Bixby Rugby Opens Season Victorious

Bixby Rugby Club began its 2010 campaign with a solid win on Saturday, defeating the Bartlesville Rugby Club 44-0. Entering its fifth season of high school rugby, Bixby Rugby Club once again appears poised to compete for the state championship with a fresh group of strong-willed athletes from Bixby High School ready to ruck and maul their way to success. Despite some first game jitters and sloppy ball handling, Bixby established its dominance over Bartlesville’s smaller, less experienced club early and often. The scoring began on some quick passing by the Bixby backs which set up Austin Burlew’s 25 meter scamper for the first try of his career, making the score 5-0. Not long after those points were registered, Bixby again moved the ball well and Mohammad Bourmaf was the recipient, scoring from 3 meters out to make the score 10-0 Bixby. Bixby controlled ball possession against Bartlesville, and used superior support and passing skills to set up many key offensive moves. Meanwhile, Burlew used his superior speed to take the corner and score another try from 60 meters out on a breakaway run that gave Bixby a 15-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, Teran Carl bulled his way through the middle of the defense to make the score 22-0 with the conversion. Quick ball created another score minutes later by Josh Creamer to make it 27-0. Cody McCaig finished off the first half scoring with a creative run, kick and chase to score from 50 meters away and make the halftime score 32-0 Bixby.

In the second half, Bixby’s offense picked up where it left off, and Austin Burlew made an excellent cutback and run for 65 meters to quickly increase the lead to 39-0. After that score, the match became sluggish, with both clubs struggling to maintain possession of the ball. Bartlesville showed signs of life, maintaining control of the ball at times and thwarting Bixby’s efforts to continue quick ball movement. Unforced errors also plagued both clubs. A lackluster half ended on a high note when Luke Gibson caught a Bartlesville kick and plowed in for the final score, giving Bixby a 44-0 victory. Bixby’s next match is against perennial rival Broken Arrow this Saturday at 11 a.m. Matches are played at Victory Christian on 75th and Lewis, and attendance is free.