December 21, 2015
Austin Huns Ends 2015 Beating Dallas Harlequins
Photo: NormaSalinasPhotography
Austin Huns Rugby Football Club Press Release: Austin, TX (December 21, 2015).
“The Austin Huns moved to 2-0 on Saturday with a strong 36-12 road victory over the Dallas Harlequins. The Quins swept the Huns in last year’s competition, but it was clear the visitors were intent on reversing that trend, putting in big hits across the park. Quins’ talented #12 Darragh Lynch was injured in a ruck just 4 minutes in, and play stopped for several minutes. Fortunately he was able to walk off the pitch to applause by both teams in the true spirit of rugby. After play restarted, Huns flyhalf Andrew Heller burst through the Quins’ defense to score between the posts. Alex Liles converted to put Huns up 7-0. In his debut as a premier-grade starter, St. Edward’s University alum Heller appeared confident all afternoon. About 10 minutes later back row Kyle Breytenbach broke the line and found Alex Liles in support for a try in the corner, giving Huns a 12-0 lead.
The Quins are a club with a long tradition of winning and would not be beaten easily. Fueled by an excellent poaching game, they turned over the ball numerous times while the Huns got on the wrong side of the penalty count. Quins missed a penalty shot but soon afterward were rewarded with a try to trail 12-7 at half time. After the break, the men in green and black went back to work playing in the Huns’ half. Huns fullback Shawn Cox was yellow-carded for a try-saving high tackle at the 44th minute. The Huns defended heroically while a man down, but the Quins eventually capitalized to level the score at 12-12 with about 30 minutes to play.
The Huns showed their character in the final stanza to come roaring back. Cox, a Texas State product and member of the 2013 USA Maccabiah team, redeemed himself with a scintillating run down the right sideline to put Huns ahead 17-12. Fellow Texas State alum Matt Zappa injected energy coming off the bench. The Huns had been dominant in the lineouts all day, and got their mauling game going to great effect. Number 8 Rui D’Orey Branco, capped 18 times by Portugal, scored once and man of the match Gio Bonilla scored twice, capping a six try day to secure the win and a bonus point.
The Huns take a two week break for the holidays, and then are back in action against the Griffins of Allen, TX on January 9th at the Huns’ pitch on Nixon Lane. The Griffins are much improved over last season, and will be a test of the Huns’ growing confidence.
Full time: Huns 36 Quins 12 (12-7 half)
Huns
Tries: Heller, Liles, Cox, Branco, Bonilla (2)
Conversions: Liles (3)
Penalties: none
Quins
Tries: 2
Conversions: 1
Penalties: none
About HUNS Rugby Football Club
The Huns Rugby Football Club was founded in 1972 and is one of the first rugby clubs of its kind in Central Texas. Over more than 40 years, the club has developed an organization and a culture that have produced winning teams, first class coaches and players. The Huns’ training and competition fields are unmatched by any other in the region. For many years now The Huns Rugby football club remains one the largest men’s clubs in the United States, competing in all 3 National USA Rugby 15s divisions and the National 7s division.”
