Quad Rugby/Story - Andy Beck Classic

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

November, 2003

BlazeSports Club of San Antonio hosts ANDY BECK Classic
by Gil Garcia, TPVA Sports

This season’s Alamo City Andy Beck Classic Rugby Tournament definitely was a step up in competition from last season’s tourney. Teams from all sections of the USQRA were represented in San Antonio during the second weekend of November. DI teams included the Lakeshore Demolition, minus 2.0 Bob Lujano, and the Texas Stampede was fully loaded less 1.5 Bob Boothby. The DII teams were TPVA Ruff Ryder’s, Tampa Generals, Pasadena Texans, Plan B from California and the Milwaukee Iron. These seven teams set the stage for Round Robin Madness. Milwaukee's schedule draw certainly fits their team name Iron, since they had to play six games in two days, iron man rugby.

Friday and Saturday's play was held at two gym sites, Garza Center and the Joe Ward Center. Starting out of the gates, both Lakeshore and Texas imposed their superior court play styles and strengths to win big; Texas 71-Plan B 47, Lakeshore 38-Tampa 23. A Mountain Sectional preview between the Ruff Ryder's and Texans took place. No introductions in style of play, just old school rugby. The first quarter was a defensive gem with a score of 5 to 4 in favor of the Ruff Ryder's. The turnovers were minimal by both squads, and at the half the Ruff Ryder's lead 13-10. Pasadena surged to trim the lead to 2. In the 4th quarter the Ruff Ryders’ pressure defense held on to secure a 40-34 win.

The MADNESS continued with a good game between Plan B, led by 3.5 Gerry Aldape (Cholo) and Lakeshore's hard hitting Demolition towers, Kirkland and Brooks. Plan B, having only 5 players rostered for the tournament as well as a 7.5 lineup (Aldape, Shaw, EddieA and Alvarez) gave Lakeshore a great game, but their effort fell short by 4 goals, 47-43. Other games all resulted in the higher seeds posting W's, end of Madness day 1.

The ROUND ROBIN MADNESS got better on the 2nd day of the Alamo City tourney, three games for most teams and a pair of back to back rugby rumbles. Plan B’s four horsemen contended against the Generals. Plan B upset the higher seed team 52-46, good game and smart court play by both squads. Bragging rights went to the Pacific over the Atlantic Section. Tampa rebounded with a win over Milwaukee 52-29. With back to back games, Plan B had little time to enjoy their win over Tampa. Next they faced the TPVA Ruff Ryder's. In this game San Antonio played 3 lines to wear down the four horsemen from Orange County. The Ruff Ryder's were led by their developing 2.0's, Nunnery and Trbovich, with 1.5 Ramos and 2.5 Garcia completing a well rounded line. The tempo was fast, as both teams traded goals. The first quarter advantage went to Plan B, 11-10. The Ruff Ryder's stuck to their game plan and used bench depth. There was plenty of action, with hard hitting head on collisions between 3.5 Aldape and 2.5 Garcia. The Ruff Ryder's wore down Plan B to post a 45-42 victory.

Two other games during the day had high point wins; Texas 58-Rough Ryder’s 27, and Lakeshore 40-Pasadena 26. Another exciting game developed between the Generals and Texans, two evenly matched squads worthy of contending for the DII title. The Texans, led by 3.0 Dave Bynum and never stop hustling 1.5 Steve Kearley, went against a greatly improving 3.5 Scott Burrows and company. The outcome of this match was determined by Pasadena's ability to handle the pressure of a comeback by the General's. In the final seconds, Tampa showed a never quit attitude and fought back to cut the lead from a 4 goal to a 1 goal advantage. The Texans ran out the clock and pocketed the 40-39 victory. Exciting play was displayed by all the teams who demonstrated pride and heart in the 2nd day of the MADNESS.

A social outing was provided by SA Park & Recs. Robert Olivares, Mr. Ruuuuggggby!!! Announcer, bussed players and staff to the famous downtown Riverwalk to enjoy a “San Antone to the Bone” night out. The Riverwalk was full of live music, great Mexican food, and margaritas for everyone’s enjoyment.

The final day of competition started with the 5 and 6 seeds matching up. Plan B and their four horsemen rolled past Pasadena, who had the all tourney 3.0. It was good rugby action with Plan B staking claim to a 42-38 win. The 3-4 seed game showcased a rematch of the semi-final overtime game at the 2003 Nationals between the Rough Ryder’s and Tampa General's. All tourney 1.5, Robert Ramos, with cobra like quickness led San Antonio to a half time score of 23-19. In the second half, the Rough Ryder’s mounted a defensive stand with their balanced lines. Heading into the 4th period, the local boys had a 7 point lead. Tampa's development 3.0 player, Kress and newcomer 2.5, Lindstrom showed poise and resilience cutting the lead to just 3 goals. In the closing seconds the Rough Ryder’s held off the Generals’ charge and won, 44-41. Speed will be a key addition to Tampa's quest for the DI or DII title.

Next up on the Madness menu was the number 1 and 2 seeds. Lakeshore, 5 time DI Champs and Texas, a perennial DI contender played for the Alamo City Andy Beck Classic Championship. Two days of tuning up their skills and overall court play, these two powerhouses were ready to display some MADNESS rugby of their own. In the 1st half Lakeshore and Texas exchanged goals and demonstrated very physical play. Both squads capitalized with few mistakes and produced a 21-21 halftime score. Texas, led by Zupan, Meredith, Tinker, and Gustafson starting for the most part of the tourney, had the bench edge over Lakeshore. The Demolition's Kirkland, Brooks, Greenhalgh, and Lee held their own, laying big hits on the Stampede. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Texas pulled away to a 24-21 lead. This was a well played game by both teams, each trying to establish supremacy for the DI National title run. There were huge hits by the twin towers, but Texas’ speed and depth prevailed as they became the 2003 Alamo City Andy Beck Classic Champions with a final score of 50-38.

This tournament was full of great rugby games showcasing some tough competition and testing everyone’s stamina. A weekend filled with desire for wheelchair rugby. Round Robin Madness left an impression on the Alamo City, hopefully it left one on you. Watch out, the Madness is just beginning.

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