Rugby State Final vs Herriman

Saturday 5-12-18     Today we play Herriman at Herriman with a Herriman ref that doesn't like us and the we aren't terribly fond of either, for the State TITLE!  Doesn't that seem a little weird to you?  It sure does to all of us.  And of course it was RAINING!  With a 9am start time we needed to be there at 7:30.  We got there at 8 and were still the first ones there.  They warmed up for an hour in the rain and then got out on the field that we played them on just over a month ago and played again for another hour in the rain. They played their hearts out.  But when you have home field and ref who calls back Try after Try then you do everything you can and hold your head high knowing that you played your best even when the score doesn't reflect it.  Silver may be the color of the medal that they brought home but they are all champions!!!  Since it's the last game I should warn you there are a lot of picture's and a video of the Aussie in charge of the entire Utah Youth Rugby Program who talks about how amazing the program is and how great the Snow Canyon team is. 
Here is Ben's kick off to start the game. 

 Ben takes this kid out.  Look at his face. 

Herriman scored.  Another kick from Ben.

 This one is IMPORTANT!!!  If you look close to the two feet in the air between our #2 and #15, right about #14's head,  you can see Ben's feet, one orange one yellow.  He just scored a Try!  I absolutely hated that he was always on the other side of where I was.  EVERY GAME!  Even when they changed goals at the half he still stayed on that side.  How does that make sense?  I needed to get a media pass so I could go down on the field.  Next Year.  

 Wait for the reaction...

 There it is!  The team went wild!  It was awesome!  

 And the kick was bad.  It was on the very outside edge.  I don't think anyone could have made it.  But he scored a Try!

 And then Austin scored for us!

 Then it was halftime.  

 Ben creamed this kid and made the ball come loose so Noah picked it up but they called it out of bounds.

 Ben with the ball.

 We scored again!  Granted the other team is scoring too but I'm not putting their's on here. 

 This was the first game where Ben had a tee to kick it from.  He really liked it.  I think he would have done better without it because he would have kicked harder.  Be he says it gives him more control.  Whatever floats his boat.  He did a great job. 

I like this picture because it shows nearly every person on our teams face.  It will be a great one for Ben to look back on. 

 This was the saddest part...Stockton on the sidelines just chomping at the bit to go in and play but couldn't because he had a broken nose from yesterday's game. So he stood next to Coach Gali and watched. 

The last 5 minutes left of the game they took Ben and Noah out so other kids could get some playing time since they figured we couldn't catch up by that time. 

 Final Score 33-22.  It was a close game.  We had two Try's called back and a couple kicks that would have won us the game but life wanted us to learn a different lesson.  Those boys are amazing!

After the game the coaches had them circle up and told them how proud they were of them. 

  I don't think that it actually kicked in for Ben that this would be his last game with Suene for a long time and that it was his last 7/8th grade team game.  Next year he would have to do JV for Snow Canyon.  That's a big commitment.  People keep telling him that he can't play with them unless he goes to school there.  If they somehow changed the rules and that is true then he is going to be sick to his stomach.  He will have to go live with Brad and Ashley.  He loves this game.  He loves these boys.  This game means everything to him.  It means everything to us. 

 Coach Michael Puriri came over and said how great the boys and coaches were and complemented them on their game.  It was very nice. 

 One last "Te Mana" cheer.

 Then off they went to the awards  ceremony.

 Both teams came together for a cheer of "Family".

 Then Drew and Suene handed out the medals to the team.  It was pretty cool.  No one complained.  They were all smiles and happy.  They hugged each other and were glad that they were able to have the chance to play.

 The very last picture of the day, with Silkele, and Ben blinked.   He was tired. 

We had a great season and two of the best coaches around. Thanks so much Suene Tauanu'u and Drew Boatright!

 Here is the list of boys who were originally on the team.  by the end of the season we had lost a couple and picked up some new ones.