The Highlands Rugby Club Vatos (6-2) bounced pass the solid, rugged, and experienced El Paso Rugby Club Scorpions (5-2) at Perkins Stadium last Saturday. The 24-22 win was a fair indicator of a very fine and physical game of rugby. “Following another exciting Cowboy football win, it was a good afternoon of contact sport for Highlands. True success and sportsmanship beget a culture of high expectation and class. This should be the standard at Highlands. It seems that the young Vatos are coming on song that the game of rugby is a continuum, not chaotic segments of brute force. Although there is much work to do, the Vatos executed an interesting and entertaining game. As there is only one volunteer coach, rugby is by design a player’s game. I was pleased that the lads showed a better understanding of the game and had moments of excellence,” Coach Dick Greene said.
Captain and graduate student Scotty “Butter” Soto from Los Angeles was named Man of the Match. The work ethic and courage of junior Estevan “Guapo” Martinez of Mora was also noted.
As they pursue their goal of the national playoffs, and far more importantly their university degrees, the Vato’s travel to the Santa Fe Rugby Complex this Saturday for a formal rematch with the nationally ranked Albuquerque Rugby Club. Albuquerque fields many Vato alumni who practice their professional careers in the Duke City and continue this lifelong sport. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. and everyone is welcome to the free event and postgame social.