Article/Quad Rugby - Tornadoes Don’t Slow Generals

UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

Tornadoes Don’t Slow Generals

Super Bowl weekend began and ended in superb fashion with the First Annual Lakeshore Foundation Wheelchair Rugby Invitational which was held January 24-26, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama. Eight teams were poised to take the inaugural trophy, including the home team Lakeshore Demolition, the Charlotte Panthers, the Connecticut Jammers, the Tennessee QuadCrushers, the Tampa Generals, the Atlanta Rolling Thunder, the San Antonio Scorchers, and the Texas Tornadoes (Gulf Coast Hurricanes with a slight name change for this competition). This name change was a signal of things to come for the tournament.

The tournament started under sunny skies with the Demolition taking care of the Connecticut Jammers 31-20. The two four-man teams of the Texas Tornadoes and the Tampa Generals stirred things up with the field in the next games, the big question was, would these teams survive the schedule unscathed?

The bigger question was the weather! Midway through the Tampa-Atlanta game, play was delayed due to a tornado warning in Birmingham. The rest of Friday evening was filled with the sounds of the warning sirens. This did not slow the action inside the Lakeshore Foundation Gym. The rugby in the gym was just as intense as the weather outside. Tampa, Tennessee, and Texas would cruise to easy victories in pool play.

Saturday, the severe weather cleared but the rugby got more intense. Two Wendy Gumbert teams clashed, as San Antonio and Atlanta jockeyed for position. The battle of the four-man rosters was close as Tampa eeked out a victory over Texas 39-34. The crossovers of the tournament were a proving ground for some. San Antonio capitalized by defeating Connecticut, giving them another opportunity to see their former coach Wendy Gumbert in the 5th/6th game. The Tampa/Lakeshore game was a defensive battle. Tampa built on a two-point lead going into the fourth quarter winning 26-18. Tennessee wore down the four-man squad of Texas 45-36. This set up an exciting final of Tampa-Tennessee, could there be an upset brewing?

The third place game was a defensive battle again with Texas’ pressure and the Twin Tower Half Court Defense of the Demolition. With the great coaching of Stephen Scott and defensive strategy of the Demolition, this game proved to be the lowest scoring contest of the tourney, 19-9 Texas.

The Championship game was a classic, Tampa’s four-man squad was without Terry Vinyard and Tennessee wanted the Lakeshore Title. The first quarter MVP Cliff Chunn and Wayne Romero lead Tennessee in scoring taking the early lead 10-9. Tennessee’s pressure defense created opportunities as they built their lead in the second period leading at half-time 17-15. Could a four-man team without their esteemed coach mount a comeback?

The third period started as the two teams traded goals. Then the poise of veteran players Dave Gould and Joe Soares appeared. In the fourth minute in the third, Tennessee turned the ball over making the score Tennessee 19-Tampa 18. The look in Soares’ eyes gave the picture, confidence.

They traded goals and then Tampa finished the period with three unanswered goals leading 22-21. Soares began the fourth period with a Gould to Soares patented goal, giving the two point margin to Tampa. Tennessee’s pressure would contain Soares, but the New Zealand weapon Tinker would come to the rescue and score four fourth quarter goals. Tampa would hold on to win 30-28 behind the leadership of Gould and Soares.

Special thanks to the Lakeshore Foundation and to Leslie Walker who coordinated the First Annual Lakeshore Foundation Invitational. The officials and volunteers made this a great tournament. We are looking forward to next year. For information on next year’s event please contact Kevin Orr at (205) 868-2281.

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