Your Denver Barbarians defeated the Denver Waterdogs 69-14 on a perfect October afternoon at Infinity Park. The game was physical and included some impressive ball work as the two side duked it out for 80 minutes. Alex Wormer was impressive in attack all day as the open side flanker and lineout operator consistently broke the gain line finishing four tries (most of the under the posts). In the end, the relentless Barbo attack was too much for a Waterdogs side who had a man sent to the bin with a red card.

The Barbos set piece was dominant through out the match. Captain Steve Karas, Solo Charbonneau, & veteran Jason “Tubbs” Christensen were in full control of the front foot push in the scrums. Charbonneau played some massively physical minutes throughout the day, Christensen was (as usually) a dominant running who consistently gets front foot momentum, and the skip was steady and calm throughout a match that got plenty chippy. Karas commented postgame below.

The Barbos had an all around performance as the team was crisp in the set piece, played aggressive (often relentless defense) & let the ball fly around the park as the forward pack showed they too can pass.

Other standouts were flanker Brian Rice, Conor O’Brien & newly capped halfback Hank Kafonek. Rice broke the line numerous times, not by power or grace, but simply perfect rugby timing as he hit inside lines all day and received optimal balls into wide open gaps. Kafonek was clinical in closing out a game where the competition at the breakdown was fierce. The new scrummy led the men to a strong finish after starter Conor O’Brien put his stamp on the game early and often. O’Brien was instrumental in building a strong first half lead, and dove over the line himself in the 42nd minute to make the score 38-7. In the end a barrage of 2nd half tries (most through the hands of Wormer) put the match out of reach. The Barbos make it 3 straight league wins against the Waterdogs and give themselves hope to still top the table. Legendary Old Boy Jim Bob commenting on the gameday atmosphere (and previewed the 2nd side match) below.

Your Barbos will face a MASSIVE “do or die” test as they host Park City Haggis this Sunday (11am, Cook Park). If you’re loving the fall weather, wrap yourself in some Green & White and make your way down to Cook Park. Be there, support your club. Do your job and the Barbos will do theirs as they look to catapult themselves back on top of the league.

As always, Bleed Green