On the final day of soccer matches for the Spring 2016 season, the kids’ teams played at the Balloon Fiesta park. It’s the same grassy field on which hot air balloons launch during Albuquerque’s International Balloon Fiesta . On this same weekend, the Rio Grande Rugby Union participated in a two-day Men’s Club Playoff championship. It was out of the ordinary to watch rugby being played from the sidelines of my child’s soccer match. I found a few opportunities to observe the novelty sports action and here is my favorite action freeze:

Tempe vs El Paso at the Arizona | Line-Out Lift

Over the years, I’ve seen the droll athletic supporter bumper stickers:

“GIVE BLOOD: Play Rugby”

“Rugby: No Winners, Just Survivors | No Spectators, Just Witnesses”

“Rugby = Natural Selection”

“Not Tough Enough For Rugby? Play Football”

“Rugby: No Helmets, No Pads, Just Balls”

“Sometimes all a Gal Needs is a Good Ruck”

“Support your Hooker, Play Rugby”

“Keep Calm. Play Water Polo”

Anyone unfamiliar with this sport can immediately appreciate that it requires camaraderie, strength, agility, and tenacity. It’s not for gentle of body, mind or spirit.

I searched online for the final score results from the matches held over 4/23/2016-4/24/2016 for the Men’s Club Playoffs All Divisions. I can merely substantiate which teams competed. Anyone who has the facts of final results would be welcome to provide those in the comments section, thanks!

**Tempe Old Devils won the Division II Arizona and New Mexico Championship**

Tempe Old Devils (Tempe, AZ)

El Paso Scorpions (El Paso, TX)

Red Mountain Warthogs (Mesa, AZ)

Aardvarks (Albuquerque, NM)

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**Northern Arizona won the Division III Championship**

Northern Arizona Landsharks (Flagstaff, AZ)

Las Cruces Horny Toads (Las Cruces, NM)

NM Brujos (Albuquerque, NM)

Phoenix Rugby (Phoenix, AZ)