Black and Blue open state rugby tournament play with 35-5 win

CORVALLIS — Black and Blue rugby opened the Montana Youth Rugby Association state tournament on a high note, running away with a 35-5 victory over a tough Billings squad on the opening day of the tournament on Friday.

Blaine Newman opened scoring with the first two tries for the Black and Blue, finding space in the Rattlers defense and sprinting for 60 and 65 meters, respectively.

Todd Schlotfeldt scored next on a brilliant display of teamwork. The Black and Blue held possession for six phases, spinning the ball down the line eight times before Schlotfeldt pulled in the score for a try, giving the local squad a 21-0 lead at halftime.

Truman Pisk scored the first try of the second half, the 6-foot-6 Glacier junior barreling 15 meters for the score. After Billings dotted a try but missed the conversion kick, Brendan Windauer added a final try for the Black and Blue to ice a dominant opening-round win.

With the victory, the Black and Blue advance to the state semifinals to play Missoula in the morning. They topped the Mud Dogs 47-7 in the only meeting this season.

Simms and host team Bitterroot, long time rivals of the Black and Blue, compete in the other semifinal. Simms is the only team to beat the Black and Blue this season, winning on a snowy field in Great Falls on April 12.

The Black and Blue won their last state championship in 2012, beating Bitterroot 24-20 at Evergreen Junior High.