Santa Fe Santos Tie Fifty-first Opener
March 4th, 2023
March 04, 2023 - DW
Santa Fe’s only rugby club failed to open their 51st year of play in glory, but it could have been worse. Instead, Los Santos drew 34-all with Albuquerque’s Brujos in the Duke City on Saturday.
The Brujos scored the match’s first two five-point tries and added two-point conversion kicks to take an early 14-0 lead. Fullback Isaiah Sanchez then got Santa Fe on the board thanks to good passing by his teammates, with flyhalf Mateo Cardiel adding the extra two points. Scores see-sawed throughout the full 80 minutes with additional Santa Fe tries scored by Cardiel, left wing Jason Espana, prop Dylan Merrigan, right wing Noah Hoffman, and again Cardiel, who landed an additional conversion.
Jared Skillman
Adam Jobes
Dylan Merrigan
Jeremy Lithgow
Jason Lithgow
Ryan Means
Jason Osborne
Angel Villa
John Bent
Mateo Cardiel
Jason Espana
Ryan Weir (capt)
Justin Stallworth
Noah Hoffman
Isaiah Sanchez
Derek Selvage
Preseason Update & Recruitment Flyer
February, 2023 Edition
February, 2023 - DW
TEAM SESSIONS
INDOOR
Weeknight schedule variable; check Team Reach, sfrfc-players@google.groups, or ask a teammate for the latest.
OUTDOOR
Saturdays @ Noon, MRC (Municipal Recreation Complex) 205 Caja del Rio Road. Verify with one of the above sources before trekking out there but then again, Adam, or John may bring you a reward.
Upcoming schedule of events:
March 4 @ NM Brujos
March 11 @ Home to Aardvarks
March 25 @ Home to El Paso Scorpions
April 1 @ Aardvarks
April 15 @ El Paso Scorpions
April 22 @ SF Brewing Company Spring Runoff (recruitment)
TBD @ *Home to Denver Highlanders and *Anasazi old boys match pending home appetite - contact past player rep w/ interest level - dawheelock@gmail.com
Dues
Social dues are rolling in, thank you to all that have contributed. Don’t be last, get your $100 in so you can join the SFRFC Social Members. For payment use these links, or contact the Treasurer at santaferugby@gmail.com
Venmo payment: @santos-rugby
Paypal payment: santaferugby@gmail.com (do not choose the “service/fee” option)
Jubilee Jersey Closeout !!!
There are a few 50th anniversary jerseys still available in XL. They run large. Contact dawheelock@gmail.com, (505) 312-3003
Pop Quiz Time:
Q: When is our first match?
A: If you blurted out “MARCH FOURTH” you’ve won the motivation to add speed/power to your workout regime, find your gum shield, and polish your boots. Line up a gorgeous bouquet and a box of candy for your wife or whomever and imagine running perfect support lines - we are two Saturdays away.
Q: Who are we playing, where?
A: Brujos, home
AND NOW, AT LAST . . .
The President's Message
Santos:
We are coming in to a fresh year, just off our 50th Season. Our cup matches are just around the corner and we have the opportunity to make this a great season. We have a great side to go into battle with-Our returning Captain, Ryan Weir coming off a strong showing in the South West Select Side, Mateo Cardiel supporting with as Match Selection as well as many other returning players (and new little ones on the sidelines!!) and new recruits coming out as well. Our stalwart Coach, Richard Morris continues to support the Santos and helps grow our abilities every year.
Attitude and Heart have always made the Santos Great-Continue to Work Hard, Push Yourselves on and off the field and Recruit, Recruit, and Recruit!
Vivan los Santos!!
Seth Johnson
Club President
General questions, comments, and other info, please contact the Board via email, contact@santafelossantos.com
As the President said….
Recruit, recruit, and recruit. Click the button below for a downloadable flyer to put up everywhere!
Captain Weir Represents Club in Inter-Union Play
Southwest Rugby Union Selects 29, Old Aztecs RFC 24
San Diego, CA
December 10, 2022 - DW
Southwest Rugby Union Selects 29, Old Aztecs RFC 24
Santa Fe Santos club captain Ryan Weir capped his long and solitary off-season journey to San Diego in glory on December 10, scoring Southwest Rugby Football Union’s final try in a dramatic 29 - 24 victory over Southern California RFU opponent Old Aztecs. Ryan also served as vice captain for his Southwest teammates in this, his second appearance for the all-star team representing all of New Mexico and Arizona. And he wasn’t even playing his normal position.
Mr. Weir established his place in the Southwest team by answering a blanket invitation to Prescott, Arizona for an August 13 “identification camp” where coaches could assess what they had to work with. Nearly three months later, candidates were called back to Phoenix for one full day of training and a Sunday selection match. Ryan described the weekend as “grueling.” Finally, a week before the Old Aztecs match, the Wild West Rugby Fest (aka Loudfest, in honor of a visiting participant in the Labor Day SFRFC 50th Reunion match) in Scottsdale provided an enjoyable way for players to tune up while also serving as a final selection vehicle.
Unknown at press time is what and whether the next step up for Southwest’s standouts may be. The success by foreign clubs to replicate so-called “academies” in the USA, and their impact on the rest of us, remains to be seen. A multi-layered discussion fully worthy of a refreshment!
An online video of the Old Aztecs vs. Southwest Union match briefly viewable last week seems to have disappeared. The following report is assembled from information provided by Ryan Weir.
The match was played on a San Diego pitch rendered soft and even muddy by a recent rain. For decades, most U.S. clubs have struggled for playing fields, and those in SoCal aren’t exempt.
A few hours before match time Ryan was named vice captain of the Southwest team. Then, during warm ups, the player named to play inside center went down with an injury. In light of Ryan’s oft-demonstrated versatility the sole Santa Fe representative was asked to switch from his intended position at openside flanker to fill the gap. (Who would you have picked - the man’s a firefighter! -ed.)
Ryan described play as equivalent to a mid-level Division One match, which many readers may not have seen. As you’d expect, select side players are on average bigger, faster, and fitter than their mates back home. Less noticeable perhaps is that pace of play increases with each ascending level, requiring in turn more refined decision-making skills. Yet thankfully for the masses, success relies more than anything else upon that most elusive goal, teamwork.
Old Aztecs RFC
Formed from former San Diego State University players, Old Aztecs have since their 1978 origin played such well-known clubs as OMBAC, Belmont Shore, Santa Monica, and Pasadena. In the 1980s, Santos coach Herb Howell brought his previous San Diego State University Aztecs coaching role into play by arranging two successful (and fun) “minitours” to Southern California. During one of these tours, Los Santos scored a famous win over then-national contender Irvine Coast RFC, complete with USA national team captain Ed Burlingame in the scrum. Old Aztec’s current website lists player subscriptions as $350 for returning players, $300 for new players, and $250 for Under 21s- CIPP not included.
Ryan picks up the narrative: “I played all 80 minutes and scored a try in the 70th minute with a tap and go penalty run from 7 meters out. After nine minutes of defense, at times three or four meters from our own goal line, the whistle finally blew and we won, 29-24.”
Asked for takeaways to share with his Santo teammates, Ryan mentioned the importance of clearing the defensive zone with kicks and playing with structure, as well as speed on defense - taking away time and space, especially off set piece ball.
Our always-gracious captain wishes to thank the old boys who helped defray expenses to Arizona for practices and tryouts as well as the big trip to California. “Thanks so much - it’s nice to feel loved by the club.” And by one’s life partner. Little Lachlan was in good hands with his mom Maria, who graciously and gracefully -and gratefully! - allowed Dad the space to pursue and achieve a significant goal.
-Cheers to all our Rugby mates!
Turkey Trot 2022
The sequel returns, again, Part XLI?
November 23, 2022 - DW
By now the reader is doubtlessly experiencing an insatiable thirst for results of the 2022 Turkey Trot. After an initial spate of controversy followed by a thorough investigation, our crack staff of fancy writers cautiously forwards what they hope will pass as the true story (or attract the most bribe money).
Video Evidence Fails to Confirm Micander Victory
In a conclusion reminiscent of former U.S. pResident Richard Nixon’s personal secretary Rosemary Woods’ contribution to the Watergate scandal (consult Wikipedia), a 27-second video clip of the Trot’s conclusion posted on the SFRFC Team Reach site ends just as reported 2022 champion Cory Micander ponders the last 1/2 ounce of dark beer left in his transparent cup. Whether he in fact finished his beer ahead of second-position runner Jeremy Lithgow seems probable but is not confirmed before the clip ends. Meanwhile, Mando Herrera, resplendent in a ruby red full-length Victorian gown adorned with pulsating colored lights, enters the shot and seems to down his last beer in a single swig, raising his arms in apparent triumph.
A famous come-from-behind victory! – except that a good portion of Mr. H’s beer clearly ends up sloshing over his face and onto the deck, drawing the accusing fingers of Mssrs. Micander and Lithgow, plus an unidentified witness situated near the camera.
According to a closely-placed source speaking anonymously yet authoritatively: “As for incidents I cannot recall anything other than Mando just being Mando. He came in after Corn, finished half his beer and spilled the rest, then claimed he won.”
Official Turkey Trot rules forwarded to the editors clearly dictate a one-minute fine for a variety of shortcomings, of which leakage has since time immemorial appeared at the top. Special Laws of the Trot for 2022 included left-hand drinking only and drinking while standing on one foot, alternating feet from one bar to the next.
Corn Takes Jewels Home Anyway
And so, in the absence of further countervailing claims, Corn Dog is our champion of the 2022 Turkey Trot, following in the wake of the stunning performance of Mrs. Micander at the recent Santa Fe International Half Marathon. Micander (Mr.) recorded a time of 15 minutes over the six-station course:
START: SF Brewing Company’s Brake Room;
North one-half mile to Desert Dog pub on San Francisco Street;
Down San Francisco to Evangelos (a nice place to visit);
Across Galisteo and down the dark stairs of The Matador;
Back up the increasingly slippery stairs and one-mile south to NM Hard Cider Taproom;
North to West Manhattan one-tenth mile and FINISH at Brake Room
Cornsolidifies his place among multiple Turkey Trot champions by taking year-long possession (means you gotta bring it back next year) of the Club’s sacred Captain Morgan pearl necklace etched with the names of other habitual winners, defined as two wins or more: Joaquin Chavez, Bill Kennedy, Greg Smith, Darren Smith, Derek Gordon, Greg Huey, and now, Cory Micander. Congratulations, champ.
While race monitors can be sought out for their eyewitness accounts of how the drinking unfolded, what will never be known are the lurid details that occur each Thanksgiving eve in the streets of our fair city. The instances of jostling, taunting, long runs down short cuts, and upper GI disturbances can only be assumed and marveled at. (One year, the local newspaper reported sightings of a group of men, described as soccer players, belching and bellowing as they lurched out of the shadows and disappeared down dimly lit downtown streets.) Such behavior has been an annual occurrence since red-headed flanker Joe Watson claimed the maiden race nearly a half century ago and promptly passed out, eyes open, with his chair leaned against a wall of the Plaza Orehouse (now Thunderbird).
Most of all, it was most heartening in the wake of the pandemic to see a larger pool of talent than in recent years.
The Horses (not necessarily in order of finish):
Cory Micander
Jeremy Lithgow
Armando Herrera
Jason Lithgow
John Bent
Donner
Eli Iramk-Bent, Pomona RFC
Pomona student Will Farnfield
Eli's Los Alamos friend Syler (surname not available at press time)
Big Dylan Merrigan’s racehorse #1
Big Dylan Merrigan’s racehorse #2
Matt Odle
Adam Jobes
Blitzen
Thanks go to the race Monitors, without whom even more rules would have been ignored than were:
Ivan Calhoun, aka Calvin Ihoun
Jared Skillman
Travis Hudson
Dylan Merrigan (resolutely fair despite having two horses in the race)
Jonathon Lithgow
Contributors: T. Hudson, J. Skillman, J. Bent, D. Merrigan
POSTSCRIPT
Due to a recurring technical issue*, several revealing photographs and videos associated with this story cannot be included in this printing. It is advised curious readers ask a SFRFC Santo player for a peek at the gallery on his TeamReach account.
*it’s called “ignorance”
- the editors
Santos 2-1 at High Desert Classic
Albuquerque, NM
October 28, 2022 - DW
Santa Fe, New Mexico’s only intercity/interstate/international adult sports club, won two matches and conceded one in the High Desert Classic rugby tournament, hosted by Albuquerque Aardvarks RFC. Los Santos have participated since the event’s inception in 1972, capturing the championship on at least three occasions. Los Santos lost their opener to ARC, rebounded against University of New Mexico, and finished with a last-play, come-from-behind victory against El Paso’s Scorpions.
After many years at Bullhead Park near Kirtland Air Force Base, the tournament was moved in 2022 to north-central Albuquerque’s Vista del Norte Park. Judging from field conditions and players’ comments, this was a welcome change from the ravaged surfaces of the Bullhead years. Zero wind combined with an autumn sun to produce a day designed for rugby.
As with the Santa Fe Tens on Labor Day, out-of-state teams disappointed by not showing up, in this instance Air Force Academy and Provo Steelers. Somewhat bizarrely AFA blamed their absence on weather conditions, when in reality neither Friday nor Saturday produced hazardous driving conditions in either Colorado or New Mexico. Apparently Provo did not supply an alibi for their malfeasance. One would hope they prepaid their entry fee, however unlikely that may be.
The women’s competition seemed to go off with fewer hitches and included teams from El Paso, New Mexico State, University of New Mexico, and the home town Atomic Sisters. Of particular interest was the impressively strong, straight-ahead play displayed by relative newcomers El Paso. Indeed, with the Women’s World Cup currently highlighting incredible improvements in playing standards, the outdoor boat race between El Paso and Atomic Sisters suggested the females are definitely on the burst in the 2020s.
Originally and for decades a two-day event featuring as many as 16 men’s teams from Colorado, Texas, Arizona, and California, the 2022 High Desert Classic was completed on one pitch in a single day. The usual suspects in attendance – Aardvarks, Santa Fe, Brujos, El Paso, UNM – no doubt were disappointed by a lost opportunity to play someone different, but didn’t let it spoil their fun. A herd of at least 20 former Aardvarks (your humble reporter included) gathered to offer their team surplus advice, and all-day beer mugs went for $20 apiece on a day.
The Saturday night Halloween costume party at a downtown Central Avenue bar was scheduled to start some four hours after the completion of play, by which time most if not all Santos had returned to more familiar environs. Former and Forever teammate David Niven, returned from London for a quick stint of work, was feted later that night at SFRFC sponsors SF Brewing Company’s Headquarters location.
According to captain Ryan Weir, Santa Fe put in a good showing in their 9:00 am match against New Mexico / southwest Texas’s leading team, the Aardvarks. Weir attributed a close halftime score largely to strong defense. Shortened halves probably also helped hold down a team with deep reserves playing under the day’s rolling substitution rule. Hooker Adam Jobes and lock Enrique Salazar nabbed tries for the Santos, who nevertheless went down 31-10.
Things went predictably better for the capital city gang in the late morning match with UNM. The final score was unknown at press time but Santa Fe crossed seven times versus very few or none for the Lobos. A racing form would have been welcome in identifying some of those Santos in black or white shorts, evidence of the welcoming recruitment tactics currently in play. Regardless of tenure with the team, it sure looked like everyone had a good time, particularly long-distance runner Ben Schlappi of Ouray, Colorado, who scored two tries in each 20-minute half! “I probably hogged a bit” admitted the normally modest Mr. S.
When Ben Schlappi wasn’t scoring, three other Santos managed to squeeze into the try zone: the rangy Salazar, fellow lock Jeremy Lithgow (his first?), and tighthead prop Dylan Merrigan.
Santa Fe’s nightcap versus El Paso kicked off early in the afternoon. The Scorpions scored two tries in the first ten minutes and looked on course to a comfortable win. But Mateo Cardiel used his teammates’ diagonal running to his advantage with a sidestep to score and flanker John Bent tallied another try to keep things interesting. But El Paso kept the heat on with two more first-half tries to make it 26-12 at the break.
But whether through confidence imparted by the preceding Saturday’s lopsided win against Brujos or highly polished execution of an intricate game plan hatched late at night by coach Richard Morris (or possibly even something else), the Santos stayed in the match. First, Adam Jobes pin-balled off defenders with his customary committed fashion to score his second try early in the second half to make things more interesting for onlookers at EP 26, SF 19.
The touchline set definitely got engaged when, with seconds remaining, equally committed and always-entertaining wing Frank Marchi leveled the scores at 26 with an assist from his longtime Vato teammate Gadi. The next team to score would end their day with a hard-earned“walk off” win.
For the dramatic conclusion of the match we turn to eyewitness-participant John Bent:
“Somehow we had a ruck (or scrum?) inside our 22 on the left side of the field and somehow the ball came out and went weak-side. I think Frankie (Marchi) was involved. Somehow this kid (Tiger, UNM) got it and was up around our 40 and maybe heading out of bounds. He threw about a 10 meter football pass to Jeremy Armstrong. Jeremy pretty much immediately had someone in front of him so he wasn’t able to make a break. Somehow it was awkward for him because when he passed it to me, he passed it like an offload and not a normal pass. But it was a perfect pass; right in stride and right in my hands. I had been far away still at the previous breakdown I think which was inside 22 but in middle of field. But Mateo, before the game, had given me two suggestions for flanking. One suggestion was to get to every breakdown. So, inspired by Mateo and reminding myself of the refrain that was popular with the santos when I first joined, “I got on my horse”. I had the honor of finishing the play but my job was easy. I just had to catch a ball and run in a straight line. That try was the result of tremendous heroic team play by many to get the ball into space.”
The crowd erupted into loud applause and there were giggles of joy in the Santo camp. The value of winning the day's last match:
The beer tasted better. The knocks didn’t hurt as much. Well done, Santos.
Short-handed Santos Overpowered in Denver (Copy)
Pets Wreak Havoc in Heavy Loss
Denver, CO
October 01, 2022 - JB
A rare opportunity to play a team outside the Usual Suspects came up, and so Los Santos traveled to Denver for a friendly versus the always-formidable Highlanders RFC on October 1. At least some of them did!
There is a backstory involved, the theme being player shortage. The word around the MRC is that one player could not locate a dog-sitter and another player’s pooch required emergency attention that forced him (the player) out of the picture. With best wishes to those pets, I guess we can say this match went to the dogs. Ta-da (w/cymbal crash).
Here’s to Mr. B for stepping up to fill the captain’s position in the absence of a certain NEW FATHER*.
They loaned us 2 of their players and we played close in the first half. The score was 17-7 at the half. A great crashing 5 meter try from Little John off a penalty brought us our only points on the day. Kudos to them for having great athletes at almost every position and for having a large enough roster and rolling subs that kept them fresh. We lost Angel, Jason, and Frankie to injury and played the second half with 5 of them filling us in. We had a couple of decent series but could never quite connect the dots and they had a ton of long break-away tries. Final score was 80 to 7.
The field was beautiful and most of us were happy just for the chance to play the game we love. The first half was competitive and the second half just got silly but the camaraderie and hospitality were fantastic. They had a keg for us on the field which many of their players started hitting in the second half. We knew because we could smell it in the scrum when they filled in our numbers. Great time at the bar afterwards: fantastic typical rugby camaraderie: fight as hard as you can on the field and then appreciate each other in the drink up.
We would have won the boat race with a fantastic start from Jeremy but Gatti has apparently never drank a beer before and took about 30 seconds to finish his. At anchor, I cheated as hard and as subtly as I possibly could but it was for naught since the race was already lost by the time it got to me.
The game was lost but I am happy that we showed those four college kids a great time and am optimistic they will join the Santos for their post-college rugby.
Thanks to all who made the drive.
Representing Players:
Jason Lithgow
Jeremy Lithgow
Jason Osbourn
Adam Jobes
Dan Allinder
Angel Villa
John Bent
Jared Skillman (Captain)
John (UNM) who we promptly christened Little John because we already have a big John
Justin J-Money (NMHU)
Frankie (NMHU)
Gatti (NMHU)
Mark (NMHU)
Santos Blow Out Brujos on 50th Birthday
Home 57 (or 28)
Visitors 0 (or 0)
Santa Fe, NM
October 24, 2022 - DW
The Brujos were short of Southwest RFU’s mandated 15 players for Saturday’s match in Santa Fe, but to their credit showed up to honor the occasion of our 50th Golden Anniversary match and banquet. With a 28-0 forfeit win thus secured, the Santos loaned their loyal opposition a few players and the match commenced. It turned out to be a lopsided affair, as the apparently dispirited Brujos went down in flames, 57-nil.The Santos crossed for five tries in the first 40 minutes and four in the second half. Standoff Mateo Cardiel led the parade with a hat trick and slotted six conversions. Isaiah Sanchez bagged a try in each half, Jonathan Lithgow was rewarded for his all-out effort with a long scoring run, and halfback John Bent and wing Justin Stallworth also each touched down. Small doubt the forwards would have named board president Seth Johnson’s triumphant dive between the sticks as the day’s most popular try.The ole Labor Day pig showed its worth once again, a few brews were drained, and it was off to gussy up for the evening’s 50th anniversary banquet. Special thanks! to our own Whores For a Day, without whose contribution Saturdaymay not have been a Rugby Day!
50th Year Celebration Dinner and Gala!
September 26, 2022
We have made it to 50! That’s right, Santa Fe RFC, born in 1972, is now half a century old. To commemorate this we are hosting a match versus the Brujos followed by our Golden Anniversary Banquet that evening.
Saturday, Oct 22: Golden Anniversary Gala Day and Banquet at the Santa Fe Country Club
Banquet will be located at the Santa Fe Country Club
Dinner will consist of dinner salad, entrée choice, dessert, and cash bar.
RSVP for the Gala dinner with Google Form, click here or email santaferugby@gmail.com for a fillable form.
Dinner tickets $50 per person (Last day to RSVP October 12)
To pay for Gala dinner tickets use these links:
Venmo payment: @santos-rugby
Paypal payment: @sfrugby
For other payment options email santaferugby@gmail.com
Questions, comments, and other info
Please contact the Board via email, contact@santafelossantos.com