Area Rugby League Growing, Action Packed
By DAX JUNKERS
Contributing Writer
HOT PURSUIT: Bixby players, in dark blue, attempt to catch a Bartlesville player as he barrels down the pitch.
DANIEL C. CAMERON for Owasso Rambler
2009 has been a year to remember in Oklahoma high school rugby. The league’s official name, Green Country High School Rugby, has been outgrown with member teams in Norman, Edmond and Mustang fielding very strong clubs, and other potential clubs popping up in Bartlesville and even Canton, Okla. But the heart of the competition has remained in Tulsa. Broken Arrow, Bixby, Jenks, and The Brethren (a combined team of players from many schools in the Tulsa area) have shown loads of rugby talent thus far in the season, and Union is battling to remain a viable club.
The highlight of the 2009 season thus far has been the Green Country Showdown Tournament that took place on February 28 and March 1. Sixteen teams from five states competed in the event, and despite miserable weather on Saturday a high level of rugby was displayed by many of the clubs. Bixby narrowly lost a heartbreaking championship to national perennial powerhouse Kansas City Junior Blues, and Broken Arrow, Jenks, Brethren, Mustang and Norman all notched wins in the tournament.
Five weeks remain in the Green Country regular season before the state championship takes place on April 16 and 17. Bixby and Broken Arrow are atop the league standings right now, with Bixby the only undefeated club at press time and Broken Arrow possibly the most dangerous. But with the bulk of the schedule left to play, many teams remain contenders for the state title and qualification for regional playoffs. Jenks is showing strength and good support thus far in the season, and Brethren is too talented to be ruled out of contention. Meanwhile, all three clubs from western Oklahoma have showed potential and determination. The remaining schedule looks to be filled with excitement and plenty of hard-hitting competition.
With 16,000 registered high school players across the nation under USA Rugby this year, the sport is growing rapidly and making inroads into school systems across the country. Many private high schools have adopted rugby as a varsity sport, and locally Jenks, Union and Broken Arrow have permitted use of school property for rugby practice. The Oklahoma league has quietly been developing some top rugby talent in the high school ranks for several years now, and that early rugby experience has reaped dividends for local college and club teams as well. Tulsa RFC, the men’s club in Tulsa, has established itself as one of the finest men’s clubs in the Midwest for the third straight season, and will look to defend its Western Union regional title with the help of Green Country products May 2 and 3 right here in Tulsa. Meanwhile, the University of Oklahoma just clinched its conference championship, University of Tulsa’s collegiate team has had a successful season, and four Green Country teams should be competing in the high school division of regionals. If you haven’t caught a glimpse of rugby in Oklahoma yet, you don’t know what you’re missing. Make an effort to come watch some hard-hitting fun, creative teamwork, and exhilarating competition.
Updated 03-25-2009
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