The rest of the story

April 1st, 2023

April 1, 2023 - DW

By now the reader may have seen the account of yesterday’s Aardvarks match that’s neen submitted to the SF New Mexican for (doubtful) dissemination to la plebe. In case you haven’t, it’s at the bottom of this report, now including an exclusive match timeline. Here then, is the real story for real rugby people.
It’s been a while (how long?) since we beat the bloody Aardvarks. It’s a pleasure to write a story like this one.
Upon returning last week from a three-week journey this observer was excited to learn our long recruiting campaign, supplemented somewhat by our tax dollars, is finally bearing fruit. In spades.
From the storied rugby program at New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, easier expressed as New Mexico Tech, come three notable graduates now employed with “the Labs”. Tadeo Herrera, a Taos native, is a former NMT captain while Elijah Naranjo (Albuquerque) and Willie Uhrle (American Samoa) teamed up to lead the Techies to national small-college championships in both sevens and 15s. Tadeo is a forward while Elijah and Willie ply their trade in the back line.
If you’ve been to many Santos v Aardvarks or Santos v Brujos matches in the past several years you know who Leon Wilson is. Born and mostly raised in Capetown, South Africa, Leon is that guy we formerly loved to hate but now love to love. (Funny how that works.) Seems Leon has taken up residence up north and says he’s always admired the Santos camaraderie, so why not? As a self-respecting South African, Leon comes with a treasure chest of well-developed rugby skills.
Derek Selvage and Isaiah Cisneros cut their rugby teeth at Los Alamos High. Isaiah becomes our second Marine rugger (joining Adam Jobes) and having been away from the game for a while will be getting up to speed in the next few weeks. Derek started Saturday at outside center, where he impressed with his passing skills and tackling.
Guadalupe “Lupe” Moron has appeared for the Santos on limited occasions but having settled into regular employment can hopefully become a mainstay with the Santos. Certainly one cannot watch his running skills without hoping so. I hope I’m correct in thinking Lupe got his start with New Mexico Highland Vatos.
Also answering our prayers is Jason España, who played high school rugby in Las Cruces. An impressively buff individual, Jason joins Lupe, Leon, Willie, Izzy, and perhaps one or two others you will rarely see tackled by one defender. If I was playing, I’d stick close to these guys – if I could!
These are only the new players who joined us in Albuquerque yesterday. There are others either on the fringe or on the radar, plus rumors of one blue chipper coming aboard soon and another rejoining next year. As Mr. Bent says, “the more the merrier” – so keep stuffing those messages into them bottles.

VISIBLE ANASAZI

Returning to the fold is Danny Torrez, aka The Scud, #1 hooker of the late 80-90s, ably abetted by wife Patty. P & D travel from Villanueva to lend their support. They’ve impeccably timed their return to witness our club’s renaissance. Anyone else want in on this?

ONE OLD MAN’S OPINION
It wouldn’t be right not to include a word or two about those players who have put in the hard yards before and since the COVID pandemic. You gents have kept this proud club alive against the odds, never better exemplified than through your travel to faraway ports with no guarantee of a full side, let alone substitute relief. Most if not all of you have played on through painful injury, unwilling (or unable) to let your mates down. You know through direct experience the thin margin between success and disappointment. Your coaches and captain deserve special accolades for their inestimable hours on and away from the pitch.
Regardless of each new man’s experience, our veterans’ role now expands to include mentoring new teammates in the Santo culture, with emphasis on personal responsibility, dedication to teammates, and a positive atmosphere. Vivan los Santos!