May 12, 2017
USA Rugby Club Playoffs
Doug Coil
On May 20-21 the USA Men’s Club Division I, II, and III National Quarterfinals will take place at Founders Field in Pittsburgh and at the Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. The winners from the semifinals on May 21 will meet June 3-4 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado for the USA Rugby National Championship.
Men’s Division I Eastern Playoffs at Founders Field in Pittsburgh
Quarterfinals
- Rocky Gorge v Chicago Lions
- New York Athletic Club v Mystic River
Rocky Gorge defeated the Pittsburgh Harlequins to reach the quarterfinals, while the Chicago Lions revenged an earlier defeat by Columbus.
Men’s Division I Western Playoffs at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson
Quarterfinals
- San Francisco Golden Gate v Austin Huns
- Belmont Shore v Life West
Both Golden Gate and the Austin Huns have had excellent seasons. Golden Gate are the NorCal Champions and beat the Oregon Sports Union to advance to the quarterfinals to face the Huns, the Red River Champs. Both the Huns and second place, Austin Blacks advanced to the playoffs, however Life West beat the Austin Blacks in a play-in match to advance to the quarterfinals to face Belmont Shore, who were the SoCal Champs after beating OMBAC.
The semifinal winners will meet May 21 to determine who will advance to the National Championship.
Men’s Divison II Eastern Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- Detroit Tradesmen v Washington Irish
- Life University D2 v Morris Lions
The Detroit Tradesmen beat Wisconsin to advance to the quarterfinals, while the Washington Irish beat Philadelphia-Whitemarsh.
Life beat Boca Raton and Miami Tridents in the South Championship to advance to the quarterfinals, while Morris prevailed over the Mystic Barbarians.
The semifinal winners will meet May 21 to determine who will advance to the National Championship.
Men’s Division II Western Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- St. Louis Bombers v Ventura County Outlaws
- Little Rock Stormers v Sacramento Blackhawks
The St. Louis Bombers defeated the Denver Barbarians and Glendale Raptors D2 to advance to the quarterfinals, while Ventura County beat the Red Mountain Warthogs.
Little Rock beat the Austin Blacks D2 and Tulsa to advance to the quarterfinals, while the Sacramento Blackhawks beat the Sacramento Capitals and Tacoma Nomads to advance.
The semifinal winners will meet May 21 to determine who will advance to the National Championship.
Men’s Division III Eastern Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- Bremer County Bucks v Lehigh Valley Hooligans
- Southern Pines v Saratoga Rugby
The Bremer County Bucks advanced to the quarterfinals after wins over Wisconsin D3, Oconomowoc and the Toledo Celtics. The Lehigh Valley Hooligans beat James River to reach the Quarterfinals.
Southern Pines won the South with wins over the Montgomery Yellowhammers and the Gainesville Hogs. Saratoga Rugby advanced to the quarterfinals after beating last year’s champion, the Fairfield Yankees.
The semifinal winners will meet May 21 to determine who will advance to the National Championship.
Men’s Division III Western Playoffs
Quarterfinals
- Chico Mighty Oaks v San Marcos Greys
- St. Louis Royals v Orange County Ravens
The Chico Mighty Oaks advanced to the quarterfinals after a win over the Eugene Stags. The San Marcos Greys beat Houston United D3 and Shreveport to move to the quarterfinals.
The St. Louis Royals claimed the Mid-American title after a win against the Wichita Barbarians. They will play the Orange County Ravens who beat the Santa Fe Santos.
The semifinal winners will meet May 21 to determine who will advance to the National Championship.
