Maggots champs again

The Daily Inter Lake

WHITEFISH - After beating the Bozeman Cutthroats, 46-18, for their second straight Montana Rugby Union championship cup, the Missoula Maggots quickly drained it.

The battered athletes ran off the field, filled the cup with brew and then took turns chugging.

The two teams took to the pitch at Noon and battled for the trophy in the blazing sun.

In the end, the Maggots were too quick and played too well for Bozeman, who beat Missoula for the Cup in 2004.

"It was definitely the two best teams out there today," Missoula coach Jake Kreilick said.

"They did some good things out there. Their strength is in their pack, and our strength is our speed on the outside."

Missoula's athleticism and well-timed passes allowed them to move the ball upfield in giant leaps. Even when Bozeman managed to get a hand on a jersey, another Maggot suddenly was heading toward the goal posts with the ball.

The Missoula-Bozeman rugby rivalry is becoming a tradition for the cup, at least in the even years, but the Maggots have the lead in the overall series.

The Flathead Moose hosted the tournament, and were eliminated by the Cutthroats in a semifinal match Saturday.