The Jr Gents, beat a well-prepared Highlands Ranch Harlequins side 61-0 Saturday at the Willits Rugby Field in Basalt.
The game began with an outstanding kick-off by Jr Gents Captain, Matt Williams that was claimed by the eventual Man of the Match, Robert Hiles. Hiles, playing his first season of rugby, was nearly perfect in everything he did on the day. Hiles, of Glenwood Springs High School, was imperious in line out play, carried the ball in almost every play, never missed a tackle, and on top of all that, kicked 8 out 9 conversions from all over the field.
It was another Glenwood Springs High School standout, Jake Gentry, who profited from the supply of good ball created by Hiles and orchestrated by Matt Williams. Gentry split the opposition’s defense early and often with penetrating runs and helped himself to a score in the first half along with Williams, Dardynski, and Prosence. Although untidy at times, the Jr Gents put together passages of scintillating rugby that delighted novice and experienced spectators alike. Former USA Eagle Captain and TV Announcer, Brian Hightower was on the side enjoying the display along with several other Aspen Rugby heroes from the past.
The score at the half was Jr Gents 28, Harlequins 0. After huge contributions by Wampler and Gonzales, they made way for replacements Meza and Rivera.
Matt Williams helped himself to another hat-trick and should make the push for further honors in the future as he wound back the clock reminding spectators of when his Uncle Mark Williams arrived in Aspen 30 years ago and similarly dominated rugby in Colorado and the United States with outstanding performances.
Olmedo and Meza both scored tries; Meza’s being his first, and the powerful Olmero Martinez impressed many on the sidelines with his speed and athleticism.
The Jr Gents is a rugby team bringing together standout football players, basketball players, skiers, and wrestlers from up and down the Roaring Fork Valley. They are gelling at just the right time as they enter the State playoffs in Denver next week. There are some very good teams standing in the way of another tilt at the title and it will be a great challenge for the Jrs to get to the finals for a second year in a row. The players are giving it their all as every week sees improvements in both style and commitment.
The Jr Gents will be taking on the Wheat Ridge Warriors at 10 a.m. this Saturday, April 26th in the State Championship Quarterfinals at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver.
Practice continues at the Willits Rugby Field every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and home games will resume in the summer after the finals.