Quad Rugby/Story - Texas Tune-up

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

February, 2005

Texas Tune-up
By James Gumbert

The first of the Texas Tune-up series was held February 12, 2005. The competition hosted by the Texas Stampede in conjunction with the SA Parks and Recreation and Blaze sports clubs of America is designed to create interstate play and help prepare all teams for post season play.

The big shocker of the tourney was the announcement that long time participants the San Antonio Ruff Ryders (formerly the San Antonio Scorchers) would be withdrawing from post season play this year. Spokesman for the team Donnie Legnon said, “The funds were just not there”. Apparently a major contributors funding was withdrawn at the last minute giving the men from the Alamo city little to do but watch the season end abruptly.

However, the show must go on and it did in big banging fashion. San Antonio realizing that this would be one of the last chances to play competitive this year faced nearby rival the Texas Stampede. The Ryders led behind veterans Juan and Gil Garcia, Ramos and 3rd year player Muth went against the developing line of Texas’s Meredith, Collins, Tuna, and Lyduch. The action was hard hitting and up-tempo as the Ryders jumped out to an early 12 -10 lead. Subbing players for both squads would prove to be a chance to see new and old players. Legnon and Hernandez for the Alamo city boys and Fries and veteran Zupan made appearances in the game for Texas. There is always a bit of fun rivalry for these two teams as screaming and laughing was apparent on the faces of the players and fans (yes there were fans Virginia). The victory came at the end of the 4th for the Stampede 52 – 44, but the score did not reflect the intensity of either of the two teams. The desire and heart of San Antonio would show throughout the day of competition while the depth of Texas would begin to be exposed.

Other action had San Antonio squaring off against the Pasadena Texans. Pasadena, who has a deeper bench and carries quite a fan base, was being led behind 4th year coach and player veteran Steve Kearley. Kearley has been grooming his young team throughout the season by having them play as 2 teams for developmental purposes. The experiment appears to have paid off as the line of Kearley, Bailey, Lowery, DuBose gave the Ryders more than they could handle. Second year player Jace Beck showed good signs of development along with 1.5 Chris Post proved the extra court time for the ruggers had begun to show signs of paying off. The victory went to San Antonio in the end however 52 – 36.

Other banging continued throughout the day with old and new players getting good court time and experience to build on for post season. Finals of Texas 50 – Pasadena 23, Texas vs Ryders (2nd match) 61 – 28, and Texas vs the Texans (2nd match) 37 – 15 were recorded.

Highlights of the day included a nail biting late afternoon game between San Antonio and Pasadena. The final of 35 – 36 Ryders did not capture this seesaw battle where veterans from both sides refused to loose. The overtime final had the Rough Ryders winning in a true slobber knocker.

A big thanks goes out to the SA Park and Recs department who helped in so many ways for this to happen. Thanks also go to Blaze Sports clubs and the Texas Stampede staff for pulling this effort together. With the success of this event a 2nd Tune-up has been scheduled for later in March. Watch the web for details.

Hit Counter

How to Contact us | Quad Rugby Central Index