Jesters, Maggots head to Fools Fest

UM’s two rugby squads open their most important month of the year this weekend at the tradition-laden Fools Fest in Spokane.

With a busy April slate in front of them, including the heralded Maggotfest at the end of the month, the Jesters and Betterside clubs will try to dust off some early spring cobwebs starting Saturday morning at the Spokane Polo Grounds. 

This will be the 16th year in which the Spokane Razorbacks host Fools Fest, which usually includes 15-25 teams in both the men’s and women’s division, with the field composed primarily of northwest regional college squads such as Washington, Gonzaga and Whitman. Although very competitive, the tournament offers clubs the opportunity to shake off some early season rust against non-league opponents. Men’s club teams will also fill out the bracket, including Missoula’s men’s team, the Maggots.

The Jesters are coming off one of their most successful autumn campaigns in their rich history. The team pulled a landmark upset over the Maggots in the Tubby Thompson Match in October, which marked their first win in the match in 26 years. They came back the following month to capture the inaugural Big Sky Tournament title in Pocatello, a tournament that included formidable conference squads Idaho State and Weber State.

“It’s a big wave to ride into spring,” said Jesters’ President Trent Drinkwalter, who noted the team set out those two goals prior to the fall season and accomplished them. As for this spring, the Jesters are looking to accomplish something they haven’t tasted since the mid-‘80s – A Montana Rugby Union Cup title. The Jesters lost in the second round to the Maggots in Missoula a year ago. The tournament will be held May 3 and 4 this year in Bozeman.

Although the team is looking for success in the coming month, so far this spring the 40-year-old club has struggled to gain traction. Low numbers, injuries and forfeiting teams have all been obstacles since the team started practice in late January, but veteran Jacob Pearson feels the team is ready to plow through the road blocks. “Staying healthy is our number one issue. We have all the components, we just need to put it all back together,” Pearson said. “When we are in shape and healthy, we are a damn good team.”

While the men are looking to gain some momentum in Spokane, UM women’s Betterside squad has plenty of it heading into this weekend. The team was battle tested with Saturday afternoon games this fall, including a match against Drummond High School’s men’s squad. According to team captain Susie Polasky, the team also had a successful showing on back-to-back weekends in March, including at Warrior Fest in Lewiston, Idaho and at Trolls Fest in Lethbridge, Alberta.

“We’ve been doing really well,” she said. “Up in Canada they threw us up against a few Canadian national teams, kind of threw us a curve ball. We didn’t place or anything, but I thought we did well.”

The team has been practicing twice a week since mid-February, and Polasky said the numbers have been strong so far this spring.

“We have a lot of new girls, and we’ve been working around the weather as much as possible,” she said, adding that the 30-member roster is diverse. Alongside a core of UM students, the squad is also comprised of several high school students as well several older players in their 30s and 40s. After Fools Fest, Betterside is considering a Seattle tournament next weekend before they return home to host Gonzaga at Dornblaser Field on April 19.

Although the team is heading into the gauntlet of its schedule, Polasky, who is in her final year with Betterside, believes the club has the chemistry to respond with solid performances.

“There’s really good relationships on the team,” she said. “Honestly, I have strong faith in my team.”

Alongside a busy spring for the women, the Jesters are also geared up for the next month. After Fools Fest, they will return to Missoula next weekend to face their bitter rival, the Maggots. It will mark the first time the teams take the pitch since the Tubby Thompson Match. Drinkwalter expects nothing short of a fierce battle. 

“They will come out upset, you know, looking for retaliation,” he said.

“I think we’ll be ready. Rugby is the type of sport where it all depends on who plays the hardest on that day.”