Air Force wins rugby title

By John W. PeelerNovember 21, 2008

Rugby
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rugby
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rugby
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Air Force claimed its fifth consecutive Armed Forces Rugby Championship Thursday on Stewart-Watson Field defeating the Navy 37-8.

Air Force advanced to the championship match by posting a 4-0 record in the round-robin tournament while the Navy posted a 3-1 record to make it to the championship matchup. Navy's only loss during regular tournament play came at the hands of Air Force, losing 26-6 in their first match.

In their march to the championship, the Air Force posted decisive wins over the Army (44-3) and Marines (76-0) on day one of the championships. On the second day of competition, the Air Force defeated the Navy (26-6) and the Coast Guard (66-3) to move into the championship match.

In making it to the championship game against the Air Force, the Navy defeated the Coast Guard (26-12) in their opening match and defeated the Marines (46-0) to close out the first day of competition.

The Navy suffered its only loss during the regular tournament play to the Air Force (26-5) before defeating the Army (21-15) to move into the championship rematch against the Air Force.

2008 Armed Forces Rugby Championship results:

Nov. 17

Navy 26, Coast Guard 12

Air Force 44, Army 3

Navy 39, Marine Corps 5

Army 46, Coast Guard 0

Air Force 76, Marine Corps 0

Nov. 19

Air Force 26, Navy 5

Marine Corps 34, Coast Guard 23

Navy 21, Army 15

Air Force 66, Coast Guard 3

Marine Corps 27, Army 12

Nov. 20

Consolation Match

Army 44, Marine Corps 24

Championship Match

Air Force 37, Navy 8