Thursday, November 22, 2007

NORCAL TAKES HOME GRIZZLY SHIELD

The world of west coast rugby is alive and kicking as winter fast approaches, and yet another major tournament was contested this past weekend. The Grizzly Shield, a tournament co-hosted by the ORSU and the Portland Pigs teams, marked the final date on a number of teams’ calendars, but also provided a stage for some teams to add to their fall season accolades. A select tournament, the Grizzly Shield fields All-Star teams from the Pacific Northwest RFU, the Utah RFU, the Northern California RFU and the Arizona RFU to compete in a weekend-long, bracket-style tournament. While some teams that competed will continue to play for a few more weeks, the tournament is the final date on the schedule for both host clubs.

Though the Portland club played host to the event, it was the California clubs that dominated play. The Pelicans of the Northern California RFU rolled to victory in the 2007 tournament, taking down Arizona in the final by a score of 41-5. The tournament serves as a good warm-up for clubs looking to qualify for the upcoming men’s All-Star 15’s tournament coming up at the start of December. The Pacific and California regions only get two bids in the eight-team event, so the Grizzly Shield tournament provided an excellent opportunity for teams to get one last look at their best competition.

ARIZONA READY FOR WILD WEST RUGBY FEST

While the men’s national U-20 rugby squad goes through rigorous training and conditioning in Arizona, another major rugby event will be taking place in the same state. It doesn’t have to do with USA rugby, but the third annual Wild West Rugby Fest yields numerous club and collegiate men’s and women’s teams from a number of different states for one of the most raucous rugby events on the calendar.

To know more click at Rugby Union

Cheers!!!

Kat