Buffaloes Improve to 5 - 0

Last weekend, the #1 and #2 teams clashed in Lacey, WA. At the final whistle, the Buffaloes improved to 5 - 0 in league standings, an impressive feat for any rugby team. The men were vigorously challenged for all 80-minutes by the Kitsap Renegades, but their commitment to the game and the team's cohesion helped keep the Buffaloes on top throughout. This match also marked the 2nd Annual Olympic Shield Challenge, commemorating the fist match ever played by Budd Bay RFC against the men's rugby brethren from Bremerton, WA. The final score was 57-0. Budd Bay retains the trophy for another year, until next fall when the two will meet again to vie for the Olympic Shield. Congratulations Buffaloes.

The friendly match scheduled for this weekend against Microsoft RFC has been canceled. The next match for the Buffaloes will be on November 14th against the Eugene Gentlemen in Eugene, OR.

Budd Bay Welcomes Lena & Ryan

At the last board meeting, Budd Bay RFC confirmed the appointments of two new directors for our club. I encourage you to welcome both Lena Neal and Ryan Cole the next time you see them. It is the dedication and commitment of folks like Lena and Ryan that keep our club going strong.

Lena, our newest club Secretary, will take over all the recording and outreach duties of the position. She will need the assistance of our team coaches and coordinators to get the word out to our club mates and local press outlets. Lena became aware of Budd Bay RFC while working at Ballyhoo, one of our club sponsors. She soon came to know and love most of the senior teams players and has enjoyed going to games, learning the rules and culture of rugby. Lena says, "I want to help the club continue to grow so that the community can appreciate what the Budd Bay RFC brings to youth and adults in the area."

Ryan will fill the Director-at-Large slot. Ryan comes to us from the 2009 men's team, where as inside center he has quickly become a force on the pitch. We can expect many good things from Ryan during his time on the board. Ryan says the club has brought a lot of happiness and pride into his life and he hopes to help the club progress to the next level, on and off the pitch. "The things that happen behind the scenes affect how our club can grow and prosper, which is what I want to see continue to happen. I'll only be able to play the sport for so long, but serving as a board member and advisor is something I'll never get too old to do..."

Many thanks to both Lena and Ryan for stepping up to help work for the betterment of Budd Bay RFC and grow our fantastic sport in the area. If you would like to contact Lena or Ryan, their information can be found on our web page, http://www.buddbayrugby.com/contact_us.php. If you would like to send a message to all the directors, you can do so at directors@buddbayrugby.com.

Cheers,
Dan

Another Impressive Win

Last Saturday, October 24th the Budd Bay Bandits had a great win against the Portland RFC Women's team in Lacey, WA. Bandits collaborated to dominate the Piglets 69-5. Kaya Wilcox played well with 1 try and two drop kick conversions. Both of which earned her the "Man of the Match" title. In the opening minutes of the game, Nic Munson and Sam Elmore wasted no time in getting the ball across the line and paving the way for the Bandit's success. That makes two great victories in a row for the Budd Bay senior women and a fantastic finally to their playing season. Go Bandits!
Tries:
Megan Sanders x 4, Jen Harell, Sam Elmore, Kaya Wilcox, and Stacy DiPasquale

The Buffaloes played Valley RFC in Kent, WA. The final score was Budd Bay 26- 59 Valley. The Buffaloes were down by four tries at half. Just before the half-time whistle, Taylor Briscoe breaks away for a try that was converted by Dan Conklin. In the 2nd half Matt Beagle successfully broke out with a 30m try, also converted by Conklin. After repeated high tackles by Valley, sir awards Budd Bay a penalty try. Corey McClanahan ran down the side to the line and Conklin converted.

This coming weekend the Budd Bay Buffaloes play the Kitsap Renegades in the 2nd Annual Olympic Shield match in Lacey, WA. The shield honors the fact that the Budd Bay/Kitsap match was the first match the men ever played. When the teams meet in the fall they compete for the shield. Whoever wins the match gets possession of the shield for the year untill they meet again in the fall. The Buffaloes won it last year. Fans will be cheering for the Buffaloes to keep the shield at the home pitch this Halloween!

A Pair of Victories on the Weekend!

This weekend, both the men and women of Budd Bay Rugby took big victories against Oregon teams for a supportive home crowd in Lacey, WA.

Budd Bay's men's team, the Buffaloes beat division rivals, Corvallis RFC, 60-15 to go 4-0 in league play. The experience, fitness and team cohesion of the Buffaloes were big factors in the dominating win. The Buffaloes continue their progress toward a second divisional title next weekend when they face Valley RFC in Kent, WA. The Buffaloes improve to 4-0 in league play.

Tries:

Jonathan "Shorty" Thomas, Tristan Felchlin, Evan Gesche, Derek Riffe, Taylor Briscoe, Matt Beagle x2, Dan Conklin, Kirk Rose, Patrick LaValla

Conversions: Ryan Cole x5

The Bandits, Budd Bay RFC senior women's side, earned their first victory of the season. The women from Eugene, OR, were blanked by the Bandits 69-0 in a friendly match in Lacey, WA. The Bandits showed impressive skill in the back line as they readily broke through the defense for the scores, while the forwards ensured Bandit possession of the ball till the final whistle. The Bandits play again at home next weekend at Rainier Vista park against the Portland Piglets - a women's team from Portland, OR.

Tries:

Megan Sanders x4, Jen Harrell x2, Sam Elmore, Stacy DiPasquale x2, Emily Newton, Katie Lary

Conversions: Sanders x7


In other Budd Bay Rugby news, former Budd Bay Barbarian, Kevin Erskine earned a starting lock spot on the USA Select XV side. Saturday's match was a nail-biting loss to the Ontario Blues, 27-24. For more information on USA Rugby and its representative sides, please visit www.usarugby.org. For more information on the championship series, visit www.americasrugbychampionship.com.

Weekend Update - Buffaloes Move to 3 - 0

The Budd Bay Buffaloes improved their record to 3-0 this weekend with an hard-earned win over the Vancouver Sharks, 24-17.

In the opening minutes, the Sharks struck first, kicking off what would be a fast paced and hard hitting game. The Buffaloes immediately returned the favor, with Mike Radasa darting across the line for 5, evening the score with 13 minutes gone in the first half. After a grueling 23 minutes of scrums and back and forth rucking, winger Joel Swenson sets up the Buffaloes second try with a 30m run and a pass to Kirk Rose for the points. Ryan Cole converted to bring the score 12-5. Without a second to lose in the first half, Tristan Felchlin quick taps off a penalty to lead the Buffaloes into half, 19-5.

The second half opened with multiphase play on both sides and well-placed kicks keeping the ball out of the red zone. At the 52nd minute, the Sharks added another 7, to bring the match withing reach for them. 15 minutes later, 8-man Taylor Briscoe broke through the line and raced 60m for the final Buffalo try.

The Buffaloes face Corvallis RFC next Saturday at home, 1 p.m., Rainier Vista Park in Lacey, WA. The Bandits will face the women from Eugene, OR for a friendly match after the men's game. Come on out and cheer 'em on!

Global Rugby Family Celebrates Olympic Games Admission

From USA Rugby...

COPENHAGEN, Denmark - The global rugby family are celebrating the announcement that Rugby Sevens will be included at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

An overwhelming vote in favor of inclusion by the International Olympic Committee members at the 121st Session in Copenhagen means that the world’s top men’s and women’s rugby players will have the opportunity to compete for an Olympic Gold medal, the pinnacle of sporting achievement.

Bernard Lapasset, President of the International Rugby Board, said: “This is a historic moment for our sport and for the global Rugby community, who were united in support of our campaign.

“We are excited and honored to be joining the Olympic Games and I would like to thank the IOC members for believing in our Olympic vision and our values and recognizing that Rugby Sevens is a perfect fit for the Olympic Games,” Lapasset added.

“We are now looking forward to working in partnership with the IOC to develop and implement a Rugby Sevens tournament in Rio that will reach out to new audiences and inspire a new generation of sports fans around the world.”

The Olympic Games will be the pinnacle of the sport for rugby athletes, with the best men’s and women’s players in the world extremely excited to be able to showcase their talent on the world’s greatest sporting stage.

“Inclusion will provide a massive boost to the development of the game not only in the U.S., but worldwide,” USA Rugby’s CEO Nigel Melville said. "Rugby has grown steadily in popularity across North America in recent years, but Olympic inclusion could attract thousands of new participants and crossover athletes.”

Presently there are 116 nations playing the Game, but the Olympic family currently stands at 205 nations, and through the platform of the Games, rugby could reach out to more nations and more men, women, boys and girls worldwide.

“The Olympics are deeply engrained in our sports psyche and the explosive, exciting, unpredictable and highly competitive nature of Rugby Sevens will be a huge draw for a whole new set of fans,” Women’s Sevens Team member Jen Sinkler said. “For the women’s game in particular, we could see the popularity grow in a similar fashion as women’s soccer did over a decade ago.”

"I don't think people realize yet how big this could be for rugby," said IRB Chief Executive, Mike Miller. "The Olympic Games is the biggest stage in the world for sport. It would be massive for the game."

The sport of rugby was actually included in four previous Olympic Games in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924. The Americans are technically the two-time defending Olympic gold medal champions, following wins against France in both 1920 and 1924. The last Olympic rugby match was played at Colombes stadium in Paris and the USA took the gold with a 17-3 victory before 30,000 fans.

"From an early age, Americans believe that the greatest success an athlete can achieve is becoming an Olympian and competing in the Olympics," Men's Sevens Coach Al Caravelli said. "With this inclusion, I believe we will see more athletes taking up rugby who previously played other American sports. The United States has a massive quantity of these untapped athletes and one of our goals will be to convert these athletes into rugby players."

Both the Men’s and Women’s U.S. National Sevens Teams are currently preparing for their upcoming international season, with their first international tournament held in Dubai, UAE. Currently, the U.S. Men's Sevens Team is ranked 11th in the world, while the U.S. Women’s side is third.

America is also featured as one of the eight IRB Sevens World Series stops and is the largest international rugby event held in the U.S. Bringing in a crowd of over 35,000 during the two days of men's and women's sevens competition in 2009, this upcoming year's event, which is set for Las Vegas on Presidents’ Day weekend, is looking to be bigger and better than ever.

For more information on the U.S. Sevens Team or to set up interviews, please contact Sara John at sjohn@usarugby.org or visit www.usarugby.org. For more information on the USA Sevens, please visit www.usasevens.com.

Bandits End Tough League Play

This weekend the Bandits fought against the division leaders, Belmont Shore, to end thier first-ever DI league season. Despite the 55 - 17 loss, the Bandits style of play was coming into view and team efforts were beginning to pay off. Belmont netted 29 points in the first half, but before the whistle at half, Angie Watkins charged one in over the line after a red-zone battle on multi-phase play.

The Bandits were charged up after half and came out ready to step it up a notch. Early on in the second half, fly-half Megan Sanders broke through the line to run in a 30m try and convert. The Bandits ralleyed and played some of their best rugby in the second half, holding Belmont to just 7 points for a solid 25 minutes. After another Belmont try, Watkins again rose to the occasion, tearing through the line to run down the side for the Bandits final try of the game.

The Bandits play next at home after the men's game on October 17 against the women from Eugene, OR. The men face the Vancouver Sharks next weekend in Vancouver - a guaranteed pulse pounder.

Bandits - 17 Belmont Shore - 55
Tries: Watkins x 2, Sanders x 1
Conv: Sanders x 1