The big clash between Rugby Colorado league leaders East HS and Colorado Springs turned out not to be as much of a contest as expected.

Colorado Springs, who had lost an early match with Cherry Creek, who then lost 29-3 to East March 21, ended up defeating previously unbeaten East HS 47-9. Springs, East and Cherry Creek are all locked at the top of the Rugby Colorado HS league with one loss.

For Colorado Springs Head Coach John Paterson, the victory was part of a process to get his athletic but inexperienced forward pack into the game.

“We just need some time for them to pick up their GPS,” said the coach. “The forwards showed that they understand a little bit more about rugby. Our backs have been pretty good, and we needed to get the forwards doing the right thing and believing in themselves.”

Overall a good performance, said Paterson, but, he added, there’s more to come.

“Out of ten I’d say we were a five,” Paterson added. “By the end of the season we’re hoping to get to an eight or 8 ½. I think it was a damned good team performance, and the forwards saw what happens when they get proper and quicker ball to the backs.”