Saturday afternoon Hodge Park saw the Fighting Cocks host the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats. This would be only the second match ever played by NWMSU. The Bearcats showed much promise and potential but the experience and ability of the Cocks proved to be overwhelming. The game was scheduled as a B-side match Northland however, who was limited in preseason practice due to poor weather conditions used the game to sharpen its claws in preparation for the championship season that lies ahead. Several of the team starting side sought to play in the first half, laying the ground work for what would be an insurmountable tally. Try's in the first half came from Robke, Johnson, Burris, B. Castagnoe and Foreman on a lineout from 18 meters. The Bearcats extraordinarily quick scrum half outran the Northland defense for what would be their only score of the game, a big play from 40 meters away.

The second half saw scores from Marshall, Lockard, Ginger, and McCalister. Johnson and B. Castagnoe each scored again in the second. Castagnoe was named Man of the Match. The kicking game struggled again making only 4 of 11 kicks.

On a cold and blustery Saturday this past weekend the Fighting Cocks matched up against the CMSU Warriors. The Warriors, a merit rival, traveled to Kansas City from Warrensburg to play a competitive match even under the pretenses of friendly game. As put by Mike Robke, "We always come to play when we have on the green jerseys".

Northland struck first in the Match off a great series of phases punctuated by a Bobby Duke try from ten meters. Duke, who played well all day from the scrum half position, scored again shortly after making the score 10-5. The Warriors scored next to tighten the match before the end of the first half on a long run from their back line.

In the Second period Justin Wylam scored from 15 meters around the left side. Said Wylam on the effort, "I saw the opportunity for the try so I took it." The final score was made by Jimmy Mulloy whose untrimmed locks blew and shimmered in the mid-day sky as he went in for the score. Those same locks met with their untimely demise at the hands of a pair of clippers in the aftermatch celebration. An unfortunate occurance, but a nesscessary one. The head was shaved clear for St. Baldricks day, a fundraiser to combat Cancer.

Northland, who is searching for a kicker to replace the injured Ben Orth, may have taken steps to remedy their situation. Veteran Sean Johnson made the final kick of the match and was one for two on the day. The miss being a difficult attempt from the corner. Chris Mahan a prop who is in his first season with Northland took Man of the Match honors for his extremely solid play on the front row. His presence was a significant off season addition to a front row looking for new blood at the position.

Northland will face a new opponent next week at Hodge Park as NWMSU travels down for a 1:30 Kick Off.

The Fighting Cocks clinched their second straight Divisonal Championship with a win at Topeka. The Cocks scored 133 points against divisional opponents while allowing only 41 over three matches. After starting off the season a bit slow at the Royals tournament in St. Louis against Division I and Division II opponents Northland finished strong winning four of their last five games and going undefeated in Merit table matches for the second year in a row.

The Cocks will represent the Heart of America Rugby Union in Western Regional Championships next spring and with years worth of experiance at the event under their belt the Cocks feel more confident about their chances. Veteran Forward Billy Foreman had this to say, "It's taken us a long time to get to this point.... but now we have the opportunity to prove ourselves at the next level."

Improving their mark to 2-0 in Merit Play, Northland triumphed over Pitt State at Hodge Park on Saturday. Northland struck the first blow in the 3rd minute when Wylam made a beautiful run from the outside, out dashing the opposition and making it in for the Try. Not to be out done Mike Robke's hard nosed run though the middle of the defense saw Northland mount a two score lead. State reciprocated on a long Try from their center bringing the score to 12-7. The Northland pack would strike the next blow from Kraeger overpowering the defense and crashing in for the Try off a lineout 10 meters outside goal. The pack, lead by Captain Mike Rodriguez, looked strong all day for the Cocks winning set pieces and tackling well in the open field. Second year man Josh Brock shored up the weak side lock position playing his best game to date.

While the Northland pack looked strong in its play it was the Northland backline that stood out in what must surely be its most impressive performance in recent memory. After the score by the forward the Backline would score four times more, two by Gaska, the flyhalf, and two more by Wylam who played a phenomenal match. Wylam, who scored on a 50 meter try in the first half, added two more runs of equal impressivity. While Gaska slashed though the line for two scores of his own. The normally sure footed Orth was 2 of 7 on conversions but tacked on three points off a penalty kick in the first half. The Cocks played down a man for most of the game as two players were issued yellow cards for their efforts, one in either half. When the final whistle resonated the Cocks were victorious. The final score of 42-24. Mike Robke was toasted as the Man of the Match for an effort that yielded exceptional defense, ball control, leadership, and a critical score.

In a physical match "The Cocks" prevailed against the Wichita Barbarians. The team, lead by coach and Flyhalf Danny Gaska, executed its game plan well and reaped the rewards. In the first half scoring was all Northland. Bobby Duke (Scrumhalf) struck first scoring on a short run. That was followed by a powerful run by Andrew Kraeger from 5 meters out dragging defenders across the line for another try. The Northland defense also came up with two critical goal line take-a-ways, one by Kraeger and another by Bill Foreman at the end of the first half. The score at half had Northland up 14-0 as Ben Orth was perfect on his conversions a trend that would continue through out the match, even with a few tough kicks from the corners.

Wichita came out strong in the second half scoring two unanswered trys but failing to convert on their conversions making the score 14-10. Northland answered with a score by Mike Robke on a beautiful assist from Gaska the Flyhalf. Wichita scored again near after to bringing the score to 21-17. That would be the final points for the Barbarians. Northland opened the game at the end on trys by Justin Wylam, David Borrowman, and Brent Castagnoe. Borrowman who played a phenomenal game both offensively and defensively took the MVP honors winning the Man of the Match cup for his first time. The Final Northland 45 Wichita 17.