This past weekend the Budd Bay Buffaloes and their loyal fans went to Austin, Texas to represent Northwest Rugby! The men's team played two matches in the sweltering Texas weather, which is not ideal climate for a Northwestern Buffalo. They played super hard - they should hold their heads high and all of Budd Bay is very proud of the efforts of our Buffaloes. Here is an overview of both matches.
Saturday v OMBAC
The match kicked off at 1:20 PM. Eight minutes in, the game is underway the boys are on fire (both literally and in spirit). The referee is blowing the whistle and there are a few early penalties. The match is a quarter of the way through and the score remains 0-0. Budd Bay gets a yellow card for a high tackle, and immediately following, OMBAC scores 7. Budd Bay turns this around when Joel Swenson intercepts a pass and returns 90m for a try! Ryan Cole converts making the score 7-7. However, a determined OMBAC turns around and converts a try, score 7-14. The second half was less eventful for Budd Bay. Due to a lot of whistle blowing and some penalties OMBAC takes the match 25-7.
Sunday v. Dallas Area Rugby Club (DARC)
The match against Dallas kicked off at 9:15AM. Just three minutes in Budd Bay is testing DARC in their Red Zone. It works! Chris Cousins bust through the line to make the score 5-0! DARC brings it right back and scores a converted try. Just keeping it even steven, Budd Bay's Pat LaValla makes a quick run across the try line and Mike Radasa lends a hand by converting! Score 12-7. Dallas then scores, no convert, making it 12-12 at the half. DARC scores again but Budd Bay is not deterred.Mike Radasa makes a 15m run and gets Bay 5, and Ryan Cole converts making it 19-17. And just to make the point Bay scores again when Radasa passes to Swensen and Cole converts with another great kick! DARC gets scared and desperately comes back with two tries giving themselves a one point lead. Budd Bay gets a penalty kick in the last minutes of the game. But, the kick is off by just inches and DARC wins 27-26.
Congratulations again to the Budd Bay Buffaloes! We are so looking forward to your next season. But, do not worry rugby is not finished. Our teams will start 7's training next week. Don't forget about the 18th Annual Tatunka 7's tournament happening June 12th. Mark your calendar! And if anyone is feeling generous there are opportunities to volunteer at the tournament. If you are interested please contact Lena: secretary@buddbayrugby.com. Mary Shero, a Bandit, has stepped up to make sure the tournament happens. She needs a little help!
