A RUGBY ROAD TALE – OR TWO
As Leaked by E. Schmierer and gently massaged by the editors
January 20,2024 - ES
Los Santos gathered in the wee hours of Saturday morning, January 20, 2024. Guided by faint hints of dawn, they loaded into vans piloted by SFRFC board president Eric Schmierer and smiling deity Dylan Merrigan for the eight hour drive to Phoenix and a 3:30 pm date with Camelback Rugby Club, to be followed by a 100-mile drive to Prescott and a 10:00 am game the following Sunday. And back in time for work Monday.
Backpacks stuffed with snacks, pillows, music paraphernalia, etc. were piled in the back. The road trip began, not too off schedule, at 6:09 am MST. Stephen Albritton, aka BB, up from Socorro, was scooped from the side of the road in Albuquerque. The caravan headed west under high, wispy clouds signaling unsettled weather. Drivers skillfully negotiated what is left of I-40 after a few snowstorms and at 10:00 am the Arizona state line was crossed.
Light conversation and the hum of the road dominated as the subdued passengers alternated between winks and watching the beautiful Southwest roll past. Another hour brought Holbrook, and a pause for gas, eats, and the loo. For some reason, maybe because it’s Arizona, nearly everyone bought a case of water bottles.
From Holbrook the path headed south and west onto the high Mogollon Rim. The sun, in and out of the high clouds, lit up the snow beneath the pines as the descent into the lower basin began. After a final gas stop in Payson the pines turned to saguaros, and the excitement began to rise. Loud, inspiring music got heads nodding to the beat as the outskirts of Phoenix approached. After a brief altercation with an elderly gentleman at a stop light (which turned out to be Coach Morris) the final stretch of busy, tense, metropolitan traffic was navigated.
Phoenix’s West Side Sport Complex does have distinct fields, but referring to it as a “complex” is a bit generous. The thin grass, still tan from winter, barely had a grasp on the earth below. Players emerged from the vehicles and gathered, slowly coming out of the 8 hour trance. The moist, 70-degree air was a nice change as warmups got underway.
Kickoff was punctual at 3:30 pm against Camelback RFC, who had nearly a full second side and a generous complement of fans on the touchline, no doubt curious to see a team from New Mexico. Camelback had good-sized, hard running backs and a sturdy pack as well. Both sides battled hard, taking turns making try-saving defensive stands. 14 minutes in, Santos loose prop Jeremy Lithgow opened Santa Fe’s 2024 scoresheet with a penalty kick, with Camelback returning the favor shortly thereafter. Lock Jordan Demas stormed through multiple defenders to score the first try of the season after some well-executed phase play by his mates. Los Santos finished the first half ahead 10-3.
Clouds thickened ominously in the west as the short winter day began to fade. The second half started off with a bang with tries in the 43rd and 46th minutes by scrum half Elijah Naranjo, both converted by fly half Cory Micander. Camelback answered with a try and conversion in the 62nd minute bringing the score to 24-10 Santos. Neither team took a backward step through the balance of the match, yet the Santos kept their cool while their opponents collected three yellow cards. In the dying minutes Camelback put over another try to produce a final score of 24-15 in Santa Fe’s favor.
Club president Eric Schmierer detected an air of confidence emerging among the Santos in the second half. Phase play and defensive lines improved as the match went on, as the team took advantage of this, their first time together on “grass” since last fall. As added bonuses, Santo newcomers Aidan Gurule (flanker) and Diego Cardiel (outside center), had played well and promised much more to come. .
The masses gathered and migrated to the social, a lively sports bar with pool tables and football and UFC loudly competing for attention. The ruggers had better things to do as the Santos were treated to all the pizza and beer they wanted, taken as multiple rounds of “Morris cocktails” (one water, one beer, one water . . . ). Forward of the match, Jordan Demas, and back of the match, Izzy Sanchez, handily outmatched their Camelback opposites in a short drinking challenge. The event for the evening was a 7-man boat race that clearly demonstrated the Santos’ domination of the party. The voice of reason settled in for some, and the reality of the following morning’s competition saw an early departure. This time the Santos had only a 1 1/2 hour drive north to their hotel in Prescott, site of their Sunday match versus the Black Sheep. Based on some accounts, pit stops along the route outnumbered the match score for the day. Once at the hotel there was swimming, ice baths for some, and the unforgettable moments of comaraderie that come after a very long, very good day.
SUNDAY
Breakfast at the hotel was “not too shabby” and banter with a pair of friendly servers contributed to an upbeat scene. The thermometer read 38 moist degrees as the vans pulled out under low, rolling clouds that fully obscured the sun. The rugby field at Embry Riddle University, sits on the high side of this hilly town of 45,000 residents. The make-shift posts looked like an elderly couple holding each other up in their last loving moments together (Poetry by Schmierer, available for weddings, etc.). The 10:00 am kickoff saw the Santos up against a scrappy side of 13. Prescott came out pumped and did the first damage with two tries in the first six minutes.
“As a young team, they were predictably unpredictable” noted Santos coach Richard Morris. “They had some good athletes who ran hard, and we started slow. But generally the guys kept mental control.”
In a cold, steady rain Santa Fe began a slow, steady build up of intensity, bringing their team skills and determination into the game. The Black Sheep would score no more in the first half, while team captain Ryan Weir and flanker Dane Robergs each tallied tries, followed by the sudden onslaught of two tries each from center Jason España and flanker Aidan Gurule. Cory Micander modestly added a conversion kick for a halftime lead of 32 points to 10.
The rain ceased by the second half kickoff, and a subsequent back and forth of scoring proved Prescott Black Sheep to be a tenacious lot. Elijah Naranjo, Diego Cardiel, Dane Robergs, Max Palmer, and Leon Wilson all scored tries and Cory “Corn Dog” Micander kicked a penalty. Try conversions somehow eluded both teams, with Cory hitting those melancholy posts twice. When the mud cleared it was Santos 60, Prescott 34.
Socializing (for the passengers) followed in downtown Prescott at the Whiskey Tavern. As with the evening before, Los Santos sank the opponent’s social boat. Dane Robergs, another in a long line of NM Techies who’ve gone on to play for Santa Fe, was named Los Santos’ outstanding forward. Leonidas “Simba” Wilson, raised on South Africa’s Western Cape, received kudos as Back of the Day. And for all of us who will never forget our first outing, there was the blooding of young Luke Sotelo, who got his first taste of rugby at a wing position. Welcome to The Club, Luke!
The boys felt justifiably accomplished with two wins for the weekend, which when added to fall 2023 wins over El Paso and Brujos brings their Southwest Union record to four wins against no losses. For the standings, Santa Fe has earned 20 points: four for each victory plus one bonus point added for each game with four or more tries scored. Happily that plateau has been achieved in all four victories. (4 x 4) + (4 x 1) = 20.
Coach Richard eschewed (look it up) credit for readying the team in just three sessions, all indoors. “We’ve got a lot of skilled, experienced players with high rugby IQs. It’s mostly a matter of organizing things.”
Head captain Ryan Weir praised the attitude and resilience of his teammates over a challenging weekend. “On day one, everyone was excited to be there, in spite of just having traveled eight hours. The second morning’s game was tough, coming off an 80-minute rock fight just a few hours before. I don’t think we were at our best, but that’s testament to our potential.”
Echoing his coach’s use of the term “high rugby IQ”, Ryan said he also appreciates how many seasoned players are on this year’s roster. “It helps having different leaders out there to help.”
The return from AZ contrasted markedly from the trip out. Some players slept, yes, but others were too buzzed on the adventures they’d crammed into the past 36 hours. The Santos arrived home without incident (that we know of) and were tucked away in bed by midnight.
A pause to honor the supportive (and weatherproof) families of Mateo Cardiel (Margaret & Billie) and Angel Villa (Brianna, and mom Ana). And the DDs. Viva la familia!
NEXT UP
Predictably, the recent collapse of the Albuquerque Aardvarks has led to a radical restructuring of the SW Union. With the February 24 match in Tucson canceled, the Santos don’t have anything set in stone until two home appearances in March (Scottsdale 3/9 and Flagstaff 3/30).
On an optimistic note, a friendly versus El Paso in Socorro now looks likely for February 10. One or more matches may be arranged with Rocky Mountain Rugby clubs in Colorado, and there are rumors of a reincarnation of the club in Clovis.
On an ambitious note, Santa Fe has placed a bid to host the SWFU championships April 19- 20 on the union’s premier pitches, Santa Fe’s Municipal RUGBY Complex. That tournament will involve two men’s divisions and one women’s division and require as much help as we can muster.
In compliance with the board’s directive to mention The Club’s sometimes-annual Winter Banquet on February 3: The Club’s sometimes-annual Winter Banquet is February 3.
TEAM PHOTO
Back, L to R:
Richard Morris (head coach), Jason Lithgow, Jeremy Lithgow, Tadeo Herrera, Dylan Merrigan, Stephen Allbritton, Dan Robergs, Aidan Gurule (1st SFRFC appearance), Jordan Demas, David Jondreau, Ryan Weir (captain), Luke Sotelo (1st rugby outing), Jason España, Eric Schmierer (Fwd coach, mgr, board pres)
Middle, L to R:
Max Palmer, Elijah Naranjo, Isaiah Chavez, Angel Villa, Leonidas Wilson, Ryan Means, Cory Micander
Front, L to R:
Justin Stallworth, Mateo Cardiel, Billie Cardiel, Diego Cardiel (1st SFRFC appearance), Isaiah Sanchez
(Rugby ball airbrushed to protect participants)
