The Kansas City Rogues delivered a loss to the Wizards in what would be the best played match of the season for Topeka.  It was played hard and well on both sides with KC generating all of the offense as the Rogues came out on top 38-0.

Topeka continued to improve its play this season from game to game as they hunkered down on defense, particularly on the Rogues bang plays.  At times TRFC moved the ball well, but could not get enough momentum to put the ball in the try zone.  There were a lot of positives to take away from this game, especially considering the relying on rookie players with hardly any practice or game experience and the lack of subs.

Substitutions proved to be a vital area as there were times the Wizards had to play with 14 as players recovered from various injuries on the sidelines.  Though some of the Wizards got banged up, everyone stuck it out for the full 80.

This would be a game that shows what Topeka is capable of and if recruiting starts to take a turn and the player numbers move up, there is a bright future for TRFC.  With only one game left in the season, Topeka needs to get it together before the final game against Arkansas on November 5.

Enthusiasm on the Wizards side was high even though it was a loss.  It felt like a moral victory as this was the most complete game TRFC has played thus far.

For sixty five minutes KC Northland had its way with TRFC in a dominating performance.  The Wizards were flat and played no where close to their potential in this HOARFU match on Saturday afternoon.  That is, until Topeka was down to 14 men with fifteen minutes left, then they realized they were there to play a game.

Northland came out with all cylinders firing as they scored at will.  All the momentum and improvement Topeka has shown building upon every game so far this season, was no where to be seen on Saturday.  Horrific support and tackling marred the match for the Wizards. KC Northland had a solid game plan and they executed very well for most of the game.  This game brought on many questions about where Topeka is as a club at this point in the season.

But something happened with the Wizards in the last fifteen minutes of the match, when they were down a man due to injuries and no more subs on the bench...they decided to play hard nosed rugby.  In a flurry of action on both sides of the ball, TRFC came on late in the game to show what they were capable of as a team.  Unfortunately this was after the game was well out of hand.  They tackled and supported well, creating scoring chances and finishing drives that led to some much needed points on the board. Though too late to make a difference, it was a good sign that there is the will to put it together.

Jon Cox kept his scoring streak alive as well as Matt Crawford scored a try late in the game.  Rookie, Jake Hibler scored a try for his Zulu, as he put one on the board in dazzling fashion with a clean grubber into his hands and into the try zone.

With only three games left on the sheet yet to be played this fall, the Wizards have a lot of soul searching and hard work to be done before achieving a win as the season goes into its winter respite.  Topeka has the talent to put it together, they just have to find their heart to get it done.

Next up for the Wizards is the KC Rogues on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 2pm in KC.