Your Scrumhalf Connection - Women's Rugby Blog

For day 2 action go here.

from USA Rugby:

ACTON, Mass. – Despite soggy conditions, the crowd at NARA Park witnessed its share of exciting matches day one of the USA Rugby Women’s College Playoffs on Saturday.

Following some highly contested matches, Boston, Philadelphia, Glendale and the Austin Valkyries remain in the hunt for the Championships and advance to the round of eight on Sunday. Local favorites the Boston Women kicked the day off on a high note with a three try victory over Chicago North Shore when competition got underway on Saturday morning. Propelled by lock Erin Broderick, who converted her own try and booted a penalty kick, Boston shot ahead to a 10-0 lead before halftime and continued to hold its ground in the second half. Chicago got on the board inside minute 66 with a penalty kick from Emily Riehl, but was unable to gain momentum from there, as Boston maintained strong field position and dominated possession for the remainder of the half. In the 69th minute, Boston’s Xaymara Saez dotted down the final try of the match to put the score at 15-3. Boston advances to face top-seeded NOVA on Sunday (11 am), while North Shore meets Detroit in a consolation match when play resumes (9 am).

Following a nail-biting match versus Detroit, Philadelphia launched a late comeback for a 10-5 victory to keeps its championship hopes alive. Detroit drew first blood and got on the board within the first 10 minutes of the match with a try from outside center Kylie Newman. The Michigan side defended well and held Philly from the try zone for the remainder of the half to go to the benches at 5-0. Slick field conditions tested handling skills in the second half, but both teams remained steadfast toward the tryzone. Philly was the first to strike, as Meredith Hegg crossed over to even the score. Following an aggressive back and forth battle, Philadelphia again pushed over the line to go ahead 10-5, with less than 15 minutes left to play. Fighting with all they had, Detroit surged toward the goal to tie the game as the clock wound down, but could not get the ball to drop before the whistle. Philadelphia moves on to face the tournament’s No. 3 seed, Atlanta, on Sunday at 1p.m., while Detroit sees a consolation match versus Chicago North Shore.

Glendale took control early in its match versus NorCal Triple Threat. The Lady Raptors got on the board inside the 19th minute with a penalty kick from Karla Leopold and less than three minutes later, fullback Bethany Zick broke into the tryzone to go up 8-0. Battling through the pouring rain, the Raptors dominated possession in the first half and once again, off a true team effort, Glendale lock Jaime Lang found an opening to dot down the team’s third try. Just before the close of the first half, flyhalf Katie Thoreson snuck in for another to go up 20-0, where the score held until the end. Glendale will play No. 2 seeded Seattle Breakers to round out the day of competition on Sunday (2 pm) and NorCal will see Belmont Shore in a consolation match at 9 a.m.

In a highly physical match, Belmont Shore was narrowly edged out by the Austin Valkyries, 7-5, when play concluded at NARA Park on Saturday. The Valkyries’ Kandis Ruiz scored the only try of the first half, inside minute 12 and Rachel Kraft converted to put Austin ahead 7-0 at the break. Belmont Shore stuck close in the game and played excellent defense to keep Austin at bay and kept on the attack until the ball finally dropped in their favor in the 64th minute. Replacement Chloe Williams was able to push through to put her team within striking distance, but with the missed conversion the tally held at 7-5 until the end. Austin will meet the San Diego Surfers at noon on Sunday, while Belmont Shore faces NorCal at 9 a.m.

Weather permitting, USA Rugby will show Sunday’s Field 1 matches LIVE via webcast on USTREAM.

DAY 1 RESULTS – Saturday, Oct. 24
1. Boston 15, Chicago North Shore 3
2. Philadelphia 10, Detroit 5
3. Glendale 20, NorCal Triple Threat 0
4. Austin Valkyries 7, Belmont Shore 5

DAY 2 SCHEDULE – Sunday, Oct 25

5. Chicago North Shore vs. Detroit - Field 1, 9 a.m. (Consolation)
6. NorCal Triple Threat vs. Belmont Shore - Field 2, 9 a.m. (Consolation)
7. NOVA vs. Boston - Field 1, 11 a.m.
8. San Diego Surfers vs. Austin Valkyries – Field 2, 12 p.m.
9. Atlanta vs. Philadelphia – Field 1, 1 p.m.
10. Seattle Breakers vs. Glendale - Field 2, 2 p.m.

This is an AWESOME request from Annemarie! How cool would it be to name your rugby team? Help them out by reading below!

from my inbox:

It's Annemarie from up north!

The new Ithaca Women's rugby team is on a search for a team name/mascot. We're 4 months old now and after a successful summer of 7s we have a roster of 24 women, the vast majority playing this sport for the first time (plus we won a game already, 1-1 on the season).

Anyway, if you have any ideas or want to post it, people can go to our website www.ithacarugby.com and submit an idea for a team name (box on front page to submit). If their submission is chosen they get a free IWRFC t-shirt and bragging rights.

Happy brainstorming!

Best,
Annemarie
President, Ithaca (INSERT NEW NAME) Women's Rugby

Kickoff was at high noon in the desert in Scottsdale, AZ. The Lady Fog traveled down to play the hosts, Tempe, for the final official match of the season. The Lady Fog got on the board quickly, with 3 unanswered tries in the first 20 minutes.

The Tempe ladies were coming off a loss the night before to the Seattle Breakers, and battled to put points on the board before the half. At halftime the score was Fog: 21, Tempe: 7. The heat took its effect on both teams in the second half, to the greater detriment of the visiting team. Tempe put up another try and after Fog's #7 (Megan Brown) was sin binned for a dangerous tackle, Tempe capitalized of the Fog's missing 15th player by scoring two quick tries within 10 minutes. The Fog was back up to 15 on the pitch, the ladies settled back into their groove. With the score at Fog: 28, Tempe: 26, Fog's #6 (Kristen Driskell) took a quick tap off a penalty and charged down the pitch. Lacking support, she was tackled and quickly got to her feet and recovered her own ball. She passed it off to a rookie #3 (Cynthia Wright) was in support, who scored a try to seal the win for the Fog.

Tempe kept up the pace, but Fog's defense held them for the final minutes of the match. Erin Vancellette, Fog's #13, converted all 5 tries, with a final score of Fog: 35, Tempe: 26. Ardia Kelker, #15, scored 3 tries. The Tempe Women and the Fog both finished their seasons with 4-4 records.

Kevin Sullivan

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RugbyDept Essence V Ball - Beth Halldorson
RugbyDept Red Fitted Hat - Arturo Morales, Stow, MA
RugbyDept Tshirt - Small Black - Caitlin Krulock
RugbyDept Jersey #6 - Youth Red - Eli White, Woodrige, IL
RugbyDept Jersey (No Number) - Large Red - Mandi Valdiviez, Houston, TX
RugbyDept Jersey (No Number) - XL Red - Elisabeth Henry, Moreno Valley, CA
RugbyDept Tshirt - Med Black - Alexandra Forero, Pico Rivera, CA
RugbyDept Jersey - XSmall Gray - Deborah Anderson, Kansas City, MO
RugbyDept Tshirt - XXL Black - Mattison Grey, Brighton, MI
RugbyDept Tshirt - Large Black - Rebekah Knappe, Parker, CO
RugbyDept Tshirt - Large Black - Becky Lee, Phoenix, AZ
RugbyDept Shorts - XXXL (42) Blue/Yellow - Jaimee Lynn Nelsen
RugbyDept Shorts - Youth (30) Orange/White - Marlee Sundo, Pittsburgh, PA
RugbyDept Tshirt - Med White - Marina McCuskey, Duluth, MN






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Keystone lost its rematch with New York, 26-0. There’s no doubt that the 40 degree temperature and rain-soaked pitch made for a very tough match. However, Keystone’s inability to sustain continuity was ultimately the cause of their loss.

From the start, both teams were off and running, trying their best to maintain possession and pressure the other team into forced errors. NY did a better job at this as Keystone wasn’t able to hold onto possession for more than a couple of phases before turning the ball over.

Penalties again plagued Keystone and just like the first time the two teams met, NY was able to use the quick tap opportunities to spread the ball and capitalize on the infringements.

Throughout the match, Keystone forwards dominated NY in the scrum and in open-field play, however NY was able to pressure and/or win many of Keystone’s lineouts, again forcing turnover ball. In the end, it was NY’s ability to maintain possession and get the ball to some key playmakers that allowed them to run away with the game.

Keystone will now get ready for their Oct. 25th rematch against Beantown in Boston.


It was a beautiful day for rugby in Minneapolis last Sunday when the Twin Cities Amazons hosted the Berkeley All Blues. The Amazons fought hard but in the end, Berkeley came out on top. The Amazons dominated possession for the first eight minutes but an intercepted Amazon pass lead to a Berkeley try in the tenth minute of the match giving them the lead right out of the gate. Amazon lock Anna Brown broke away with a great run during the next possession bringing the Amazon’s deep into Berkeley territory. Unfortunately for the Zons possession was lost and Berkeley #14 had a big run bringing the ball back within the Amazon’s 22.

In the 20th minute of the match Amazon back Amanda Kingzett broke through the All Blue’s defense and was tackled around midfield. Colleen Tjosvold picked the ball out of a ruck and ran the ball deep into Berkeley territory. This possession ended in an Amazon try by inside center Amanda Kingzett with a made conversion by flyhalf Reebok Radtke.

A series of penalties by the All Blues during the next possession allowed the Amazons to move the ball all the way up field. The Amazons did a fabulous job capitalizing on Berkeley’s mistakes and maintaining possession. Amazon Hooker Tonnie Wulff kept the possession going with a series of perfect lineout throws. By the 35th minute of the match, the Amazons had driven the ball inside the All Blue’s 22 meter mark. The forwards attempted to hammer it into the try zone and in the end, Amazon outside center Lynelle Kugler broke through the defense and make the score 12-5 at half.

The Amazons opened the second half strong with a nice back line play leading to another try by Lynelle Kugler. The All Blues answered with a break away run by #14 leading to another five points for Berkeley making the score 17-10 Amazons. The All Blues brought the ball back into Amazon territory and scored again by a nice run by Ashley English. Berkeley was relentless and the Amazons were beginning to fall apart. Berkeley capitalized on a tired Amazon team and hammered the ball into the try zone twice taking the lead and making the score 25-17 Berkeley. The Amazons came back with amazing runs by Ashley Loosbrock and Ashley Mulford bringing the ball within the Berkeley 5 meter line. By the end, the Amazons were tired and the All Blues capitalized once more making the final score Berkeley 32, Amazons 17.


The Washington Furies continued their strong showing in the second half of the regular season with an 18-0 loss to Beantown on Sunday. The visitors struck first on the cold, blustery day, mauling up the right side in the 6th minute for the comfortable try by flanker Katy Augustyn at the back of the pack. Although the conversion kick was no good, the quick score and dominant maul could have put the Furies on their heels. Instead, Beantown would not score another try in the first half.

The sides traded fierce runs by the backs and loose forwards and ferocious punches by the tight five, but both defenses were able to contain line breaks and largely avoid mistakes handling kicks, despite the wet ball and capricious wind. In the 20th minute, the Furies’ Kelly Clerkin blocked a Beantown kick, sending the ball bouncing into the try zone, but Beantown was able to recover the ball first. The Furies would come within striking distance once more, but tough Beantown defense and an inopportune knock-on kept them from scoring. In the 34th minute, a penalty on the Furies would result in a successful penalty kick by Beantown’s Ashley Snyder, putting her team up 8-0. At the half, that’s how the score stood.

The second half started out just as fierce, with both teams playing smart, attacking rugby. Beantown worked the Furies deep into their own territory, and in the 56th minute, Beantown’s Amy Daniels outran the defense to score a dazzling try up the left side. In the 62nd minute, Beantown No. 8 Melanie Denham got her own try on the left side. Beantown failed to convert either kick for points after, but expanded their lead to 18-0.

In the 66th minute, the Furies’ Emily Miller was sin binned for 10 minutes for not rolling away, a punishment for cumulative team penalties. Despite playing a man down, the Furies were able to keep Beantown out of their try zone. In the closing minutes, the Furies would push deep into Beantown territory with quick runs, dishes and digs, but the visitors were able to clear the ball to bring the referee’s game-ending whistle.

“I was thrilled,” said Furies head coach Nancy Fitz. “I thought we played and competed really hard for 80 minutes. Just the improvement from the last time we played Beantown was remarkable. People are starting to believe that they can compete individually with these players from these other teams, and, even more so, we’re starting to believe that we’re at that same level.”


After their loss to Berkeley two weekends ago, the Minnesota Valkyries came into the ORSU match with clear goals to attack throughout the game, aiming to make a statement early and drive Portland back into their red-zone. The Valkyries spent time this past week focusing on set pieces, tidying up timing and execution, and focusing on the forward attack that would set the tone of the match. Working through a cold spell that will go down in Minnesota history as the coldest October start on record, the Valkyries welcomed blue skies and a mid-40’s start to the match on Sunday in North Minneapolis.

Driving past ORSU’s 22, the Valkyries capitalized on a penalty play with number eight, Jillion Potter, scoring the first try of the match off of a dish from Katy Hertel. A missed conversion by Dez Markovich put the Valkyries up with 5, and back to the 50 for the restart. A few minutes later, it was wing Kristy Lear and inside center Mel Kanuk with a blocked kick that found touch and set up the lineout that would place Tracy Call in position to receive the ball from Christy Ringgenberg who found the try line for the second score of the game. The second conversion was missed, but the Valkyries were determined to attack again, with Gabe Fidelman making a piercing run down the middle of the field for a score and Markovich converting to bring the game to a 17-0 Valkyries lead. As she has done throughout the season, Jillion Potter took space and attacked a kick from ORSU on the 50-meter line, pulling together her teammates in support for a multi-phase team try that was eventually touched down by Markovich at the 21st minute. Finishing out the half were tries from Hannah Stolba and Tracy Call, both with assists from teammates who were able to run attacking angles and penetrate ORSU’s defense to set up the scores. At the 40-minute whistle, the Valkyries led 36-0.

In the second half, the Valkyries again took off with a solid attack, fielding kicks and taking advantage of turn-overs to push into scoring position. Ringgenberg was the first to score at 49 minutes, with Hannah Stolba taking over for the conversion kicks in the second half. Using her speed on the outside, Sarah Reuter scored back-to-back tries, assisted by Ringgenberg both times. Kristin Zdanczewicz found open space to touch the ball down at minute 71, followed by scores from inside center Kanuk and outside center Ringgenberg. Stolba was three for six in her conversions, working some difficult angles at the posts. The work the Valkyries put in this past week defensively and at the breakdown paid off for Minnesota on Sunday: the teammates in maroon supported each other and maintained form throughout the majority of the game.

The Valkyries will meet the Amazons next Sunday in Eagan, Minnesota for the final home game of the season.

1. Sarah Chobot
2. Libby Berg
3. Jen Triemstra
4. Jenny Menke
5. Garnet Towne
6. Gabe Fidelman
7. Kristin Zdanczewicz
8. Jillion Potter
9. Katy Hertel
10. Hannah Stolba
11. Kristy Lear
12. Mel Kanuk
13. Christy Ringgenberg
14. Tracy Call
15. Dez Markovich
16. Sarah Walsh (for 5 at 30:00)
17. Angie Heifort (for 6 at 58:00)
18. Meredith Mrachek (for 2 at 56:00)
19. Laura Gill (for 1 at 46:00)
20. Sarah Reuter (for 15 at half)

This week's video is a short clip from Athena Media who produced an eight part documentary following the Ireland Women's Rugby National Team last year. "We’ve just created a new version of our rugby women’s documentary ‘Scrum Queens’ which went out as part of the Winning Women series on Setanta Sports last year for the IRFU for over 1,0000 schools. The DVD will be used to promote rugby with young schoolgirls and encourage them to give it a try. The replication and re-print is issuing at a happy time for the women’s international game with a strong performance in the Six Nations - and a win after France! Best of luck with them in their journey towards a World Cup qualification."

If anyone has any tips on where we can pick up this documentary or where to watch it fully, let me know!

Scrum Queens Promo

Winning Women | MySpace Video

Other Rugby Video Mondays:
10/12/2009: Week 4 WPL Videos
10/5/2009: Week 3 WPL Videos
9/28/2009: Why Do I Play Rugby?
9/14/2009: Week 1 WPL Videos
9/8/2009: Austin Valkyries vs Texas A&M University - Sep 5, 2009
8/31/2009: Full NASCs Results and Archived Video?
8/24/2009: USA vs France & England vs Canada Archived Videos
8/19/2009: Nations Cup Rugby - England vs South Africa & USA vs Canada TODAY!
8/10/2009: Nations Cup Video LIVE!
8/3/2009: Rugby Video Monday: ESPY Awards Highlights 1995 Rugby World Cup and Nelson Mandela

Please keep sending me your favorite videos to wendy@scrumhalfconnection.com! Make sure to check out the YSC VimeoChannel or my Youtube channel...and you can subscribe to both if you like, but keep in mind that all new videos will be onVimeo only as they are recorded in High Definition.

Aubrey just released the schedule and so I have included that below. I am hoping to get the scores pretty quickly, so check back for updates throughout the weekend. Good luck to all the teams attending!

Entry fee is $425.00 per team. First come/first served and we take only full payments/no deposits. Keep in mind we were sold out last year by Labor Day.

One day only for all teams (no more Sunday rugby).

Scottsdale Sports Complex (this will be our 4th year in a row there).
Captains meeting TBA (Friday night usually)
Brackets: 1-social men, 2-competitive men, 3-old boys & 4-women.
Format for social is 3 games, no more no less (20 minute halves).

Format for men’s competitive is 3 games in your bracket then after we reseed a single elimination playoff will occur. All matches are 20 minute halves.

Format for women’s bracket is top half of number entered will play single elimination playoff.

Competitive rosters in playoffs are limited to 22 and cannot be altered.

Keep in mind that since we are now a one day event we plan to start at 8:00 am and end with playoff games under the lights (women at 6:00 and men at 7:00 pm). This will be great for spectators.

Playoff halves are undecided but the finals will be at least 30 minute halves.

In accordance with the laws of USARFU all players must be cipped in order to participate in the tournament.

Also trophies, food/beverage, medical on hand, masseuse, T-Shirts, & International Athletic for all your rugby needs. www.iarugby.com

Party Saturday night 8:00/9:00 at the Buffalo Chip Saloon in Cave Creek www.buffalochipsaloon.com

For more information, please contact, Joe Freedman.

Rugby 7s is Olympic! So come to the biggest and best 7s tournament in the USA and celebrate!.........

REGISTRATION DEADLINE NEXT FRIDAY (OCT 16)....

How to register:
1. See below and Check out the website
2. Fill out the form
3. Send payment - details here
4. Email ny7s@newyorkrugby.com with any questions!

Cash Prizes for Men's and Women's Premier Divisions	2009 USA 7s Championship Cup Series Event
REGISTER YOUR TEAM									NEW FIELDS
HOTELS									PARTIES
2008 RESULTS									FAN/SPECTATOR INFO
JOIN THE NY 7s FACEBOOK PAGE
The NEW YORK 7s TOURNAMENT is the largest and longest running sevens tournament in the United States. The tournament has been held on the Saturday following Thanksgiving since 1959 and traditionally marks the end of the Fall rugby season in the New York Metropolitan area. We had 106 teams in 2008 and hope to grow even more in 2009 - with new fields and stepped up prizes - don't miss out!
NY 7s MATCH HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
More NY 7s News...
Contact the Tournament Director - ny7s@newyorkrugby.com