On October 19, 2019, the Denver Barbarians were blessed with an amazing fall day of rugby, as the club delivered what was their most complete performance of the year in a 47-17 defeat of the cross town Denver Highlanders. The sun was shining on the Barbos this past Saturday as tries were run in from forwards and backs, putting smiles on anyone (fan, player, old boy … and even coach) who donned the Green and White on such a gorgeous fall Saturday afternoon. The Barbo core group of supporters were led by family, friends, old boys, and pets, as the whole rugby community enjoyed a beverage and a burger or dog fresh off the grill as the rugby rolled on for 3 straight hours.

The opening game saw the Barbos jump to what might have been the fastest lead they grabbed all season. (Big) Mike Lawrensen snagged the opening restart clean and his aerial game was immediately capitalized on when Jason “Tubbs” Christensen ran like a man possessed, bouncing multiple (would be) tacklers to the ground before he slammed the first try across the line. Christensen has had his DNA all over the Barbos forwards production this season and he opened up the game accordingly. Dante Brown would put the second try in the corner and the Barbos had a quick 12-0 lead at the 10th minute.

The next 28 minutes saw the game wobble in the balance as a dramatic sequence of events brought the score closer. Charles “Chuck” Ajarrista slotted a penalty to push the score to 15-0, but drama immediately ensued. The Highlanders quick tapped at the goal line, feeding a massive prop with pace heading to the goal line. Ajarrista stepped in front to make a tackle like a brave movie hero does when a bullet is hurling towards his loved one. He accepted the impact and slowed the runner (slightly), but was injured on the play. The Barbos would bring on Devin Martling (that’s right, … Lenny’s kid) as a blood sub while Ajarrista saw to his constantly damaged face on the sidelines. The Barbos conceded a try, converted by the Highlanders towering lock Sean Welfare.

It was Martling who stepped up massively with the game in swing, converting a long penalty kick to put the Barbos up 18-7. Welfare struck back, bringing the score to 18-10, but the Barbos relentless attack led to a yellow card against the Highlanders after multiple infringements around the ruck area. Ajarrista cleaned up his face, and tapped Martling back out before leading the Barbos back to the promise land (try zone) as Jordan “Flash” Gunderson used his creative (and artistic) ability to see the field before it develops, dotting down right before the half. Chucky Fresh (the battered faced fly-half) would convert.

HALFTIME SCORE: BARBOS 25 - HIGHLANDERS 10 

The second half saw the Highlanders open up the score through the tower Sean Welfare and he converted his own kick to bring it to 25-17. The Highlanders brought on 5 subs over the next 15 minutes to try and claw back into the game. However, the Barbos also responded with some key impact subs in the form of Mitch Andrews, Danny Bell and Jack O’Connor. The nailbiter game finally turned rout, when (Big) Mike Lawrensen sniffed out the line and punched over. Minutes later, Eric Sykes Jr. fended off the sweeping fullback and scored to push the lead to 35-17 (pictured below).

Martling would come back in at fullback to close the game, and immediately scored through the heart of the Highlanders defense to score under the posts. After a conversion, the Barbos got across the line one last time with a try that went through the entire backline’s hands before Jack “Jack” O’Connor touched it down in the 80th minute. The final bell sounded and the Green and White began their celebrations, enjoying a fantastic BBQ spread put on by the club right there next to the pitch.

FINAL SCORE: BARBOS 47- HIGHLANDERS 17

The second side match was somewhat of a replay of what had already been on display all day. Todd Oswald led a backline that would continue to produce tries, two of them through global markets aficionado Franky Sowers, one through Reed “RugbyMan” Ronan, one from Juan “Chilli Bean” Bialy (who played winger AND 8 man 🤔) and Oswald himself also got in on the scoring. The second game also had sightings of the ageless Matt Lancaster and Adam Fisher, both of whom showed their true colors that day and donned the Green and White before checking back into their fatherly duties as rugby family men. The day was a massive success and was capped off by a fantastic night out to see Jordan “Flash” Gunderson perform as “Fancii Savage” at the Walnut Room in front of a sell out crowd.

FINAL SCORE: BARBOS 50- HIGHLANDERS 24