With our Sevens squad out of state on Qualifier duty, our local boys stayed closer to home and attended Pigfest 10s (Oshkosh, WI), the longest running 10s event in the Midwest.
The first game was against the Black and Blue (also from Milwaukee, WI) and a last-minute scheduling change meant a much-compressed warm-up for the Barbarians and a slow start on the pitch. With time running out, it looked like the Barbarians might lose the opener.
But in the final scrum, the Barbarians summoned a final drive to steam possession. A quick ruck and pick-up involving the entire tight-5 unit led to Aaron Young scoring the go-ahead try and sealing the come-from-behind victory.
With the warm-up match complete, the Barbarians moved on to perennial up-state rivals the Celtics (Green Bay, WI) and notched their second win of the day in pool play.
In their last match of pool play, the Barbarians met WRFC ( Madison, WI), the USA Rugby Division 2 National Champions. This match was always going to be a tough one but with time expiring, the Barbarians looked poised to pull off a 3-0 sweep of the pool.
However, in an ironic twist Madison scored in extra time to deliver the first loss of the day to Milwaukee.
With the Barbarians, WRFC and Celtics each with a 2-1 record, Green Bay won on points for the tie breaker to proceed to the playoffs.
Despite the early exit, the Barbarians enjoyed the great weather, good rugby, wonderful camaraderie of the team and of course the hospitality of Oskosh local and Barbarian prop Joseph Kloiber.
Roster
The Barbarians roster in Oshkosh included:
- Todd Chini
- Joe Cunningham (Manager)
- Kyle Cwiklis
- Matt Drzewiecki
- Tom Fossell
- Joe Garcia
- Chris Kenth
- Joseph Kloiber
- JP Kloiber
- Alex Martel
- JP Ochieng
- Nick Schaad
- Zach Setum
- Brian Strenk
- Mark Tobin
- Gus Wiagbe
