Courtesy: Mark Jackson
Last Saturday, Thunderbird hosted three other Rugby clubs in a round robin tournament to end the Fall 2013 season. Red Mountain, Phoenix Rugby Club, and Camelback Rugby Club gave their all to win bragging rights, and, a shiny new trophy.
Thunderbird’s first game against Camelback was a hard fought one. In a mix of both veterans and rookies, Thunderbird played two incredible twenty minute halves to best Camelback 28 to 14. Our next game immediately followed, facing Phoenix Rugby Club. Though Phoenix appeared bigger, Thunderbird soldiered on, surprising them as well, winning 17 to 10.
The final championship game, between Thunderbird and Red Mountain, was the closest game of the day. Thunderbird started the game by running in two tris, but by the second half, Red Mountain and Thunderbird were tied. With time expired, the referee allowed the final play to continue, as is customary in the sport. Unfortunately for Thunderbird, Red Mountain scored, winning the championship.
In a season that had its share of scares, the Thunderbird tournament was a great way to round out the year. Though we didn’t win, everyone on the team was impressed with their performance on Saturday. All bruised and bloodied, Thunderbird will have three months to repair their wounds, when February and the Spring 2014 season begins.