The Jr Gents Rugby Club lost the Colorado Division II State Championship Final to PAC Saturday at Infinity Park in Denver. The much fancied PAC team won 31-3 in a stop-start game in front of a large crowd.
The Juniors had the opening kickoff which Robert Hiles reclaimed spectacularly in mid-air as he has done all season. Hiles’ particular skill is akin to a wide receiver taking a pass across the middle in heavy defensive traffic and requires speed, dexterity, and bravery. Hiles would take 5 such kicks during the game as well as win all of his lineout ball, skills that did not go unnoticed by the Colorado State Rugby selectors.
PAC smashed at the Jr Gents’ line for 10 minutes but resolute defense limited PAC to just a penalty after their relentless attack. Again PAC pressured the Gents’ line and ultimately scored with a kick and chase to go ahead 8-0 with 10 minutes remaining in the half.
Although the Juniors started to run hard at the PAC defense, the ball was too often taken standing still and the usually hard charging forwards were strangely flat footed on the day. Gentry broke through strongly but was never supported adequately enough to result in a score. The Gents chose poor options time and time again and the pre-match game plan faded fast. Hiles kicked a penalty to bring the score to 8-3 in favor of PAC. The halftime whistle could not come soon enough for a strangely disjointed Jr Gents team.
A sports final is a difficult place to reign in emotions and take stock of the situation. The second half collapse by the Jr Gents against a strong, well-drilled PAC team will hopefully provide good lessons on how to better react in such cauldrons in the future. In the event, poor decision making continued, though lack of effort was never ever in doubt from all that played – particularly Martinez, Ferguson, Hiles, Gonzalez and next year’s captain elect – Jake Gentry.
The loss of inspirational skipper, Williams, for disciplinarian reasons further compounded the problems and the final score 31-3 was a reflection of PAC’s eventual dominance and the poor use of possession by the Jr Gents.
A single game does not define a season and the players, coaches, and parents know how well the 23 players of the Junior Gents have represented their families, schools, and communities all year. The Juniors will have plenty of opportunity to put this loss behind them as many prepare for All-Star games and summer rugby in Aspen and Willits.