Prep Report: Rugby — Cape style

1 / 3

MICHAEL PISTELLA Ryan Pigott plays toss with a teammate at practice. The roster is a combination of talent from Cape, Mariner, Baker and North Fort Myers high schools

2 / 3

MICHAEL PISTELLA Members of Cape Coral’s rugby team, the Blackhawks, work on a scrum during practice Thursday. The first of their 10-game season is Saturday against Lely at Ida Baker High School.

3 / 3

MICHAEL PISTELLA Brandon McNew limbers up at a Cape Coral Blackhawks practice Thursday as they prepared for Saturday’s rugby season opener.

[expand]

close

Cape Coral, Mariner, Ida Baker and North Fort Myers have waged some great games against one another whether it’s been on the local football or soccer fields, the basketball court or baseball diamond.

When it comes to rugby, players from each school come together to compete against foes from around the state.

The Cape Blackhawks, who consist of 18 players from the area schools, are set to begin their second season Saturday when they host Lely at 2 p.m. at Ida Baker.

The Blackhawks posted a surprising 8-2 record and reached the state playoffs in their inaugural season. They return nine players from that team.

Second-year coach Phillip Luby said the team is still recruiting players. Any high school student in Lee County can participate, Luby said.

Hardly anyone on the Blackhawks had played the game before last season but Luby said they picked it up faster than he anticipated.

“I was surprised because the only kid on my with experience was my son,” he said. “For football players it’s easy to catch on.”

He said football and soccer players usually make good rugby players since the game has elements of both.

“It’s a fast-paced game but it’s 80 minutes long so you need endurance,” he said. “Most of the kids are over 200 pounds. They bring size, speed and power (to the game).”

The Blackhawks play a 10-game schedule, which includes five home matches at Baker’s football/soccer field. They’re one of 21 teams in the state.

The teams are divided into four regions – north, central, southeast and southwest. The Blackhawks are in the southwest region.

Blackhawks Schedule

(Home games at Ida Baker)

Jan. 17 – Lely, 2 p.m.

Jan. 24 – at Palmetto Ridge (Naples), 2 p.m.

Jan. 31 – BYE

Feb. 7 – Pinellas Athletic Club, 2 p.m.

Feb. 14 – Sarasota, 2 p.m.

Feb. 21 – vs. Lely (at Estero High School), 2 p.m.

Feb. 28 – at Ruggerfest Tournament Ft. Lauderdale, 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

March 7 – Tampa Celtic Fest

March 14 – at Pinellas Athletic Club in St. Pete, 2 p.m.

March 21 – at Sarasota, 2 p.m.

March 28 – Palmetto Ridge, 2 p.m.

April 11 – State Playoffs begin.