krewe recognition

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

ABC Action NEWS make a visit to the krewe

Article and Video Here

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio Congratulates Krewe

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Tampa Bay Krewe Wins the National D2 USA Rugby Championsip!

Tampa Bay Online

Rugby Magazine

epru.com

examiner.com

Krewe in the News!

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Krewe is going to Colorado!!

Krewe has advanced to the Final Four of the USA Rugby National Championships in Glendale, CO on June 5-6 at Infinity Park!! We will be facing Snake River in the semi-final on June 5th. The winner will compete against the winner of the other semi-final betwen Golden Gate and Doylestown (PA) for the National D2 championship.

Krewe defeated the Chicago Blaze 26-17 on Saturday and Brandywine (PA) 32-5 on Sunday to advance.

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DII Wins USA Rugby South Championship and Advances to the Round of 16 for the National Title

Krewe Rugby (National #10 Seed) Will Play the West Milwaukee Harlequins (National #7 Seed) in Columbia, SC on May 16.

DIII Florida Cup State Champions 2008

The Bay Area Rugby Football Krewe is the most dynamic team in Florida, with both a Division II and Division III men's team(s), in addition to one of the state's only women's rugby teams. Krewe was founded in 1989 by 10 Tampa Bay area professionals who had previously been members of different novice to semi-professional level rugby teams. Krewe continutes to thrive on its founders' love for the game and their appreciation for the camaraderie that has developed amongst its team members, as well as its fans.

Through the years, Krewe has transcended from merely a Tampa-based social team to a highly competitive Division II contender in the U.S. and Florida Rugby Unions - drawing players and fans from as far away Manatee County and Pasco County. Recently, with only one loss, Krewe was ranked as a top team in the state and earned a seed in the prestigious Florida State Championship (finishing second overall).

The members of Krewe are very proud of the team's international and regional competition, as well as the many state championships it has won. Krewe members are equally proud of their team's team's commitment to volunteer work with numerous local charitable organizations and youth development programs.

KREWE RUGBY CONTINUES ITS CHAMPIONSHIP RUN

Ft. Benning, GA - The Tampa Bay Krewe Rugby team claimed the USA Rugby South Men's Division II Championship trophy with a 33-22 come from behind victory over Baton Rouge (LA) at Fort Benning, GA over the weekend. After falling behind 19-0, Krewe mounted a torrid second half effort, both offensively and defensively, outscoring the Barbarians 33-3. The #10 national seeded Krewe Rugby team will travel to Columbia, S.C. to compete against the top teams from the Northeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic in the USA Rugby National Championship Round of Sixteen, May 16-17. Krewe opens play against the West Milwaukee Harlequins, the #7 seed. The top two teams from the East Pool will advance to meet the top two teams from the West for the National Championship at Infinity Park in Glendale, CO, May 30-31.

Krewe (13-2) reached the Finals by defeating New Orleans (LA) 26-10 on Saturday. New Orleans took a 3-0 lead when fly half Ricky Decastro slotted a penalty kick 8 minutes in. Three minutes later wing J.J. Kasper outran the defense for a 40-meter try. Marc "Peaches" Petrini added the conversion kick to increase the lead to 7-3. Wing "Sugar" Shane Stewart then scored and Petrini converted the kick for a 14-3 Krewe lead at the half. South African lock, Fransua Van Den Berg began the second half scoring with a try for a 19-3 Krewe lead. New Orleans scored a try and conversion kick to cut the lead to 19-10 at the 60-minute mark. The next 15 minutes saw great defensive efforts from both teams until Augustin Pombo de Erazcano picked an errant pass, scoring a try and conversion kick for final 26-10 Krewe victory. Joe Hillbush was recognized for his excellent work against former U-20 Eagle prop Matt Upton while J.J. Kasper was awarded "Man of the Match".

Krewe versus Baton Rouge

Under blue skies and with the temperature climbing into the 90's, the Finals kicked off at noon on Sunday. "Playing at this level, in this heat and on consecutive days really tested the team's depth and the individual's commitment", said Coach Kevin McWilliams. "Every man on the roster elevated his game to meet the challenge."

Because of penalties, both teams had early opportunities but were unable to take advantage. However, ten minutes in Baton Rouge scored and converted to take a 7-0. They added to their lead with a second converted try at the 37-minute mark to take a 14-0 lead into the half. Only three minutes into the second half, the Barbarians scored again, but missed the conversion kick, stretching their lead to 19-0. The tide began to change when Austin Dacanay, a half time substitute at center, set the tone with a crushing tackle on the big #8, whose continual "chippy" play was rewarded a few minutes later with a yellow card for a neck tackle on Stewart, also a half time substitute. "Some of the Baton Rouge players were resorting to a little extra-curricular activity in the rucks", McWilliams said. "They were obviously frustrated because they thought they could push us around. They didn't know" Five minutes later, Lt. Giles Sayner (British Army) put Krewe on the board with a try. The conversion kick by Pombo de Erazcano cut the lead to 19-7. Just three minutes later, Stewart scored his fourth playoff try and Pombo de Erazcano added the conversion to cut the lead to 19-14.

With Krewe playing a man down because of a yellow card, Baton Rouge mounted an attack. The Krewe defense held and the Barbarians had to settle for a penalty kick, increasing their lead to 22-14. They would not score again as Krewe added a try by Sayner, his fifth in three playoffs games, a fifty meter try by lock Patrick Reive and a "pick pass" try by Pombo de Erezcano. Petrini and Pombo de Erazcano rounded out the scoring with conversion kicks for a final score of 33-22.

Josh Hayes, a converted wing who played a full 80 minutes at flanker, was recognized as the "Man of the Match" for his outstanding play in the loose and line outs.

DII Wins USA Rugby South Championship and Advances to the Round of 16 for the National Title

Krewe Rugby (National #10 Seed) Will Play the West Milwaukee Harlequins (National #7 Seed) in Columbia, SC on May 16.

TAMPA BAY KREWE RUGBY ADVANCES TO USA RUGBY SOUTH FINAL FOUR

The Tampa Bay Krewe Rugby team assured itself a spot in the Final Four of the USA Rugby South Senior Men's Division II Championship by defeating the Charleston (S.C.) Outlaws on the parade deck at The Citadel. With a defensive effort that limited Charleston's scoring to three penalty kicks and only one try and an offense that featured six tries, three from Giles Sayner and two from "Sugar" Shane Stewart, Krewe will now face New Orleans in the Semi Finals on April 25-26 in Fort Benning, GA. Jacksonville (FL.), who defeated Greenville (S.C.), will face Baton Rouge (LA.), winners over Huntsville (AL.), in the other Semifinal game.

The Tampa Bay Rugby community is well represented in the playoffs this post season. The Pasco Myrmidons completed a very impressive inaugural season despite a disappointing loss to Savannah in the Division III playoffs while the University of South Florida, USA Rugby South Collegiate Division II Champions, continues its pursuit of a National Championship in Sanford, FL. April 17-18.

Krewe (11-2) completed its USA Rugby Spring Season competition with six consecutive wins avenging its only two losses with a grueling final 21-19 win over previously undefeated Jacksonville and a playoff clinching 32-17 win against Daytona in the final two games of the season assuring a playoff spot and a road trip to South Carolina.

With almost perfect weather and on the historic landmark Citadel Parade Deck, Charleston kicked off with the wind at their backs. "Just like the previous game in Daytona, the host team wanted to kick with the wind to keep us deep in our end of the field and take advantage of any mistakes we might make. Their #10 is a very accurate, long range kicker", said coach Kevin McWilliams. The strategy appeared to be working as Krewe committed multiple first half penalties giving the Outlaws several early scoring opportunities. The Charleston Fly Half was able to slot only one of four kicks giving them an early 3-0 lead. Krewe posted its first try seven minutes in when Giles Sayner, a soldier in the British Army attached to Central Command at McDill AFB, scored on a long pass from Augustin Pombo de Erazcano. Krewe played tough defense for the next 30 minutes before giving up a try and conversion making the score 10-5, Charleston. However, Sayner touched down his second try tying the score 10-10 just before the half.

The first ten minutes of the second half saw sixteen points being scored. The scoring began with a try from the English prop, Tommy Ruff, his third in the last two games. Charleston quickly added two penalty kicks to take a 16-15 lead until Stewart notched his first try. The conversion by Marc "Peaches" Petrini put Krewe ahead 22-16. For the final thirty minutes, Krewe shut down the Outlaws with tough defense while adding twelve more points. Sayner added his third try of the game at the thirty-five minute mark to increase the lead to 27-16. The final try was initiated by Austin Dacaney and Dustin Frank setting up Stewart, who finished by kicking past the Outlaw fullback and outrunning him to touch the ball down. Pombo de Erezcano converted for a final 34-16 Krewe victory.

Charles "J.J." Kasper and Stewart were recognized for outstanding play while Sayner was awarded the "Man of the Match", his second in as many games.