Saturday, April 8, 2006

Pygmies improve, but still lose twice

Tech rugby takes on Santa Fe and Las Vegas in a three-way matchup

Dave Wheelock New Mexico Tech Rugby Director

New Mexico Tech's Pygmies performed well against the Santa Fe Santos, but faltered against the Vatos of Las Vegas, N.M., the other men's rugby club visiting Socorro Saturday for a friendly round robin.

The collegiate team hosted the mens teams in a format that called for each team to take on the other two in a pair of 25-minute halves, giving each club 100 minutes of playing time. The Vatos, gearing up for the upcoming Club Side Western Regional playoffs, took top honors by clubbing Tech by a 48-0 score and easing past Santa Fe 26-10.

Tech fared better against Santa Fe, a frequent Rio Grande Rugby Union men's division champion, but was still on the short end of a 19-10 count. The Pygmies played a 25-minute half against the Santos, followed by one against the Vatos, and then repeated the cycle.

In perfect playing conditions, Tech jumped out to a 5-0 lead against Santa Fe with only five minutes and 30 seconds gone in their opening match. Athletic flanker Matt Nelson stole a lineout throw at midfield and scorched past two surprised defenders to score virtually untouched. Co-captain Seth Daly made the two-point conversion kick and Tech led 7-0.

Santa Fe scored an unconverted try in the 24th minute to avoid a blanking by their young rivals, but the Pygmies were thrilled to advance a 7-5 lead into their next encounter with the Santos, scheduled for later that afternoon.

Tech's next assignment, 25 minutes against a strong Las Vegas side, was not so happy. The men's team demonstrated superior strength and support play while detonating the Pygmies 29-0. Western Rugby Union all star players Robbie Castillo and John Collier each scored tries in showing the way for the Vatos.

In the third act Santa Fe's older players were better suited to resist the Vato tide but were shaded 7-3 on a last-play intercept try by Collier.

Round robin play was then repeated, with Santa Fe avenging their earlier indignity against Tech in a 14-3 score. Six-foot, 4-inch David Yazzie, a 2005 Tech graduate, stretched over the line to score two tries against his former teammates.

The hometown Pygmies shored up their defense against Las Vegas in their last quarter of play, yet could not find an offensive punch and fell 19-0 to a rampaging Vatos team. That Las Vegas concluded play by overcoming Santa Fe again, 19-7.

Fullback Justin Monroe played stellar defense and got the nod from his teammates as Man of the Match for the Pygmies, a difficult choice in the wake of other strong performances. The play of Matt Nelson, Seth Daly, and Phil Turner also stood out. Next up for the Pygmies is a trip today (Saturday) to Albuquerque's St. Pius Field for a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Albuquerque Brujos Rugby Football Club.

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