Scioto Valley Wins in Kentucky

Sunday Jun 17, 2007 in Sevens Club Competitions

(Kevin Mongold, pictured, was a key player for Scioto in the tournament)

Louisville, Ky. June 17, 2007 - Scioto Valley won the 10th annual Kentucky Fried 7's Tournament with a workmanlike 19-0 victory over Lexington Blackstone Saturday in Louisville, Kentucky. Captain Kevin Mongold led the Columbus, Ohio, side back from an early loss in pool play to claim the championship and earn 6 points in the Midwest 7's points table.

The day got off to a rollicking start as Lexington-who registered for the open division and were moved to the qualifier only after a couple of teams dropped out-upset top seed Scioto Valley 24-17 in the opening game. Valley came back with a win over Indianapolis (back on the scene after a year hiatus), and then played their version of hurry up offense in their final game against Kalamazoo, kicking conversions back into the field and then rushing to the halfway line for the kickoff in a 50-7 win.

It was unnecessary however, as the 'Stones proved their initial victory was no fluke by beating Kalamazoo and Indianapolis to win the pool. Valley advanced to the knockout round with a 2-1 record and a sigh of relief.

On the other side of the bracket, the same scenario was taking place, as Louisville and Michiana sat at 2-1 and awaited the final match between Team Bigote (Michigan) and Dayton. Bigote employed the same tactics, but this time with the desired results, winning 45-5 and edging Louisville in the tiebreaker by one point to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, Valley beat Michiana and Lexington kept their improbable run going with a win over Bigote to set up a rematch of the tournament's opening game in the finals.

In the championship game, Valley returned to the form that earned them a 6th place finish in the 2006 US 7's Nationals. Their patient attack-at one point holding the ball for a full 20 seconds inside their own goal before breaking out for a length of the field score-wore down the upstarts from the Bluegrass, and Valley's technical superiority in the rucks and set pieces won them the majority of possession.

Michiana avenged their earlier loss to Team Bigote in the consolation 24-12. The University of Kentucky won the Open Division with a win over Huntington, WV, and Louisville won the high school division with a win over Jefferson City, MO.

A-panel referee Jerry McLemore ably led the officiating team, which was roundly applauded at the presentation ceremony, and the trophies were customized Louisville Slugger baseball bats from Hillerich and Bradsby of the Louisville Slugger Museum.

The tournament marked the first event at Louisville's new rugby grounds, which are surrounded by a wetlands nature-preserve within site of the Ohio River. Louisville Rugby Inc. reached a lease agreement with Louisville Metro Parks allowing sole occupancy and authorization to develop the property, which will include a lighted practice field, clubhouse and locker rooms.

Scioto Valley Wins in Kentucky

Latest News