BARBOS SQUEAK BY PARK CITY; BIG TEST IN ASPEN AWAITS

Sep 29

Written By Bt Shea

The men in Green & White battled with the Park City Haggis last Saturday, treating the audience to an epic match of rugby union. The Barbos turned a sloppy 1st half into a high scoring, wild-west, shoot-out victory, the final score 41-40. But in the Rocky Mountain Rugby Union, the handshakes and Atta boys can only last for a few fleeting hours after a victory.

With Park City waking up the following Sunday to soundly defeat the Waterdogs, the pressure is back on the Barbos shoulders to defeat the reigning champion Aspen Gentlemen on the road to remain on the top half of the table (see below). Since Aspen rejoined the competitive XV’s RMR in 2024, they have defeated the Barbos six consecutive times. Four of the matches were in league play, and the other two came during the Ruggerfest Final in 2024 & 2026. The Aspen winning streak will continue if the Barbos don’t learn how to win on the road. Saturday’s match in Aspen will also come with some early fall chill, and the extra altitude will only ask more of the Barbo forward pack.

Aspen has been anchored by their player/coach Ben Mitchell, who recently decided to step down as coach and continue as a player only. He is a staple in the Aspen forward pack alongside longtime front rower Jeff Barnhill, lock Chris Campbell and flanker Clifford Kindred. These four veterans have anchored the club’s success over their dominant run the past few years.