Blues News
Blues Advance To Semi's at Dallas, Finish 4th
The Blues went 3-1 in their pool at the Dallas Quins 7s, the first of three West RFU 7s National Qulaifiers this summer, en route to a 4th place finish. Paced by a 24-14 victory over the higher seeded Dallas Harlequins in the 3rd round the Blues advanced from pool-play to the tournament semi-finals - the first appearance in a Qualifier semi's for the Club since rebuilding the 7s program 3 years ago. Drawing 2008 7s National Champions and top-seeded Aspen, the Blues were without 2 starters but still gave Aspen a good game. 2 knocked-on tries for the Blues and some great breaks by Aspen saw an unlucky KC lose 5 - 24. Drained by a long day in the Texas heat (103 degrees was the high) and hit by injury, the Blues were left short-handed in their 6th game of the day against Texas Elite and the invitational side cruised to a comfortable 27-0 win over the Blues for 3rd place.
The 4th place finish garners the Blues 1 qualification point for Nationals - the 3 teams with the most points in the West at the end of the three Qualifier season will advance to Nationals.
Roster: Marshall Lurtz, Kevin Schwartze, Dustin Marks, Ernie Moore, Tia Ralovo, Conner Smith (c), Pete Kowalski, Kelly Mercer, Joe D'Agostino, Billy Racule, Keith Engle, Kenny Scott
Next Up: Denver Sneath 7s Qualifier, and Des Moines Toys for Tots Social 7s, both on July 11th 2009
Blues Emerge - Champions at Taz 7s
The KC Blues made it two 7s tournament championships in a row, taking the Taz 7s title on June 20th in Iowa Falls, IA. With only 9 players available, the Blues were nevertheless able to maintain control in both pool victories and their fitness was key in tight wins over Scioto Valley and Cedar Rapids. In the semi's, the Blues faced the Iowa Select Side "C-Men" and despite a slow start overcame a 0-7 deficit to win it 28-12. The final matched the young Blues with the even younger YoungBloodz of Minnesota, an invitational side comprised of some very good U20 players who are near the top of the Midwest 7s standings. The Blues struck early and kept after the Minnesota side, tallying 4 tries to 2 in their 21-12 championship performance.
Next Up: Dallas 7s (Qualifier) and Springfield 7s (Social) on June 27th
Former Blue Impressing As Professional League Player
Former K-State and Blues player Moses Manu has been impressive as a rookie for the Newton Jets in Sydney AUS, one of the marquee teams in the NSW Rugby League’s flagship competition, the 2008 VB NSW Cup. They are one of the best supported and most widely known teams in this competition and a Newtown home game at Henson Park on a wintry Saturday afternoon is a definitive Sydney cultural experience.
The Club remains a Rugby League proving ground - a fact well demonstrated by the number of players who have played for Newtown and gone on to success with NRL clubs. Moses, a back-row player for the Blues in 2008 who is now a prop in League, has done well in the 2009 competition.
The Jets are in their fourth year of a five-year partnership with the powerful Sydney Roosters club, whereby the Jets act as a feeder club to their NRL ally. The Blues wish Moses the best of luck in his pursuit of an eventual Roosters call-up, and have no doubt he'll get one soon enough!
To follow Moses and Jets, go to: www.newtownjets.com
Jr Blues Power To 3rd Place Finish At Nationals!
The Kansas City Jr. Blues powered their way to a 3rd place finish at the U19 National Tournament on May 16th, the program's highest finish in their 17 year history. Coming into the National Tournament played in Pittsburgh, PA as the West Region's #1 seed, the Jr. Blues defeated the LA Cougars 17-5 before advancing to a semi-final showdown with last year's National Champion, Highland of Utah. The Jr. Blues fell 42-3 to the perennial power, but rebounded with a well-played 15-7 victory over West Shore United (PA) in the 3rd place match. Highland went on to win the championship over United.
Special thanks to all of the 'Big Blues', players and alumni from the men's side, who were able to raise $2K in less than a week through personal contributions to help the Jr Blues get to Pittsburgh, and congrats to the Jr Blues on an awesome season and a great finish!
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