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Steamboat Springs — Three shrill blasts from the official's whistle signaled the end of the game, but plenty of mystery remained as Steamboat and Breckenridge players filed off the rugby field Saturday afternoon at Whistler Park in Steamboat Springs.

No one on the Steamboat side knew the score.

"They had something like 19," one player commented.

"I know they had 20," another contradicted.

"45-19," the official hesitantly announced after a quick count of his scorecard.

That still wasn't right, but no one immediately noticed. For the Steamboat side, the details weren't important.

Whatever the score, Steamboat won, wrapping up the Mountain League Championship for the second time in three years.

A more careful count revealed the margin: Steamboat 35, Breckenridge 18.

"It's huge. It's really big for us," Steamboat's Michael Hurley said. "This year was a rebuilding year for us. We had new faces and new players. For us to win it and gel like we did was really a testament to the team."

It wasn't just any regular season for Steamboat. Much of the imported muscle that helped the squad rise to prominence during the past few years couldn't make the trip this summer because of the down economy.

Other teams in the Mountain League suffered from the same handicap, and once fearsome squads turned to rookies still learning the sport.

Hurley estimated that Steamboat's team is half first-timers.

That made the championship all the more sweet.

"You can't beat it," veteran Steamboater Bill Wernig said. "We're on a high right now."

The game fit the season - Steamboat had to tough it out.

The squad went up big early, scoring 18 points before Breck could manage an answer. The gap closed quickly, however, first to 18-12. It was 21-12 at half.

Steamboat then buckled down on defense and came alive on offense, punching in several more tries and penalty kicks to rebuild the fat advantage. The team led, 35-12, before Breckenridge could mount one final charge, scoring in the game's waning moments.

Steamboat had no trouble holding out the final two minutes, emerging victorious to avenge an 18-18 tie against the same team earlier this season.

"Breckenridge is a great team, and they've had some great coaching this year," Hurley said. "They gave us a lot of penalties, and we took advantage. I'm really proud of the boys."

He pointed to defense as the difference, but that wasn't exactly necessary. Steamboat's hard hits had the crowd cheering throughout the game.

"We knew they would come out strong, but the biggest thing we focused on was our defense," Hurley said. "They were some really big hits. We definitely have a friendly rivalry."