Big Rivers Latest: West Muddled. East Troubled

10.13.2024

The Big Rivers remains a somewhat muddled conference, especially in the West, after this weekend's results.

Marian overcame being down to 13 players late in the game to beat Aquinas 20-14. That victory, coupled with Principia's close win over Iowa Central CC means that every team in the West has at least one victory. Aquinas, which was in a position to be in 1st, is now 4th ... for now. They sit 1-1 with Principia (2-0) on the horizon. Iowa Central and Marian, who had battled to a 37-36 Tritons victory earlier on, are both 1-2.

So it is possible we will see three teams at 1-2. Right now we have in the standings Iowa Central in 2nd due to head-to-head over Marian. But the tiebreak might end up being points difference, and that could benefit Marian or Aquinas.

Current unofficial standings.

Big Rivers West	W	L	T	PA	PA	PD	BT	BL	Pts
Principia	2	0	0	53	42	11	1	0	9
Iowa Central CC	1	2	0	92	104	-12	2	1	7
Marian	1	2	0	71	73	-2	1	2	7
Aquinas	1	1	0	51	48	3	1	1	6

Meanwhile, in the East Wheeling clinched 1st with a forfeit win over Trine. So that left Saturday's clash between Thomas More and Rio Grande. The game-related story is that Thomas More won 29-15. But the big story coming out of that event was that some altercations between players expanded when spectators in the stands got in involved. Several Thomas More players appear to have been injured (how severely we do not know).

Reports are that fans attacked Thomas More players. At least one player is in the hospital.

This game was played at Rio Grande during a popular local festival and also homecoming and there was a large local crowd of people who didn't seem to understand how rugby fans generally behave. It was ugly, and will probably get uglier and disciplinary repercussions come down. As we understand it, the police are involved and charges are expected to be brought.

We don't know much more than that, but what we do know puts a nasty black mark on the Rio Grande team and the rest of the sport, to be honest.

As far as the game went, Thomas More ran out to a 29-3 lead at halftime, rung the changes, and Rio Grande exploited some errors to make it a bit closer. But the Saints were the stronger team and secure 2nd in the Big Rivers East.

The final regular-season game in this conference will be Aquinas at Principia next week.

Current unofficial standings.