All of the build-up to the White vs. Red match proved to be well founded. Going into the match, both teams were undefeated. We (White…the Great White Sharks) were ahead in the points standings, which were based on the WPL scoring, I’m told, but Red was right behind us, so this match dictated who won our little league (not little league, but a small in number of teams league) here.
Red came out uber aggressive—too aggressive at times. Their aggression gave them good field position at times, gave our offense trouble at times, and disrupted our rucks so that we lost possession a few times. However, it also landed them some penalties. We played a good deal of the first half in their end of the field, and though we threatened to score a couple of times, we couldn’t quite put points on the board. But then, we only allowed Red to put a penalty kick through.
The second half saw more scoring. We broke through first and scored a try. Unfortunately, the wind was apparently on Red’s side and nudged the ball off the tee as our flyhalf, Hannah, was in her kicking motion. Nonetheless, we took the lead 5-3. Then Red scored twice more and pulled away 17-5. With only about 10 minutes left, we turned the momentum again, scored a try, made the kick and pulled within five. Adrenaline still surging, we pounded the ball back at Red once more and put another one in, tying the match. And then the whistle blew. Ending the match. At a tie.
In the end, there were two undefeated teams here at camp, but we were the eventual champs, based on the scoring method. Feels good to be champs. Would have felt even better had we won, and with the way the match was going, I think that momentum would have stayed right there behind us and propelled us across that try line again, but then it’s easy to speculate, and I’m sure Red is probably speculating that they could’ve regrouped and won it in overtime.
So now, camp is pretty much over. We have a recovery session in the morning, a meeting, some feed back, and a feeding (not in that order) and then we head for the Denver airport and the big blue zombie horse.
Tonight, after the matches, we all got a chance to recognize the efforts of the UNCo staff and liaisons, who helped set-up this camp and keep it running as smoothly as it did, and our own staff. They all made this camp the best I’ve been to and they help foster what turned out to be some very good rugby.
Some of us also got a chance to use our 10% card. If you don’t know what that is, I’ll tell ya. On our nutrition plan, we have the option of “cheating” 10% of the time. Quite a few players went the pizza route, and a few, including myself, got subs…some with, gasp, mayo. I got a buffalo chicken sub with Ranch, which is just as bad as mayo, but tastier. But the highlight of my 10% cheat was the very large, bucket-like Diet Coke. Ahhh, the sweet, sweet burn of carbonation. Yes, soda is a weakness of mine, as is sugar candy. It’s too bad the sub place didn’t have some Bottle Caps or Skittles. I would’ve been in 10% heaven…which I’m sure is populated by ex-rugby players, fat-camp kids, and professional eating champions.
Ok, I’m done. Night!
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