Rugby Team Headed To Nationals

They play on a pitch and tackle each other. They don't wear protective pads but wear headbands to protect their ears. Most American's aren't familiar with the game of rugby, but one Tulsa team

Thursday, June 7th 2007, 8:32 pm

By: News On 6

They play on a pitch and tackle each other. They don't wear protective pads but wear headbands to protect their ears. Most American's aren't familiar with the game of rugby, but one Tulsa team not only knows the rules, they're one of the best teams in the country. The Tulsa Rugby Club is more than 30 years old. News On 6 anchor Omar Villafranca reports for the first time, the club will take to the pitch for chance at the National Rugby Title.

â€œItâ€™s unbelievable really,â€ said coach Steve Ingram. â€œIt's just as exciting for me as it is for the boys. I wish I was 15 years younger. I'd have the boots still on."

Coach Ingram's team has flown under the radar of most Tulsans. Other clubs didn't even know Tulsa had a team. But after pummeling several bigger squads from all over the U.S. at Regionals, they're now in the Final Four of American Rugby.

â€œYou know, I tell the boys every week, I'm not coming in fourth,â€ said Ingram. â€œSo we're going to give it our best shot."

The team is made up of lawyers, medical professionals and other guys with regular jobs. They all have one thing in common, they love to play rugby.

Coach Ingram says guys of all sizes can play rugby. They just have to know how to tackle.

One of the best tacklers on the team is five-foot-eight, 140-pound, Zach Bible. His nickname is 240, because teammates say he tackles like a 240-pound man. What he doesn't have in size, he makes up in speed and tackling.

"My stature, I'm a small guy out there,â€ said Bible. â€œIt gave me a chance to show my abilities out there in another spectrum."

Bible and the other players will face off against a strong team from Raleigh, North Carolina. Coach Ingram says if they can win the first game, they'll win the whole thing. The coach and players say they're ready to bring the first rugby title to Tulsa.

â€œI'm sure thereâ€™s people out there that are saying it's a fluke. But just like boxing, there are no lucky punches," said Ingram.

The Tulsa Rugby Club headed to San Diego Friday morning. Ingram says if they win the trophy, he's going to take the cup to the beach and make sand castles with it.

Watch the video: Tulsa Rugby Club Tries For First National Title