Re: [Rhino] D2 perspective and celebrate

M
Mprice17@aol.com
Mon, Apr 20, 2015 5:18 PM

Kregg,

A very accurate assessment and extremely well stated.
Thank you for your continued leadership on and off the field.

Important Update # 1

The Quins D3 have a legitimate shot at a playoff bid. This Saturday's match
vs NoCo is a must win. We need everyone to training this week.

Important Update # 2

The Denver Harlequins are on track to achieve the team goals we set at the
beginning of the season.
Put in the extra work on fitness, skills and team play.

Thank you in advance for your strong commitment, DHRFC Coaching Staff

Harlequins Pride !!!!



In a message dated 4/20/2015 10:37:07 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time,
rhino@lists.denverharlequins.com writes:

Gents,

I know that Saturday's result left a bad taste in most of our  mouths.
There are probably multiple reasons for this from my perspective  - expecting
to win b/c Provo had played earlier, wanting to secure the 2nd  playoff seed,
dominating play and not winning, not executing crisply and  missing several
scoring opportunities, and/or just not playing our best game  in a big
moment (this definitely applies to me) - but I think some perspective  is in
order.

  • In mid-Oct, we were 1-3, near the bottom of the division, and heading  to
    the Springs to play an undefeated C. Springs team.  Since that time we  are
    5-0-1.
  • We went 3-0-1 this spring, playing two of these games against the top
    two teams in the division, to secure a playoff spot.  We had to go  undefeated
    and secure bonus points with 4+ tries multiple times to make the  playoffs,
    and we did it - that is a big accomplishment.
  • After losing to our two other pool partners initially, we beat them  both
    soundly in the rematches.  Both of these teams, Boulder and  Highlanders,
    were very recently playing a level above us, former D1  teams.
  • As far as I can tell, we will be in the playoffs w/ Park City, Provo,
    and Glendale.  These are high-quality, big boy rugby organizations.  Research
    any of these teams' histories to understand where they come from and  the
    level of rugby they play historically.
  • As Perle stated, Provo was the best team we have played all season,  even
    after they played the Springs.  They were big, they were strong,  they
    recovered quickly, they never quit, and covered each other when breaks  were
    made.  We didn't play our best game, but a big part of that is that  it is much
    more difficult to execute against a quality opponent - less time,  less
    space, and less opportunities - because it requires much more precision  and
    timing.  That being said, we didn't back down, we had the opportunity  to beat
    them soundly, and we caused them to lose their cool repeatedly -  something
    I hope they won't get away with in the playoff matches.

In summary, I'll paraphrase messages from Price and Angus over the past
few days.  We are an up and coming team and we made the playoffs, which  was
the only thing any team could do in the regular season.  We saw what  it
means to play high-level rugby and have the opportunity to learn from it as  we
prepare for the upcoming playoff games.  So, hold your heads high and  take
pride in a successful season, a remarkable undefeated streak of 6 games,
and making the playoffs ahead of good competition.  I'm looking forward  to
the playoffs and the opportunity to play some more intense, high-level,
high-pressure rugby!  I hope all of you feel the same.

P.S.  I don't want to exclude the D3 team from this message.  You guys
push the D2 players to be better in order to keep their spots, help  us
prepare, and are having success of your own that is not to be  overlooked.  There
is a wealth of talent and athleticism on our D3 team  that speaks of a bright
future and tells me that the Quins have the players to  build upon and
continue the success we have experienced this year.

Proud to be a Quin.  See all of you at practice.

--
Kregg


Rhino  mailing  list
Rhino@lists.denverharlequins.com
http://lists.denverharlequins.com/mailman/listinfo/rhino_lists.denverharlequ
ins.com

Kregg, A very accurate assessment and extremely well stated. Thank you for your continued leadership on and off the field. Important Update # 1 The Quins D3 have a legitimate shot at a playoff bid. This Saturday's match vs NoCo is a must win. We need everyone to training this week. Important Update # 2 The Denver Harlequins are on track to achieve the team goals we set at the beginning of the season. Put in the extra work on fitness, skills and team play. Thank you in advance for your strong commitment, DHRFC Coaching Staff Harlequins Pride !!!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- In a message dated 4/20/2015 10:37:07 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, rhino@lists.denverharlequins.com writes: Gents, I know that Saturday's result left a bad taste in most of our mouths. There are probably multiple reasons for this from my perspective - expecting to win b/c Provo had played earlier, wanting to secure the 2nd playoff seed, dominating play and not winning, not executing crisply and missing several scoring opportunities, and/or just not playing our best game in a big moment (this definitely applies to me) - but I think some perspective is in order. - In mid-Oct, we were 1-3, near the bottom of the division, and heading to the Springs to play an undefeated C. Springs team. Since that time we are 5-0-1. - We went 3-0-1 this spring, playing two of these games against the top two teams in the division, to secure a playoff spot. We had to go undefeated and secure bonus points with 4+ tries multiple times to make the playoffs, and we did it - that is a big accomplishment. - After losing to our two other pool partners initially, we beat them both soundly in the rematches. Both of these teams, Boulder and Highlanders, were very recently playing a level above us, former D1 teams. - As far as I can tell, we will be in the playoffs w/ Park City, Provo, and Glendale. These are high-quality, big boy rugby organizations. Research any of these teams' histories to understand where they come from and the level of rugby they play historically. - As Perle stated, Provo was the best team we have played all season, even after they played the Springs. They were big, they were strong, they recovered quickly, they never quit, and covered each other when breaks were made. We didn't play our best game, but a big part of that is that it is much more difficult to execute against a quality opponent - less time, less space, and less opportunities - because it requires much more precision and timing. That being said, we didn't back down, we had the opportunity to beat them soundly, and we caused them to lose their cool repeatedly - something I hope they won't get away with in the playoff matches. In summary, I'll paraphrase messages from Price and Angus over the past few days. We are an up and coming team and we made the playoffs, which was the only thing any team could do in the regular season. We saw what it means to play high-level rugby and have the opportunity to learn from it as we prepare for the upcoming playoff games. So, hold your heads high and take pride in a successful season, a remarkable undefeated streak of 6 games, and making the playoffs ahead of good competition. I'm looking forward to the playoffs and the opportunity to play some more intense, high-level, high-pressure rugby! I hope all of you feel the same. P.S. I don't want to exclude the D3 team from this message. You guys push the D2 players to be better in order to keep their spots, help us prepare, and are having success of your own that is not to be overlooked. There is a wealth of talent and athleticism on our D3 team that speaks of a bright future and tells me that the Quins have the players to build upon and continue the success we have experienced this year. Proud to be a Quin. See all of you at practice. -- Kregg _______________________________________________ Rhino mailing list Rhino@lists.denverharlequins.com http://lists.denverharlequins.com/mailman/listinfo/rhino_lists.denverharlequ ins.com