MEN’S 15s DIVISIONS:

1. MEN’S OPEN (w/ CASH PRIZE)*
1st Place ~ $1,660
2nd Place ~ $1,000
3rd Place ~ $665
2. MEN’S CLUB
3. COLLEGIATE MEN

ENTRY FEES:

OPEN @ $475
CLUB @ $375
COLLEGIATE @ $350
For the latest details visit:
www.fortworthrugby.com

Contact Kyle W if interested. Witnbraker@aol.com

The HARC Men brought back the Bowl from Lonestart 7s to kick off the 2010 7s season.

This a roster including six players new to HARC the boys ran out to an overall record of 4-1-1.

The number two seed in their pool HARC faced Quins 2, Austin HS Alumni then Shreveport. The first two games were convincing wins to the boys in blue however at half time against Shreveport they found themselves down three tries. Undeterred the team came back and scored a try on the final play of the game to even the score at 26. Steve Hill’s kick would sail just right of the posts and the game ended in a draw.

Because of the one tie HARC was seeded 6th going into the knock-out rounds of the tourney and drew the Black Lions (some of whom were 15s teammates). After a short between match break the game kicked off. The first half was marked by largely even play marked but effective use a pace by the Lions and dogged defensive determination by HARC. In the second half HARCs shortage on fitness and 7s experience showed when the Lions were able to score several unanswered tries. A couple of HARC substitutions leveled out the play however HARC was unable to get back in the game.

Knocked out of the Cup competition HARC was to face Shreveport again in the Bowl semi-finals however the opposition had had enough for the day so HARC won by forfeit. In the Bowl HARC took on Southside (Tulsa) who’d just beaten Little Rock to advance. In what was a close game HARC eventually emerged victorious thus earning their first trophy of the year.

HARC Roster:
Steve, Conor, Jeff, Dan, Jonny, Brandon, Dustin, Miguel, Blake, Danny, Edmond & Dax

HARC intends to field two 7’s teams; one team that will be more of a social team to compete in the TOLA 7’s circuit and the other to play in the West Qualifiers, to take a run at Nationals. The qualifying side roster will be determined by commitment and play in the TOLA tournaments. The first TOLA tournament is June 5^th in Dallas and the first Qualifier is June 26^th in Dallas.

Practices will be held on Thursdays (only) from 7PM to 9PM at HARC’s home pitch at the YMCA on Fondren. 

Practice will start Thursday, May 27th.

If you are interested in playing 7’s, on either squad, or just have questions please drop me an email or give me a call. Otherwise I look forward to working with you guys this summer.  Edmond Allen edlvr4@yahoo.com

May 07 | www.rugbymag.com

By Pat Clifton

When Houston and the Denver Highlanders meet this weekend, it will be a rematch of a West-North/West-South crossover match from a year ago. Last season, HARC held onto the South‘s second seed and the Highlanders claimed the North’s third. This season, Houston was tops in the South and the Highlanders fourth in the North.     

(Full Story)

The Houston Athletic Rugby Club would like to invite you, your team, family, and friends to come watch our playoff run as we hold home field advantage in Round 1 of the USA Rugby Division I Playoffs at the Westland YMCA on May 8th (2PM Kick-off).

Come out to cheer on HARC  as they fight for Texas rugby supremacy. Stand on the sidelines and help HARC cut down the Denver Highlanders to help your Houston boys push deeper into the playoffs. This is a playoff rivalry rematch of last year’s first round game and promises to provide massive hits, numerous tries, and big tackles.  

Last year HARC battled past the Denver Highlanders to a strong 24-15 victory at home on a beautiful May day full of hard hitting rugby. That win propelled HARC into the Sweet 16 round for a long awaited playoff breakthrough. This match was played in most unfavorable conditions and easily the worst playable surface of the season as HARC was barley edged out by the Las Vegas Blackjacks in a hard fought mud drenched match. Las Vegas Blackjacks ended up facing Aspen in the 2009 Division I National Club Championship but fell 25-10 to the Gentlemen of Aspen.

 Bulls Primed and Looking Forward to DI Playoffs

HARC is primed and ready to put forth its best team ever in battle against the top rugby clubs in the United States. In their first ever perfect league season HARC’s stingy defense held all of its opponents to only 96 points in their 10 game league season. Including their non-league games, HARC’s overall record was 11 – 1 with their only loss coming in an exhibition match against the Super League Dallas Harlequins.  Scoring an amazing average of 42 points per game it’s no wonder HARC has been ranked #4 in the nation by uspowerrugby.com.   

The points for and against ratio for HARC and some of their top competition is listed below.  Keep in mind that these teams play in separate leagues so the real measure will be when they go head to head in the playoffs.

(10 – 0) #4 HARC vs. Opponents                  423-96
(9 – 1) #1 Aspen vs. Opponents                   472-167
(7 – 3) #9 Glendale vs. Opponents                416-208
(12 – 0) #3 Olympic vs. Opponents               427-141

HARC is led by the player coach combo of Carl Newman (8-man) and Chris Scott (Wing). Both coaches publicly stated after their defeat over the San Antonio Rugby Club, “We are not happy the regular season is over, our team is dreaming if we think we have accomplished anything.  We need another ten matches to sharpen up before we are ready for the playoffs.”  Although, coach Newman did attribute an increase in the team’s stamina and strength to one of its new addition of Scott who brought in a strong knowledge of training and a extra bit of professionalism to bolster HARC’s already stellar squad.

A full article on the match can be found at bleacherreport.com-> HARC Sets Record Pace in WRFU & Makes History in First Perfect Season

 April 24th saw HARC take on the visiting San Antonio Rugby Club in the final regular season match of the 2009-10 season. With an 84 – 7 win the Houston side finished regular season undefeated (10-0), a first in club history. Performance throughout the season was enough to win the Texas league and achieve a #4 national ranking going into the playoffs.  The word is growing as more fans continue to show up for the sport they can’t explain but love to watch.

A full article on the match can be found at bleacherreport.com-> Houston Athletic wins 84-7 over visiting San Antonio RFC

The HARC Ladies will travel to Boulder to play in their 4th Roughstock 10s Tournament on 4/24.

HARC (9-0) has the opportunity to complete an undefeated cup season this Saturday when they take on San Antonio (1-8) at the Westland YMCA. Following last week’s 34-10 victory over the Blacks in Austin, Houston has secured the Texas D1 title and #1 seed going into the playoffs. In addition, they are now ranked as the #4 D1 club in the country by US Power Rugby.

HARC beat San Antonio 81-5 in March and will be looking for a similarly comprehensive performance as they prepare to host the Denver Highlanders in the Division 1 Round of 32 in two weeks time.

After starting out slowly on a wet pitch and agaisnt the wind the Bulls eventually ran out a 34-10 win over the Austin Blacks. With the win the Bulls confirmed their dominance on TRU Division 1 rugby.

In other news the Ants played their last 2010 match at Bay Area. Despite solid play and an outstanding performance from scrumhalf David Zeitzoff (three tries) they were unable to get thier second win of the season. Final score 27-46.