The Wisconsin Men’s Select side made their debut at the Lakefront 7s this year. They were determined to make a statement and set a goal of reaching the 2022 Men’s Competitive Championship match.
But they faced a number of stiff challenges in pool play to get there. First up was a determined Milwaukee RFC. Only a missed conversion separated the 2 teams at the final whistle: 14-12 for the selects.
In the second pool match, the margins were almost as narrow. With a 12-5 scoreline, only a converted try separated the Selects from the Reapers (Minneapolis, MN).
In the third pool match, the Kings (Eureka, MO) showed some excellent defense to shut out the selects 14-0 with a pair of tries dealing a fist loss to the Wisconsin side.
Regrouping in the knock-out stage
In the semi-final, WRFU Selects rediscovered their earlier form to defeat the Celtics (Green Bay, WI). In a lop-sided affair, the 26-7 victory secured a spot in the Championship against the Kings for a chance to avenge the pool-stage loss.
The final did not disappoint with the WRFU Selects truly finding their stride and out-pacing the Kings to a 17-7 victory and some well-deserved hardware.
Grateful to play
Selects center Matt Drzewiecki, who recently re-signed with Premier Rugby Sevens, was pleased with the team earning the 2022 Men’s Competitive Championship. “I”m grateful to play with the homies and bring it home.”
Knockout Round Screenshot
Standings - Pool Stage
| Pool 1 | PTS | W-L-T | GP | GR | PF | PA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U23 WI Selects | 6 | * 2-1-0 | 3 | 0 | 43 | 50 | -7 |
| Celtics | 6 | * 2-1-0 | 3 | 0 | 69 | 38 | 31 |
| Riverboat Gamblers | 3 | * 1-2-0 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 69 | -43 |
| Barbarians 1 | 3 | * 1-2-0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 31 | 19 |
| Pool 2 | PTS | W-L-T | GP | GR | PF | PA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kings | 9 | 3-0-0 | 3 | 0 | 38 | 10 | 28 |
| WRFU Selects | 6 | 2-1-0 | 3 | 0 | 26 | 31 | -5 |
| MRFC 1 | 1 | 0-2-1 | 3 | 0 | * 27 | 31 | -4 |
| Reapers | 1 | 0-2-1 | 3 | 0 | * 20 | 39 | -19 |
Match Results - Pool Stage
| Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Location | ||
| 12:40 PM – 2 vs 1 | Barbarians 1 | 26 | 0 | U23 WI Selects | Field 1 |
| 12:40 PM – 3 vs 4 | Riverboat Gamblers | 5 | 35 | Celtics | Field 2 |
| 1:00 PM – 2 vs 1 | MRFC 1 | 12 | 14 | WRFU Selects | Field 1 |
| 1:00 PM – 3 vs 4 | Reapers | 5 | 17 | Kings | Field 2 |
| 2:20 PM – 1 vs 3 | Celtics | 17 | 14 | Barbarians 1 | Field 1 |
| 2:20 PM – 4 vs 2 | U23 WI Selects | 24 | 7 | Riverboat Gamblers | Field 2 |
| 2:40 PM – 1 vs 3 | Kings | 7 | 5 | MRFC 1 | Field 1 |
| 2:40 PM – 4 vs 2 | WRFU Selects | 12 | 5 | Reapers | Field 2 |
| 4:00 PM – 4 vs 1 | Barbarians 1 | 10 | 14 | Riverboat Gamblers | Field 1 |
| 4:00 PM – 2 vs 3 | Celtics | 17 | 19 | U23 WI Selects | Field 2 |
| 4:20 PM – 4 vs 1 | MRFC 1 | 10 | 10 | Reapers | Field 1 |
| 4:20 PM – 2 vs 3 | Kings | 14 | 0 | WRFU Selects | Field 2 |
Match Results - Knock-out Stage
| Time | Team 1 | Team 2 | Location | ||
| 5:40 PM – SF2 | WRFU Selects | 26 | 7 | Celtics | Field 2 |
| 5:40 PM – SF1 | U23 WI Selects | 14 | 21 | Kings | Field 1 |
| 6:40 PM – Final | Kings | 7 | 17 | WRFU Selects | Field 1 |
