TOLA & RRRC Wrap-Up: Weeks 4 & 5

To start, the RRRC Qualifiers are now done and dusted, with the third having taken place in Oklahoma this past weekend. On the men’s side, the Dallas RFC clinched the only guaranteed berth at Nationals and will represent the TRU / Red River Conference in St. Louis, MO, during the second weekend in August. The Austin Huns finished second, followed closely by the Austin Blacks who managed to put the pieces together just a weekend too late. On the Women’s side, the sHARCs head to Nationals after a clean sweep in Texas, edging out the Austin Valkyries – the only other women’s side who played for RRRC qualifying points.

To recap the highs and the lows – we’ve decided to break it down by team:

Dallas RFC: The men in red are headed back to Club 7’s! Dallas swept the RRRC qualifiers, taking first in all three tournaments after falling to the Austin Huns in the opening TOLA tournament just a week before Bloodfest. Those trying times seem to be behind them though, as Dallas once again steamed through pool play in Durant, blanking three opponents before facing a tough Austin Huns side in the semi-final. With the win over the Huns, it was then guaranteed that Dallas was going through to Nationals, regardless of the final’s outcome. But we all know Dallas isn’t one to let a trophy slip through their fingers, and who doesn’t want a clean sweep. So, on to St. Louis. And how will Dallas fare competing against the champions from other regions? We hope well, as they are representing the Red River Rugby Conference. Dallas will have to put the bleak memory of the last Club 7s Nationals behind them, and try to forge new ground as they chase the dream of being Club Champions in both XVs and 7s (a battle half won).

Austin Huns: After a glorious start to their 7’s season, the Huns are stuck in second place after Dallas, again. The Huns faced Dallas four times in five tournaments, winning only once, losing twice in the final, and once this past weekend in the semifinal; a tough go for any team. Despite those losses, they represented well in the TRU; their calm and collected attack frustrating opponents as they methodically hit the defensive line and exploited gaps. Austin maintained a 4-1 record against their local rivals the Austin Blacks, had two TOLA tournament wins, and two 2nd place finishes in RRRC. Austin was unlucky to have missed the wildcard pick for Club Nationals, as their 5th place finish last year was the highest of all RRRC teams participating. We look forward to seeing the multiple Huns sides participating in the last two TOLA tournaments, as the boys in blue never turn down a chance to play some footy.

Austin Blacks: Typically regarded as the powerhouse in XVs, the Austin Blacks managed to piece together a fiery side for 7’s. Each weekend saw the Blacks improving, and finally led to a final podium finish in Durant, OK this past weekend. When you break it down, over five tournaments, Austin really only lost to two teams. Unfortunately they kept losing to those same teams, leaving them in third place in the standings. They went undefeated in pool play in three of five tournaments; and made the semifinals in all five, reaching the final in both River City 7’s and this past weekend in Durant, OK. Should the season have been longer, we think that the Blacks would have continued to mesh and made a good run at Dallas and the Austin Huns.

Dallas Harlequins: The Quins had a great run this season, playing against some incredibly stiff competition. They managed to reach the semifinals in two of the qualifying tournaments, missing out on Bloodfest to NOLA, but retaining the fourth place qualifier points because NOLA was playing for TOLA points. The Quins were never an easy opponent, scattering even the best competition. The Harlequins won the Plate Final at Lone Star, the Premier Bowl Final at Bloodfest, and the Plate Final at Choctaw; proof that the Harlequins push to the final minute and never give up.

sHARCs: On the women’s side, the ladies from Houston punched their ticket to St. Louis without much of a fight. Firstly, they were the only team that participated in all three qualifiers; and after winning the first two, this past weekend was more a matter of formality in the qualification process. The sHARCs are a threat across the board; they’ve got speedsters on the outside and size up the middle. What really sets the sHARCs apart is their ‘never give up’ mindset. They will do whatever it takes to stay in the game, and when it comes down to the wire, they are cool under pressure. Taking into account their impressive performance in the Women’s D1 competition in XV, we are certain they have all the pieces to put together a National 7’s run that exceeds all expectations.

Austin Valkyries: The other team participating in the Women’s Qualifier bracket were the ladies from Austin, the ever-strong Valkyries. The Valks have had a bit of a rebuilding year, and are working hard at not just winning on the pitch, but winning off the pitch and building a strong group of women in the core of their program. While focusing on that, they still had brilliant moments on the pitch and performed valiantly at two of three qualifiers as well as River City 7’s. Austin won the Plate Final at Bloodfest and 3rd place at River City.