Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

Thanks for visiting the site all...we broke 2000 hits over the weekend.

Keep sending your comments and concerns. Anything you send means less time I have to search for something to write about! I do enjoy it though...kind of therapeutic.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Beavers Blast San Antonio for Seven's by the Sea Title

PADRE ISLAND -- The Satiated Beavers ended their 7's season on a high note Saturday, claiming the championship trophy at the Seven by the Sea tournament on the beaches of South Padre Island. ti. After disposing of the Corpus Christi Red Tide in the first match, the Beavers dropped a game to the San Antonio motley side in a rare display of unorganized play. Informed, however, that they had the chance to claim the title in a final championship match, the
Beavers responded with a vengeance, redeeming their earlier defeat with a sudden overtime victory. The match was hard fought and bitterly contested, with regulation time ending in a draw. Less than a minute into the sudden death 5-minute period, though, the Beavers strung together a series of rucks and passes to spring two-time U23 Eagle Traci Schmidtke up the sideline. Schmidke stiff armed multiple would-be tacklers to touch the ball down for a Beavers
victory and earned Woman of the Match for her heroic efforts. Rocky also earned Ref of the Day honors, and the Beavers out-drank the male Man of the Match for a well-rounded day of butt-kicking.

Congrats to all who played on the sand (Traci, Steph, Tiffany, Bags, Wendy,Shalay, Ros, Monica from A&M, Kate Nichol, Lauren formerly of A&M & Anna), to our fearless, if sunburned, coach Heidi, and to our tireless, if buzzed, wategirl Meg. And thanks to ALL who have trained and learned 7's this summer -- our work has truly paid off.

A NOTE TO ALL VALKYRIES FROM YOUR COACHES:
15's training begins Aug 15. Do what you need to do to be happy and healthy and ready to go on that day. If that means hitting the gym, cool, but if means kicking up your heels and watching OC re-runs, that's cool too. We will have a short, intense 2 months to get ready for Wests, so let's bring it. Thanks!!!

HOT CHUM

From Lee's Rugby Life Blog: Jen Doan is an amazing photographer who has been attending the Women's National Team (WNT) events and is creating a chronicled account of our run up to the World Cup. Her photography captures the authenticity and feeling of a given moment.


http://wnt.swirlphotography.com/

	Australia	First played in the 1930s, taken seriously in the '90s. 1992 five teams staged first club championship. AWRU established in 1993. Current playing numbers: 4411	Contact: Meagan White
	Canada	Canada's first women's international was against USA on 14 Nov 1987. The side finished fourth at both the 1998 and 2002 Women's RWCs. Current playing numbers: 15400	Contact: Martin Gallagher
	England	First took off in the 80s, with Richmond RFC the first to have a women's section. Reached the final in 1991, won 1994, lost semis 1998 lost final 2002. Current playing numbers: 11000	Contact: Rosie Williams
	France	The first French team formed in 1965 and the Association Française de Rugby Feminin (AFRF) was launched in Toulouse in 1970. Integrated into FFR since 1989. Current playing numbers: 3600	Contact: Wanda Noury
	Kazakhstan	Women's rugby has a traditionally strong footing in Kazakhstan, where the main focus for developing the women's game in the Asia region has been set. Current playing numbers: TBC	Contact: Luke O'Callaghan
	Ireland	The Irish Women's Rugby Football Union formed 1992. First international against Scotland 1993. In 1995 the number of teams allowed for a divisional structure. Current playing numbers: 12000	Contact: Mark Andrews
	New Zealand	Champions in Amsterdam 1998 & in Barcelona 2002. NZ's fastest growing women's sport, with a Women's NPC a talent showcase. Current playing numbers: 9675	Contact: Danika Charlton
	Samoa	Beat Ireland, Kazakhstan and Wales in 2002, promise to be strong competitors with many players in the NZ domestic leagues. Current playing numbers: 1600	Contact: Dawn Rasmussen
	Scotland	Hosted the second Women's tournament 1994 after the Scotland Women's Rugby Union had been formed in May 1993. Current playing numbers: 24695	Contact: Barb Wilson
	South Africa	In 2000 women's rugby integrated into the SARFU family. Women's Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the country. Current playing numbers: 6700	Contact: Mahlubi Puzi
	Spain	One of the first nations to embrace women's Rugby, Spain did not play a test until 1991. First played in the Catalonia, there is now a thriving league. Current playing numbers: 1160	Contact: Rafael Amieva
	USA	Took American Universities by storm in 1972. 1990 women officially adopted US Eagles title, 1991 won first World Women's Tournament in Wales. Current playing numbers: 12200	Contact: Anne Barry

2006 Standings

1. New Zealand
2. England
3. France
4. Canada
5. Scotland
6. USA
7. Australia
8. Spain
9. Kazakhstan
10. Ireland
11. South Africa
12. Samoa

2002 WOMEN'S RWC, BARCELONA
STANDINGS

1 NEW ZEALAND
2 ENGLAND
3 FRANCE
4 CANADA
5 AUSTRALIA
6 SCOTLAND
7 USA
8 SPAIN
9 SAMOA
10 WALES
11 KAZAKHSTAN
12 ITALY
13 IRELAND
14 JAPAN
15 NETHERLANDS
16 GERMANY

I'm sure that every woman rugby player is waiting on pins and needles for the Women's World Cup to start...so here is some information to tide you over!

Info about the World Cup, Tickets, and the Donation Fund are below.

Women's World Cup 2006

Friends of the USA Rugby Women's National Team Donation Fund

Tickets to World Cup

$10 OFF GENERAL ADMISSION!
Don't miss this opportunity to save $10 off General Admission. Visit www.ticketmaster.ca and enter the code "WRWC06CP" to purchase your discounted tickets. For hospitality or group opportunities, call (780) 466-8351 or email jhickey@rugbycanada.ca today!

USA RUGBY WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM WRWC SCHEDULE
August 31
vs. England at St. Albert (Time TBA)

September 4
vs. Ireland at Ellerslie (Time TBA)

September 9
vs. Australia at Ellerslie (Time TBA)

September 12
TBA

September 16
Opponent TBA at Ellerslie

September 17
Championship, Third and Fifth Place Matches
at Commonwealth Stadium

The Satiated Beavers recieved a few text messages from Rosalind while she was with Little Rock in Cape Cod, while we were in College Station playing against the young Aggies. She said the weather was gorgeous, about 75 and breezy...what luck!

They beat NY, the Pink Ladies, and Boston. They lost to Midwest in the semis, and finished 3rd overall. Not bad when the 2 teams in the final were select side and they were undersized or as Ros said "rugrats."

The West Sevens Club competition concluded this weekend in Norman, OK. The record heat was replaced with warm temperatures, low humidity and a steady breeze all day in what proved to be a great day of rugby for all the participants. The tourney consisted of a four team high school bracket along with six social sides combining with 4 western qualifying clubs.

The top four seeded qualifying clubs in attendance were the Denver Barbarians, Fort Worth Elite “Grey”, Fort Worth Elite “Black” and KC United. During the course of the day, most all of the higher seeds held form and won their matches accordingly. Surprises from pool play in the “A” bracket were a late entry from the Dallas Harlequins and their defeat of the higher ranked KC United squad.

In the “B” bracket, the Elite Black took revenge (35-5) from their prior loss in Denver to the Elite Grey squad. The match was one sided from the first minute with two quick try’s from the Blacks defensive pressure leading to Grey turnovers and eventual scores in side their own 22 meter.

The semi-finals drew #1 seed Denver Barbarians against the #2 seed Elite Grey. Once again, the Grey was unable to put in their tackles and hold off the defensive pressure of their opponents. However, the Grey was able to fight back with some long periods of possession and scoring opportunities but was unable to get over the line against a stingy Barbarian defense.

The second semi-final was between the Elite Black and the Dallas Harlequins. The Harlequins brought a mixed side of veteran leadership and inexperienced youth. The mix was not enough to stop the Elite Black onslaught. The Elite squad was growing in confidence after every match and was firing on all cylinders by now and was playing their best rugby of the summer. Final score 40-10.

The final was a rematch of the first super regional event in Austin, one that saw the Barbarians out class the Elite squad in all phases. However, the Elite squad was confident and looking for revenge. The game was intense and saw the Elite take a slim 7-5 lead at halftime. Both teams looked to be “out on their feet” due to the pace of the match. The match was certain to
turn on whoever made the first meaningful error in the match. That error came in the 19th minute when the Barbarians took advantage of an Elite knock on. The ensuing scrummage left open a large blindside on the right hand side. The Denver flyhalf took the outlet pass and raced into the corner for the go ahead Try and the 7-10 lead.

The Elite took the kick-off deep in their own territory and relied on Jeff Reuther (tourney most valuable player) to find a gap in the Denver defense and make a break at his own 22M line up the middle. The Denver pursuit was almost certain to stop him at their own 10 meter line when Reuther was able to find his winger who finished of the move and sealed the match for a
dramatic, come from behind victory (14-10).

Entering the Tourney, the Barbarians had all ready assured themselves the number one seed from the WRFU based on their prior two wins in Austin and Denver. The Elite Black and Elite Grey will be the 2nd and 3rd place finishers within the West and will take the corresponding WRFU seeds at the USA Sevens Club Championships.

Finally, “Thank You’s” are in order for hosts Jon Velie and Larry Naifeh for a well run event (and perfect weather), the Referee Society for their greatly appreciated services and last but not least all the players/coaches within the WRFU for making this yet another successful and exciting competition.

David McPhail
WRFU Sevens Director

*sidenote: Thanks to Holly Iker and the OU Roses for helping run the tournament also.

This is pretty cool! A flashback on some of the greatest women rugby players...more specifically 1991 when the USA won the World Cup!

From http://www.womeneagles.com:
In recognition of the upcoming 2006 World Cup, WomenEagles.com would like to take a few moments to relive the historic performance by the US Women's National team in 1991 at the inaugural Women's World Cup in Wales. The following story is reprinted from CJ Vosk's newsletter "In Support of Women's Rugby." Enjoy!

For the full story click here http://womeneagles.com/firstCup.html

http://www.scrumdownthemovie.com/

SCRUMDOWN delivers us into the heart and soul of the ultimate footballer's experience Rugby. Even with its long-standing tradition, this sport has been banned from Olympic competition because of its violent nature and is unknown to most U.S. sports fans. In order for these individuals to participate, players actually pay money out of their own pocket for the privilege.

SCRUMDOWN follows a unique group of Bayou State gentlemen in their undefeated season with their deep-seated traditions, quest for a championship, courage under intense conditions, loyalty to the club, and resolute devotion to a time-honored sport.

Because rugby isn’t just a game — it’s a way of life.

For contact and additional information

Tracy L. Carnes
318.572.5811
Director/Producer/Cinematographer
tcarnes@sport.rr.com

Marion K. Marks
318.424.0880
Assistant Director/Producer
mkmarks@mmcc.com

Red Vanderkuy
318.564.0657
Producer

The concept of the American Rugby Football League seems pretty bad ass...but there is fear that it will never get off the ground! Check out their website...not much on it yet, but lots of fun and pretty pdfs to look at.

http://americanrfl.com/home.htm