Old Blue, Quebec Defend Bud Light Titles (8/3/03)
World Rugby Conference reurns to Lake Placid (5/24/03)
Old Blue of New York Defends Can-Am Title (8/4/02)
Old Blue Seek to Defend A Division Title (8/3/02)
29th Can-Am Set for August 3-4 (7/30/012)
Youth Clinics Set for 2002 Tourney (7/23/02)
2001 Aircast Medical Report (09/04/01)
CBC to Air USA-Canada Match on August 25 (08/14/01)
USA Women Edge Canada in Can-Am Finale (8/5/01)
Bytown and Old Blue Advance to A Div. Finale (8/4/01)
Paul Mitchell to Sponsor USA-Canada Match (08/01/01)
USA-Canada Match Highlights 28th Can-Am
American Rugby Outfitters to Sponsor Can-Am
2000 Aircast Medical report
Canada Defeats USA in Women's Test Match (08/06/00)
Boston, Ontario to Defend Titles (8/5/00)

Old Blue, Quebec Defend Bud Light Titles

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. (August 3, 2003) –Old Blue of New York City  and Quebec won the featured divisions Sunday in the 30^th annual Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament. Old Blue edged the Albany Knickerbockers, 8-3, in the club division and Quebec overpowered Touring Women over Thirty, 37-0 in the women’s division finals at North Country Community College.

Old Blue topped Boston, 6-4, in Sunday morning’s semifinal round while Albany edged Niagara, 17-15. Old Blue and Albany have participated in all 30 years of the Bud Light Can-Am event. Old Blued won the A division crown last year.

Quebec defended its title in the 16-team women’s bracket. Quebec advanced to the finals Sunday with an 11-0 win over perennial New England power Beantown, 11-0. TWOT’s made it to the final with a 12-5 triumph over Nessie’s A’s.

Also crowned divisional champions in the 94-team event were: B Division, Long Island, a 15-5 victor over Brockport; Over-35 Division , Potomac AC over Atlantic, 25-8; Over-40, Myths and Legends of Ottawa over the Albany Knickerbockers, 21-0;  and the Over-45 Division, Blackthorn over Colorado, 29-7.

Considered one of the largest and best run rugby events in the world, the Bud Light Can-Am Tournament was created in 1974 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club of Saranac Lake. The inaugural event was an eight-team affair that quickly doubled and has mushroomed into a mid-summer tradition with nearly 100 teams converging on the Adirondacks.

World Rugby Conference Returns to Lake Placid

LAKE PLACID, NY -- The New England Rugby Football Union will be hosting the 4^th Annual World Rugby Conference in Lake Placid, New York on Thursday, July 31 & Friday August 1, 2003.

Some of the World's foremost Rugby authorities will be on hand.  Over the past years attendees have had the opportunity to hear from such talent as Bob Dwyer, Eddie O’Sullivan, Wayne Smith, Dr. Liam Hennessey, Ian Jones, Zinzan Brooke, Stephen Hilditch and Stephen Bachop. This event provides the chance to hear the latest in coaching, training, playing and refereeing techniques being implemented in the leading rugby nations of the world by some of the most knowledgeable and respected figures in the sport.

This year’s speakers will be: Mr. Steven Hansen, Head Coach Wales, Canterbury Crusaders; Mr. Scott Johnson, Assistant Coach – Wales, Australia Barbarians; Mr. Pat Fox, Saracens RFC, Director of Fitness; Mr. Brian Sterling, Refereeing, 12 major international matches; and the special dinner speaker will be Mr. Todd Blackadder, All Blacks Captain and the New Zealand Rugby Personality of the  Year for 2001.

For further information, go to www.worldrugbyconference.com.

Old Blue Defends Can-Am A Division Title

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – (August 4, 2002) Eastern powerhouse Old Blue easily defended its A Division title against the Albany Knickerbockers in the final match Sunday at North Country Community College in the 29^th edition of the Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament.  Old Blue rolled to a 41-3 triumph before 2,000 sun-soaked spectators.

Mark Griffin garnered MVP honors to lead Old Blue to its defense of the A crown. Olb Blue opened to a 19-3 first half lead and coasted to victory. Albany was the only team able to score against the impressive New York, NY based team. On Saturday Old Blue rolled over the New York Rugby Football Club, 36-0 and the Voomers of England, 49-0.

In the 16-team women’s bracket, Quebec topped Canadian rival Ontario, 36-15 behind MVP Jill Florence. Quebec defeated perennial women’s power Beantown, 15-3 to advance to the finals, while Ontario, the defending Can-Am women’s champion, topped Twin City of Minnesota, 11-7.

Also crowned divisional champions in the 98-team event were: Club Division, Brockport, 31-0 over New Haven, CT; B Division, Schenectady, a 25-8 victor over Albany Developmental; Over-35 Division , Carps (a combined Philadelphia-Cleveland team) 20-14 over Potomac AC; and the Over-45 Division , Myths & Legends (Ottawa, Ontario), 7-6 over Tobacco Road of North Carolina.

Other divisional MVPs named by tournament referees were Stew McClay, Blackthorn, Over 45; Gavn Carter, Myths & Legends, Over-40; Brian Dunbar and Vince Rocco, CARPS, over 35; Dave Kennedy, Brockport, Club; and Bobby Lindner, Schenectady Reds, B Division.

Considered one of the largest and best run rugby events in the world, the Bud Light Can-Am Tournament was created in 1974 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club of Saranac Lake. The inaugural event was an eight-team affair that quickly doubled and has mushroomed into a mid-summer tradition with nearly 100 teams converging on the Adirondacks.

Old Blue Seeks to Defend Title (8/3/02)
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – (August 3, 2002) Eastern powerhouse Old Blue will attempt to defend its A Division title against the Albany Knickerbockers in the premiere match Sunday at North Country Community College in the 29^th finals of the Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament.

Seven division champions will be crowned Sunday. Five of the final matches held at NCCC, starting with the women’s championship contest at 11 a.m.  Following in order will be: over-40, noon, B Division, 1 pm; Club, 2 pm; and A Division, 3 pm.  The over-45 division (Mystic, CT vs. the Atlanta Renegades) is set for 9 am at the Lake Placid Show grounds; while the Over-35 Championship contest (Potomac Athletic Association vs. The Carps) is set for 9 am at Petrova Middle School in Saranac Lake. Admission is free to all matches

Old Blue posted two impressive victories, stopping the New York Rugby Football Club, 36-0 and the Voomers of England, 49-0. The Albany Knicks, Club champions at the Can Am Tournament last year, topped the Boston Rugby Club, 24-3, and the New York RFC, 30-12. 

The women’s division will also be tightly contested. In the 8 am semifinals, Beantown of Boston will take on Quebec at Petrova Middle School, while Ontario tests Twin City at Saranac Lake High School. The winners move on to decide the title at 11 am at NCCC’s “bowl.” Ontario is the defending champion.

The Bud Light sponsored event drew 98 teams representing 15 states, two Canadian provinces, and England.

The Albany Knicks contingent has had a strong tournament, advancing winning teams in the A Division, B Division and the over-35 category.

Best among North Country squads was the Saranac Lake Mountaineers’ women’s team, which will play in the consolation semifinal at 8 a.m. at Saranac Lake High School against Doylestown.

Considered one of the largest and best run rugby events in the world, the Bud Light Can-Am Tournament was created in 1974 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club of Saranac Lake. The inaugural event was an eight-team affair that quickly doubled and has mushroomed into a mid-summer tradition with nearly 100 teams converging on the Adirondacks.

Over-45 Division Added for 29th Annual Can-Am
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. -- The debut of a 45-over division will be among the highlights Saturday and Sunday, August 3-4 when the Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament, North America's largest rugby event, makes its 29^th appearance on fields in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid.  

Competition in seven divisions has a near capacity field of 94 teams.  The Saranac Lake Mountaineer Rugby Club conducts the event.  

The Can-Am tournament is played on six fields in Saranac Lake (Petrova Middle School and Saranac Lake High School) and five fields in Lake Placid (four at the North Elba Show grounds and one at the Lake Placid Elementary School). Five of the eight division finals are staged at the North Country Community College field in Saranac Lake starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 5. Admission to all games is free.

"There has been a demand for another division to accommodate our graying players, so we were compelled to add the over-45 division," said tournament director Peter Frenette.

Crowned division champions in last year's event were:  Old Blue, A Division; Albany, Club; Myths & Legends, Over-40; Ontario, Women; PAC, over-35; and Schenectady, B Division.  

USA Rugby will again hold a Youth Rugby Demonstration Clinic at the Can-Am Tournament, August 3-4. The clinics on Saturday will be from 11 AM -1 PM at Saranac Lake and 3 PM to 5 PM at Lake Placid. Sign-ups will be at10 AM and 2 PM, respectively. 

These clinics will teach the kids and their parents the two hand variation, allowing participation of children, ages 7 thru 14, boys and girls together.  90 young athletes played each of the last two years. There is no fee for this activity.

On Sunday, demonstration matches will be played between various division finals by the kids who played on Saturday. Pat Walsh, member of the USA Rugby Youth Committee and a USA Rugby Youth Development Officer, is coordinating the clinics.

Competition on Saturday will begin at 8 am, with the day's final matches set for 7 p.m. The finals schedule at NCCC on Sunday: women, 11 am; over-40, noon, B Division, 1 pm; Club, 2 pm; A Division, 3 pm.   The over-45 division is set for 9 am at the Lake Placid Show grounds; while the Over-35 Championship contest is set for 9 am at Petrova Middle School in Saranac Lake.  

Anheuser-Busch and A&M Beverage of Malone, NY have combined to involve Bud Light as the title sponsor of the event. American Rugby Outfitters is the official merchandiser.  

Considered one of the largest and best run rugby events in the world, the Bud Light Can-Am Tournament was created in 1974 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club of Saranac Lake. The inaugural event was an eight-team affair that quickly doubled and has mushroomed into a mid-summer tradition with nearly 100 teams converging on the Adirondacks.

Youth Rugby Clinics Slated for 2002 Can-Am
USA Rugby will again hold a Youth Rugby Demonstration Clinic at the Can-Am Tournament, August 3-4. The clinics on Saturday will be from 11 AM -1 PM at Saranac Lake and 3 PM to 5 PM at Lake Placid. Sign-ups will be at10 AM and 2 PM, respectively. 

These clinics will teach the kids and their parents the two hand variation, allowing participation of children, ages 7 thru 14, boys and girls together.  90 young athletes played each of the last two years. There is no fee for this activity.

On Sunday, demonstration matches will be played between various division finals by the kids who played on Saturday.

Pat Walsh, member of the USA Rugby Youth Committee and a USA Rugby Youth Development Officer, is coordinating the clinics.

For additional information, contact Pat Walsh at 410-691-9970 or walshpj@erols.com.

CBC to Air USA-Canada Women's Match on Saturday, August 25, 2001
SARANAC LAKE, NY -- The Canadian network CBC will air the recently held USA-Canada Women's Rugby Match on Saturday, August 25. The Paul Mitchell sponsored test of national teams will be broadcast from 2:30-4 p.m. EDT.

The USA topped Canada 22-21 in the final match of the August 4-5 Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Championship. CBC had previously announced it would air the match on September 1. 

"This is a much better date for the broadcast," said John F. Morgan, marketing manager for the tournament. "It moves from a holiday weekend, where people are likely to be outside grasping for the last bit of summer, to a normal Saturday afternoon."

The game will also be broadcast on Oxygen TV in the USA four times: Sunday, September 23, 9-10 a.m.; Sunday, September 23, 6-7 p.m.; Saturday, October 13, 5-6 p.m.; and Saturday, October 21, 9-10 a.m. Fox Sports World showed tournament highlights in a two-hour program that was broadcast on August 10.   

USA Women Edge Canada in 2001 Bud Light Can-Am Finale (8/5/01)
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – The USA National Women’s Rugby Team edged Canada, 22-21, Sunday in the nationally televised featured match of the 28^th annual Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Championships at North Country Community College.

The USA-Canada test was a sea-saw battle that had six lead changes before Ines Rodriguez put a penalty kick straight through the uprights to give the USA a one-point triumph in the John Paul Mitchell sponsored contest.  Canada won the last two matches between the two clubs, including a triumph here last August.
 
Crowned division champions in the 96-team event were:  Old Blue, A Division; Albany, Club; Myths & Legends, Over-40; Ontario, Women; PAC, over-35; and Schenectady, B Division. The games were played under picture perfect blue skies and 80 plus degree temperatures.

Old Blue, a New York City based team that has been a many time champion in the Can-Am tournament, trimmed Bytown of Ottawa, 28-25.  Old Blue posted two shutouts on Saturday, 13-0 over Boston and 50-10 over Hudson Valley, to earn its place in the A Division finale.

The Albany Knickerbockers downed White Plains, 10-3 to take the Club Division.  Albany advanced to Sunday’s final with an 18-7 victory over Motown. Myths & Legends topped Wilmington, 27-5 in the Over-40 class. Ontario regained the women’s title from Beantown in a rematch of last year’s women’s championship game.

PAC (Potomac Athletic Club) was a 25-5 victor over New Haven in the over-35 finale, while the Schenectady Reds defeated Long Island, 38-18.

 The USA held a 12-10 lead after one half of play in the test of women’s national teams. The Canadians rallied to take a 13-12 lead on Moira Shiels’ penalty kick with the Americans one-player down. The Canucks added to the lead following a blistering run from wing Erin Murphy who then floated a perfect pass to a trailing Collette McAuley who scored an unconverted try. Canada led 18-12.

Myra Sandquist barged over from a ruck and a conversion by Rodriguez brought the USA to a 19-18 advantage midway through the second half. A 3-point penalty kick by Shields gave the Canadians the lead once again, 21-18, before Rodriquez split the uprights to clinch the win for the USA. 

Canada opened the scoring with a try from Maria Gallo who got a pass from a lineout to touch down right of the posts. Kicker Moira Shiels missed the conversion attempt and the visitors held a 5-0 lead after 8 minutes.

The USA evened the score a few minutes later with a hard worked try by flanker Becky Metzger from a maul on the Canadian five meter line. Flyhalf Ines Rodriguez missed the conversion and the two foes were deadlocked at 5-5.

The Eagles grabbed the lead in the 20th minute with a Kristin Baja try, and with a touchline conversion from Rodriguez, making the score 12-5, it appeared the Americans were going to dominate the match.

Canadian flanker Gillian Florence found the tryline just before the half ended, but again Shiels missed the conversion to leave her side with a two point deficit 12-10.

It was the third straight year that the national women's teams from the U.S. and Canada squared off in the final match.  The John Paul Mitchell sponsored test will be televised on CBC in Canada, on Oxygen TV in the USA and on highlights will appear on Fox’s Championship Rugby.

CBC in Canada will air coverage of the game on September 1 at 1 p.m.. Oxygen TV in the USA is slated to air the match four times: Sunday, September 23, 9-10 a.m.; Sunday, September 23, 6-7 p.m.; Saturday, October 13, 5-6 p.m. ; and Saturday, October 21, 9-10 a.m. Fox is scheduled to air a two-high highlights show on Friday, August 10 at 8:30 p.m. EDT.

Bytown and Old Blue Advance to 2001 A Division Finals (8/4/01)

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – Bytown and Old Blue advanced Saturday August 4 to the A Division finals of the 28^th Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Championships. The two clubs will face-off at 1 p.m. Sunday at North Country Community College. The final match of the event will pit the USA and Canadian National Women’s teams in a nationally televised contest at 3 p.m.

Bytown won its group with a 36-5 victory over the New York Rugby Football Club.  Old Blue of New York City, many times A Division Champion, posted two shutouts, 13-0 over Boston and 50-10 over Hudson Valley in its trip to the A Division finale.

It is the third straight year that the national women's teams from the U.S. and Canada will square off in the final match.  The John Paul Mitchell sponsored test will be televised on CBC in Canada, on Oxygen TV in the USA and on highlights will appear on Fox’s Championship Rugby.

CBC in Canada will air coverage of the game on September 1 at 1 p.m.. Oxygen TV in the USA is slated to air the match four times: Sunday, September 23, 9-10 a.m.; Sunday, September 23, 6-7 p.m.; Saturday, October 13, 5-6 p.m. ; and Saturday, October 21, 9-10 a.m. Fox is scheduled to air a two-high highlights show on Friday, August 10 at 8:30 p.m. EDT. 

The USA held a huge advantage for the first 11 years of this series but Team Canada is coming off a couple of victories including a 17-10 victory here in Saranac Lake last August and a recent 23-3 triumph in Ottawa July 7.  

Paul Mitchell to Sponsor USA-Canada Women's Rugby Match; Major TV  Set
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. – The national team rugby match Sunday, August 5 between the women's squads from the United States and Canada will be televised across North America on three networks. Jean Paul Mitchell will sponsor the USA-Canada test, the featured game in 28th edition of the Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament.

The two-day Bud Light tournament, the largest in North America, will have 96 teams competing in two test matches and six divisions (A, B, Club, over-35, over-40 and women). The USA-Canada match is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at North Country Community College. 

It is the third straight year that the national women's teams from the U.S. and Canada will square off in the final match.  The test will be televised on CBC in Canada, on Oxygen TV in the USA and on highlights will appear on Fox’s Championship Rugby. 

CBC in Canada will air coverage of the game on September 1 at 1 p.m. Oxygen TV in the USA is slated to air the match four times: Sunday, September 23, 9-10 a.m.; Sunday, September 23, 6-7 p.m.; Saturday, October 13, 5-6 p.m. ; and Saturday, October 21, 9-10 a.m. Fox is scheduled to air a two-high highlights show on Friday, August 10 at 8:30 p.m. EDT. 

John Paul Mitchell Systems, the most recognized professional salon product manufacturer in the U.S. and many other countries, is sponsoring the USA-Canada match. John Paul Mitchell creates innovative and outstanding hair care products manufactured with care to both people and the planet. John Paul Mitchell Systems has grown over the years, and so its product lines. Today, John Paul Mitchell Systems offers not only the Paul Mitchell brand, but also Modern Elixirs™, and professional services including JPMS the color™. 

"For us this USA-Canada Women’s Rugby game fits our marketing-sponsorship strategies, says Brooks Parsons of JPMS"". We were impressed with the demographics of the people who play the game, and it fits our theme of The Style in Lifetime Sports."

The USA held a huge advantage for the first 11 years of this series but Team Canada is coming off a couple of victories including a 17-10 victory here in Saranac Lake last August and a recent 23-3 triumph in Ottawa July 7. 

“Although we were disappointed with the score, I am proud of how the young team played,” USA Rugby Head Coach Martin Gallagher said of the July setback. “Through injury and unavailability, we had nine players start that had a total of two caps between them.”  

“Our inexperience made the game tough, but we are looking for a big improvement at the Can-Am match,” added Gallagher. “The team spirit within the squad is superb and that will be important as we look to Spain and the 2002 World Cup.”

The Can-Am tournament is played on six fields in Saranac Lake (Petrova Middle School and Saranac Lake High School) and five fields in Lake Placid (four at the North Elba Show grounds and one at lake Placid Elementary School.  

Competition on Saturday, August 4 will begin at 8 am, with the day's final matches set for 7 p.m. The finals schedule at NCCC on Sunday: Over-35, 9 am; women, 11 am; Club, noon, A Division, 1 pm; USA-Canada Women, 3 pm.  The B Division final is set for noon the Lake Placid Show grounds, while the Over-40 Championship contest is set for noon at Petrova Middle School. Admission to all games is free.

Televised USA-Canada Women;'s Match to Highlight 28th Edition of Can-Am

SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. -- A nationally televised match between the women's national teams from Canada and the USA will be among the highlights when the 28^th edition of the Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament is staged August 4-5 on fields in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid. 

Competition in six divisions has drawn 96 teams to North America's largest rugby tournament.  The Saranac Lake Mountaineer Rugby Club conducts the event. 

The Can-Am tournament is played on six fields in Saranac Lake (Petrova Middle School and Saranac Lake High School) and five fields in Lake Placid (four at the North Elba Show grounds and one at the Lake Placid Elementary School). Four of the seven division finals are staged at the North Country Community College field in Saranac Lake starting at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, August 5. Admission to all games is free. 

The final match of the tournament is a 3 p.m. test between the national women's teams from the United States and Canada on Sunday, August 5.  The event, sponsored by Jean Paul Mitchell Systems, a worldwide leader in hair care products, is being televised on CBC in Canada, Oxygen TV in the USA.  A two-hour show, including highlights of the tournament finals, will air on Fox's Championship Rugby.  

Another international match will be held Saturday with the USA and Canadian Under-23 national teams squaring off at 5 pm at Petrova Middle School. 

Canada held off the Americans, 17-10, in last year's test of Women's National Teams.  Canada also defeated the USA 23-3 in a test match July 7 in Ottawa. USA Rugby's Women's National team is in training for the 2002 World Cup.

Returning champions are: Boston, A Division; Beantown, Women's A; Lost Lions, B Division; Albany, Club; White Plains, Over-35; and Myths & Legends, Over-40.

Competition on Saturday will begin at 8 am, with the day's final matches set for 7 p.m. The finals schedule at NCCC on Sunday: Over-35, 9 am; women, 11 am; Club, noon, A Division, 1 pm; USA-Canada Women, 3 pm.  The B Division final is set for noon the Lake Placid Show grounds, while the Over-40 Championship contest is set for noon at Petrova Middle School.  

Anheuser-Busch and A&M Beverage of Malone, NY have again combined to involve Bud Light as the title sponsor of the event. Other sponsors are: Paul Smith's College, The College of the Adirondacks; American Rugby Outfitters, and Aircast.  Air Cast is sponsoring the medical seminar that is conducted in conjunction with the tournament. 

Considered one of the largest and best run rugby events in the world, the Bud Light Can-Am Tournament was created in 1974 by the Mountaineers Rugby Club of Saranac Lake. The inaugural event was an eight-team affair that quickly doubled and has mushroomed into a mid-summer tradition with nearly 100 teams converging on the Adirondacks. 

Also on tap are youth clinics in Lake Placid and Saranac Lake and a sports medicine clinic. 

American Rugby Outfitters to Sponsor Can-Am Tournament

SARANAC LAKE, NY – The Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament, one of the largest and longest running rugby events in the Western Hemisphere, has announced a multi-year exclusive sponsorship agreement of sponsorship with American Rugby Outfitters, headquartered in Elk Grove Village, Ill. 

The Can-Am Tournament is being staged in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid for the 28^th consecutive year on August 4-5, 2001 and will involve nearly 100 teams from 13 States and 3 Canadian provinces.  

American Rugby Outfitters will be the exclusive rugby gear supplier on site and on-line 24/7/365 (www.americanrugby.com).

“This is something the tournament has been seeking,” said Tournament Director Peter Frenette. “Over the years we have had many suppliers on site, and three years ago we narrowed it to only two vendors for continuity purposes. We have been impressed with the service that ARO has provided.”

“The Can-Am is the premier Rugby Event/Tournament on the USA calendar each year,” according to Jeff Cone of American Rugby Outfitters. “The beautiful setting, the level of professionalism and the efforts demonstrated by the organizational committee made this collaboration a must for our company. We are proud of our new partnership and association with the Can-Am and the Mountaineers RFC. We are confident that ARO brings to the event the added value and the level of expertise that only our company -- the leader in the industry -- knows how to provide. 

The Bud Light Can-Am will once again host the USA-Canada Women’s International match as the featured game of the weekend. CBC in Canada and Fox Sports and Oxygen Networks in the USA will televise the event. 

Canada Defeats USA Women 
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. -- Canada's national women's team opened a 10-0 first half lead and held off the United States, 17-10, Sunday August 6 in the nationally televised final match of the 27^th annual Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament.

The USA actually came back in the second half to tie the score at 10-10, but Gillian Florence scored a try late in the second half to lift Canada to victory.  Ann Marie Fleming added a two-point kick to bring the final margin to seven.

In other finals at North Country Community College, Beantown regained its women's A title with a 25-22 overtime victory over defending champion Ontario; White Plains topped Potomac AC in the Over-35 championship contest; and Albany edged Brockport, 23-22 in the Men's Club final.  

Other finals Sunday at fields in Lake Placid saw TWOTS defeat New York, 32-12, in the Women's B division, and Lost Lions topped Long Island, 17-7, in the men's B Division.

Anne Marie Fleming got Canada off to a 3-0 lead in the first half of the USA-Canada women's test.  Heather Wilson made a hit hit that caused a USA fumble later in the first stanza and that led to Julie Foster picking up the loose ball and running for a Canadian try.  Fleming added the two-point kick, lifting the margin to 10-0.  

Diane Schnapp put the USA got on the scoreboard in the second half, trimming the margin to 10-5.  Laura Cabrera set up the tying score for the USA with a sprint and timely kick that advanced the ball deep into Canadian territory. Lindsay Davison completed the assault with a USA try that knotted the count at 10-10.

 The USA advanced to within inches of scoring another try in the game's final moments, but a penalty stopped the Americans.

The women's international test will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CBC in Canada (August 27 1:30-3:00 a.m. ET), Oxygen TV in the USA (September 10, 5-7 pm).  In addition, highlights will be shown by Championship Rugby on Fox Sports World on September 25.

 Boston, Ontario to Defend Titles
SARANAC LAKE, N.Y. -- Boston will defend its Men's A Division crown against Bytown and Ontario will attempt to renew its Women's A Division crown against Beantown when the finals of the 27^th annual Bud Light Can-Am Rugby Tournament are held at North Country Community College.

Boston posted a pair of victories, topping New York RFC, 24-15, and Old Blue of New York, 23-10.  Boston will face Bytown of Ottawa in the 1 p.m. final.  Bytown trimmed Old Blue, 23-12 and New York, 15-7 to gain a slot in the championship contest.

Last August Ontario ended Beantown's 10-year reign as Can-Am women's champion with a 10-0 victory.  Ontario will attempt to retain its title when the two teams will square off at 10 a.m. at North Country Community College field.  Ontario outscored its first two opponents 88-0 to gain the finals.  Beantown accepted a forfeit and then trimmed Quebec, 10-0. 

The Over-35 final and Club finals will also be played at NCCC at 11 a.m. and noon, respectively.  In the final match of the tournament, the USA and Canadian national women's teams will square off in a nationally televised test at 3:30. Admission is free to all matches. 

The women's international test will be broadcast on a tape-delayed basis on CBC in Canada, Oxygen TV in the USA.  In addition, highlights will be shown by Championship Rugby on Fox Sports World. 

Lisa Rowe of Pottstown, PA scored a try 44 minutes into the second half in last year's USA-Canada women's match, lifting the USA Women's Rugby Team to a 16-11 victory over Canada. 

The Saranac Lake Mountaineers women's team, in only its second season of competition, posted a pair of victories and remain alive in the Women's B Division.  Saranac Lake defeated Morris, NJ, 10-5, and Rochester, 17-0.  The lady Mountaineers advanced to the championship semifinals against New York at 9 a.m. on Field 8 at the Lake Placid Show Grounds.   

The Women's B title match is scheduled for noon on field 7 at the Lake Placid Show Grounds.  The consolation final will be played at noon at field 5 (Saranac Lake High School). 

The Mountaineer Old Boys (MOB) split a pair of Over-40 games, topping Syracuse, 26-0, and then was eliminated by South Jersey, 27-5.  

In the Club Division, the Saranac Lake entry lost 7-0 in the first round to Enniskillen of Northern Ireland.  The Mountaineers came back to posted a victory over Columbia, but then were eliminated by Worcester in the consolation bracket, 15-5.

The Saranac Lake B division squad is still alive in the consolation bracket and will test Rochester in the consy semifinal at 10 a.m. at field four in Saranac Lake.  The B club lost to Babylon, 27-15 before topping Mid-Hudson, 20-5.

Anheuser-Busch and A&M Beverage of Malone, NY have again combined to involve Bud Light as the title sponsor of the event. Other sponsors are: Paul Smith's College, The College of the Adirondacks;  Corel WordPerfect, Godek Rugby, American Rugby Outfitters, and Air Cast. Corel Corporation provides software to the winning teams.  Air Cast is sponsoring the tournament's medical program. 

Youth Rugby Clinics Slated for Can-Am
USA Rugby will again hold a Youth Rugby Demonstration Clinic at the Can-Am Tournament, August 5-6. The clinics on Saturday will be from 11 AM -1 PM at Saranac Lake and 3 PM to 5 PM at Lake Placid. Sign-ups will be at10 AM and 2 PM, respectively. 

These clinics will teach the kids and their parents the two hand variation, allowing participation of children, ages 7 thru 14, boys and girls together. Each participating child will receive a T-shirt commemorating the event to take home. 90 young athletes played each of the last two years. There is no fee for this activity.

On Sunday, demonstration matches will be played between various division finals by the kids who played on Saturday. One of the demonstration matches will be played during the halftime of the Women Eagles vs. Canada match.

Pat Walsh, member of the USA Rugby Youth Committee and newly appointed Youth Development Officer (YDO) for MARFU, Delaware, and North Carolina will again coordinate the activities. Cliff Roythorne, YDO for the eastern portion of New England will also be participating.

For additional information, contact Pat Walsh at 410-691-9970 or walshpj@erols.com.