KANSAS CITY, MO. -- The Thunder Chickens returned to Kansas City to play in the nighttime indoor 7s tournament, hoping to make it past the semi-final round which they reached last year. The team had a tough draw, with last year's tournament winner, Central Missouri University, in their pool. Also in their pool was a group of football players from Missouri Valley College.

The first game of the night was against Central Missouri University. Paul Olsen scored the first try of the tournament, three minutes into the first half off of a quick ruck. The Chickens then played on their heels, especially in the second half, and had trouble gaining ball possession. However, aggressive tackling, including a brilliant tackle made by Brett Banning, helped them keep their seven point lead until CMU scored in the corner of the try zone with 13 seconds remaining in the game. CMU missed their conversion kick, and Principia won 7-5.

Principia's second game of the night started poorly, with the much larger Missouri Valley College scoring just 40 seconds into the game. Tom Bisbee answered three minutes later by squirting through a gap and sprinting the ball into the try zone to even the score. Poor defensive play at the end of the half, with the Chickens pinned against their try line, led to a MVC try with no time remaining on the clock and giving MVC a 12-7 lead going into the second half. Jake Milner got the Chickens restarted after picking up a loose ball that was kicked out of a scrum, which he ran the entire length of the field to give the Chickens a 14-12 lead. MVC took the lead yet again two minutes later. However, the Chickens controlled the ball when time expired, and a penalty on MVC for not releasing the ball after a tackle gave Principia a penalty at MVC's 22 meter line. Tyler Marunde attempted to punch the ball through MVC's defense, but got held up and driven to touch. However, another penalty on MVC gave Principia the chance they needed and Trevor Marunde scored in the corner of the try zone to give the Chickens a 21-17 victory. Several Thunder Chickens had try-saving tackles including Olsen, who pulled a break-away player down by his shorts, and Kenneth Stack who stopped a near breakaway as sweeper.

With Principia's 2-0 record after pool play, they were seeded 3rd going into the elimination bracket, and drew perpetual 15s opponent Missouri University of Science and Technology. MO S&T scored first after a missed call by the referee, when a player in the ruck picked the ball up and ran for the try. They then took a 12-0 lead using good ball control and continually driving Principia back towards their own try line, until they were able to score. Principia answered at the end of the second half to avoid the shut-out, but MO S&T was victorious 12-7.

CMU went on to win the tournament again this year, defeating MVC in the finals. Freshmen Evan Sperr and Josh Curry played in their first rugby game during the tournament. Joining the Thunder Chickens again this year were Pittsburgh State players Sean Brady and Caleb Childers.