The UWM Lady Panthers won the collegiate women's bracket for the 3rd year in a row at the 3rd Annual Highland Games 15s Rugby Tournament on September 6th, 2008. This year’s tournament was switched from our usual day and abbreviated due to Harley-Davidson’s invasion of Wisconsin for their 105th anniversary over Labor Day weekend. Fortunately, league play had not yet started for the collegiate women and we were still able to host a smaller tournament.

 The Harleys left town, a recent rainfall softened the grounds, the temperature cooled, and a lot of excellent rugby was played at the Games by the participating clubs, including UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Whitewater, Winona State University, and Warrior Select. Thanks to all the clubs who contributed players to fill out the 6th “combined” team to round out the pools.

There were several tight matches in pool play, but the UW-Milwaukee Lady Panthers and Winona State University Black Cats advanced to the championship match going 2-0 in their respective pools. Both clubs played solid defense, with UWM blanking their opponents and WSU only allowing 1 try. Unfortunately for WSU and similar to last year, UWM’s defensive dominance continued to give them the 29-0 victory in the championship match. Kati McCormick, UWM 8-man and team captain holding the claymore in the 1st picture), was voted most valuable player of the tournament and she received the game ball. As winners of the HG tournament 3 times in a row, UWM received the Scottish Claymore “traveling trophy” to take home permanently as a gift from the Wisconsin Scottish. A new Traveling Claymore will be made for next year’s collegiate women’s champion. Additional pictures may be posted on this web site in the near future.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, the 4th Annual Highland Games 15s Rugby Tournament will be held over Labor Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, September 5th and 6th, 2009. We will have HS Girls, Collegiate Men, Collegiate Women, and Senior Men’s divisions and this is a great opportunity to prepare for fall league play. Look for registration information in the spring of 2009. Good luck this season and we hope to see everyone next year.

Tournament Results:

Pool Play:

• UW-Milwaukee 27 vs. UW-Whitewater 0
• Winona State 19 vs. Warrior Select 0
• UW-Milwaukee 31 vs. UW-Madison 0
• Winona State 41 vs. Combined Side 5
• UW-Whitewater 10 vs. UW-Madison 24
• Warrior Select 24 vs. Combined Side 0

•  UW-Milwaukee 29 vs. Winona State0