02/02/2012

Location:   Jack Hughes Park in Pineville (where we played last Saturday)

Arrive by 9:40,   Camp starts at 10:00.     Should be finished between 2:30 and 3:00.

Bring/wear:   Cleats, Mouthguard, WATER bottle,  running shoes, and a healthy, PACKED LUNCH (ie:  peanut butter sandwich,  turkey/cheese sandwich, banana – keep it light).  We will have a sports drink for them for lunch, but they also need their own water bottles.     

Dec. 22nd 2011

On Saturday May 21 Catholic faced off against Gonzaga High of DC in the third-place game at the US National High School Rugby Championships.  The match was held at Rio Tinto Stadium, a 20,000 seat Major League Soccer venue.  The weather was greatly improved from Friday with bright sun, low 60 degrees and light wind.  Today’s game featured 35 minute halves (in the opening game and semi-final game the halves were 22.5 minutes).  These teams had met earlier in the year but unfortunately the weather was terrible and the game was called at halftime.  The early game was characterized with wide open play, lots of passing to the outside and a number of booming kicks.  About 10 minutes in, Gonzaga started to put on pressure and kept the ball deep in the Catholic zone.  After a Catholic penalty Gonzaga kicked for points but was wide of the mark.  After a long Gonzaga kick they retained possession and had a line out inside the 5 meter line and were able to push in for a try to make it 5-0 Gonzaga mid-way through the first half.  Shortly after, CCHS picked up a ball out of a scrum, made a great pass followed by a spirited run and try to make it 5-5.  Near the end of the half Catholic blocked a Gonzaga kick which led to a great pickup, run and try (plus a conversion) to put the Cougars up 12-5.  Shortly before the half Gonzaga had a huge breakaway but a fingertip tackle by Catholic prevented a try.  In the second half the wide open play continued with numerous kicks and changes of possession.  Gonzaga had a large number of line-outs and was very strong while Catholic dominated the scrums.  About 10 minutes into the half, CCHS converted a penalty kick to make it 15-5 in favor of Catholic.  Gonzaga did not back down and continued to force the issue with numerous power runs,  Midway through the second half Gonzaga was able to get in for another try to make it 15-10 Catholic.  Soon after CCHS had the ball deep in Gonzaga’s territory but Gonzaga held tough.  Later in the second half, CCHS was assessed a number of penalties and Gonzaga was able to take advantage and made a successful try plus a very difficult conversion with less than 5 minutes to play to make it 17-15 in favor of Gonzaga.  Although Catholic made a gallant effort to score late in the game the 17-15 score held.  The boys played great rugby and it was heartbreaking to lose two close games in a row.  With the loss, Catholic secures the #4 spot in the US

May 20th 2011

Number 4 seed Charlotte Catholic started their quest for the national Championship against Fallbrook High School.  Fallbrook is a public high school of 3,000 students is located in Escondido, CA (north of San Diego) and came in as the number #5 seed after winning the Southern California Championship.  The game was played in cold (53 degree) and breezy conditions on a field that was wet from last nights heavy rain but had dried reasonably well and wasn’t particularly slippery.  The game was played in a local park on a regulation-width rugby field.  Catholic started off a little tentative and Fallbrook made a try and a conversion within the first two minutes.  Catholic quickly regrouped and with the help of some great work by the front line was able to score a try to make it 7-5 Fallbrook at the 6 minute mark.  The rest of the half was played mostly on the Fallbrook side, much of it inside the 22 meter line and despite some close calls, Fallbrooks defense held firm and Catholic couldn’t punch the ball in.  The half ended 7-5 in favor of Fallbrook.  Fallbrook is a very physical team especially inside.  Their second row was very strong and had good success moving the ball.  The second half was similar to the first, good hard-nosed rugby and, other than the occasional kick and wide run, mostly played in the middle with short gains.  Things got a bit scary about mid-way through the second half.  Fallbrook had the ball inside the CCHS 22 meter line for a good while but Catholic kept coming up strong.  CCHS was penalized an Fallbrook got the ball at the 5 meter line but Catholic held tough again and again.  Truly a memorable goal line stand.  As time started running low it was up to the Cougars to make one final great play and (as we have all gotten used to over the years) they did!  Catholic showed their excellent rugby skills and some great passing off a scrum led to an absolutely breathtaking long run and try to put the Cougars ahead 10-7.  The last couple of minutes were tense with Fallbrook holding possession well but they just couldn’t get much past midfield.  Catholic made a nice steal near the end of the game and when the three whistles sounded everyone collectively exhaled and the Cougars were in the semi-finals.  Catholic will play Xavier (New York City) who was the 2010 National Champion.  Xavier (the #1 overall seed and Northeast US Champion) beat Saint Thomas Aquinas of Kansas City earlier today to earn their spot in the semi final.  The winner of this afternoons CCHS-Xavier game will be in the finals tomorrow.  GO COUGARS!

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After winning earlier in the day against Fallbrook (CA), Catholic earned a spot in the semi-final against Xavier of Manhattan NY.  Xavier is the defending national champion and entered the game as the #1 seed in the tournament.  It was not as damp as the game this morning but still overcast and much windier with rain in the air and a temperature of 54 degrees.  Catholic started out with some great defense and a steal which led to a long run and try which put the Cougars up 5-0 only two minutes into the game.  Xavier quickly countered with a penalty kick after two successive CCHS penalties to make it 5-3.  Early on it was apparent that these were two teams that were technically excellent.   Catholic kept up the pressure with great front row play characterized by picking up the ball and pushing ahead three yards over and over.  The rucking was great and it quickly led to a Catholic try to make it 10-3.  This game was more wide open than this morning’s game with numerous deep kicks that both teams fielded well.  Catholic again showed their strength with another push forward from numerous players which ended up in a try to make it 15-3.  Xavier countered just before the half with a try to make it 15-8.  In the beginning of the second half, Catholic owned the possession several times inside the Xavier 22 meter mark but couldn’t seem to score.  Midway through the second half, Xavier was able to score a try and conversion to make it 15-15.  However, Catholic was unfazed by the comeback and broke off a huge run set up by great passing that was good for a try.  The conversion made it 22-15.  Unfortunately, in the waning moments, Xavier was able to score a try and conversion to tie it up at 22 at the end of regulation.  National High School Championship Rugby rules limit play to 90 minutes per day for any team.  The teams were playing two games today, each with two 22.5 minute halves.  As a result, overtime cannot be played on the field and is decided by penalty kicks.  Each team chooses five players and they alternate kicks from the 22 meter line in the center of the field.  Unfortunately for the Cougars, Xavier was perfect on their first four and they took the game.  It was a heartbreaking defeat for Catholic but they played an extraordinary game.  The boys showed tremendous heart today.  Catholic will play tomorrow for third place in Rio Tinto Stadium (20,000 seat Major League Soccer Stadium) at 1PM Mountain time (3PM eastern) against the loser of the Gonzaga (DC)-Jesuit (CA) game.

May 17th 2011

Hi everyone,    the following information is for ALL CCHS Rugby players and families:

End of Season Party:   You should have received an EVITE from Arlene Auger yesterday.    Check your email and rsvp there if you can.    OR you can email Arlene at arli85@aol.com    We need a headcount to order the BBQ.   Party Details:

Thur May 26 at 6:30 pm

Southpark Swim and Tennis Club,    2200 Huntingtown Farms Lane 28210

BBQ will be provided.  Families are to bring water/soft drinks and a side dish (as designated on EVITE) (and chairs)

CCHS RUGBY YEARBOOK:   You all are going to LOVE the first annual CCHS Rugby yearbook!   I was in a meeting yesterday with the project team and they have come up with a great book that the players will really enjoy.    Every player will receive a copy at NO CHARGE.       We are hoping to get ADS in the yearbook from businesses as well as parents/family/friends who want to place an ‘ad’.    Be creative!           See attached forms to order these ads.    If you know of any businesses that would like to advertise in the yearbook, please give them the form.    Whatever you can do to help is REALLY APPRECIATED!     NOTE the quick deadlines (May 27) on receiving these ads --  we are hoping to have the yearbooks ready by graduation.   If you have any questions about the yearbook or the ads, please email Tom Cook at Thomas.cook@att.net

Summer Rugby Camps:   See email below from April Buttner.   If you have plans for camps or want to discuss it, please email April at dublinb5@yahoo.com

Thanks for all your help, patience and support this season – you guys are awesome!