The Westside Artic Touring Side, led by captain Mike Medora, defeated defending champs Stevens Point, 4-0, to win the 5th Annual Artic Rugbyfest.
The T.W.A.T.S. provided much of the tournament’s excitement, winning their first match 4-0 over Platteville while playing a man short the entire game.
The second match against Eau Claire proved to be even more of a thriller as the regulation time ended in a 4-4 tie. A sudden death overtime seven-a-side period was played and within three minutes the T.W.A.T.S. came up with the winning try. Final score 8-4.
The third match was a carbon copy of match #2 with the T.W.A.T.S. again winning 8-4 in sudden death sevens against LaCrosse.
The scene was set for the Finals. It would be the four-time defending champs Stevens Point Pointers against the T.W.A.T.S.
The match proved exciting even though there was no score at half time. The teams seemed evenly matched with both sides playing fine rugby. Then with eight minutes to play, the T.W.A.T.S. backline put together a beautiful 50-yard scoring play for the game’s only try. The T.W.A.T.S. then turned away Stevens Point at the try line twice to hold on for a well-earned 4-0 victory, holding true to their motto: “The T.W.A.T.S. can not be licked.”
Roster
- John LaPlante
- Mark Koiwal
- Dean Olsen
- Greg Eighme
- Mike Gabrich
- Bob Bilda – Madison
- Dennis Rand – MRFC
- John Jeffrey
- Dave Brienzo
- Tim Lovett
- Bill Morse
- Mark Rosecki – MRFC.
- Kevin Corbett
- Mike Medora *Captain
- Jeff Friedrich
- Terry Fargen – Madison
