I Play HURT

Saturday at Rice University Rugby Field in Houston broughtperfect conditions for rugby. A cloudless blue sky and sixty six degrees greeted HURT and DARC as they kicked off for eighty minutes of the game they play in heaven.

Only two minutes had passed when HURT opened its account with Justin Blocker flying down the sideline to score after stronglead up work by Dennis Walker and Carl Newman. Five minutes later Walker would capitalize on a red zone scrum opportunitywith a splendid “Maori sidestep” over the DARC fullback to take the lead out to 12-0 after just seven minutes.

At the thirteen minute mark Walker took advantage of poor defense again to score his second try, converted by fly half Scott Thompson the game had barely a chance to restart before Walker’s center partner Marshall Brown streaked away and scored in the corner. HURT 24 DARC 0. Second tries to Justin Blocker and Brown took HURT into the halftime break with a commanding lead of 34-0.

The second half started very similar to this first except it was a different Blocker brother opening the scoring, Jayson Blocker carved a hole through the middle of the field and crashed over. It looked like one way traffic again but no one gave DARC that message and through a crafty set piece off a lineout they took advantage of a lapse in the HURT line and opened their scoring account with the Number 8 scoring their first try. HURT 34 DARC 7.

DARC’s hopes of a comeback were soon dashed by a brilliant one man effort by HURT prop Jon Linnett as he bulldozed over six defenders on his way to score. The next ten minutes was a tough back and forth affair until flanker Matthew Echezabal broke through to score under the posts and with Rafael Casas conversion HURT crossed the half century. HURT 52 DARC 7.

A second try to Jayson Blocker, to take the Blocker family tally to four tries for the day led to Laurence Hermann scoring a late well deserved try in the sixty fifth minute. With both tries converted by Casas the score sat at HURT 65 DARC 7.

In a good show of heart and determination DARC’s forward pack found a lost gear for the final ten minutes and after camping in the HURT twenty two for the majority were rewarded with a final minute try to close out the game. Final score HURT 65 DARC 14.

A great day of running rugby under a perfect Texan sky was appreciated by all who came out to support HURT. Thank you to all those who made the day possible, a special thanks goes out to Trey Melcher at the Railyard and the folks at Red Bull Houston for making the after match party a success.

– Coach Dan Green

HURT 65 (TRIES – JUSTIN BLOCKER 2, JAYSON BLOCKER 2, DENNIS WALKER 2, MARSHALL BROWN 2,  JON LINNETT 1, LAURENCE HERMANN 1, MATTHEW ECHEZABAL 1) (CONVERSIONS – RAFAEL CASAS 3, SCOTT THOMPSON 2)

DARC 14 (TRIES – 2, CONVERSIONS – 2)

MAN OF THE MATCH: DENNIS WALKER

The Houston United Rugby Team stays undefeated in 2012 by beating Oklahoma City [24-13], at Rice University.

An over cast warm day greeted HURT’s arrival in San Antonio to play Alamo City. A hard dusty pitch had a fast game of rugby written all over it. So with those conditions to deal with and a brand new set of jerseys to christen HURT got set to receive the opening kickoff.

The opening stanza was hard fought in the middle of the field with neither side giving much ground until the 16^th minute when Chip Price found himself the extra man on an overlap and ran in the first try of the match. The conversion from Scott Thompson was wide [HURT 5 – ALAMO CITY 0].

The wind in their sails from Price’s try HURT put the pressure straight back on after the restart with new convert Matthew Echezabal making a break before standing up the fullback and scoring HURT’s second try under the posts. Thompson added the extras [HURT 12 – ALAMO CITY 0].

With the game slipping away from them Alamo City spurred themselves into action and taking advantage of some sloppy defense scored their first try in the 26^th minute.  A penalty kick for goal straight after the restart and the score had closed in [HURT 12 – ALAMO CITY 8]. HURT would spend the next ten minutes one man down with a player given a yellow card for shoulder charging. Alamo City capitalized on the ensuing confusion with another try in the 36^th minute[HURT 12 – ALAMO CITY 13]. With home support urging them on Alamo City got another break with a length of the field try just before the halftime whistle. It was converted to give the locals an eight point lead at the half [HURT 12 – ALAMO CITY 20].

HURT regrouped  during the break and refocused on  the task at hand and that was rewarded nine minutes after halftime when Marshall Brown crashed through the Alamo City line to score. Thompson converted to bring the lead back to a point [HURT 19 – ALAMI CITY 20]. Five minutes later Brown crossed for his second try taking advantage of sustained pressure on the Alamo City line by the HURT forward pack’s relentless pick and go. With the defense compressed quick hands got the job done. Another conversion from Thompson and the lead had changed hands [HURT 26 – AC 20].

With “blood in the water” and fresh legs coming on from the sideline HURT picked up steam as the surface of the field turned into a dust bowl.  Sixty five minutes in Thompson took a short ball near the Alamo City line and barged over to score HURT’s fifth try of the day [HURT 31 – ALAMO CITY 20]. HURT’s forwards were rolling now and through great handling and rucking the line opened again for Brown’s third try of the day! Rafael Casas slotted the extras and HURT could see the finish line [HURT 38 – ALAMO CITY 20]. The last ten minutes was a brutal slog in the dust with Alamo City scoring a consolation try in the final minutes. The referee blew the final whistle and HURT had recovered from the eight point half time deficit to finish victors [HURT 38 – ALAMO CITY 25].

Overall a great guts effort from all involved, we still have lots to work on but there were plenty of positives to draw on! Next game against Oklahoma City in two weeks should be awesome!

– Coach Dan Green

TRIES: Marshall Brown (3), Echezbal, Chip Price, Scott Thomposon

CONVERSIONS: Scott Thompson (3), Rafael Casas

HURT #23 vs Alamo City

[Linnett, Schnacke, Price, Oliver, Lopez, Henderson, Echezabal, Lavergne, Jurney, Thompson, Elahmad, C.Brown, Hermann, Blocker, Gibson, Casas, M.Brown, Rodriquez, Acosta, Nada, Percival, Stiers, Galbraith]

Congratulations to Justin Blocker, Tyler Jurney, Rafael Casas, Barrett Lavergne, Mathew Oliver & Chris Brown for being selected in the two team squad for the Houston Energy All-Star Team to play the Austin Blacks A’s & B’s on December 8th in the Woodlands.

Congratulations to L.T. Herman. Jeremy Ureche & Stephen Lopez who were also selected but were unavailable due to injury and personal reasons.

Well done gents. We know you will represent Houston well and make HURT proud!

Revenge is sweet for the Houston United Rugby Team as they defeat the Bay Area Rugby Club in La Porte, TX, 29-17. Although losing to BARC in last week’s tournament, HURT wins when it matters in their second cup match of the season and advance to 2-0.

TRIES:  Rafael Casas, (2) Jonathan Linnett, and Jeremy Ureche

CONVERSIONS: (3) Scott Thompson

DROP GOAL: Scott Thompson

MAN OF THE MATCH: Marshall Brown

In the opening match of the tournament, the Houston United Rugby Team shutout Katy in a decisive 29-0 victory. Despite losing the next two matches, HURT received enough points in their previous win to advance to the semifinals of the tournment. HURT would lose to the Austin Blacks but not without a fight. HURT had the Division I powerhouse on their heels as they led in the final minutes of the match. With their strong outing, the Houston United Rugby Team portrayed their ability to play with the best of’em and look to go 2-0 in the cup standing vs. Bay Area on November 10th.

The Houston United Rugby Team wins its season opener and the club’s inaugural match vs. the Katy Lions, 19-18.

TRIES:  Justin Blocker, Gavin Boak, and Jonathan Linnett

CONVERSIONS: (2) Scott Thompson

MAN OF THE MATCH: L.T. Herman

The Houston United Rugby Team’s season opener is at home vs. the Katy Lions on Saturday, October 20th. The match will take place at Rice University at 2:00 p.m.

Match results will come shortly after.