishers on the team. Come Saturday, expect the pack to dictate the pace as the backs look to exploit the space that they create.
The Bottom Feeders, from St. Cloud, have a strong mission to promote rugby in Minnesota, and the Midwest, as a strong community partner with local organizations, businesses, schools, and community members. They strive to build partnerships and relationships with current and former members, in addition to supporting local businesses and various other organizations in Central Minnesota.
The St. Cloud side have been demolishing sides this entire season, with an average of 35 points per game, except for their last match versus Rochester, squeaking away with a 7-5 victory. Both sides are clamoring for a shot at the first seed heading into playoffs, along with bragging rights until the next time they face-off.
Women's DIII - Mid-Atlantic: Rappahannock Rugby vs Frederick Rugby
Erick Grabman, Rappahannock WRFC Coach, wanted to praise the opportunity this upcoming weekend for his club's side: "This weekend’s match presents a great opportunity for the Rappahannock Women to maintain our place at second in the south and keep us in a position to chase the first place team in our division. We are playing Frederick, a club that is no stranger to us. This will be the first match against them this season. Both clubs are 1-1 in the win/loss column at this point and separated by a narrow margin of two points in the standings. Undoubtedly, Frederick is looking for their shot at moving into our spot.'
Grabman continued talking about his club's disposition and their strengths to help them attain a potential victory: "Our outlook is positive! We know what we need to do, and we focus on the execution of our game philosophy to the best of our abilities. This is going to be an exciting game! Frederick will put the pressure on us, but it’s our job to handle what comes with that pressure, keep our organization and continue to make our plays. Rappahannock Women’s Rugby is a special group. We are a team by name, but overall we are a family. On a 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!'
The Frederick Women's RFC was formed in Fall 2004 by a team of fun, enthusiastic women. We play almost year–round, with a competitive 15's season in the spring and fall, a competitive summer 7's season and some fitness training during the winter months. Plus we have social events, retreats and community projects throughout the year.
FWRFC will be aiming toward their next challenger in avenging their previous week's loss to Maryland Stingers. Frederick Women's Rugby will have a split season schedule with the second half of the remaining games concurring in the spring. This Frederick club will be looking for a solid win with momentum leading into the 2nd half of the competition.
