Mongrels finish second at Boise rugby tourney

Members of the Mongrels push back a group from Couer d'Alene during Saturday's tournament.

The Mongrels Rugby Football Club of Mountain Home took second place in the Boise 7's Rugby Shootout Tournament on Saturday.

The tournament featured 12 teams from across Idaho playing seven-man rugby.

Mountain Home had a record of two wins, one loss and one tie during the tournament.

"We weren't expected to do that well," said coordinator Hugh Stephens. "They expected us to just go and go out -- to fill the brackets."

The Mountain Home squad has been in existence since last August.

The Mongrels are preparing for the fall season with practices every Tuesday and Thursday at Optimist Park. Practices run from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

The team's next match is Aug. 27 in Boise against the 43rd State Crimson Lions. On Sept. 9, they host Idaho State University's team at Optimist Park, tentatively beginning at 6 p.m. Anyone wanting to participate is encouraged to simply show up at the practices.

There is no organized men's rugby league in Idaho at this point, so teams organize matches individually. The Mongrels expect to play six matches between now and October.

For more information on how to join the team, call Hugh Stephens at 794-4895.