National Small College Rugby Organization LLC: Latest News: NSCRO PLAYOFF NEWS: Men's Playoffs Taking Shape

Wayne Rugby Park in Wayne, Nebraska was the scene on Nov. 5-6 for the NSCRO PacWest Regional Qualifier. The event featured the following teams: Eastern Rockies #1 - Colorado College from Colorado Springs, Colorado, Heart of America #1 - John Brown University from Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Great Plains #`1 - Wayne State College from Wayne, Nebraska and Great Plains #2 - South Dakota State University from Vermillion, South Dakota.

On Saturday in strong windy conditions, both Colorado College and Wayne State shined. Wayne State started very quickly scoring 2 tries in the first 10 minutes against John Brown and never really let up winning 56-0. While Colorado despite a slow start was able to score just before halftime to take a 5-0 lead against South Dakota State. In the second half they pulled away to win 27-0.

On Sunday, Wayne State banged heads with Colorado College under blue skies and less windy conditions. In what was envisioned by most as a match up between Wayne State forward power and Colorado College backline prowess...the match surprised everyone with the Colorado forwards generally getting the better of their counterparts in set pieces and in the loose, while the ball control and tactical kicking of Wayne State flyhalf David Synnott along the strong running of centers Kyle Blatchford and Nolan Persson made the difference in the match. Synnott's late first half try on a chip kick from 20 meters out from goal which he recovered In-Goal to score was a brilliant play. Wayne State winger Taylor Helton had a key second half try set up by a pass from Synnott as Wayne State held on for a 20 to 10 victory.

As a result of their win in the Qualifier, Wayne State College has become the first team to qualify for the NSCRO Round of 16 and will participate in the PacWest Region Championship set for April 14-15, 2012 in Wayne along with the Pacific Northwest RFU Champion, Texas RFU Champion and the winner of the California Cup (scheduled for Dec. 4) between teams from the Northern and Southern California RFUs.

NSCRO thanks Darrin Barner, Wayne State College RFC Coach and Supreme Commander of Wayne Rugby Park along with his men and women's club for hosting an outstanding rugby event. In addition, NSCRO wants to recognize and thank the work of the medical staff, Dr. Mark McCorkindale, Dr. Sam Recob and ATC Tim Ellis along with the match officials, Kurt Weeder and Brian Kaiser from the Great Plains RRS and Eric Anderson and Art Sears from the Minnesota RRS.

Elsewhere in the NSCRO World of Small College Rugby....

NorthEast Region - Molloy College (Met NY RFU) will be hosting University of Rochester (New York State RC) on Nov. 12 with the winner heading to Springfield College on Nov. 19 to face the New England RFU (NERFU) D3 Champion. The NERFU playoff semifinals are being held at Keene State College in Keene, NH this weekend with Keene State taking on the defending NERFU D3 Champion Salve Regina University in one semifinal match, while Eastern Connecticut State faces Tufts University in the other semifinal. This winner will play on Sunday in the final. The winner of the NorthEast Region Championship on Nov. 19 will qualify for the NSCRO Championship event set for April 28-29, 2012 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado.

SouthEast Penn Region - The East Penn RU D3 semifinals are set for this weekend with Rowan University hosting Lock Haven University and Gettysburg College hosting Ursinus College. The winners play on Nov. 19.

Central Region - Franciscan University beat Duquesne University 24-5 to win the Allegheny RU D3 Championship. Wabash College upended the University of Southern Indiana 29-24 to earn the Indiana RU D3 title. These teams move on to the NSCRO Central Region Championship this weekend at the Wisconsin Rugby Club Complex in Cottage Grove, Wisconsin along with the University of St. Thomas (Minnesota RFU) and University of Wisconsin-Parkside (Wisconsin RFU).

The semifinal pairings are:

12:00 PM - NSCRO Semi 1 - Wabash vs. UW-Parkside

2:00 PM - NSCRO Semi 2 - Franciscan vs. St. Thomas

For info on this event, go to http://www.wisconsinrfu.org/finalfour/. The winner of the Central Region Championship on Nov. 19 will qualify for the NSCRO Championship event set for April 28-29, 2012 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado.