Arizona All-stars Capture Fiesta 10s Rugby Tournament
September 1, 2024 -DW
The Santa Fe Santos Rugby Club had their hopes for back-to-back championships of their own Fiesta Tens tournament dashed 35-17 by The Outlaws, a select team from Arizona composed primarily of players 23 years of age and under. After sailing past the Nighthawks of Clovis and Albuquerque’s Brujos and Aardvarks in pool play, the home team advanced to the championship match via a 29-12 semifinal repeat of their win over the Brujos.
In women’s action, the Atomic Sisters of Albuquerque captured top honors with a convincing 27-0 win over the Pike's Peak club of Colorado Springs. Alicia Pacheco, daughter of former Santo standout Martin Pacheco, appeared for Pike’s Peak.
The accomplished young Outlaws upset Los Santos by running in five tries to Santa Fe’s three, adding two-point conversion kicks after each try for a point total of 35, against the hosts’ three tries and 17 points.
The evergreen Rainer Ball, a former star for frequent U.S. national club champions Belmont Shore (CA), was among Santa Fe’s prominent performers. Mateo Cardiel, his brother Diego of Los Alamos, and Guadalupe Moron also provided inspiration throughout a demanding day of tournament rugby.
