The Highlands Vatos RFC (11-4-1) began their Spring 2012 season on Saturday with a poorly played 10-7 win over the Albuquerque RFC A/B team and on Sunday with a well-played loss of 21-15 to the University of Northern Colorado RFC. The classy UNC RFC is a recent USA National Collegiate D2 Champion and last year’s D1 quarterfinalist losing to Stanford by five points. They demolished UNM RFC on Saturday, 72-0, a game where no one truly wins.
“We played with lazy legs, arms, hearts and heads against Albuquerque and somehow won. On Sunday, we enjoyed the game with speed, physicality, and grace against an outstanding college rugby team. UNC’s margin of victory against regional teams is generally over 50 points. They were happy to score three tries, as we did. They made the kicked two-point conversions, and we did not, and that was the difference. To me, a close loss in a quality game against the best teams, trumps an ugly win versus lesser opponents. This approach currently appears almost un-American to say, but it is true and I think the Vatos are sportsmen enough to agree. I hope so,” Coach Dick Greene said.
Brian Ybarra and Joe Gray-Ivey were both selected as “Man of the Match” for the two games.
The Vatos return to action after Spring break with an important away game against Las Cruces RFC on March 24, 2012. Their next home game is at Perkins Stadium on March 31, 2012 against the New Mexico RFC from Albuquerque. Everyone is welcome; come join and support the Vatos.