Jr Blackjacks report

JR. BLACKJACKS FALLS SHORT AGAINST TEMPE/RED MTN.

(Silvestri Middle School) Saturday is RUGBY DAY! Today was a treat for Las Vegas Rugby Fan as the Las Vegas Rugby Academy hosted the two top team in the nation, #1 Highland (Utah) and #2 United (Utah) as they travel down to Las Vegas to take on Red Mountain (Arizona) and Tempe. The first game saw Red Mountain upset United, who are the defending 2010 Under 19 National Champions. The 2nd game was a little bit one sided as Highland displayed how rugby is played. It was an awesome treat to see high level of rugby and also to have the Jr. Blackjacks and Academy kids learn from it.
The 3rd game of the day was Jr. Blackjacks against a mix team of Tempe/Red Mtn. After a good warm up and prayer the Jr. Blackjacks took the field. With the wind blowing about 12-15 mph we took the kickoff. We did great to seal and protect the ball and started to move the ball up field. Fitness was the key factor in the game as we moved the ball up the field, the number of supporters reduce and Arizona saw the opportunity and counter ruck to turn the ball over. Arizona started to attack and went wide and the winger knocked the ball on and our #14 Matt picked up the ball and out paced a few defenders to score under the post. We had some great go forward opportunity but lack the continuity to keep going the same direction. We displayed some great individual efforts but in this game of rugby, teamwork always succeeds far better then individual efforts. We won 80% of our lineout’s and stole the ball 4 times. Our the only time we gave the ball away in the lineout is when we did not throw it straight. Our scrum was shaky at the first half as we lost 55% of our scrum. When we started to hit them and push is when we started to control the scrum more. In the 2nd half we won 80% of our scrum which was an great turnaround for us. We had many opportunity to score but lack of supporters and protecting the ball. Overall the Jr. Blackjacks played well against a very talented team. Jr. Blackjacks has no where to go but up. We made 80% of tackles which was really good and the only time Arizona scored was out wide or turnover in the open field. Our Defense around the ruck area was solid and Arizona knew the only way they can move the ball was to go wide. We performed well and are looking forward for the next game and training. It was just great to see the camaraderie of the Jr. Blackjacks and how the develop as a team. I see a lot of potential with the Jr. Blackjacks and the next time we play Arizona, it will be a different result. Back to work on Tuesday with Fitness and Fitness and enhancing our rugby skills. RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, RUGBY!! Rugby, we dare you to TRY!!!!!!

LVRA Whites wins

Under 14/U19 Girls

LVRA Whites sneaks past the LVRA Blues to win 50-40. Under a cloudy and winding afternoon the LVRA Whites took the rugby pitch to take on the LVRA Blues. This was the first meeting between the two team and it was a promising game to watch and ref. Both side had a good mixture of new and experience players and also for the first time a group of girls. The academy is working on building an all girl team to compete and today was the first time to see some of the girls play.
The game started slow with each team trying to feel each other out. The Blues seem to be the team that gelled quickly and it showed as the score the first try of the game. Blues Dakota took a quick tap and beat two defender to take the lead 5-0. The Blues again extended their lead with some quick hands and footwork to find an open Malcolm in the corner. 10-0. The Whites responded back with a try with Ernie taking the matters in his own to score a long run. 10-5. The Whites finally found their rhythm and the see-saw tries started. When the Blues scored a try, the whites would reply with a try. The halftime score was Blues 35 Whites 25.
The Whites started the 2nd half the same way then ended, with a quick try off the kickoff. Whites 30 Blues 35. The whites continue its attacking arsenal with 4 more tries to take a 50-35 lead. The Blues scored one more try but could not muster anymore. Final White 50 Blues 40. The best part of the game was watching how the U19 Girls played with good communication and plenty of good passing. The U19 Girls also display an awesome awareness of rugby skills. This U19 Girls is going to be a force to be reckon with. RESPECT, RESPONSIBILTY, RUGBY.

Chiefs comes from behind to win

LVRA TOUCH LEAGUE REPORTS

Under 8/Under 10

On a windy Saturday afternoon the LVRA Chiefs come from behind to upset the LVRA Hurricanes 21-19. It was a one side affair in the first half with the Hurricanes controlling the possession of the ball. Hurricanes defense was solid and scored a beautiful try from a turnover ball. The Hurricanes got on the board again with some awesome passing from such young player to extend the lead to 10-0. Chiefs had opportunity to score and get on the board but just could not finish the movement. Just before half the Hurricanes again with an excellent defense turn the ball over and send it wide to take a 19-0 lead.
The 2nd half was another story as the chiefs responded to a prep talk from their coaches and made some personal changes. The Chiefs found and after many attempts to break the Hurricanes defense to score under the post. (7-19) The coaches talked seem to lifted the chiefs as they quickly got back on the score board again with some great passing, running and keeping the ball. The Chiefs were reward with a penalty and took the advantage to score under the post with only minutes remaining. (Chiefs 14 Hurricanes 19)
In the final second of the game and with the ball in hands the Chiefs attacked from their half of the field. Phases after the phases the Chiefs control the ball attacking and the Hurricanes working hard to hold the attack. What seem like an eternity the Chiefs found a gap and sent the player to the corner to score. (Hurricane 19 Chiefs 19). With no time left the Chiefs kicker placed the ball and with a Johnny Wilkinson stance kicked the ball. Chiefs make history as one of the best come from win in rugby to take the win. Awesome display of rugby skills, teamwork, communication and just overall athleticism from both the Hurricanes and Chiefs. Looking forwards for more rugby game from these great young rugby stars. Rugby, we dare you to TRY