1979 National Rugby Championships
| 1979 National Rugby Championships | |
|---|---|
| Tournament details | |
| Tournament format(s) | Various |
| Date | 1979 |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Final | |
The 1979 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included College, Military, Sevens, Interterritorial, and Men's/Women's Club.
Men's Club
The 1979 National Club Rugby Championship was sponsored by Michelob and took place at Avila College in Kansas City, Missouri on May 12 and 13.[1] The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. The Berkeley Old Blues won the title defeating St. Louis in the final after beating their New York namesakes in two overtime periods in the semifinal.[2]
| Territorial Semifinal | Territorial Final | National Semifinal | National Final | |||||||||||
| April 28 - San Francisco, CA | ||||||||||||||
| Old Blues | 19 | |||||||||||||
| April 29 – San Francisco, CA | ||||||||||||||
| Old Puget Sound | 4 | |||||||||||||
| Old Blues | 6 | |||||||||||||
| April 28 - San Francisco, CA | ||||||||||||||
| BATS | 3 | |||||||||||||
| BATS | 20 | |||||||||||||
| May 12 – Kansas City, MO | ||||||||||||||
| Los Angeles | 15 | |||||||||||||
| Old Blues (CA) | 7 | |||||||||||||
| April 29 - Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||
| Old Blue (NY) | 3 | |||||||||||||
| Old Blue | 21 | |||||||||||||
| April 29 – Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||
| Norfolk City Blues | 9 | |||||||||||||
| Old Blue | 24 | |||||||||||||
| April 29 - Washington, D.C. | ||||||||||||||
| Baton Rouge | 0 | |||||||||||||
| Baton Rouge | 15 | |||||||||||||
| May 13 – Kansas City, MO | ||||||||||||||
| Whitemarsh | 6 | |||||||||||||
| Old Blues (CA) | 18 | |||||||||||||
| April 21 – St. Louis, MO | ||||||||||||||
| St. Louis Falcons | 6 | |||||||||||||
| St. Louis Falcons | 16 | |||||||||||||
| April 28 – Denver, CO | ||||||||||||||
| Oklahoma U. | 13 | |||||||||||||
| St. Louis Falcons | 6 | |||||||||||||
| April 22 – Albuquerque, NM | ||||||||||||||
| Albuquerque Aardvarks | 3 | |||||||||||||
| Albuquerque Aardvarks | 25 | |||||||||||||
| May 12 – Kansas City, MO | ||||||||||||||
| Houston Heathens | 12 | |||||||||||||
| St. Louis Falcons | 21 | |||||||||||||
| May 6 - Dayton, OH | ||||||||||||||
| Akron (OH) | 14 | Third place | ||||||||||||
| Akron | 3 | |||||||||||||
| May 6 – Dayton, OH | May 13 – Kansas City, MO | |||||||||||||
| Minneapolis | 0 | |||||||||||||
| Akron | 17 | Old Blue (NY) | 22 | |||||||||||
| May 6 - Dayton, OH | ||||||||||||||
| Chicago Lions | 13 | Akron (OH) | 9 | |||||||||||
| Chicago Lions | 20 | |||||||||||||
| Pittsburgh | 3 | |||||||||||||
Semifinals
| 12 May 1979 |
| St. Louis | 21–14 | Akron |
| Try: Tom McDonough 10' c Don Brown c Con: Bob Cronin Pen: Bob Cronin (3) | Try: Steve Allensworth Rick Underman c Terry Whelan Con: Dave Forman |
| Kansas City, MO |
| 12 May 1979 |
| Old Blues (CA) | 7–3 (OT) | Old Blue (NY) |
| Try: Art Ward 97' Pen: John Dixon 19' | Pen: Malcolm Kimble 43' |
| Kansas City, MO Attendance: 1000 |
Third place
| 13 May 1979 |
| Old Blue (NY) | 22–9 | Akron |
| Try: Chimere Okezie c Joe Whalen c Chimere Okezie Con: Malcolm Kimble Pen: Malcolm Kimble 2 | Try: Hill c Con: Dave Forman Pen: Dave Forman |
| Kansas City, MO |
Final
| 13 May 1979 |
| Old Blues (CA) | 18–6 | St. Louis Falcons |
| Try: Blane Warhurst Rick Bailey Steve Grisch Pen: John Dixon Drop: 42' Bill Armstrong | Try: 18' Buster DelaRoche c Con: Bob Cronin |
| Kansas City, MO Attendance: 1400 Referee: Peter Jones (ERU) |
Champions: Old Blues RFC of Berkeley, CA
Coach: Ron Mayes
Roster: Bill Armstrong (Center), Rick Bailey (Prop), David Bateman (Scrumhalf), Jim Brazil (Prop), Peter Burman (Flyhalf), Jack Clark (Lock), John Dixon (Center), Leo Fracess (Prop), Pete Gunderson (Hooker), Stephen Gritsch (Wing), Chuck Hextrum (Lock), Dallas Hickman (Flanker), Mark Hoffman (Lock), Jeff Hollings (Hooker), Tom Philp (Wing), Steve Ponder (#8), Scott Stringer (Center), Mark Villa (Flyhalf), Art Ward (#8), Dennis Ward (Fullback), Blane Warhurst (Flanker/Wing).
Women's Club
The 1979 Women's National Rugby Classic took place on September 1–2 at Lutheran Home Fields in Arlington Heights, IL.[3] The tournament was co-sponsored by the Chicago Women's Rugby Football Club and Michelob beer. The format was two round-robin groups with group winners playing for the championship.[4] The team from Florida State won the championship with four victories. The Heathen Hearts of Houston took third place by defeating holders, Portland.
| Standings | |||||||||||||
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | L | F | A | FSU | POR | HOY | CHI | DEN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Florida State | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 7 | X | 4:3 | 8:4 | X | 8:0 | ||
| 2. | Portland (ME) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 17 | 4 | 3:4 | X | X | 10:0 | 4:0 | ||
| 3. | Hoyden Park (GA) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 8 | 4:8 | X | X | 4:0 | X | ||
| 4. | Chicago | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 14 | X | 0:10 | 0:4 | X | 4:0 | ||
| 5. | Denver Blues | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 0:8 | 0:4 | X | 0:4 | X | ||
| Standings | |||||||||||||
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | L | F | A | MAD | HEA | BOS | COL | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Madison (WI) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 20 | 7 | X | 10:4 | 6:3 | 4:0 | |||
| 2. | Heathen Hearts (TX) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 4:10 | X | 6:0 | W:L | |||
| 3. | Boston | 3 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 16 | 3:6 | 0:6 | X | 16:4 | |||
| 4. | Colorado State | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 20 | 0:4 | L:W | 4:16 | X | |||
Ninth Place: Denver.
Seventh Place: Chicago 4-0 Colorado State
Fifth Place: Hoyden Park 16-4 Boston[5]
Third Place: Houston def. Portland[6]
Final
| 2 September 1979 |
| Florida State | 6–0 | Madison |
| Try: Candy Orsini 55' c Con: Renata Brady | [7] |
| Arlington Heights, IL |
College
The 1979 College championship was won by Palmer College of Chiropractic. Navy finished fourth.
Military
The 1979 Military Cup Rugby Championship was held May 5-6 on Stilwell Field at Fort Campbell.[8]
| Standings | |||||||||||||
| Rank | Team | Pld | W | L | F | A | FTC | SAV | FBO | FBF | FTP | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ft Campbell All Blacks | 3 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 6 | X | 30:0 | 13:6 | 8:0 | X | ||
| 2. | Savannah Rangers | 4 | 2 | 2 | 41 | 64 | 0:30 | X | 10:17 | 11:7 | 20:10 | ||
| 3. | Ft Benning Old Boys | 3 | 2 | 1 | 43 | 23 | 6:13 | 17:10 | X | X | 10:0 | ||
| 4. | Ft. Benning Flyers | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 19 | 0:8 | 7:11 | X | X | 4:0 | ||
| 5. | Fort Polk | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | X | 0:4 | 0:10 | 0:4 | X | ||
Sevens
The 1979 National Sevens Rugby Tournament was hosted by the Hartford Wanderers and took place on June 23, 1979, at Sterling Field in West Hartford, Connecticut.[9] The twelve team tournament was won by the Denver Barbarians.[10]
| Semifinals | Final | |||||
| June 23 - Hartford, CT | ||||||
| Denver Barbarians | 24 | |||||
| June 23 - Hartford, CT | ||||||
| Scioto Valley (OH) | 6 | |||||
| Denver Barbarians | 12 | |||||
| June 23 - Hartford, CT | ||||||
| University of Rhode Island | 10 | |||||
| University of Rhode Island | 11 | |||||
| Hartford Wanderers | 7 | |||||
ITT
The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed from selected players from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. The 1979 edition was held on the polo fields of the International Sports Core in Oakbrook, IL.[11] won by the Pacific Coast RFU.[12] Pacific Coast's Mike Fanucchi and Jack Clark were most valuable back and most valuable forward respectively.
Results:
| 26 May 1979 2:00PM |
| Eastern | 0–21 | Pacific Coast |
| [13] | Try: Del Chipman Rick Bailey c Jerry Kelleher Del Chipman Con: Dennis Jablonski Pen: Dennis Jablonski |
| Oakbrook, IL |
| 26 May 1979 3:00PM |
| Midwest | 28–18 | Western |
| Try: Doug Mosser Gary Larsen c Gary Larsen c Terry Rauen c Con: Rod Correia Pen: Rod Correia Drop: Rod Correia | [13] | Try: Bob Arnold c Riche Parker c Con: Dave Wilson Pen: Dave Wilson (2) |
| Oakbrook, IL |
| 27 May 1979 2:00PM |
| Pacific Coast | 21–3 | Western |
| Try: 14' Steve Grey c Steve Grey c Con: Thomas Smith Pen: 19' Thomas Smith 1H' Thomas Smith 41' Thomas Smith | [13] | Drop: Milt Bennett |
| Oakbrook, IL |
| 27 May 1979 3:00PM |
| Midwest | 31–11 | Eastern |
| Try: Gary Larsen Dick Cooke c Duncan Hales Con: Rod Correia Pen: Dick Cooke (4) Rod Correia Drop: Dick Cooke | [13] | Try: Scheitlin Chimere Okezie Pen: Dan Collins |
| Oakbrook, IL |
| 28 May 1979 11:00AM |
| Eastern | 34–3 | Western |
| Try: Tim Moser c Mike Liscovitz c Tim Moser c Gary Bancroft Con: Gary Bancroft Pen: Gary Bancroft (2) Drop: Gary Bancroft (2) | [13] | Pen: Doug Park |
| Oakbrook, IL Attendance: 1000 |
| 28 May 1979 1:00PM |
| Midwest | 9–22 | Pacific Coast |
| Try: Duncan Hales c Con: Rod Correia Pen: ? | [13] | Try: Jeff Lombard Mike Fanucchi c Mike Fanucchi c Con: Dennis Jablonski Pen: 22' Dennis Jablonski ? |
| Oakbrook, IL |
| Team | W | L | F | A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pacific Coast Grizzlies | 3 | 0 | 64 | 12 |
| 2 | Midwest Thunderbirds | 2 | 1 | 68 | 51 |
| 3 | Eastern Colonials | 1 | 2 | 45 | 55 |
| 4 | Western Mustangs | 0 | 3 | 24 | 83 |
Champions: Pacific Coast Grizzlies
Coach: Ron Mayes
Captain: Jeff Hollings-Hooker (Old Blues)
Roster: Rick Bailey-Prop (Old Blues), David Briley-Prop (Santa Monica), Mickey Ording-Prop (X–O RC), Jay Hansen-Hooker (San Francisco), Jack Clark-Lock (Old Blues), Chuck Hextrum-Lock (Old Blues), Brad Andrews-#8 (Santa Monica), Art Ward-#8 (Old Blues), Jeffrey Lombard-Flanker (Chuckanut Bay), David Morrison-Flanker (Santa Monica), Skip Niebauer-Flanker (BATS), Dave Bateman-Scrumhalf (Old Blues), Bob McFayden-Scrumhalf (OMBAC), Steve Gray-Flyhalf (Los Angeles), Thomas Smith-Flyhalf (Santa Monica), Tom O'Grady-Center (BATS), Michael Fanucchi-Center (BATS), Boyd Morrison-Center (Los Angeles), Del Chipman-Wing (UCLA), Lin Walton-Wing (OMBAC), Mike Purcell-Wing (BATS), Ian Gunn-Fullback (Old Puget Sound), Dennis Jablonski-Fullback (Santa Monica).
References
- ^ "First Major Rugby Tourney". (May 12, 1979). The Daily News, p.7 col.1-3
- ^ "California Team Tops St. Louis Club For Championship". (May 14, 1979). Kansas City Times, p.4C
- ^ "Weekend Kicks Off With Women’s Rugby". (August 31, 1979). Chicago Tribune, s.4 p.12 col.2
- ^ Cohen, Edie (September 1, 1979). "Rugby Classic Opens In Arlington". The Daily Herald, s.3 p.5 col.3-5
- ^ Kusek, Joe (September 2, 1979). "Rugby Invades Suburbs". The Daily Herald, s.4 p.1
- ^ Kusek, Joe (September 3, 1979). "Florida State Rules Rugby". The Daily Herald, s.3 p.5 col.3-6
- ^ "Longwood Lass And FSU Mates Grab National Championship". (September 9, 1979). The Little Sentinel, p.1
- ^ Carlson, Kenneth N. (February 1984). "National Championships". Rugby Football Scorebook (1st ed.). Lynwood, WA: Rain Belt Inc. p. 6. ISBN 0-938428-04-7.
- ^ "Rugby Tournament". (June 23, 1979). Hartford Courant, p.27 col.1
- ^ Paterno, Karen (June 23, 1979). "Ruggers Get Gas, Get Here, Get With It". Hartford Courant, p.1C
- ^ "Territorial Tournament". Rugby. Vol. 5, no. 2. April 30, 1979. p. 4.
- ^ Carlson, Kenneth N. (February 1984). Rugby Football Scorebook (1st ed.). Lynwood, WA: Rain Belt Inc. pp. 63–68. ISBN 0-938428-04-7.
- ^ a b c d e f Scott, A.W. (May 1979). "Territorial Championship". Rugby. Vol. 5, no. 3. pp. 4–11.