Queen City Rams (24) vs. highlanders (27)
RAMS vs highlanders Match Report 10.18.2025
Jacobs Park, Denver CO
By Charlie Haupt
A partly cloudy day with a stiff breeze blowing out of the West greeted the Queen City Rams for this important D-3 match against Division rivals Denver highlanders. The venue was Jacobs Park in Denver, CO. A natural grass field which was in excellent shape considering past years’ experience on this pitch. The pitch was fast and well-marked for this D3 clash between the Queen City Rams and the Denver highlanders. The Rugby weather gods smiled down upon the venue as the wind stopped, and the skies cleared.

Rams vs. Marauders:
The team decked out in their white with orange and black highlights were led out by Captain Steve O’Malley. The captain won the toss. The Rams received the kick-off defending the east in-goal.

The Men in White took the opening kick-off and starting to put several nice attacks together to drive deep into highlanders’ territory. Stout defense and miscues by City kept the Men in White at Bay. Unfortunately, it was the highlanders that struck paydirt first. Referee Carly whistled City for a holding on penalty, and the highlanders drove the PK deep into City’s territory. The Men in Black were able to score the unconverted try for a 0 – 5 lead at the 12-minute mark.

Referee Carly penalized the Rams for a high tackle and Luke Porter was shown a yellow card for the infraction. The highlanders were true with the penalty goal to build the lead 0 – 8 at the 15th minute.

The contest went back and forth for the next 20 minutes. Referee Carly penalized Captain O’Malley for a no-wrap tackle and Steve earned a yellow card for his efforts at the 32nd minute. (Editor’s note: this in my humble opinion was an injustice yellow card as the highlander ball carrier jumped to avoid the tackle and Steve was just trying to complete his tackle.) Unfortunate, the highlanders were able to cross-over in the next minute for a converted try to extend their lead to 0 – 15.

Although a man down, City gained some momentum to put together a nice try just before half-time. No. 8 Wilson put the kick-off deep. Flanker Anthony Rice raced down field to put pressure on the highlander receiver. The Men in Black were able to maintain possession; but Hooker Luke Porter “jackal” the ball. Scrumhalf Vinny Juarez made a half break offloading to Winger DJ Randolph. DJ and Anthony playing keep away drove the ball deep being stopped short of the goal line. The City forwards quick to the break down calling for an “Avalanche”. Working to perfection; 2nd Rower Alphie Okello power his way to pay dirt and the 5-pointer. Flyhalf Charlie Keener added the extras to cut into the lead 7 – 15 at the 36th minute of the match. This is where the scoreline remained for the rest of the half.

The second half kick-off saw the Men in White putting pressure again on the receiver. However, Referee Carly deemed City to be offside. The highlander drove the ball deep off the PK. The highlanders eventually scored the unconverted try at the 45th minute of the match to bring the score to 7 – 20.

The highlanders were shown a yellow card by Referee Carly at the 55th minute for a high tackle. The Men in White took this and gain some momentum. The ensuing PK was placed into highlanders’ territory. The lineout was won and hands in the backline were in order. Two phases later the possession was taken against the grain. The pill eventually fell into the hands of Anthony Rice, who had moved to Outside Center at this point. The speedy Rice broke the defensive coverage and raced 45 meters to score under the post. No. 8 Wilson converted to bring the score line to l4 – 20 at the 59th minute.

The momentum kept shifting to the Men in White as Referee Carly kept penalizing the highlanders as they racked up several penalties. Trying to get back even on the scoreboard the Men in White pounded at the highlanders. Luke Porter makes a clean break and several offloads later the pill ends up back in Porter’s hands who found a streaking Winger Randolph who then preceded to play keep away with replacement winger Ben Anderson who finally broke free to score the 5-pointer. The conversion fell short; but Queen City had closed the gap to 19 – 20 at the 67th minute.

Unfortunately, after a couple of untimely penalties by City, the highlanders were able to score under the post for the converted try to extend their lead to 19 – 27 at the 73rd minute of the match.

Showing a no quit attitude, the Men in White stormed back. Punched back at the highlanders. Throwing everything they had at the opposition, the Men in Orange put together twelve phases included some nifty offloads and good hands to drive the ball deep into highlanders’ territory. Once again, the highlanders were penalized and earned a yellow card at the 79th minute. The PK was taken and saw replacement Hooker Jack Carmone break defensive coverage. Queen City giving everything that had left punched and punched at the highlander defense. Finally, Center Tyler Ceasar crossed for the 5-pointer. The conversion missed wide, and the final whistle was blown. Queen City fell short of their arch-rivals by the final score of 24 – 27.

A no-quit attitude was shown by Queen City during today’s match. Great defense was shown throughout the match. Patterns were maintained. Miscues and penalties kept the Men in White at bay. They battled to the very end but, ultimately falling short of the goal of victory. Coach Romero stated “You guys battled to the end. The defense was awesome. You showed heart today and I couldn’t be prouder.” Captain O’Malley added “Proud of you guys. You battled hard to the very end.” Turtle piped in saying that “we have Littleton next week, a team that beat us; so, it is time for a little revenge.”

GO CITY!!

Teams:
Queen City (24): Nolan (Turtle) Ross, Luke Porter, Kevin Rutherford, Heath Wolfe, Alphie Okello, Anthony Rice, Steve O’Malley, Aiden Wilson, Vinny Juarez, Charlie Keener, Dakari Pearson, Derek French, Tyler Ceasar, DJ Randolph, Conrad Thompson
Finishers: Mason Manross (61), Jack Carmone (45), Chris Cummins (DNP), Logan Kerby (55), Fred Ceasar (44), Kris Coleman (45), Ben Anderson (49), Jake Hunter (75)
Scorers:
Tries: Okello (36), Rice (59), Anderson (67), Ceasar, T. (79)
Goals: Keener (1), Wilson (1)
Yellow Cards: Queen City: Luke Porter (15 – high tackle); Steve O’Malley (32 – no-wrap tackle); highlanders: (55); (78)
Scoring sequence: 0 - 5, 0 – 8, 0 – 15, 7 – 15, 7 – 20, 14 – 20, 19 – 20, 19 – 27, 24 – 27
Referee: Carly ARs: Lucas and Vicky
Penalties: 1st Half: Queen City 9 highlanders 5; 2nd Half: Queen City 4 highlanders 10
Half-Time score: Queen City 7 vs highlanders 15