The qualifying rounds of Intrasquads have been played. All that is left is the finals.
After the first four rounds of Intrasquads, the teams are making adjustments for the next challenge: the finals. Bennies will enjoy a first-round bye, as they finished the initial four rounds with the highest point total. Dudes and Sues will play for the privilege to play the tournament-leaders.
Top Side Standings
| Team | Pts | W | L | T | PD |
| Bennies | 18 | 5 | 3 | 0 | +28 |
| Sues | 17 | 4 | 3 | 1 | +43 |
| Dudes | 13 | 2 | 5 | 1 | -71 |
Power Rankings
#3 Dudes
Dudes continue to struggle amidst a litany of absences. Conor Egan’s absence has been a major blow for the basement-dwelling squad, and a slew of experienced players’ decision to retire this semester has left a gap in leadership at the top. Fortunately, amidst their struggles, rays of hope are apparent. Wyatt Tyrna, a prop during the 15s season, has filled in wonderfully at flyhalf, while Max Rector has been a menace on the wing, leading the team in tries with six. Barry Dechtman, a leader of their second-side squad, stepped up to first side and continued to impress, scoring eight tries and six conversions. Dudes will have their work cut off for them in the playoff game against Sues. Regardless of the outcome, there is plenty of reason for optimism in the years to come.
#2 Sues
Sues enjoyed a strong string of matches in the latter two rounds. In what was perhaps the most impressive rugby of the entire tournament, Sues ran rampant of Dudes, moving the ball side-to-side, breaking lines and scoring tries. Braden Loughnane and George Janke continue to lead by example, scoring a combined seventeen tries, and Alex Olsen has provided strong support to the two leaders. Their main weakness is their inconsistent performances–they were disappointed with a nail-biting loss to Dudes in round three. Despite this, Sues enjoy the strongest point differential with a total of +43. Sues will be upset to not have earned the first-round bye, yet they will hope to use their semifinal game to prepare for a potential final showdown with Bennies.
#1 Bennies
Bennies continue to exceed expectations. Bennies was the consensus #3 team to begin Intrasquads. The expectation was that they were to be plagued by a lack of playmaking and an over reliance on second-rowers. As is always often the case, the players took the doubt and used it to motivate them. Team leader Nathan Feldman and most-improved-player candidate Brett Silber have been score-trying machines, combining for eighteen tries. Tim Zamarro, a prop, and Simon Tessier, a French exchange student, have proven worthy sidekicks. The future is bright for the Bennies; sophomore Justin Ladd has terrorized opponents with eleven second-side tries, and sophomore Nick Granchalek has inspried similar fear with his imposing afro.
Play of the Week
Our play of the week is a two-for-one. Michael Ackerman rips off a beautiful stiff arm and gallops down to the try zone, only to be foiled by an all-hustle chase-down tackle by Devin Ekbote, resulting in a knock on.
The Intrasquads Finals are on Monday, February 14th. Check our socials for a link to the livestream, and come back here for a thorough summary of all the day’s action.
