Men's DI - Midwest: Detroit Tradesmen vs Columbus Rugby
In this upcoming men's top division matchup, the Detroit Tradesmen will host the Columbus RFC. The Tradesmen are 1-point down in the standings to the Chicago Lions, and a win with a potential bonus point could see the Detroit side farther into the playoff picture.
Jed Elley, Head Coach of the Detroit Tradesmen had these comments to provide, regarding the upcoming match.
"We are all very proud of our club and family. This game with Columbus is not particularly special but another opportunity and challenge we look forward to as we do every rugby game. We have to win convincingly to keep our Hope's alive of winning the division and getting a shot at the midwest championship game. The way the league is currently structured it's really tough and like last season we may miss out on an opportunity due to bonus points or points differential."
Elley continued, "Columbus are rebuilding and gave us a good run when we played them in Ohio. We expect another tough game and will have to play well to succeed. The Tradesmen are doing everything we can to perform well and have positive performances in our final 2 games of the season and it starts with Columbus on Saturday. We will throw the kitchen sink and champagne bottles at this opportunity. We love rugby, we play for each other and the Tradesmen family, and we are going to enjoy and Express ourselves these last two weeks of the 2019 Fall season. Let's ride.. ucha cha'
Columbus will be looking to earn their first win of the season against this tough conference opponent and club representative Kevin Fessenmeyer understands how the 'little things' make all the difference in improvement.
"We are a young team with a lot of new faces. All season we have been focused on our 'performance' and playing our system rather than the end result. Now in the second half of the season, we're looking for our performances to be better than the first half. Our first match vs Detroit, we had a solid first 40, down 7 at half, before they pulled away. Thats been the story of our season. We have had good 20-30 minute stretches, but have yet to have a good performance for a full 80."
Fessenmeyer continued to state, "So, this time around we want to have a longer performance and show improvement over the last time we played them. Not just as a team, but at the individual level. We want to outplay our opposing numbers. We want to continue to build and cannot lose focus of our work-ons or running our system.'
Women's DII - Midwest: Chicago Sirens vs Milwaukee Scylla
The next matchup includes the Chicago Sirens taking on visitors, Milwaukee Scylla, who have won a scorching four consecutive matches. In last year's matchup, the Scylla had a very lopsided win, in which the Sirens will be looking to avenge themselves this upcoming weekend.
Jessica "Juice' Mueller, President of the Milwaukee Scylla WRFC, is psyched for the impending clash, and is also looking forward to what the future of a potential playoff picture would mean for the club.
"The game this weekend against the Sirens is our last league match and we are so excited to continue the momentum we have been building all season and end league play with a strong showing. This match is important because all the matches this weekend determine the postseason for our league. In recent years we were in a different conference than the Sirens and met up with them often in playoffs, in past years. Knowing they are a playoff caliber team and feeling the colder weather moving in makes it really feel like another playoff match.'
'Juice' finished her remarks with the expectations of the season thus far, leading into a payoff berth, "We have set really high goals for ourselves and this match up against the Sirens is our next step at achieving those goals. Braving the weather and playing in all conditions is helping us develop a toughness that we will need this weekend and hopefully going into November. Our team consists of a strong core of women who have been playing rugby together for a long time and know what it takes to win high pressure games. We also have this influx of young talent which has made it a great season to bring those two groups together and evolve into our way of Scylla Rugby."
Coach Linda Niemela of Scylla WRFC piggy-backed off of her president's quote by giving their opponents much due credit, along with praises her club's success this season. "Scylla has been working hard this season on bringing all of our new athletes in line with our offense and strategic play. We have made a great deal of progress as the season progressed and I am looking forward to this final league match against the Sirens. My favorite part of the fall season is watching the team come together, execute our offense and gain momentum as we head towards playoff games. Our leadership and returning players have done an excellent job at mentoring and bridging the gap for all of our younger players who came from a variety of quality high school and university rugby programs.'
The Sirens will undoubtedly hungry for a victory coming off two consecutive non-winning weekends, with a tie and loss. This proud Chicago based club has been around the conference and division for a long time, and with a solid group of women leading the charge, lookout for this game to unfold an enthusiastic and spirited match.
Men's DII - Mid-Atlantic: Phoenixville White Horse vs Richmond Lions
Upcoming in the men's side of DII, the Phoenixville White Horse RFC will host the Richmind Lions. A bit about White Horse RFC, is that after 3 years in DIII, the club had kept a winning record, and in May 2018 won the Mid Atlantic Conference (MAC) DIII Championship. Since their championship, starting in Fall 2018, WHMRFC had moved up to compete in DII.
Eoin Beck, President of Phoenixville discussed their upcoming match against Richmond, and their path through the DII landscape since entering a year ago. "We don’t know much about Richmond other than the fact that are a formidable team that consistently finishes towards the top of their division. We know we’ll have to put in the effort at practice this week and play at our best in order to rise to the occasion against Richmond.'
Talking about his club's DII experience, "We’re still learning our way in D2 after winning the D3 MAC championship in 2018. We moved up to D2 and also started a D4 team which went the MAC finals in our 1st season of competition. This season our D2 side has had wins against 2 teams that made the playoffs last year so we certainly pleased with the progress made and we’re looking forward to facing off against Richmond.'
Regarding his club's expansive system, along with the women's teams, was a highlight Beck wanted to mention, "What is really exciting is that there will be four rugby matches in Phoenixville on Saturday as our women’s teams play against Harrisburg and Wilmington, while our men’s teams play against Richmond and North Bay D4. So, there will be approximately 160 men and women playing rugby in Phoenixville this Saturday.'
The Richmond Lions have unfortunately ridden a four-game losing streak with two of those matches of a point differential less than 4 points. The Lions Vice President, Tom Domino, expressed his hopefulness and excitement regarding his clubs upcoming matchup.
"We are excited to go up to Pennsylvania for our first cross-division match this year. It has been a tough year, but we feel like our record does not reflect how well our team can play. We have been competitive in our losses and are looking to make this game a turn around in our season. We are hoping to take some of the moments brilliance where we have played together and in our system and to turn that into an eighty minute performance.Thanks again for contacting us, and go Lions!'
Women's DII - Carolinas-Georgia: Camp Lejeune Maniacs vs Columbia Bombshells
In this week's second DII women's game spotlight, the Columbia Bombshells will travel to Jacksonville, NC to face the Camp Lejeune Maniacs. The Carolinas-Georgia division has just begun their 2019/20 season being 1-2 games into the Fall campaign. Both clubs have yet to record a win, but are incredibly positive regarding the upcoming conference matchup.
Chyna Hamm , Camp Lejeune Maniacs WRFC President emphasized her positivity regarding her club's future schedule and the learning opportunities they have previously learned from.
"This is the first matrix season Camp Lejeune Maniacs has taken part in since we came together back in 2016. We had a rough start to this season, but look to turn that around with the support of our players, not only from Lejeune but also Cape Fear and Triad. Our upcoming match against Columbia will be our statement match to what kind of team we are going to from this point forward. From our brand new rookies down to our ten year veterans, we are excited for this opportunity to play and to grow the love for this game.'
The Bombshell Women's Rugby Club was founded by Simone Bontly and Mandy Hancock in April 2007. After practicing with Olde Grey Mens Rugby Club and some heavy recuiting, the Bombshells made their debut at Columbia's first summer 7s tournament, Lucky 7s (known today as Save the TaTas), coached by Matthew Foxworth and Aaron Bontly. Since then, the Bombshells have had great success in 7s and 15s seasons. In 2008, the Bombshells combined with the Charleston Hurricanes. In May 2009, the Bombshells hosted the only
As far as the records show, this upcoming matchup will potentially be the first time these clubs will face-off in regular season play. Regarding a bit of history of the Bombshell Women's Rugby Club; Was founded by Simone Bontly and Mandy Hancock in April 2007. Since then, the Bombshells have had great success in 7s and 15s seasons. In May 2009, the Bombshells hosted the only all-women's 7s tournament, known as the Southern Belle 7s. That same year, the combined team took home 2nd place in the South Tournament, which lead them to Houston, TX where they competed in DII Women's National Tournament. Since 2007, women's DII rugby in the Carolinas has boomed, and hopefully thanks to this wonderful club.
Men's DIII - Midwest-Wisconsin: Wisconsin Sharks vs Fond du Lac Wolfpac
The last men's matchup of the 6-Pack preview is a an incredibly strong side, in the Wisconsin Sharks will host the Fond du Lac Wolfpac RFC, who are aiming to bounce back from a four-game losing skid. The Sharks have beaten the Wolfpac in both matches of the previous two years, but beware of Fon du Lac giving the Sharks every scheme, look and effort they have left in the tank.
Phil Winkler , Wisconsin Sharks Representative discusses his club's obstacles which they've overcome, along with playing their best even though they are mathematically eliminated from the playoff structure.
"The WRC Sharks struggled at the start of the season for numbers. However, bolstered by some local talent who have graduated from our area high school programs, the Sharks were able to build a winning season. The only loss coming from top-of-conference Oconomowoc RFC. The matchup Saturday puts a capstone on the solid fall season. While falling short of a playoff berth due to Oconomowoc taking the only seed available in the conference, the Sharks are keen to end the fall with an emphatic win.'
Continuing his comment, Winkler emphasized giving recognition to the community and how've they've helped the club this season, "The WRC would like to give a shout out to our area high school programs and the coaches who run, and have run them- Middleton, Oregon/Stoughton, West, and Lafollette. Rugby is stronger in our community with high school and youth programs! For more information, please visit rugbymadison.org.'
Regarding the Fond du Lac side, unfortunately were not able to provide a club representative quote, but have provided their club's history and mission;
"As a result of our ongoing dedication to the youth of our community, we have introduced hundreds of kids to the sport of rugby. Our high school boys team has many success stories, including dozens of high school rugby stars who’ve represented Wisconsin at the annual USA Rugby Select Side Tournament in Colorado. Even more impressive, four of our players were selected to the USA national team, playing in Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Trinidad.'
Their mission statement continues, "Fond du Lac is quickly becoming known around the country as a true rugby success story, and has been referred to as “the model for how to develop a rugby program”. As a result, our community benefits from hundreds of visiting rugby players, coaches, referees, union officials, parents, media, and fans from all over Wisconsin, the Midwest, and the country. Most of these visitors will spend money at local businesses, and many will stay overnight at our hotels, and leave with a positive image of our community."
Women's DIII - Mid-Atlantic North: York & Lancaster Thorns vs Philadelphia RFC
This upcoming women's DIII matchup, the York & Lancaster Thorns will play host to the Philadelphia D3 women's side. In their previous matchup just two weeks ago, the Thorns had pulled away with the victory, with the final score a close one at 24-12.
Kate Pinker, the Captain of Philly Women's D3, had this to say about her club's chances against their conference foe, their season thus far, and finishing the season strong.
"[Our] side has had an interesting season so far. Not only have there have been so many new people to join our club this past season, we've also struggled with having our team work as one cohesive unit. After the last game against the Thorns, we were able to identify what adjustments needed to be made in order to make improvements going into this Saturday’s game. Winning this game would put us in a good standing for playoffs, so we are definitely playing to win!'
Pinker continued, "Our game against Wilmington was a great opportunity for us to play next to the people we will be playing with this weekends game. Everyone was looking really comfortable running lines off of each other, and I would say that our team is finally running as the cohesive unit that we’ve been working towards all season. This is our last game of the fall season, we plan on going out with a bang!'
The Thorns were unavailable for a comment on this upcoming match, but with a four game winning streak, the club will surely be aiming to finish their conference and regular season on top of the table ready for a playoff berth.
