Mas Numbers
Santos vs. Landsharks
Loss 38 – 29
February 28TH, 2026
February 28, 2026 - CM
Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ
The Santos, all though short on numbers, made their obligatory trip to Arizona to take on Northern Arizona (NAU / Landsharks), a mixed University / Men’s side I take it. The Santos have been very good about traveling West to take on out-of-state sides the past few years, not reciprocal however, Las Vegas canceling at the last-minute last weekend and Pheonix 2 years ago. The Santos owed the Terrestrial Sharks, surprisingly the last visiting team from outside the Rio Grande Union to make a non-Playoff visit to SF. Almost exactly 2 years ago, NAU visited us and it was a good match with our Santos prevailing. So, our Santos loaded up and hit the road to Flagstaff with 15 eager ruggers.
Forgive my lack of details once again, I was not on the sideline. The Santos with a very inexperienced side battled on the road and kept it within 10 points. Izzy and Rainer scored along with two other Santos. The match was within reach however on the road with no Impact Subs or any Subs to speak of….. well, we have all been there a time or two. The Santos ended the match with 14 players, as rookie, Scotty Piper went down with an ankle injury at the 50-minute mark. Good times were had at the social I’m told. Cheers to these lads for making the trip and representing the Santa Fe Santos.
1 Sam Schwyter
2 Coben Branch
3 Gabriel Beltran
4 Dylan Merrigan
5 Jeremy Lithgow
6 Scotty Piper
7 Jason Osborn
8 Ryan Weir captain
9 Rainer Ball coach
10 Isaiah "Izzy" Sanchez
11 Tyler Gomez
12 Dane Robergs
13 Bill Bennett
14 Justin Stallworth otherwise know as "J Money
15 KC Martin
Remaining Schedule:
March 14th HOME - 6 Nations Watch Party at Boxcar in Santa Fe, 11am - 3pm.
Mar 21st Away Santos at El Paso
Mar 28th Santos vs Brujos tbd
Apr 11th SWRU Playoffs in AZ
Thanks to the Board, old and new, for developing a relationship with Boxcar (they have significantly supported the Santos financially and opened their doors to us for get-togethers). Let’s try to give back to Boxcar this weekend, while helping ourselves… Some proceeds will go to the team. A great opportunity for old boys to meet some of the young bucks plus 6 Nations will be on the teli. No spoilers… Actual Match times are slightly earlier in Europe, so we will be watching recorded games throughout the afternoon. All are invited, some of the new SF Women’s players will be on hand, bring family, friends, Old Boys, lets GOOO. Did I mention some of the proceeds from the afternoon will go to YOUR CLUB. As it stands, 3 teams are still in the 6 nations fight, with this Saturday determining the winner.
On the flip side, NUMBERS are looking better for the Santos trip south to El Paso on March 21st. This is a major match for the Santos with hopes of Playoffs still in the mix.
Training Sess… still Tuesdays & Thursdays at Fort Marcy, 5:30 PM
Vegas forfeits
March 3, 2026 - CM
Unfortunately, we were notified last night after several inquiries that the Nevada Las Vegas Irish team will not be making the trip to SF on March 7th. This is a disappointment as it was the one solid HOME match on our Spring schedule and I believe per Wheelock a first time visit for Nevada to the Santa Fe area. We are still not allowed to play on our pitch (the MRC), so the board was looking at other fields to make the match happen, one was secured in Albuquerque, however the Irish will not be coming this way. A training session will take place at Fort Marcy this Saturday in place of the canceled match, at this point I am assuming 10 or 11 am.
Trying to be positive, this will give the boys a break from back-to-back travel weekends the past two matches. Santos lost a close one in Flagstaff last weekend against NAU, I will gather more details later this week and send out a match report. The Santos will pick up points for this forfeiture but of course we would of all liked to see our boys play at home.
Mar 14th HOME - 6 Nations Watch Party at Boxcar in Santa Fe, 11am - 3pm. Team sponsor, some proceeds will go to the team. A great opportunity for old boys to meet some of the young bucks plus 6 Nations will be on the teli. Mark it on your calendar Old Boys, should be fun.. As always, first beer is on me.
Mar 21st Away Santos at El Paso
Mar 28th Santos vs Brujos at tbd
Apr 11th SWRU Playoffs in AZ
A nail-biter
February 12, 2026 - CM
The Santos opened their Spring Schedule against the Brujos last weekend, Feb 7th, the two teams on top of our division as it stands. It was a Home match for the Santos, however that home is called Socorro, you might have heard of it (Garden Spot of NM) I believe Wheelock refers to it as. This brutal winter we are having does not allow us on our fields as you know...until about March.. hopefully.
I interviewed coach Rainer Ball and captain Ryan Weir post-match, I was unable to attend in person. I will be paraphrasing a bit and doing my best but specific details you will NOT be getting out of this Match Report. The first half of the first game started as always captain Weir says, "Chaos". The Santos have really just had a handful of training sessions with less than sufficient numbers, more like get togethers in Fort Marcy Park the past month or so and the set pieces showed per coach Ball. "Basically, we could not win a line out" and the Santos were down 2 - 3 tries from the get go. Then the chitter chatter stated with the Sir, former Santo, Brujo and Techie of all teams, Mr. Mark Kelley. I was told Sir Kelley called a very good match. The one bright spot of the first half was good defensive effort.
Redeem thy self. That's what second halves and beer drinking are for, right? After a "talking to" at halftime and perhaps some playing time together (now 40 minutes) the Santos were ready to make this a match. Phase play started to take hold and all the sudden the Santos were not only back in this game with a few tries but a small lead as well. The Brujos fought back however and dotted down once again, but it cost them a Red Card. Here come the Santos again, wanting the lead back and they got it. At this point the Santos are up by just a couple of points but there is only 5 minutes left in the game. The Santos had possession with about 2 minutes on the clock but were unable to maintain the rock and it resulted in a turn over try for the Brujos. Final whistle. Heart Breaking.
Vincent Beltran
Diego Cardiel - Try
Dylan Merrigan
Jeremy Lithgow
Billy - Man of the Match
Jason Osborn
Enrique "KiKi" - Try
Ryan Weir
Elijah Naranjo
Milan Van Wyk - Try, 4 conversions
Dane Robergs
Rainer Ball
KC Martin
Justin Stallworth
Izzy Sanchez -Try
Connor
Tanner
Scottie
Sam
Tyler
Jaime Terrazas
Coach mentioned KiKi, Dane, Weir, Merrigan, Diego all played well but Billy took Man of the Match honors. Alot of new names here, yeah you're telling me, but captain Weir says "he was totally proud of the effort, especially for the first match of the season against a very good opponent, the Heart is there, small changes will result in big things, very promising and we have a high ceiling." Weir is excited at the buy in from the boys and the culture is growing." This interview took place at training 3 days after the match, I saw men, women and highschoolers attending practice, very promising as a new women's team is starting up here in Santa Fe, the Diablas I believe. Message me if you want additional Women's team info.
In other news: On a sad note, some of us will be attending a memorial service for Old Boy Jim Mokres this Saturday, Wheelock has been sending out info on this, check your email for details or reach out to me if needed. A couple of our forwards are turning 40 this week, Dylan Merrigan and Jeremy Lithgow, buy them a 40-ounce beer. And some new Cardiel's; Mateo & Margaret just introduced Louisa Mae in January and I hear Diego's wife is close to popping here soon, Congrats.
Remaining Spring Schedule:
Feb. 21 @ Aardvarks - Albq.
Feb. 28 @ Landsharks - Flagstaff
Mar. 7 Home Vegas Irish
Mar 21 @ Scorpions El Paso
Mar 28 Home Brujos
Apr. 11 & 12 SWRU Playoffs, AZ
All game times are to be determined as we get closer. Practice is Tues. & Thurs. with some Saturdays mixed in at Fort Marcy right now, message me for more details. I will try my best to keep you Old Boys in the loop this season, bear with me on my wordsmithing and journalistic accuracy... hah, first beer is always on me. Cheers, Santos Nation.
I am Ironman
February 27, 2026 - CM
The subject line was between the above and "Nail biter, part Deux." I chose the former, as we did lose the great Ozzy Osborn recently so let's pay respect to the rock star / bird killer.. Imagine taking the pitch with the rock song blasting out of a boom box, you and your teammates getting pumped as the guitar ballad hits.. Anyways that is what I pictured going to into the match, as I was unable to attend in person. The chatter in the days leading up to the match was not exactly promising, I would say. We, the team, communicate these days on a phone App called "Team Reach". Think of it as a group text where you relay Time, Place, Schedule, etc. but also polls, like "Are you gonna make the game this week?" Yes or No? It kinda gives you real time info for players' availability, training session locations / times, travel plans, etc. Well Friday night before the match there were more "No's" than Yes's" resulting in Ironman Rugby talk.. When I went to bed Friday Night, I think we were up to 13, ouch. Not sure what was going on with the "No's" but regardless the challenge was accepted and possibly we were fortunate to be playing the rebuilding Aardvarks the following day. With the addition of Mateo coming off paternal leave Saturday morning, and our coach putting on the #10 jersey again, we had enough.... if 15 means enough.... I AM IRONMAN.
I don't have a lot of details, I was unable to get an interview but coach sent me the hard facts;
Opponent - Albuquerque Aardvarks at Bullhead Park, last Saturday 2-21-26.
Half time - 14 -14
Full Time - Santos WIN 36 - 35
1 Sam Schwyter first match
2 Scotty Piper
3 Dylan Merrigan
4 Jason Osborn
5 Coben Branch
6 Bill Bennett
7 Justin Stallworth otherwise know as "J Money"
8 Enrique Salazar "Quique" or "KiKi" not sure yet
9 Mateo Cardiel 2 tries, 3 conversions
10 Rainer Ball coach
11 Erik new 2 tries
12 Ryan Weir captain
13 Isaiah "Izzy" Sanchez 2 tries
14 Connor Hicks
15 Nate Goodlow new
As you can see, Izzy and Mateo got their quota as we would expect but Erik ?? 2 Tries. I gotta meet this guy... and get his last name tambien...
Alot of new guys I have not met in person at least 6 of these boys, I will be out soon though. Nice work Santos.
Remaining Schedule:
Feb 28th Away Santos at Flagstaff NAU Landsharks
Mar 7th Home Las Vegas (as in Nevada)
Mar 21st Away Santos at El Paso
Mar 28th Santos vs Brujos tbd
Apr 11th SWRU Playoffs in AZ
March 14th HOME - 6 Nations Watch Party at Boxcar in Santa Fe, 11am - 3pm. Team sponsor, some proceeds will go to the team. A great opportunity for old boys to meet some of the young bucks plus 6 Nations will be on the teli. Mark it on your calendar Old Boys, should be fun.. As always, first beer is on me.
2025 Santa Fe10s
September 04, 2025 -DW
As tree-huggers are wont to say, “Nature always bats last”. Participants and fans of the 2025 Santa Fe Fiesta Tens learned the truth of the saying Sunday afternoon when a sudden lightning storm moved in to interrupt an otherwise fine rugby day to force a premature end to the tournament, before the finals of either the women’s or men’s divisions could be fully completed. Read on to find out how these championships were determined.
Four women’s and six men’s teams representing three of New Mexico’s four bordering states pitched up to compete for their respective championship titles. The women’s division was diverse with New Mexico Tech’s freshly resurrected squad bravely jumping into a competition featuring Albuquerque’s vastly experienced Atomic Sisters, a strong Pike’s Peak side from Colorado Springs, and the game young ladies of El Paso. The men’s bracket consisted of defending champions Southwest Outlaws, an academy team from Arizona, the Grizzlies of Colorado Springs, El Paso’s Scorpions, the Brujos and Aardvarks from Albuquerque, and hosts Santa Fe.
After several opportunities had gone begging for Santa Fe in their opening match versus the Aardvarks, Angel Villa scored Santa Fe’s first try of the fall season on an intercept and stroll, and Mateo Cardiel added the extra two. Rainer Ball scored in the second half to temporarily draw the match at 12, and Los Santos looked sure to ice it from sustained recycling deep in Albuquerque’s end with seconds remaining. But disaster struck in the form of a turnover just short of the line, ending in a length-of-the-pitch sprint creating a 19-12 victory for the visitors.
Santa Fe booted up a short hour later for a 38-12 whipping of perennial entrants Colorado Springs. That man Villa got things started with another intercept try and soon after K.C. Martin powered through a strong challenge to dot down for a second try. The Grizzlies next bagged an unconverted try before co-captain Mateo Cardiel snaked through defenders at his own end of the pitch before turning on the speed to make the halftime score 19 to 5 in favor of the Santos.
The Grizzlies took a try just on full time to raise their total to 12, but by then Santa Fe’s total tally had ballooned to 38 with tries taken by John Doe, Isaiah Sanchez, and Mateo Cardiel, who added two conversions. Izzy’s try will be remembered for his sprint to catch Mr. Villa’s trademark towering kickoff on a dead run to score untouched.
Making all this try-scoring fun possible were the rest of the hometown crew (w/ humble apologies to anyone ommitted):
Head captain Ryan Weir and fellow Santo stalwarts Jason Osborn, Tadeo Herrera, and Diego Cardiel.
Joseph Gallegos, a Santa Fe native and 2022 U.S. collegiate national champion prop forward with New Mexico Tech.
Ryan Means, an all-time Las Vegas Vato legend, returning to the fold following injury.
Dandy Dan Allinder, who with his family is contemplating a welcome return to New Mexico.
Coben Branch, also formerly with the Vatos, contributing his determined, gritty style.
Larry de la Garza, the rugby playing pastor.
Tyler Gomez, a few years behind Tadeo Herrera at Taos High School, getting his first taste of rugby.
And finally, in the decades-long tradition of pennies from heaven Leeds, England native Chris Noble, doing the hard graft every team requires.
Santa Fe needed to beat Arizona’s Outlaws to get to the final but fell short after equaling the defending champs in the first half. Unfortunately (or not) a final score for this match was unavailable at press time. Meanwhile the Brujos advanced to meet the Arizonans in the title match by dispatching Colorado Springs 26-15.
Advancing to the women’s final were Atomic Sisters and Pike’s Peak. It would prove significant later that the Sisters won the preliminary match between the two teams.
An entertaining prelude to the two championship matches was a fifteen-a-side exhibition between the New Mexico Tech men’s side and a team of volunteers from the other clubs in attendance. The Miners didn’t look physically imposing yet they put up three sparkling team tries before “the Motleys” got their hands on the ball. The old boys substituted wisely to score a couple of their own five-pointers to Tech’s additional one or two.
With the men’s championship to follow, Atomic Sisters led Pike’s Peak 24-7 in the women’s final when the numerous white cloud banks drifting around suddenly darkened and ominous thunder claps sounded in the near distance. Tournament officials wisely called a pause to survey the situation and shortly thereafter abandoned any further play when a lightning threat was confirmed.
With minimal if any whining, players packed up their kit and proceeded to the official post-tournament headquarters at Santa Fe Brewing Company, an SFRFC sponsor. The Pike’s Peak women ended any tensions by graciously conceding the title to the Atomic Sisters by virtue of the latters’ 24-7 lead at the time of the lightning storm. How’s that for sportswomanship?
Consistent with expectations about northern New Mexico weather, the sun beamed down on the SFBC patio in time for the decider of the men’s championship: a boat race between Southwest Outlaws and New Mexico Brujos. Unfortunately for the latter, one man chose to savor the flavor instead of throwing it down and the Outlaws were declared champions for the second year on the bounce.
The SFXs was a relatively bare-bones event this year with the conspicuous absence of a fully functioning kitchen and swag bar. The club has been uncharacteristically short on volunteers in recent months but looking back over the past five decades this is not a unique situation. For now we pause in appreciation of all the teams who traveled in, with extra thanks to those who bore the extra burden to produce a New Mexico rugby event unsurpassed in terms of competition and player enjoyment.
Brujos Capitalize on Santos’ Off Week
Santos Lose 48-12
March 29, 2025 - DW
High Resort Blvd Park
Rio Rancho, NM
Saturday’s match versus Brujos RFC seemed to cap off a frustrating couple of weeks for Rio Grande Union-leading Santa Fe Santos. Their anticipated home match against the Albuquerque team had to be moved to Rio Rancho’s High Resort field when no acceptable home pitch could be found in the wake of city field closures due to a ruthless winter drought. Lack of a training venue played havoc with the Santos’ preparation, even as their opponents had arranged for three weekly floodlit sessions at a new training ground at the Mesa del Sol complex.
Nevertheless a nearly full blood-and-gold team warmed up in a stiff cross-field wind under drab gray skies as the Atomic Sisters of Albuquerque put the finishing touches on their 38-20 win over the Phoenix Women’s Rugby Club.
The Santos kicked off at 3:30. It soon became evident that the Brujos intended to use their skilled back line to attack wide, while the Santos opened with a more forward-oriented attack. The teams spent the opening 10 minutes testing each other, during which time the Santos were whistled for three penalties. The unintentional home team drew first blood at ten minutes with an unconverted try after winning a lineout at Santa Fe’s 22 meter line. Lineouts proved to be a big advantage for the Brujos in this match, as Santa Fe’s inbound execution proved a trifle under-cooked.
Prop forward Brandon Rey (aka Monster) looked to have broken through Brujos’ try line defense for Santa Fe’s first points at 15 minutes, but was instead penalized for making a second lunge over the line. The Santos’ pack was rewarded for their continuing efforts three minutes later when head captain and loose forward Ryan Weir got over for a five-pointer. Vice captain and #9 back Mateo Cardiel missed the conversion, Brujos 7, Santos 5.
At 21 minutes Santa Fe’s defense was cleaved by a deft inside pass producing a 50-meter break, quick attacking ball, and an easy try between the posts. The conversion moved Brujos’ advantage to 12-5.
Around 25 minutes the Santos gifted the Brujos with a psychological edge when a ruck penalty was followed by two extra 10-meter march-backs for conspicuous objections by a team member. The Brujos took advantage with a converted try soon afterward; 19-5.
Shortly before the half Santa Fe went down to 14 men when a player was shown a 10-minute yellow card, but nevertheless had the last say when evergreen #10 Rainer Ball touched down for a try converted by Cardiel’s boot. At halftime it was “game on” as the Brujos held a narrow lead at 19-12.
2nd Half
Santa Fe was whistled for offside at the resuming kickoff and not long afterward the home team had another converted try, 26-12. The Brujos looked increasingly dangerous as their fit and efficient forward pack began to make music with a talented backline. Another converted try made it 33-12 in the 50th minute and Santa Fe brought in their strategic subs, including veteran backline ace Cory Micander and front row force Dylan Merrigan.
But the pressure continued and three separate SF players missed touchline kicks within a 10-minute run of play. As often happens in such pressure situations, the coordinated teamwork of one team proved superior to the laudable individual efforts of the other. The Brujos closed out the day’s scoring with an unconverted try (38-12), the curiously choice of a penalty kick (41-12), and a heads up, half-field try taken from a Santa Fe kickoff that failed to travel the required 10 meters (48-12).
Santo Jason Osborne took the most out of the unsuccessful outing. “You can always learn from a losing game” noted the hardworking loose forward. “You only really lose if you fail to improve.” Wise words from a rugger, husband, and father.
Ironically the Santos’ first appearance at the Santa Fe Municipal Rugby Complex on April 5 will also mark their last match of the regular 2025 spring season. The Albuquerque Aardvarks will try to avenge the 67-20 loss they suffered in Albuquerque on February 22. Watch this space for kickoff time, special features, dress code, who’s buying, etc.
Los Santos will take consolation in the knowledge they have already wrapped up first place with a 5 win, one loss Rio Grande division record heading into the Southwest USA Union playoff tournament in Las Vegas (NV) over the April 12-13 weekend. The Santos hosted and captured the SWRFU title in 2024.
Rugby Santos Open 2025 Campaign with Road Win
67-20 Over Aardvarks
February 22, 2025 - DW
The Santa Fe Rugby Club opened the spring portion of their 2024-2025 Rio Grande Rugby Union season with a 67-20 win over Albuquerque’s Aardvarks in Albuquerque on Saturday. The win runs the Santos’ record to three wins versus no losses dating back to autumn 2024.
Veteran coach Richard Morris’s charges patiently worked through off-season rustiness in the opening quarter of the 80-minute contest to take a 26-10 lead into halftime. Power center Leonidas Wilson touched down Santa Fe’s first five-point try after 15 minutes, with flyhalf Milaan Van Wyk adding the two-point conversion kick. Van Wyk, left wing Jason Espana, and hooker Diego Cardiel also scored first-half tries for Santa Fe, with Van Wyk connecting with three conversion attempts. The Aardvarks meanwhile managed two unconverted tries for 10 points.
Van Wyk landed a signature 50 meter penalty kick two minutes into the second stanza, and the Santos pulled away with two tries by Elijah Naranjo, Wilson’s second, and one try each from New Mexico Tech graduate Gabriel Beltran, Mateo Cardiel, and Tadeo Herrera.
Santa Fe next meets El Paso RFC in Socorro on March 8. The Santos beat the Scorpions 40 to 24 in their last meeting on Oct 12 of last year.
New Mexico Flavor in the Last Frontier
Girdwood, AK
January 7, 2025
The Santa Fe Rugby Football Club is excited to partner with Blue Ristra Food Truck at Girdwood Brewing Company in Girdwood, AK! Alaskan residents and visitors: be sure to stop by for the best New Mexico cuisine around.
Capital City Ruggers Defeat Brujos in Albuquerque
55-31 in Albuquerque
November 2, 2024 - DW
The Santa Fe Santos beat the New Mexico Brujos 55-31 at Bullhead Park Saturday to run their autumn 2024 record to 2 wins without a loss. Santa Fe beat El Paso Scorpions in Socorro 40-24 on October 12.
Santo scrumhalf Mateo Cardiel opened the scoring with a five-point try, with Namibian-born sensation Milaan Van Wyk adding the two-point conversion kick. Brujos retaliated with three tries and despite additional touchdowns by Dylan Merrigan and Rainer Ball, the home team led 24-19 at the half.
Van Wyk grounded two tries for Santa Fe in the second half and fullback Isaiah Sanchez bagged one, with Van Wyk connecting on all three conversions. The Brujos also scored a try but never got closer than 43-21 as Milaan Van Wyk, a member of New Mexico Tech’s 2022 national small college championship team, stretched Santa Fe’s winning margin to 55-31 by connecting on all four three-point penalty kicks he attempted. Van Wyk’s last two kicks sailed through the uprights from 58 and 55 yards, respectively.
The Santos will return to Albuquerque Saturday, November 9 to compete in a ten-player tournament hosted by the Atomic Sisters Women’s Rugby Club.