The 1991 National Rugby Championships were a series of tournaments organized by the United States RFU to determine a national champion in several divisions for United States rugby teams. The divisions included club, college, high school, military, sevens, and inter-territorial.

Men's Club The 1991 Steinlager/USA Rugby National Club Championship took place at Robb Field in San Diego, CA from May 11–12.Olney, Buster (May 9, 1991). "OMBAC's Rest Could Mean Rust". San Diego Union, p.C–12 col.1Reinman, T.R. (May 10, 1991). "There Will Be No Silliness For OMBAC This Week". San Diego Tribune, p.E–2 col.4–6Haddad, Dana (May 11, 1991). "Former Aztecs Hope To Become Rugby Champions". Los Angeles Times, p.C11A col.1–5 The teams featured in the tournament were the champions of the four sub unions of USARFU. Old Mission Beach Athletic Club won its third national title in four years.Reinman, T.R. (May 13, 1991). "Like A Scrum In The Park". San Diego Tribune, p.C–8 col.1–4Olney, Buster (May 13, 1991). "OMBAC Takes Rugby Title". San Diego Union, p.D–11 col.1–3 Washington, also in their third appearance in four years, placed second."Rugby". (May 13, 1991). Washington Post, p.C02 Fullback Paul Sheehy of Washington and OMBAC flanker Dennis Gonzalez were the MVPs.

Semifinals

Third place

Final

Champions: Old Mission Beach Athletic Club Staff: Bing Dawson (Coach), Mr. Rolls Captain: Mike Saunders (Scrumhalf) Roster: Sean Allen (Hooker), Dave Crist (Center), Carl Crumpacker (Lock), Graham Downes (Prop), Jerry Fanning (Hooker), Steve Forster (Flyhalf), John Gibb (Scrumhalf), Dennis Gonzalez (Flanker), John Hastings (Prop), Matt Heasley (Center), Ben Hough (Flanker), Solo Komai (Flanker), Kevin Kujawa (Flanker), Jon Lee (Wing), Bill Leversee (Lock), Chris Lippert (Prop), Dave Long (Center), Gerald Lumkong (Center), Duncan Lumsden (Fullback), Simon Mathews (Fullback), Jason McVeigh (Flyhalf), Dennis Panish (Back), Mike Saunders (Scrumhalf), Tom Short (Wing), Brian Vizard (#8), John Wooley (Prop), Ron Zenker (Lock), Frank Zugovitz (Lock).

Women's Club The 1991 Women's National Rugby Championship was a tournament was played at Lee District Park in Alexandria, VA on May 25–26."Rugby Club Beats Top Seed". (May 26, 1991). Tallahassee Democrat, p.6E col.7"Shehawks Vie For Major Rugby Title". (May 22, 1991). San Jose Mercury News, p.5 col.1 Beantown won the title by defeating Florida State 19–0."Rugby Club Loses In Final". (May 29, 1991). Tallahassee Democrat, p.4B col.7 Chicago took third place. New Orleans Halfmoon fullback Dr. Krista McFarren was named MVP.

Quarterfinals

Semifinals

Third place

Final

Lineups:Beantown– Stevens, Connors, Kimball, Pendergast, Kane, Spicer, Gartner, Rutkowski, Connell, Dixey, Westerman, Craven, Morrissey, Newton, M. Sullivan. Florida State– Fahey, V. Sullivan, Hill, Gamage, Kojm, Gibson, Sup, Godwin, Flores, Auger, Davis, Jervey, Orsini, Nicholson, Alley.

College

The 1991 College championship was won by UC Berkeley for the eighth time with a win over Army. The College All–Star Championship was won by the Pacific Coast while the East was runner–up. Air Force won the inaugural Women's Collegiate Championship.

Military The 1991 Steinlager National Military Rugby Championship took place at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA from May 11–12"Rugby Clubs Reach National Semifinals". (May 12, 1991). Pensacola News Journal, p.9C col.1–2Johnson, L.C. (May 12, 1991). "Cruise–A–Matics Make Early Tournament Exit". Columbus Ledger–Enquirer, p.B–11 col.1–2 and was won by Pensacola with a 16–0 win over Eglin AFB."Pensacola Rugby Club Crushes Eglin". (May 13, 1991). Pensacola News Journal, p.4C col.3–4 A 'Boot Division' was played by teams finishing second in their group and the Quantico Heartbreakers were the winners in that bracket. Tom Collins of Eglin, was Most Valuable back, and Sam Pelham of Pensacola, was Most Valuable forward.

Group stage StandingsScores RankPool 1PldWL PENQUALEWWRI1.Pensacola330X7:320:39:32.Quantico3213:7X20:013:03.Fort Lewis3123:200:20X15:64.Wright Patterson3033:90:136:15X

StandingsScores RankPool 2PldWL USUMIDBENLEO1.USUHS330X23:621:628:02.Midwest3216:23X6:310:03.Fort Benning3126:213:6X19:94.Leonard Wood3030:280:109:19X

StandingsScores RankPool 3PldWL PREFTSSCOSCO1.President's XV330X17:032:3X2.Davis Monthan3210:17X12:612:03.Fort Sill3123:326:12X12:04.Fort Polk3030:260:120:12X

StandingsScores RankPool 4WLT EGLBRALEJSEY1.Eglin AFB300X16:312:628:02.Fort Bragg2103:16X4:024:33.Camp Lejeune0216:120:4X9:94.Seymour Johnson0210:283:249:9X

Boot Division

Championship bracket

Championship

The 1991 Interservice Rugby Championship was held in Quantico, VA from 5 to 7 September. The teams involved were select sides of each service branch. From these teams a selection was made to field the Combined Services Rugby team for tours.

Round RobinScores RankStandings PldWLT AIRCOAARMNAVMAR1.Air Force4301X10:1015:1219:421:62.Coast Guard421110:10X6:30:1120:43.Army422012:153:6X4:312:04.Navy41214:1911:03:4X6:65.Marines40316:214:200:126:6X

Wooden Spoon Marines

Third place

Championship

Lineups:Coast Guard– Mike Rand (Coach), Sandie MacLeod (Trainer), John Long, Matt Sisson, Vito Roselli, Anthony Vogt (Dan MacLeod), Jerry Wilson, Gene Adgate, Tom Hickey, Pat DeQuattro, John Hickey, Chuck Elias, Bill Hucke, Craig Kohler, Eddie Nagle, Eric Dayton, Dennis Purcell (Robert Speers). Air Force– Gabos, Coveno, Bachelor (Delanois), Gonyea, Gaines (Pearlstein), Baade, Hill, Beaufils, Hajosy, Jeff Debusk, Neely, Gregory, Tom Collins, Moad, Tony Fay.

Sevens Club The 1991 National Club Sevens championship, was sponsored by Steinlager and played at Lee District Park in Alexandria, Virginia on 17–18 August."Elsewhere". (August 19, 1991). USA Today, p.9C col.1 There were eight teams featured which included two representatives from each of the four territorial unions. Cleveland and Wisconsin qualified from the Midwest. Maryland Old Boys and Northern Virginia qualified from the East. Monterey Bay Rebels and Old Puget Sound Beach represented the Pacific Coast. Denver Barbarians and Kansas City Blues represented the West. Old Puget Sound Beach defeated Northern Virginia to win the championship. MOB finished third. Mike Telkamp of Old Puget Sound Beach was MVP.Brannon, Jody (August 22, 1991). "Out & About". Seattle Times, p.C5 col.4

Pool 1 First round OPSB 18–0 Cleveland NOVA 22–6 Denver Barbarians Second round OPSB 19–0 NOVA Cleveland 25–6 Denver Barbarians Third round OPSB 18–16 Denver Barbarians NOVA 22–6 Cleveland

Pool 2 First round MOB 24–0 Kansas City Blues Monterey Bay 12–12 Milwaukee Second round MOB 22–10 Monterey Bay Kansas City Blues 32–0 Milwaukee Third round MOB 24–6 Milwaukee Monterey Bay 12–6 Kansas City Blues

Consolation bracket Semifinals Milwaukee 18–0 Cleveland Denver Barbarians 22–0 Kansas City Blues

Seventh place Cleveland 18–12 Kansas City Blues

Fifth place Denver Barbarians 16–12 (OT) Milwaukee

Championship bracket Semifinals

Third place

Final

Champions: Old Puget Sound Beach Staff: Dick Smith (Owner), Chuck Depew (Manager) Captain: Dave Dateman Roster: Mike Housh, Jon Knutson, Ty Adams, Mike Telkamp, Finau Puloka, George Foster, David Carpenter, Jim Burgett, Barry Sayler.

All Star The 1991 National All-Star Sevens Rugby Tournament was an eight team tournament with two representatives from each territory. Similar to the ITTs, the other purpose of the tournament was to select members for the U.S. Eagles Seven–a–side team. This years tournament took place at Lee District Park in Alexandria, VA from 17 to 18 August. The Pacific I team won the final 14–12 over the East I team. Midwest I came in third. Pacific center George Conahey was MVP.

Group A First round Pacific I 18–10 West II Midwest I 16–4 East II Second round Pacific I 24–0 East II Midwest I 38–4 West II Third round Pacific I 18–12 Midwest I East II 20–0 West II

Group B First round East I 26–0 Midwest II Pacific II 20–0 West I Second round East I 14–6 Pacific II West I 28–0 Midwest II Third round East I 22–6 West I Pacific II 15–10 Midwest II

Consolation bracket Semifinals East II 36–0 Midwest II West I 30–6 West II

Seventh place Midwest II 18–13 West II

Fifth place East II 28–6 West I

Championship bracket Semifinals

Third place

Final

Champions: Pacific Coast I Coach: Tommy Smith Roster: Dahlin, Chris Williams, Ben Hough, Wayne Chai, Tom Billups, Humphreys, Rich Pearson, Tom Short, Moe, George Conahey, Jon Hinkin.

ITT The Inter Territorial Tournament involved the four regional rugby unions comprising the United States RFU: Pacific Coast RFU, Western RFU, Midwest RFU, and the Eastern Rugby Union. The region teams are formed with players selected from the sub regional rugby unions. Subsequently, the USA Eagles are selected from the four regional teams after the ITT concludes. In 1991 the tournament took place at Wildewood Polo Field in Columbia, SC from May 25–27.Mitchell, Bill (May 23, 1991). "Columbians Offered Best In National Rugby". The State, p.6 col.2–5 The Eastern Colonials won the tournament with three wins. Pat Bolger was MVP.

Results:

TeamWLFA1Eastern Colonials3087512Pacific Coast Grizzlies1258593Western Mustangs1260684Midwest Thunderbirds124168

Champions: East Colonials Staff: Mr. Smith (Manager), Al Little (Coach) Captain: Bob Clark-#8 (Boston) Roster: Joe Burke-Center (Albany Knights), Jim Duffy-Lock (Washington), Rob Farley-Flanker (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Steve Gootkind-Prop (Life College), Butch Horwath-Prop (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Glenn Judge-Flyhalf (Hartford Wanderers), Jim Keller-Lock (NYAC), Reza Khalili-Flanker (Potomac AC), Jim King-Flanker (Old White), Gary Lambert-#8 (White Plains), John Lang–Wing (Pensacola), Rory Lewis-Wing (Washington), Marcus Maffei-Wing (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Lance Manga-Prop (Philadelphia Whitemarsh), Greg McAllister-Fullback (Old Blue), Gerry McDonald-Prop (Washington), Alec Montgomery-Fullback (Mystic River), Mark Pidcock-Scrumhalf (Pensacola), Kim Pipkin-Prop (Columbia), J.R. Robbins–Hooker (Washington), Chris Schmidt–Lock (Chesapeake), Paul Sheehy-Fullback (Washington), Ed Simpson-Flanker (Old Blue), Allen Spriggs-Scrumhalf (Boca Raton), Tom Sullivan–Center (Washington), Kevin Swords–Lock (Beacon Hill), Jim Walier–Center (Old Blue).

Junior ITT The 1991 Junior ITT tournament took place in Columbia, SC from May 25–27. The East won with a 3–0 record.

Women's ITT The fifth edition of the Women's ITT was played from February 2–3 in Tallahassee, FL. The tournament was won by the Pacific Coast with East in second and West was third.

High School The 1991 National High School Rugby Championship was an eight team tournament that took place from 17 to 18 May at the Lake Sullivan Sports Complex in Indianapolis, IN."Announcements". (May 4, 1991). Kokomo Tribune, p.14 col.7Lynch, Joanne (May 17, 1991). "Ben Davis Hopeful In USA Rugby Championships". Indianapolis Star, p.D–4 col.1–4 The Highland squad from Utah won the championship by defeating Walter Whitman of Arlington in the final."Rams Win 4th Consecutive NationalRugby Championship". (May 19, 1991). Deseret News, p.D2"Miscellaneous". (May 19, 1991). Indianapolis Star, p.B–9 col.1"Rams Claim Rugby Title". (May 19, 1991). Salt Lake Tribune, p.D10 col.1 The St. Louis Druids took third.

Quarterfinals

Consolation semifinals

Seventh place

Fifth place

Semifinals

Third place

Final

References