Big Score Puts Mines in 1st

Colorado School of Mines remains atop the Rocky Mountain Men's DII after thumping Colorado 88-15 Saturday.

Played at Mesa's picturesque field on campus in front of a big crowd, the game was physical and played in a good spirit, but Mines was just in control. Mines was looking to rebound after a tough close loss at home last week against Western State, and started well, scoring three tries in the first ten minutes. After that, they never looked back.

Prop Karson Bell was outstanding on both attack and defense for the entire 80 minutes, playing in just his fourth game ever. Bell, a junior, was playing football for Mines and has transferred to rugby. Hooker Paul Bonn, a product of the Nebraska HS system, got his first start for Mines and showed a high work rate. Lock Brayton Sanders, a senior in his first rugby season, was a big runner, while Mac Turner is back healthy and was another fearsome runner in the forwards.

In the backs, scrumhalf Josh Urbonas was his usual excellent self, passing effectively all day, while Zack Melphy returned to action for the first time this fall and was solid at flyhalf, working nicely with center Jason Lee. After subbing on last week, Jordan Lopez made the most of his first A-side start, attacking the line at center. The freshman joins his brother on the Mines team. The Lopez brothers Jordan and Caleb scored two tries apiece, as did No. 8 Marcus Turner. Sanders and Bonn were also among the try-scorers, while fullback Jack Martin-Linsley scored three tries and kicked seven conversions for 29 points.

"Our goal going into the Mesa game was to put in a full and complete 80-minute effort of quality rugby," said Mines Coach Alex Eves. "We definitely achieved that goal. That said, with four games under our belt ... we have work to do yet. Each time out we are working hard to continuously improve in every aspect of rugby."

Also this weekend, University of Colorado - Colorado Springs edged Colorado College in a thriller. Prop Vick Jordan scored two tries for Colorado College in a game that went back and forth. Flyhalf Gabriel Zarkovacki scored two early tries for UCCS, but with 23 minutes to go Colorado College led 26-14. A torrid scoring spree saw UCCS get tries from flanker Victory Watson and wing Ryan Arthur to put UCCS up 28-26. Colorado College replied to take the lead.

Then, with time winding down, UCCS got over for two crucial tries. Wing Joseph Fonseca scored to make it 36-33 for Colorado College, and then fullback Calvin Jones went in to win it, 38-36.

So with about half the season done, Mines leads the conference, but Western State is undefeated at 3-0. UCCS, Colorado College, and Air Force B are all at 2-1.