Springfield Rugby wrapped up a thrilling fall 2024 season, paving the way for an exciting spring finish. With fresh talent joining our ranks, our club saw new players rise to the occasion, gaining invaluable game time and stepping up in key moments. The Mudpuppies finished with a strong 3-1 divisional record, clinching the #2 spot in the men’s Mid-America Rugby Union DIII and setting our sights on playoffs in the spring!
Benjamin Thomas, Head Coach and Club President said, “It's so much more than our win/loss record. A huge takeaway from the fall season was how many new guys there were. We had 25 players at our first training in August that were brand new to rugby. We committed to playing them throughout the season to build the future of our club. Those players made up 80% of our minutes in a loss to OKC and logged substantive minutes in our merit matches throughout the season. It’s an exciting time for the future of our club and what we are building.”
Next up: the Rowdies at home on March 22, followed by a road clash in St. Louis with Sunday Morning on April 5, closing out divisional play. And what better way to wrap the season than hosting the 2025 USA Club Rugby Super Regionals, right here in Springfield at Allison Sports Town? We secured this prestigious event over three competitive bids, with the Springfield Sports Commission and Allison Sports Town taking charge of the bid. It’s going to be an event that puts Springfield Rugby on the national stage!
Season Highlights
September 7: We hit the road to Springfield, Illinois, for the All-Americas Rugby Tournament! Ten Mudpuppies made their club debuts. Despite going 0-3, the experience was invaluable as we learned the ropes and bonded as a team.
September 14: Our 15s opener against the powerhouse Kansas City RFC showed grit in a hard-fought 7-44 loss. Hats off to Tom Pedrozo, our man of the match, for his relentless effort.
Match Film: https://youtu.be/-QuassnADG0
September 21: Hosting Souths Rugby Union from Adelaide, Australia, was unforgettable. We lost 38-14 on the field, but the camaraderie and exchange of rugby culture were victories in their own right. Thank you to our incredible hosts who made our Aussie friends feel at home!
Springfield Rugby vs Souths Rugby Union:
Queen City Chaos vs Souths Rugby Union:
September 28: Our first divisional match of the season saw us dominate the St. Louis Hornets 31-5. The crowd was electric, and our new powerhouse South African man, Juan Curlewis, earned man of the match!
October 5: On the road against divisional rival Columbia Outlaws, we showed grit and focus, winning 40-10. Daniel Nery Cardoso bulldozed his way to man of the match.
October 12: In a nail-biter against KC Northland RFC, the Mudpuppies came from behind at the half to win 39-20, thanks to man of the match Steve Tava'e’s hard carries and big tackles.
Match Film: https://youtu.be/5BDurgi0wl0
October 19: Back at home, we faced the spirited Mercenaries RFC in a divisional matchup. They gave us a good match, playing hard and enjoying every moment on and off the field. We also hosted a solid OKC Crusaders side that bested our developmental squad 45-0 on the day.
Match Film: https://youtu.be/BF0mAA7sMsE
OKC Photos: https://imagetaker59photography.pixieset.com/springfieldrugbyfootballclubvsokccrusaders/
Mercenaries Photos: https://imagetaker59photography.pixieset.com/springfieldrfcvsmercenariesrfc/
October 26: Against the defending champions, St. Louis Royal Ramblers, we fell short 40-21, but the Mudpuppies gave it everything they had.
Match Film: https://youtu.be/8-IDPnnwiHY?si=Z-3qnI7zU0XZ0xoq
November 2: The first-ever Jimmy Stewart Cup was an unforgettable day of rugby and remembrance. Though Drury University took the win, beating us 19-10, the day ended with a heartfelt tribute to our fallen brother Jimmy Stewart.
Springfield Rugby vs Drury Men’s Rugby:
Queen City Chaos vs Drury University Women’s Rugby:
Photos: https://imagetaker59photography.pixieset.com/druryuniversitywomensrugbyvsqueencitychaosrugby/
With the spring season around the corner, we’re ready for more action, camaraderie, and competition. Stay updated on training times and join us on this journey – the Mudpuppies are always recruiting, and we’d love to see new faces on the field!
Mark Your Calendars for Key 2025 Dates
February 1 – Bash at the Beach Indoor Rugby Tournament, Volleyball Beach, Ozark
March 22 – Home match vs. Rowdies from Belleville, Illinois.
April 5 – Away match vs. Sunday Morning RFC, St. Louis
May 2 – 4 – USA Club Rugby Super Regionals, Allison Sports Town, Springfield
May 17 – Rugger Mortis Old Boy Rugby Tournament, Springfield Rugby Pitch
Come support Springfield Rugby Football Club and experience the thrill of rugby! Follow us on Facebook and join us for training. See you next year!