In a tightly fought encounter, the Junior Gents advanced to their 3rd Colorado Division II State Championship with a gritty win over a big and, at times, rough Fort Collins team. From the kick-off the heavier Fort Collins runners made the Jr Gents defend again and again, pinning the Juniors on their own line and exacting a brave defense for the first 15 minutes of the match.
Skipper for the day, Jake Gentry, marshaled the defense well and it was obvious that Matt Williams had been singled out for “special” attention. A foul play penalty on Williams resulted in a penalty kick that Williams booted into the corner of the Fort Collins half. A lineout catch and powerful drive for 20 yards into the heart of the Fort Collins defense saw Williams feed a rampaging Luke Prosence and the rookie scored a spectacular try to exact revenge for the previous foul.
Prosence is one of 10 brand new players in the starting 15 who have only played 6 games of rugby including this semifinal. The team’s dedication and their desire to learn are reasons they have achieved such astounding success.
Fort Collins took the lead with a converted try shortly after the Jr Gents score. With the score 7-5 to Fort Collins it was obviously going to be a hard fought affair. Williams answered with a great solo effort try for the Gents but the lead was again short lived as Fort Collins battered the Jrs line until they scored at the crucial halftime mark. Fort Collins took a 12-10 into halftime.
Fort Collins continued to target Williams with late tackles but the Roaring Fork team showed excellent discipline under pressure and gradually started to get control of the game by stepping up the pace, moving the bigger opposition around and maintaining their focus. Olmer Marquez and Felipe Martinez drove into the defense to set up blistering attacks. Hiles finally settled into his goal-kicking role and made a crucial penalty kick and a conversion after another Williams’ try. With 10 minutes to play the score remained 24-12 in favor of the Junior Gents.
With the game coming to an end, Ferguson dove spectacularly to recover a loose ball; setting up possession for the Junior Gents and Williams was over again. Gentry persistently probed the Fort Collins defense and set up a barnstorming run by Oswaldo Olmedo with Williams in support to dive over for his 4th try! An outstanding feat given that he was marked constantly and aggressively all game. Hiles converted the try for the final score of 31-12 in favor of the Junior Gents.
The State Final is Saturday, May 10th, 12:40 p.m. at Infinity Rugby Stadium in Glendale against PAC from Denver. PAC comes into the final highly favored to beat the undersized and inexperienced Junior Gents…exactly the position the Juniors want to be in going into the game.
The coaches invite all Aspen Old Boys to meet the Junior Gents at the Willits Rugby field on Tuesday and Wednesday’s practice at 4:30 p.m.