The Junior Gentlemen Rugby team representing the High Schools of the Roaring Fork Valley won an exciting and bruising first league game against the Titans of Denver on Saturday.
With just four players returning from last year’s championship team and late withdrawals from backs Gentry and Dardynski, things looked ominous for the Gents as they took the field on a cold and blustery day in Parker against a well drilled Titans side
New Team Captain Matt Williams, potentially the best scrum half in Colorado, immediately proved his worth with a dazzling 90-yard run to score. Showing strength, speed, guile, and determination Williams scored under the posts allowing rookie #8 and kicker, Robert Hiles of Glenwood, to convert for the extra points: 7 – 0 to the Jr Gents after 5 minutes.
Rookie Javier Diaz scored after 15 minutes following a powerful break by the impressive Felipe Martinez. Hiles missed the difficult conversion but it was apparent that this is a naturally talented athlete and kicker.
Newcomers Christian Martinez (GHS) and hooker Olmer Marquez (BHS) are well known, stand out wrestlers. If they play as well as they did in their debuts all season, they will certainly be All-State in rugby as well! Marquez in particular had a dazzling 50-yard break in the second half that caught everyone’s eye.
If there is one thing that rugby sides from Aspen and the Valley have above all else, is a never say die attitude! When Williams was sent to the Sin Bin for a dangerous tackle, the Gents stepped it up and held firm without their inspirational Skipper. Matt Wampler was an integral component in keeping the Titans at bay, but the home team still managed to score 2 tries to create a definitive shift in momentum taking a 19-12 lead at halftime.
Williams returned to the action and galvanized his teammates with another score, but also made mistakes by taking too much play on his own squandering hard won possession. Once he combines game management skills with his natural physical ability, he will be a real force to contend with as a player and playmaker.
With the score now tied at 19-19, it was up to the irrepressible Felipe Martinez – the 3rd Martinez brother to excel for the Jr Gents in three years – to score the match winner! The talented Hiles converted to make the final score 26-19 to the Junior Gents.
Next Saturday the Junior Gents host the Castle Rock Pirates at their new Willits Field home base on East Valley Road, Basalt. Kick-off is at 1:00pm. Practice is at 4:30pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at the Willits Field.