Pullman, WA (U-WIRE) -- It's never the dog fight but always the fight within the dog that keeps the WSU men's rugby club team ahead of the pack.

These guys are for real.

"We get no scholarship, have a low fan base and we each pay $175 in dues in order to participate," said Tyson Buchmeier, a senior criminal justice major and member of the rugby team. "If you're looking at it from the team's point of view, our time and dedication is all for the love of the game."

This year's team is ranked 18th in the nation after a huge win against the University of Utah, the No. 2 ranked team in the nation. The win came in the championship of the Snakebite Classic Sept. 24 in Boise, Idaho after defeating Idaho State, U of Utah II, and Utah State.

In the last two minutes of the game against U of Utah Justin Sturrock kicked a crucial penalty kick from the 22-meter line. It was his second penalty kick, putting the Cougs ahead 13-10.

"I was asked if I wanted to kick the goal," Sturrock said. "The shot was taken in the corner next to the sideline - the angle is not an easy one but I was able to get it and it turned out OK."

In rugby, scoring is similar to football: Each penalty is like a field goal and is worth three points. A goal, which is referred to as a "try," is worth five points and is followed by a conversion, similar to an extra point in football. It is worth two points.

After the penalty kick Buchmeier was "sin-binned" for an infraction called high tackling. The sin bin is comparable to a penalty box in hockey. Buchmeier's infraction insured that his presence would be missed for the remainder of the game.

"Although we were one player short, we played animalistic defense and held them off," said club president Nolan Allen. "Our team showed no sign of desperation, holding U of Utah from scoring at a crucial point in the game."

The WSU men's rugby club is part of the Pacific Northwest Rugby Football Union. The PNRFU is made up of six teams from the Pacific Northwest: WSU, Oregon, Central Washington University, Western Washington University, Oregon State University and the University of Washington.

As many as 25-40 players show up to practice with the rugby team three times a week. The team practices Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at Grimes Field.

Veteran players lead practice and teach rookie players different positions, plays and game strategy.

"There is a steep learning curve that applies to the fundamental nature of the game," said Joel Swenson, a junior architecture construction management major. "We learn the game through mistakes and experience."

On the practice field, captains split players into sides. Each side is mixed with veteran and rookie players who compete against each other.

During games varsity players participate in games with teammates chosen to be on "Side A." Beginning players play with "Side B." This weekend, "Side B" traveled to Coeur d'Alene Idaho to face Gonzaga and Central Washington. The team beat Gonzaga 30-8 and Central 38-0.

This year the team is working hard to raise money to participate in several high-profile tournaments. They have been invited to the Pac-10 tournament in Los Angeles, the Cal Invitational in Berkeley and the U of Utah Invitational in Southern Utah.

This year's players are working hard to raise money to rent another team van. The school standard requires only enough club players on trips as there are seat belts. Recently the club has put together an alumni association to boost the club's revenue. As a club, the team raises most of its own funds.

(C) 2004 Daily Evergreen via U-WIRE