There’s no at-large bid here. Win the Langenburg Cup, and the post-season awaits; lose, and go home.

The Saint Louis University men’s club rugby team found out the latter against the University of Missouri-Columbia. They limped into spring break after a 25-23 bruising defeat to their state nemesis.

“We fell apart as a team, made mental mistakes and lost our intensity in the second half, ” said senior Joe Dondle.

The Langenburg Cup is a yearly spectacle that sends only one team to Westerns, the regional rugby tournament. Besides SLU and Mizzou, the Langenburg Cup usually consists of Washington University and the University of Missouri- Rolla.

This year, however, Wash. U. and Rolla forfeited due to spring-break plans. SLU could have conceded as well, but, despite their depleted roster, played anyway.

So the SLU ruggers and Mizzou were the remaining two left to represent the Missouri Rugby Football Union at Westerns, which will be held the weekend of April 1 in Lawrence, Kan.

Although it was a hard fought game, SLU came up just short. Leading 22-20 with less than five minutes remaining, Mizzou was able to score a try and take the lead for good, 25-22.

“We were coming off mid-terms and had a lack of focus,” said Peter Kowalski.

SLU’s effort, though, should not be underscored. Kowalski distributed the ball well, Isaiah Klever converted four out of five extra points, and Nick Schaefer scored his second try in as many attempts.

Their season isn’t over, though; this weekend the ruggers play their alumni, the Saint Louis Old Boys (SLOBS) at 1 p.m. at Forest Park, near the Jewel Box.