GLENDALE, Colo. –
The Armed Forces Men’s Rugby Championship returns to the City of Glendale, Colorado with the Air Force soaring past the competition on the opening day of the Rugbytown 7’s Tournament at the Infinity Park Stadium.
In the opening match, Air Force filled the scoreboard after three unanswered scores over the Marine Corps with 2nd lt Eric Wills of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida outrunning the competition for two tries.
Marine Corps managed to punch back with back-to-back scores. Air Force sealed the deal in the 13th minute to win 24-10.
Navy and Coast Guard traded leads several times before Navy’s Petty Officer 1st Class DeShon Bell of Yukosuka, Japan sprinting to the try zone to win 15-14 in the 13th minute.
The match of the day was when Air Force handed Army their first defeat since 2013. Wills scored his third try of the tournament in the 5th minute of the contest. Air Force continued grounding Army through the second half before the soldiers were able to get on the board.
Despite a last minute score by Army, Air Force was able to win the match 24-12 to take the top spot of the Armed Forces pool play.
In an exciting match against Marine Corps and Coast Guard, both squads remained tied until the 13th minute of the match at 14 apiece. Coast Guard’s Chief Petty Officer Alexander Vinkavich drove towards the try zone before receiving an illegal hit by Marine Corps’ 1st Lt Collin Brennan resulting in a yellow card.
With Brennan in the penalty box and the Marines down a player, Coast Guard coughed up a costly interception. The Marines drove down the pitch before Lance Cpl. Luis Camacho of Oklahoma City, Okla. taking flight into the try zone handing the Marines their first victory of the tournament.
In the final match of day one, Army faced Navy winning 19-12 to sneak into second place of pool play.
More rugby continues on Saturday, August 23 at Infinity Park. Visit www.armedforcessports.defense.gov for complete coverage.