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NEWS!!!
April 18
Franklin Park, Yakima

PLEASE BE PATIENT....OUR WEBSITE IS UNDER HEAVY CONSTRUCITON, AND WILL BE UP TO SPEED SHORTLY!

Griffins First Home Match!
A beautiful day weather-wise, and a Great Day Rugby-Wise!

The Griffins hosted the Valley Kangaroos sponsored high school team, The Joeys.

Joeys, as a club, have been in existence nearly 2 decades. After having the Tsunamis show us exactly how experience benefits a rugby side, our boys came to the pitch ready to play for keeps!

Franklin Field is a “Football Field,” ten meters narrower than a rugby pitch. We elected not to widen it and mess with the Middle School soccer team; besides knowing a narrow field would play in favor of our dominant forwards.
From the opening kick, Griffins put pressure on the Joey’s; keeping them from making the gain line without having to kick deep and give up possesion. A 4-Man “White Lineout” forced the opposition deep inside their 22 meter line, our full back and wings playing back looking for the kick that never came.
Just short of the ten minute mark, our backline put pressure on their opposites and forced them to make a panic pass that never made the hands of the Joey’s receiver. Tony Cacchiotti fielded the ball on the bounce and danced 12 meters into the try zone for the first Griffins score.

Coaches understanding the Joeys history and record of only one loss for the year, were pleased to be the first on the scoreboard. The Griffins, however, apparently didn’t care about history and records…simply turned up the pressure.
Five minutes short of the half, Josh Bower spun into the corner for a try. Moments later he spun into the opposite corner for another score before half time.
Through out the day, the only reflection of “Griffin inexperience” was in the referee’s whistle. The Joey’s mistakenly squandered their numerous penalty opportunities by running the ball right back into our pack. Bad Idea.
In his debut rugby match, Tyler Trippit made several great runs from fullback. Trippit dished off the ball and set up a try in one instance; and penetrated the the ball through the try line himself for another.

With a monumental team effort, Cacchiotti visited the try zone three more times

earning him 20 points and a well deserved, Joey nominated, player of the match award.

Zane Switzer gracefully booted 4 conversions through the posts as well as touring the try zone with the ball once himself.

This match showed a total team effort. Ball moved much more freely through the hands than it did a month ago. Although we have much work to do before we meet Kent in a couple weeks, this was a strong win and Griffins should take a moment to enjoy the glory.

With a final score of 48-0 the Yakima Griffins in only their fourth match, shut out the number four ranked team in the state. That is something to be proud of.

Match Report April 11
Tacoma Tsunamis 32, Yakima Griffins 5

Yakima’s High Schools Rugby Griffins met their first true test Saturday in Tacoma, taking on the Tsunamis HS Rugby Club. National Championship contenders in recent years, the Tsunamis boast several Representative (all-star) players, including a member of the US Under 19 squad. The experience of the players put Tacoma out to an early lead, exploiting available space in the Griffin defensive backs.

The score at the half was 12-0. Hard tackling kept Yakima in the match, with goal line stands and saving cross-corner defense stopping break-away tries(touchdowns). The Tsunamis brought more heat, using Wings and Fullbacks to create overloads, the Griffins pursued with a vengeance, stopping the hosts from scoring wide, only to see the next phase of their attack swing the ball back to the open field and the next overload advantage.
Four tries in the second period would create enough cushion for Tacoma’s win, but not enough to forget Yakima came to play. The Griffin forwards rucked and mauled, keeping the ball in tight and away from the Tsunami backs. Several pick-and-go plays from the scrummagers found a hole in Tacoma’s defensive line, squirting through for a well deserved try by Tony Cacchiotti for the Griffins.

A humbling experience for our athletes.” Remarked Griffins Manager, Rob Lynch. “The boys are new to the game, and have experienced some success due to their athleticism, but today we were schooled in the art of Rugby.” “No better way to learn what to do better.” Added Coach J.D.

The Griffins, now 3-1 on their inaugural season, will host the Valley Joeys next Saturday at Franklin Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.

Match Report April 4, 2009
Griffins v Shelton Savages
Once again the Griffins showed their hard work and dedication in practice is paying off.

We were pitted against a more experienced Shelton Savages on a small pitch in sunny Shelton, WA

The Griffins were at least met in size by the large pack of the Savages; but the seemingly endless rucking drills that the lads have been put throughout the last month has definitely paid off. Shelton was unable to pass their gain line and at each breakdown, the Griffins powerful pack was able to push over the ball.

Tony Cacchiotti, eager to run as always, led off the scoring spree with a 40 yard romp down the right touch line. Following the kickoff, a break by the Savages halfback nearly gained a try, but for the fleet feet of his matching number, Zane Switzer made the tackle four meters out of the try zone. Switzer kicked to touch to remove the Griffins from the ‘Danger Zone’

Hard fought pack play kept the ball within the Shelton half of the field for the remainder of the first half. Cacchiotti making one jaunt from his number 8 position to earn another try.

The Second half saw Griffins play better rugby than the first. Our backline was more organized and moved the ball much better.

Geoff Seymour made a push inches from the try line, but was unable to punch through. On another 5 meter scrum, the pack pushed into the zone but was unable to place the ball for a try.

Tommy St. George played hard, nearly scoring himself before setting up Cacchiotti’s third try of the outing. Cacchiotti was replaced by Lange.

St. George was sent off the field due to a “blood violation.”

Final score was put through by winger Nick Kennedy, as he slipped through the try zone and the ball was touched down for balance!

Final Score:
Griffins 35
Shelton 0

March 28, 2009
March 28 was a frigid day, a bit of snow blowing on the Ellensburg pitch. The Griffins showed up before noon to watch the Cal game; truly college rugby played at it’s finest.

Two and a half hours of standing in the cold, is a recipe for injury; but after 90 minutes only a jammed thumb, bloody nose and plenty of bruises arose…That’s just rugby!

From the first kick, our forwards dominated every set and every loose. Somewhat overpowered in size, Schoolhouse was hugely overpowered in sheer desire. Cachiotti thought his name was imprinted on the ball, Eight-Man pull on the first seven set scrums in a row, with secondary effort from the other forward gained 15-20 yards each attempt.

Switzer, at Scrumhalf, then spun magnificent ball to the back line to mix it up a bit. Schoolhouse knew that they were faced with a double threat at that point.

The first Try in Griffins history was scored by Tony Cacchiotti dragging black jerseys 8 yards into the try zone. This followed by a try from Josh Bower, who’s magnificent running at Center put him and the ball in the try zone 4 more times in during the afternoon.

Incredibly tough play and hard running earned another try for Cacchiotti; and scores for Jacob Richardson, Asa Ray (Captain), and Tyler Bullington with 1 try each.

2 minutes left in the first half, Tommy St. George picked up the ball from loose play at mid-field and steamed forty yards, opposition bouncing off him all the way, only to be forced to touch 2 meters from the glory line.

The Second half was a mirror of the first. Perhaps the play of the half, or even or the game was a 60 yard breakaway run by a Schoolhouse wing. It would have been a sure score if not for the determined effort and incredible speed of Zane Switzer who came from the other side of the field and made the tackle at the ten yard line. School house was not able to convert to get on the scoreboard.

Switzer, who had never kicked a rugby ball was able to convert four of the teams trys including a conversion via drop kick.

This was a huge team effort. Yes, there is much work left, but the showing on Saturday after only 9 practices is surely something each Griffin, Fans and supporters should be proud of!

Final: Griffins 56 Schoolhouse 0

ABOUT
The Yakima Griffins is a U-19 Rugby club currently registered with USA Rugby and a Member of PNW Rugby Football Union.

Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the US.

We are seeking to recruit any interested players, experienced or not, that wishes to learn to play this sport at a highly competitive level. All High School athletes dream of scholarships and playing at a college varsity level. In Reality, a very small percentage are blessed enough to continue their sport after high school.

Rugby is a club sport in most colleges, and a varsity sport in a few, and growing fast. It is one of the few sports that an athlete may continue to play long after college graduation. Beyond the individual club level, Regional and National teams are named and most have foreign tours annually. These cross cultural experiences can provide athletes with an inexpensive way to see most of the world through Rugby. To date Rugby is played on a global level and can be found in almost every country with perhaps the exception of Antarctica.

This is a Spring only sport in the Yakima Valley (Summer tournament play is available if athletes are interested in furthering their development). We have arranged practices and games to minimize intrusion into School athletics or activities. Yes, you can run track or play baseball, and still enjoy the sport of rugby.

Rugby will provide you with an opportunity to develop "Ball Sense”, "Team Work" and "Sportsmanship" you never knew was possible. When you return to Fall-Ball, you will own the opposition!

SO COME GIVE IT A TRY!

Location of home matches
Franklin Middle School

401 S. 19th Ave,Yakima WA

Practices and Information meeting
LaSalle Catholic High School of Yakima
3000 Lightning Way
Yakima, WA 98903

Directions
From Highway 82,
take Exit 36 for Valley Mall Blvd towards Union Gap
Turn Right at E Valley Mall Blvd (signs for Union Gap)
Turn Left at S 1st/Main St.
Continue onto S Main St.
Turn Right at W Ahtanum Rd
Turn Left at S Goodman Rd
Destination will be to the left 1/2 mile down.