Fairfield Rugby Club Finishes Third at Northeast Regionals

The Fairfield Rugby Club finished third at the Northeast Rugby Championships, which took place this past weekend in West Point, New York.

Comprised of players from Ludlowe and Warde high schools, Fairfield lost, 24-5 , to Union County (N.J.) in Saturday's semi-final. The club did rebound to beat Fairport of Rochester, N.Y., 14-10,  in Sunday's consolation final.

 In the first game, Fairfield held Union County, a perennial national championship tournament participant, to a scoreless tie at halftime. But in the second half, Fairfield could not contain  the Union backs.

Union repeated as Northeast Regional champions and advanced to the national  championships in Utah.

However, Fairfield's Karl Rempe was named man of the tournament, displaying leadership skills throughout the two games, according to coach Bob Ehlers.  

"Karl played with a combination of physical fury, athleticism and great decision-making," Ehlers said.

The consolation game ended with Fairfield making a goal line stand that included some bone-jarring hits in the final minutes.

Fairfield resumes its quest for a second straight Connecticut River Valley League championship next weekend with a game at Cheshire.