Lean and Mean, Water Dogs Beat the Boys in Green

Diego Rao
Apr 28
2 min read

The Water Dogs closed out the fall season’s unfinished business in strong fashion this weekend, delivering a 33-21 victory over the rival Denver Barbarians in a third-place playoff on Saturday. After the fall’s pair of matches versus the Barbos fell to a 1-1 split, this resounding win cements the Dogs’ status as Denver’s best men’s rugby team – not that anyone ever doubted it.

The Water Dogs started strong with centers Johnny Ryberg and Sefo Selevasio respectively delivering the first two tries of the day. A Barbos score and yellow card to Ryberg later in the half threatened the Dogs’ momentum, but the 14 men left on the pitch steeled themselves and continued to pin the Barbos back deep in their own territory. Despite repeated and cynical penalties from the men in green, the Water Dogs’ relentless onslaught eventually resulted in two more scores through skipper and 8-man Zack Jessell and openside flanker James Loehr, poached from the Colorado Rush on their off weekend, who delivered a titanic 80-minute shift for the Dogs.

The second half saw an early Barbarians score before fresh legs came on to reinforce the Dogs, led by Rush front-row Mad Max. Even as fatigue set in throughout the remainder of the match under the roasty afternoon sun, tactical decision making from captain Jessell, precise territorial kicks from fly-half Sean Kilfoyle, a try from winger Sam Patterson, and resolute defensive sets from every man across the Dogs’ lineup protected the lead and saw out the win.

Water Dogs celebrate the victory at Infinity Park.

Saturday’s victory validated the effort the Dogs have invested under the new coaching team led by head coach Mose Timoteo, with forwards coaches Ted Browner and Travis Haugen and backs/skills coach Kevin Mann likewise all delivering improvements for the Dogs in their respective focus areas.

Even as the team revelled in the win, players and coaches alike agreed that their focus remains on the future. The Dogs look now to the third annual Carnage Carnival next weekend, the summer 7s season upcoming, and fall’s D2 league play now looming on the horizon. With still more improvements yet to be made, victories yet to be claimed, the future has never looked brighter for Denver’s premier D2 side, and the Water Dogs are hungry.