Quad Rugby/Story - 5th Annual Knock & Roll

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

January, 2005

Snowbirds Flock to West Palm Beach
by John Ershek

The snowbirds were flocking to West Palm Beach the weekend of January 7th through 9th for the best kept secret in quad rugby. The 5th Annual Knock & Roll rugby tournament took place at the West Jupiter Recreation Center under sunny skies with temperatures in the high 70’s and low 80’s all weekend long. It is no wonder teams and players from all over the chilly USA and Canada were there.

The tournament started off with local hosts, the South Florida Rattlers, edging out the Tampa Generals in the first game of the weekend. Marco vs. Joe, maybe a bit of a grudge match with the first round going to Marco and the Rattlers 34-29. The second game featured a much improved Magee Eagles team against a Cliff Chunnless Kentucky TNT team. The Eagles provided the second upset in a row winning, 50-35. TNT went 0-2 with another upset to the Rattlers, 44-35. Pool B play ended for the day with several upsets, and only one game going according to the seeding with Tampa beating Magee 26-19.

There were no upsets in the Pool A's afternoon play. The Lakeshore Demolition won handily over the Pittsburgh Steelwheelers, and Chicago Bears and the Denver Harlequins beat them soundly, too. At days end only Lakeshore, Denver and South Florida were 2 and 0.

Saturday began with Chicago edging out Pittsburgh in a close game, 39-37. Lakeshore beat Denver 38-32, but Denver showed it is a team to be reckoned with this season. Maybe even a move up to Division One? South Florida beat Magee and Tampa beat Kentucky to set up the crossover games.

In the crossovers, Lakeshore beat Tampa, 37-28 to make it to the Championship game. Denver eeked out a win against South Florida, 36-33 to set up a rematch with Lakeshore in the final. This also setup a rematch between Tampa and South Florida. Kentucky finally won a game, beating Chicago 41-29. Magee beat Pittsburgh to setup another rematch between Kentucky and Magee. It also setup the 4th rematch of the weekend between Chicago and Pittsburgh. Sunday had the potential to be a day full of redemption.

Pittsburgh started the day with an upset on Chicago, getting redemption. Kentucky slowed their game against Magee, but still came up short. No redemption. Tampa won its rematch with South Florida. Redemption (for Joe, too). Then Lakeshore won a tightly contested game against Denver for the Championship. No redemption for Denver, but a good showing non the less.

With the tournament finished, it was time for the snowbirds to flock back to their cold destinations. No wonder so many Canadians are playing for the Rattlers these days. If this remains the case, the South Florida team might want to consider changing its name from the Rattlers to the Snowbirds. Hmmmmmmm.

Special thanks go out to Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation and the tournament staff for a great weekend!

Tournament Results

5th Annual Knock & Roll Photos by John Ershek

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