View From The Pitch

MCRC @ USMA in NRU Final Four

2007-11-08T21:48:00.000-05:00

It's Almost Showtime

The Middlebury Panthers will take their A-Train to this weekend's Div II Collegiate Northeast Rugby Union Final Four competition. Having blown through everyone (except UVM) in regular and post season(OK, yeah, and Coast Guard) match-up’s the team has earned their Northeast Region #1 seed and is poised and confident.

On Saturday, Nov. 10, Middlebury begins semi-final play at12:30pm against the St. Bonaventure Outlaws (really? The Outlaws?) at the US Military Academy’s Anderson Rugby Complex at West Point. The #4 seed St. Bonaventure is representing the New York State Rugby Conference.

The Anderson Rugby Complex sounds like a real sweet deal for Rugby fan’s and players alike. Click here for directions and a map of the complex.

Those of you who remember standing on the sidelines of the lumpy UMASS fields in year’s past waiting for the snow to be cleared are going to think you’ve died and gone to ruck heaven. With it’s nearly weather proof field turf, the Anderson Rugby Complex will offer mudless competion that should favor team speed and cohesive set pieces while allowing us all to forgo for once the ‘SURVIVOR’ mentality of the past. I guess you get to kick it up a notch when you host the defending NATIONAL CHAMPIONS....

There are even real Bleachers folks ! You know, standing atop bleachers is actually an excellent way to see Rugby. You really get a sense of what everyone is DOING out there. But, dare I hope: might the facility also boast a concession stand? And toilet facilities? Be still my heart. One can only hope. Should the weather hold, Sunday's final and consolation matches will be played on Anderson's natural grass pitch. Fabulous.

One thing is for sure. USMA’s field turf facility is right alongside the Hudson River. Click here for directions to the Academy. Also check the weather before you leave home, because, it gets darn windy on the Hudson River in November. Oh, and bring along photo identification for everyone in your party. Due to increased security, you will be denied admission to the West Point grounds without it.

FORZA PANTERA. Prediction: Panther’s win by 27 and rob the Outlaws 44-17.

Come at 10:00am and see the NERFU #2 seed Coast Guard out muscle Met NY #1 seed Rutgers - last week's quarterfinal winner over U Maine Orono. Prediction: The Academy over the RRFC in a close scoring bruiser.

It's Only Ruck and Maul (But I Like It)

2007-10-24T14:54:00.000-04:00

Madly Confident Team Rockets Through Season

In the season thus far the scoring has gone like this:

Middlebury: Alot, every game.
The Other Guys: ...what other guys?

The Post Season is underway and in three days Middlebury hosts the kick-off to the best Rugby of the season. It is also Homecoming Weekend. Welcome Old Boys and Guests.

The New England Championships start with Saturday's semi-final matches and will conclude with Sunday's Championship Match. Rugby madness is on tap for everyone. Sorry no shrimp though.

Saturday is also Middlcbury's Homecoming Weekend and there promises to be a WHALE of a football game between Midd and Trinity. NESCAC bragging rights are at stake as both teams are locked in a four way tie for first place. Shout Wa-hey.

Topic: Hugh Marlowe. Discuss.

2007-10-10T18:30:00.000-04:00

You Gotta Love ‘Mr. Middlebury’

Middletown, CT Saturday 9/22/07:

I imagine Hugh Marlow doesn’t know me from Adam’s off ox but it came as no surprise that he was in (my town) Middletown, CT at the Middlebury – Wesleyan football match. While simultaneously completing a thought with another Middlebury parent/alum/other Middleburyian he was acknowledging my ‘Nice to see you Mr. Marlow” with a firm handshake and a “Good seeing you !”

I first met ‘Mr. Middlebury’ at an ‘Accepted Student luncheon hosted by a West Hartford (CT) Middlebury alum back in the spring of ’02 when my son Calvin Garner (‘06) was still in high school. For those of you not aware, Hugh Marlow is a 1957 Middlebury graduate and the energetic Executive Secretary of the Middlebury Alumni Association.

I probably have seen him 25 times since our first meeting, both on campus and off at events ranging from Midd Family weekends to sporting events to President McCardle's Northeast Exit Tour to Cal’s Graduation. I manage a hello when the opportunity presents itself. Always scanning the crowd for that ‘Relations Moment’ he remains the face of Middlebury that spans generations of Midd students and parents. He is good at his job.

Is there a better example of a cheerleader/spokesperson champion shmoozer ? Part of the effectiveness of such a person is that he is everywhere, all the time. At any event and at every event. “Wow. There’s Hugh… again.” It's uncanny. Perhaps he exists in a Disney (like) World with special hidden doors and subterranean corridors that allow quick teleportation. Foof. "Gotta dash, I have to watch our boys smote a Wesleyan Cardinal, then I've got that Brewery thing in Chicago. Busy, busy. I'll be back for pizza later though !"

With a memory described as legendary, Huge Marlow seems ready to engage all comers, whatever the venue. Regarding the sporting events he attends, I feel a little sorry for him. I don’t see how he can possibly watch any uninterrupted action …so many chances to chat, so little time. He should consider a disguise.

With his newsletter shout-out to View From The Pitch following the MCRC National Championship win last spring (thank YOU Jimmy Manyuru ’07 for alerting me) I learned something else: Hugh is a big rugby supporter. It’s great to see his continued presence as the quintessential Public Relations man at Midd events far and wide. Middlebury couldn’t have picked a better guy for the job.

You go Hugh.

The Cale and Clapton Epiphany

2007-10-09T19:30:00.000-04:00

Lyrics Offer Hope and Inspiration to Sports Fan Crushed by (Another) Yankee Post-Season Collapse

Until today I have resisted the urge for posting Poetry on these pages which is as it should be. And OK, music lyrics ain’t exactly poetry… mostly they are just a bunch of words that rhyme -sometimes quite badly.

But the cut, Ride The River from JJ Cale and Eric Clapton’s album, The Road To Escondido just might be the perfect set of song lyrics to capture my impression of the joy Ward Patterson is experiencing as the first Full-Time Head Coach for the MCRC.
The lyrics go a little somethin’ like this:

Floatin’ down that ol’ river boy
All my worries far behind
Floatin’ down that ol’ river boy
Leave old memories way behind

Yesterday’s slowly fadin’
All my life I’ve been waitin’ for this time.

Floatin’ down that ol’ river boy
Leaves me feelin’ good inside
Floatin’ down that ol’ river boy
Tryin to get to the other side

Yesterday’s slowly fadin’
I’ve been waitin now forever for this ride.

Ride the river in this boat, ride the river…

Ok, it’s not Billy Cummings and at the risk of overselling what still seemed like a good blog posting idea about an hour ago, you can get the idea with all the metaphors and stuff, right?

For those of you who have spoken with Coach since last May, when his team brought The National Rugby Spotlight to a sleepy rural Vermont campus long accustomed to the glare of certain OTHER national sports spotlights, you can’t help but feel the love this guy exudes for this game called Rugby, or the sheer joy he is feeling in his new position.

The phrase “ Happy as a Pig in S*!#", though a tad off color, sums it up nicely.

Well, the lyric thing works for me and JJ Cale and Eric Clapton complement each other nicely... kind of like Craig Wilson and Ari Silverman. And I think WP has been waitin’ forever for this ride.

Cue the music. Sorry for the needless Yankees reference.

This Year's Model

2007-09-14T11:03:00.000-04:00

New and Enthused Panther Lineup
Ready to Rock and/or Roll

OK, the Blog has been a little... slow out of the gate this season. However, the enthusiam is still there, updates are coming in from the sources and the technological hydra is being sedated. Here is the fall schedule for your National Champion Middlebury Panthers (cue the music.)

Sept 15 – HOME against Boston University at 1pm; B team match at 3:30 pm.

Sept. 21 – HOME against Amherst College at 4pm; B team match at 5:30 pm. (Amherst is a new entry to Division II moving down from DI last year)

Sept. 29 – AWAY at University of Vermont at 1pm; B team match at 3:30 pm.

Oct. 6 – AWAY at UMass Amherst (another new entry to Division II, moving down from DI last year) at 1:00 pm; B team at 3:30pm

Oct. 13 – HOME against St. Mike’s at 1:30pm; B team at 4:00pm (Middlebury’s Fall Family Weekend)

Oct. 20 – New England Quarter Finals – H/A Location To Be Determined

Oct. 27-28 – HOME– New England Championships HOSTED by Middlebury (Homecoming Weekend); Saturday – Two Semifinal Matches; Sunday – Championship & Consolation Matches (Start Times to be verified)

Nov. 3 – North East Quarterfinals – H/A Location TBD

Nov. 10-11 – AWAY – North East Territorial Championship – Location TBD

Oh yeah... FORZA PANTERA !

Today It's A Good Day To Be A Coach

2007-05-30T15:16:00.000-04:00

Middlebury College Rewards Ward Patterson With Full-Time Coaching Position

CONGRATULATIONS WARDO !

And thank you to the decision makers at Middlebury College who helped make this dream a reality for a deserving member of your community.

It is a good day for Coach Ward Patterson and also a good day to be a fan of the Middlebury College Rugby Club.

Today They Became Old Boys

2007-05-27T23:51:00.000-04:00

Middlebury Graduates Class of 2007

Sunday May 27, 2007. The alumni club of the MCRC, the loose knit, randomly connected, and ever-growing posse of former players, gained eleven new members today, as team mates changed roles from Middlebury student to Middlebury alumnus at today's commencement exercises.

Congratulations to the following graduates of the Middlebury College Rugby Club and to your very proud families:

Joseph Della Rocca
Doug Hale
Jeff Harasimowicz
Alex Ladeau
Pascal Losambe
James Manyuru
Pat Mott
Matt Volz
Chas Wirene
Muchadei Zvoma

The Friends of Rugby offer you all the warmest wishes on this very special day !
And fellas, you did take care of those library fines, right?

What A View From THIS Pitch

2007-05-05T17:57:00.000-04:00

Harasimowicz Photo

Middlebury College 2007 National Champions
Panthers Take The Game Away Early

Stanford University, May 5, 2007

In the words of Coach Ward Patterson Middlebury College had a 'dream come true' end to their season taking a solid game plan to the Arkansas State Indians and winning their Division II National Championship match 38-22 at Stanford's Steuber Rugby Stadium.

Senior flanker and forwards captain Jimmy Manyuru described the team's preparation for Arkansas State in his post game interview on the USA Rugby website's live satellite feed. "It was a great win for us -and we worked hard. We knew they had big forwards and quick wings and that we'd have to watch their counterattacks. We had great play from Much (Zvoma) Pascal and fly half Matt Volz and our centers today."

Much Leading The Post-game Haka Harasimowicz Photo

To be continued... with photos from Ellen Harasimowicz and mad PROPS to Tavia Patterson for keeping me in the loop during the team's National Run with her cell phone communications from the sidelines.

Weighed, Measured and Found Worthy

2007-05-03T13:01:00.000-04:00

Panthers v. Indians for DII National Championship
T-Minus 47:35 hours...

Next up for the MCRC? The Arkansas State Indians, the last minute, 25-24 winners of their semifinal match two weeks ago against the defending National Champion and Northeast Territory top seeded US Coast Guard Academy.

This NCAA Division II Men's Collegiate national championship match is scheduled for this Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 1:00pm in Stanford, California.

For LIVE streaming web coverage of this unprecedented event as well as the other National DII and DI matches on tap for the weekend point your browser to the USA Rugby website. The live streaming link is going to be linked from their home page.

Oh yeah, game is ON....

All photos this post by Ellen Harasimowicz.

Now, Spell S-T-A-N-F-O-R-D

2007-04-22T21:08:00.000-04:00

Sylvan Lake Park, Sanford, Florida
Sunday, April 22, 2007

In a skillful display of offensive power and defensive strength the #7 seeded Middlebury College Rugby Club roughed up the #6 seed Salisbury University Gulls 59-14 today in Pool B semifinal action of the 2007 National Division II Men’s Collegiate National Rugby Championships.

The squad is determined to not let this season end prematurely. With a depth of talent and strong team chemistry, the players know they belong on the national stage. However, none of them have been there before. The 2002 and 2003 MCRC teams made back to back trips to Nationals but could not break out of the quarterfinals. This weekend it was different. For the record? The scoring over both days was: MCRC 98 – Opponents 41.

Senior flanker Chas Wirene was ecstatic following the team’s win: “I can’t describe it -we are going to California. This is the perfect culmination of a fun four years of hard work!”

Reserve winger Ed Cahill got some late game time in replacement of senior Jeff Harasimowicz who was sidelined with a minor hamstring injury.

The day was not kind to the other Northeast Territory teams. In Pool A men’s action, the defending 2006 National Champion US Coast Guard Academy lost a tightly contested match 25-24 to #5 seed Arkansas State on a penalty kick in the final minute of play. In the Division II women’s matches, Iowa State nipped Norwich, 20-19, and Bowdoin was crushed by UC Santa Cruz, 49-0.

With the win, Middlebury moves on to face #5 seed Arkansas State Tribe for the national title in Stanford, CA May 5.

Can You Spell S-E-M-I-F-I-N-A-L ?

2007-04-21T11:40:00.001-04:00

Sylvan Lake Park, Sanford, Florida
Saturday 21, 2007

With the opening whistle of quarterfinal play the Middlebury Panthers rolled their scoring machine right into the den of the University of Northern Colorado Bears and didn’t look back winning their quarterfinal match 39-27.

Middlebury started very strong going up 15-0 in the first fifteen minutes over the stunned #2 seed UNC team. UNC refocused and came back hard. "They (UNC) started to play and for the next 65 minutes Middlebury faced a tough, continued fight," said head coach Ward Patterson minutes after the victory.

"They came at us with amazingly hard running but the team dug deep and played well” said Coach Patterson. Middlebury never trailed in the game. With two minutes to go and Middlebury holding onto a narrow 32-27 lead, sophomore Ari Silverman scored an 'insurance' try. With the two-point conversion made and the clock winding down, Middlebury's celebrating began.

Middlebury advances to tomorrow’s semifinal match at 3:30pm against #3 seed Humboldt State University (CA), 33-19 winners earlier in the day in their match against #6 seed SalisburyUniversity (MD).

All in all it was a great day for Northeast Territory Rugby teams as both the Division II Bowdoin and Norwich women’s teams walked over their opponents and the #1 seed Coast Guard Academy men’s team was victorious in a 17-5 win over #8 seed U of Northern Iowa. All advance to Sunday’s semifinal matches.

It's On ! - Nationals Underway

2007-04-21T11:40:00.000-04:00

The #7 seed Middlebury Panthers take on the the #2 seeded Bears of the University of Northern Colorado today in Pool B competition at 3:30pm in the quarterfinal start to the 2007 Men's Divsion II Collegiate Rugby National Championships.

The other Northeast Regional representative, the #1 seed US Coast Guard Academy defends their 2006 National Championship title as they take on the #8 seed University of Northern Iowa RFC.

All games being held at Sylan Lake Park, Florida. Click HERE for a listing of scores from today's events.

FORZA PANTERA !

Logo Wear Still Available !

2007-04-17T11:03:00.000-04:00

Coach Patterson has been counting the remaining MCRC clothing items still on hand and thought that some of you parents might want to get "dressed up" with logo wear while in Florida. A few choice items remain in stock.

Clothing Still Available:

JACKETS: $ 75 One large and Two Extra-Large - These have the MCRC logo on the front and MIDDLEBURY RUGBY on the back.
Suits: (Jackets, pants and body armor shirt $ 125. Two Medium, Four Extra Large.
Golf (polo style) Shirts with MCRC Panther Logo on the chest: $ 25 One Large and Two Extra Large.

If anyone wants Coach Ward to bring an item to Orlando, please email him ASAP at his campus address: wpatters@middlebury.edu

Final Spring Match Before Nationals

2007-04-13T16:50:00.000-04:00

Google Map

Get over to University of Albany (New York) uptown campus tomorrow, April 14, to see the MCRC for the last time before they travel to Florida for their April 21 quarterfinal match in the 2007 Nationals tournament. MCRC will face the 2006 division II New York State Rugby Conference champion, UAlbany Danes.

The Danes narrowly missed making the final four in the 2006 Northeast Rugby Union territorial finals last November in Batavia, New York. They lost a close quarterfinal match (16-18) against the University of Maine/Orono, the eventual third place finishers behind Middlebury and the Coast Guard Academy.

Directions to SUNY Albany from I-90 East:

Click here for a campus map.

In Albany, get off I-90 at exit 2.

Loop under the interstate on Fuller Rd.

Turn LEFT on Washington, and RIGHT on to University Dr.

Loop anti-clockwise until nearly to south side of loop.

'A' side match will begin at 1:00pm and will be held on the pitch next to the softball field.

Tailgate Festivus will commence around…. 11:30 perhaps? Look for us. Bring some chow.

FORZA PANTERA !

Panthers v. Lord Jeffs

2007-04-06T11:01:00.002-04:00

The Saturday, April 7 match against the Lord Jeffs of Amherst is being held at the college's football stadium. Game time is 1:00pm

The stadium is on Orchard St., off Northampton St. (Route 9/116) in center of Amherst. North is more or less the top of the photo.

Attention: Driver Needed - RIGHT Now

2007-04-03T20:34:00.000-04:00

April 2; FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

To all Friends of Rugby heading down to Nationals in Florida: Coach Ward is looking for a driver for one of the vans while the team is in Florida. The catch is you have to be at least 25 years old. OK, that pretty much covers the majority Friends of MCRC that will be in Florida in nineteen days...

Ideally, Ward needs a driver on April 19th through the 23rd. Three vans are used to transport all 32 people associated with the team on a several-times-a-day basis to food venues, the hotel, the practice fields, etc. Two drivers have been secured; one is needed.

Heck, if I were going down, I would have already volunteered and there'd be no reason for this post, but.... nope, can't go. (Here is the request/warning to my sidelines eyes and ears peoples: please plan to have your cell phones turned on game day so I can receive progress reports on the action.)

FOR NOW, please contact Coach Ward at his campus email address: wardpatters@middlebury.edu and make his day.

That is all. Post on Yale match last weekend is upcoming...

MCRC Spring Training is ON

2007-03-14T13:04:00.000-04:00

The Middlebury College Rugby Club will be gearing up for the National Quarterfinal competition in Orlando with a few matches around New England in the next month or so. Action starts this coming Saturday, March 17.

Put another way, it's the time of year where you should start planning your weekends around the MCRC competition schedule. Don't do anything else.

MCRC Spring 2007 Training Schedule:

March 17 - AWAY at Boston College. Training scrimmage and joint training stuff. This is NOT a game - 1:00 pm - This has been CANCELLED DUE TO FACILITY SCHEDULING CONFLICT
March 31 - AWAY at Yale - 'A' Game at 1:00 pm - NEW TIME! 'B' match to follow.
April 7 - AWAY at Amherst College - Game at 1:00 pm
April 14 - AWAY at SUNY-Albany - Game at 1:00pm - CONFIRMED
April 21 - National Quarterfinals, Sanford, Florida. Click here for further information

Accommodations Secured - It's GO Time

2007-03-01T23:55:00.000-05:00

GET to your web browser ASAP and make your reservations for your upcoming trip to Florida because the start of pool play in the 2007 National Championship Men's Division II Collegiate Rugby tournament is right around the corner.

Lodging
Coach Ward Patterson has contracted with the Homewood Suites HILTON at $109 per night for a room that can sleep four, with a lounge. The link to the hotel is here. Ward notes: "The TEAM will be there on Thurs, April 19th and will fly back on the Monday 22nd. Families should come in on the Friday, and plan to stay over Sunday night. The Sunday matches can run late, and I would hate for parents to come down and then have to leave the field before our big moment is there. Last year the last game started at 5pm., so late flights may not be an option, but you should check this." Flights should be arranged to Orlando.

Call Homewood at: 407-805-9111, and mention that you are ATTACHED to the Middlebury College Rugby Team, and you get the deal rate too. "Players GET this info to your parents!"

The Tournament:
The Coast Guard Academy was the 2006 Division II National Championship winner so the Northeast Territory gets to send two teams to this year's national tournament. There are seven territories in the US and you need eight teams for a competition so the winning territory always sends two teams the following year.

Pool play begins for all Div II Collegiate teams on April 21-22, 2007 in Sanford, Florida. All matches will be held at the Seminole County Sports Training Center, Sanford, Fla. The event is hosted by The Central Florida Sports Commission.

The round of eight brackets can be found at the USA Rugby website. Middlebury, seeded #7 in this tournament faces the #2 seed (Opponent is... ???) from the West Territory. As the #1 seed the Coast Guard Academy draws, on paper, an easier match against the #8 seed University of Northern Iowa, the 2006 Midwest Rugby Football Union champions.

Game ON !

CGA Takes Rematch at Northeasts

2006-11-18T00:07:00.000-05:00

Yoquinto and Jude Employ Push ME Pull YOU Tactics
Harasimowicz Photo

Midd Drops Close Game in the Muck at Batavia

Batavia New York, Nov 12, 2006: In this year’s second meeting (the grudge match) between the Coast Guard and Middlebury College the Bears bested the Panthers by their biggest margin of victory ever - a whopping six points. Both teams slogged it out on a rain-soaked and battered pitch and at the end Middlebury was left holding the wee end of a 11- 5 final score, again short of their goal of beating the Academy twice in the same year.

White (L) Stripping, Harasimowicz (Middle) Getting Stripped
Harasimowicz Photo

Coming off their brilliant win in the New England’s (I don’t think the Coast Guard has EVER beaten Middlebury in the NERFU conference finals -quick, get my statistician in here…) Middlebury was focused and ready for the rematch. Somehow though, the Northeast Regional tournament holds a special kind of ‘kick it up a notch’ juju for the Academy ruggers. They once again held on to their slim lead, scoring a couple of late game penalty kicks to win their fourth straight Northeast Championship, their third against Middlebury.

Matt Volz on FINE Double Leg Take-Down (Too Bad it Ain't
Scored Like Wrestling) Harasimowicz Photo

Meany Receives the "Hey Moe!" From Coast Guard Player Harasimowicz Photo

And so it has gone lately: Midd wins Conference and CGA wins Northeasts. More to follow.

UVM Goes Three and Out; MCRC Advances

2006-11-09T01:21:00.000-05:00

Wilson '07 Slips Away Early Harasimowicz Photo

For Middlebury It's 'Off To Batavia'

November 5, 2006, Middlebury, VT
Northeast Rugby Union quarterfinal action got underway on Saturday November 4 as the #1 seeded unbeaten Middlebury Panthers took on the #8 seeded University of Vermont Catamounts for the third time this season. NRU quarterfinal competition is the 'one and done' time of year; you win, you advance -you lose, season over, you go home, hang up your cleats and meditate. Middlebury cruised to a 48-15 win –their third straight this season over the Catamounts to advance to the next round in Batavia, New York. No meditating just yet.

In this latest round UVM came out strong and scored first. Middlebury quickly regrouped and scored on the first of many long trying runs of the day. As if on script, Middlebury executed some of their typical unselfish team ball with several fine performances. Center Pascal Losambe ’07 continued to run with authority in his second game back to full action following extensive knee rehab. Mike McKenna (Middlebury’s VP of Communications and team academic advisor) was back on the sidelines and describes the difficulty tacklers face with Pascal.

Losambe '07 on Full Rinse Cycle Harasimowicz Photo

“With the field still greasy, it made it even harder to tackle him,” said MeKenna of Pascal’s running. “On a couple of breaks it was as if UVM's players were trying to bring down a Maytag washing machine moving at twenty miles an hour on full rinse cycle. Hard to get a grip on.” There is a compelling image for you. Watch out for the kids with that action is in the house.

Dellarocca '07 and Yoquinto '08 Scramble For Loose Ball
Harasimowicz Photo

I know we gotta’ cut Mike some slack here, but so far, Pascal is the only name he has learned. So I will add, in brackets, the name of the players most likely to have been the folks Mike was talking about in his discussion below.
“The units within the team were also very efficient,” said McKenna. “Wings [Losambe and Spencer Cox or maybe Craig Wilson] and fullback [Ari Silverman], back row of flankers [Jimmy Manyuru the forwards captain and Chas Wirene] and the 8 [Trey Stewart] and the two halfbacks [scrum half Max Levine and fly half/backs captain Matt Volz] all worked very well together. The scrum half [Levine] scored two nice, opportunistic tries, and his fly half [Volz] made good choices all day.”

Strong Forwards Action Early in Match Harasimowicz Photo

“I am also very impressed with the front five in the scrum,” said McKenna. [Front five include the seasoned props rotating among Sean Meany and Alex White and JJ Jude, the hooker Joe Dellarocca and the locks, Luke Yoquinto and Pat Mott] “Not the biggest kids, but well oiled and productive. All the Midds also tackled very well all day forcing the [UVM] Cats to pass too quickly to avoid contact. Without looping, they continually left their poor wings pinned on the sidelines with no support and they were cooked.”

Midd's Mott Powers Through Harasimowicz Photo

The field conditions would drive a grounds keeper to the bottle but by now the players seem to take it in stride. Weather and field conditions ‘just perfect for a fun run in the mud’ as Coach Ward has said before. Said McKenna, “At the end of the day all the players on both sides were again covered in mud, making [it] look like one of those tribal rituals in Borneo where they wear the dried clay masks.” Ah, yes – dried clay mask rituals.

A Textbook Shot of Mud Rugby Harasimowicz Photo

McKenna commented on the team camaraderie -something long time Friends of Rugby regulars have come to expect. “I left the game thinking that this is a team that really PLAYS the game with a lot of joy,” said McKenna. “there is a sense they are having fun and enjoying one another's successes. It is great to watch.”

On the games coming this weekend at Northeasts, senior Chas Wirene is confident. “Don’t worry, this team is out to play and won’t let any of these guys get in our way.”

Ain’t that the truth.

In the other Northeast Rugby quarterfinals matches on Saturday November 4, #2 seeded Vassar of the Metropolitan New York Union, were 71-31 winners over the #7 seed Geneseo of the New York State Conference and the #3 seed US Coast Guard Academy beat down the #6 seed Seton Hall (also out of Met New York) 52-3. In the closest match of the quarterfinals, #5 seed University of Maine –Orono out of the New England Union defeated #4 seed SUNY Albany 18-16 to advance.

With their win, Middlebury has for the eigth consecutive year reached the Northeast Territorial semifinals and will next face University of Maine-Orono in their semi-final match on Saturday, November 11 in Batavia, NY. Game time is scheduled for 1:00pm on Field 3 at the venue -but this could change.

The winner will advance to Sunday’s finals against the winner of the semifinal match between US Coast Guard Academy and Vassar College. Brackets and pairings for all the competition at the championships in Batavia can be found by clicking here.

Max Levine '09 Scores Final Try of Match Harasimowicz Photo

Next UP:
Sponsored by the Genesee Creamers Rugby Club this year's Northeast Rugby Union Territorial Collegiate finals are being held at Genesee Community College, part of the SUNY system, in Batavia, New York. Better start driving now, because this place is in the Wild West –midway between Buffalo and Rochester. (368 miles from NYC and 125 mi from Toronto.) The GCC venue will host all of the Northeast Territory Division I, II, and III play.

Driving directions to the Genesee Community College can be found by clicking here.
Accomodations and other information can be found on the Northeast Rugby Union website.
The Northeast Territory College Championships 2006 event schedule can be found here.

The Rock vs. The Hard Place

2006-11-03T14:23:00.000-05:00

Middlebury 2006 NERFU Champs

Jimmy Manyuru ’07 Takes Down CGA Runner – Trey Stewart Supports
Harasimowicz Photo

“Nice way to end the weekend,” says Mike McKenna

The Middlebury College Rugby Club, competing against league rival US Coast Guard Academy scored first and never trailed in their New England Rugby Football Union championship match held Sunday, October 29 at Middlebury.

The defending 2005 New England RFU champions MCRC knew at the beginning of the season that they would have to go through USCGA to repeat as New England champs in ’06. As the fans have come to expect, the Panthers stepped up their game against the conditioned, disciplined CGA squad under typical post season conditions.

Losambe '07 Returns to Action Harasimowicz Photo

On a rain-soaked, greasy pitch described by Coach Patterson as “muddy to the point of silly” the MCRC held the 2006 Division II National Champion CGA to a 8-8 tie for more than 20 minutes of second-half play. In the 78th minute the go-ahead try was scored by senior Pat Mott on an assist by Max Levine ’09. Though the two-point conversion kick failed MCRC had momentum and the clock in their favor and won the match 13-8.

Mott '07 Scores Winning Try On Last Dry Ground
Harasimowicz Photo

The fans were treated to a superb game under challenging conditions. With first half winds howling, intermittent rain and a 39 degree temperature Middlebury came out blazing. “We attacked with the wind at our backs and earned an early try to go up 5 -0,” said Coach Patterson. The try was unconverted. Middlebury scored again in the first on a 3 point penalty kick from former Midd soccer player turned rugger Ari Silverman ’09. Middlebury held an 8-0 advantage. CGA regrouped and scored late in the first period and trailed at the half, 8-5.

A newcomer to the Friends of Rugby, Middlebury’s Mike McKenna (the College's VP of Communications and) is faculty advisor to the team, and a long-time rugby supporter and former player. He offered insight to the weekend tournament that began on Saturday with semi-final play. “The field conditions were a key reason both finalists made it through to the championship game over heavier, SUV-sized sides from UVM and Maine [Orono], who could not get the tire traction or match the fitness of their opponents wading through the paddock,” said McKenna.

He concluded, “The Coasties were a great side…quick, resolute… but in the end they couldn't equal the cohesion and pace of Middlebury.”

Luke Yoquinto Startes Long Run Harasimowicz Photo

In the second half play see-sawed and CGA kicked effectively with the wind keeping Middlebury backed up. Parent Ike Levine describes it: “Second half into the wind, and Coast Guard’s only weapon was to punt deep. Fortunately for us, the ball would die in the muck… we would advance, advance, advance and then they would kick us back.”

In the 59th minute Trey Stewart received his second yellow card from repeated infractions and was ejected from the game forcing Middlebury to play short-handed. Coast Guard quickly scored on a penalty kick to tie the match. Home-field advantage became a factor. “The crowd intensity lifted which in turn lifted [Middlebury] to a level in which only deep down character in each player could provide,” said Levine. The Coasties couldn’t capitalize though and had limited success moving the ball after that. “Every time the coast guard backs touched the ball they went backwards to [Midd’s] inspired back play defense. We pushed them back and back and back and with only minutes to go, Max Levine took a ball out of ruck short side …faked a pass and drew the defense to him and then laid off a pass [to Pat Mott] for the winning score,” said Ike. The conditions hampered the backs from both squads but there was “determined play and only a minimum of knockons by Middlebury. Forwards were magnificant in both the loose and tight play,” said Levine.

Alex White and the Color of Mud Harasimowicz Photo

The fans saw a limited return of the brilliant runner Pascal Losambe ‘07, who has been out for much of the season due to MCL injury. The rugged play took its toll on key personnel. Senior Jeff Harasimowicz, ready after two previous years of having to watch this championship match from the sidelines (broken nose in ’04, hamstring tear ’05) played his characteristically inspired hard ball in the first half of the match. But he suffered a nasty knee-blow to the head and was out with a concussion for the second half. Though disappointed, and mending well he will be out of action for Northeast quarterfinals match this weekend. He looks to return soon after. Muchadei Zvoma was hobbled by a rolled an ankle in the match as well.

The Faces of Champions Harasimowicz Photo

The fans of DII rugby have come to anticipate that the MCRC/CGA divisional rivalry signals the march toward the National tournament in May. For the last five years these two teams have traded NERFU championships and always returned to face each other in the Northeast Union competition that follows the NERFU regional play. They are arguably the two most consistently coached and matched up teams as can be found in College rugby. Their matches are tactical struggles that test the nerves of all involved -and what else would you want? Comfortable wins? Blow-out scoring? Nahhh. Bring on the post-season and more Coast Guards. Well done MCRC and good luck in the next CGA match-up. I trust it won't too long.

Man of the Match voting: “I would give man of the match to the whole team. You don't beat a tough opponent on a challenging field in horrible weather without all of the first 15 plus needed reserves contributing," said Mike McKenna.

DII New England Rugby Football Union Champs!
Harasimowicz Photo

Can I get a AMEN?

Next Up: The Northeast Rugby Union territorial championships begin November 4 at 1:00pm at Middlebury with Quarterfinal action and conclude on November 11-12 in Batavia, New York at Genessee Community College.

With their win today, Middlebury has become the NRU #1 seed and will host the #8 seed University of Vermont at Middlebury. Game time is 1:00pm. Despite two wins thus far over UVM, MCRC has a lot of respect for this considerable opponent. Matt Volz ’07 notes, “They're a good group of guys, and they play hard. So, we're all expecting a hard-fought game.”

Oh, A Storm Is Threatning

2006-10-28T21:44:00.001-04:00

Pat Mott On Way To First Score of Match Harasimowicz Photo

Saturday, October 28, 2006, Middlebury, VT
In a blustery rainstorm the NERFU Division II Men’s Collegiate #4 seed University of Vermont Men’s Rugby Club and the #1 seed Middlebury College Rugby Club faced off in the first match of the New England Union's Semi-Finals action today.

Joe Dellaroca '07 (With ball 2nd from right) Avoids Heavy Lifting
Harasimowicz Photo

Playing with renewed focus and intensity following their first meeting with UVM three weeks ago (see post here), MCRC took command early and didn’t look back with Middlebury scoring first on a try by Pat Mott, '07. Final score: 31 – 7. With the win, Middlebury advances to tomorrow’s Championship match at 1:00pm.

Max Levine '09 Pounces UVM Kicked Ball in End Zone for Try
Harasimowocz Photo

In today's second semi-final match the #2 seed US Coast Guard Academy defeated the #3 seed University of Maine – Orono squad 21-7 (unofficial) to advance to Sunday’s Championship match with Middlebury. UMaine faces UVM in tomorrow's Consolation Match at 11:00am.

NO report yet on today’s Women's Quarterfinal Division III match between MCRC and Bryant College.

Why They Invented Stitches - Volz '07
Harasimowicz Photo

NERFU Division II Finals October 28 & 29

2006-10-26T10:20:00.000-04:00

Muchadei Zvoma '07 Carries, Cox Supports in BU Action 10-21-06
Harasimowicz Photo

The Best Rugby You'll See All Year - All In One Spot

As the #1 seed Middlebury will host the 2006 New England Rugby Football Union Men’s College Division II Championship matches. The top four teams in the Division compete this weekend for the New England championship. Look for good competition with an eye toward another MCRC rematch with USCGA on Sunday. Oh Yeah -it is comin' to town.

Saturday 10/28 – Semifinal Matches
MCRC (#1 Seed) vs. (#4 Seed) UVM at 11:00am
USCGA (Coast Guard) (#2 Seed) vs. University of Maine, Orono (#4 Seed) at 3:00pm

Sunday 10/29 – Finals
Consolation Match: 11:00am
Championship Match: 1:00pm
Don’t forget: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS ends at 2:00am on Sunday! Set your clocks...

For Directions to Middlebury College: Click Here. The rugby pitch is located adjacent to the Peterson Family Athletics Complex on south Main Street (Route 30) at the south edge of campus.

Also on Saturday 10/28:
The NERFU Division III Women's Collegiate Quarterfinal Match play occurs with the Midd Women facing Bryant College at 1:00pm. Come out in support of the continuing excellence of the MCRC!

Heitkamp, Yoquinto, ?, Jude, Zvoma in BU Action - 10/21/06
Harasimowicz Photo

Terriers: Take Two (and call me in the morning)

2006-10-25T23:54:00.000-04:00

Volz Goes Aerial Over Goal Line Harasimowicz Photo

Saturday, 10.21.06 Middlebury, VT In NERFU Quarterfinal action the #1 Middlebury College Rugby Club faced the #8 seeded Boston University Rugby Club for the second time this year. Playing under grey overcast skies on a wet, sloppy pitch didn't hamper the free-running Panthers ground game much. The turf, quite unlike BU's artificial surface of BU's Nickerson Field (site of both teams' season opener) did cause problems for BU though who managed only two tries and no conversion points in the match. MCRC won handily with a final score of 36-10 .

Max Levine Scores Another Try Harasimowicz Photo

Forward's Captain Manyuru '07 Leads the Way Harasimowicz Photo

Craig Wilson, '07 Kicking for Points Harasimowicz Photo

Next Up:MCRC hosts the New England Championship semi and final matches on Saturday and Sunday, October 28-29. The top four teams in the NERFU Northeast Division will compete. Here's hoping for a Sunday MCRC rematch with US Coast Guard Academy.

Swing and A Miss... St. Mike's Next to Fall

2006-10-18T13:15:00.000-04:00

Third Team This Year to go Scoreless Against High Flying Panthers

OK. Bad metaphor. And yeah, I was incorrect in the last post that the St. Mike's match would NOT be a smackdown rerun that continued last week's Babson rout. Based on last year's game I thought St. Mike's would have more to show the Panthers -I didn't do enough research on that prediction. That, and the basic rule that 'what happened last year' assessments are often a bad predictor of... just about anything.

But what else can you say with Middlebury 57-0 win last Saturday at St. Mike's? Beautiful weather -again. Well executed team play -again. Competition that is unable to score -again.

Signora Ellen was back on the sidelines with the white lenses and, as you can see, captured some fine action shots.

Tag Team "Prevent D " Harasimowicz Photo

To be so close must have been a real frustrating situation for St. Mike's - I believe Tommy Heitkamp's feet are in the end zone in the above picture. Support on tackle offered by unknown Midd defender. More to follow.

Next Game:
MCRC, the Division II College #1 seed starts post-season play on Saturday, October 21 at Middlebury against the #8 seed Boston University Terriers. Game time is 2:00pm. Middlebury stomped BU at BU's Nickerson Field in their first meeting this year. See that post here.

The Trying Game

2006-10-13T09:54:00.000-04:00

Panthers Maul Beavers in 86-0 Smackdown

It was indeed another rough day for the Babson United Rugby Club who travelled for the third year in a row by whatever means necessary to Middlebury for their annual attempt at scoring a point against the MCRC. Bettering last year's win (see Partly Cloudy, Chance of Deluge) over the Beavers by 50 points Middlebury pulled out all stops, the A side starters, and even shortened the game clock by 9 minutes in order to limit the carnage.

Mad props to the Beavers for putting up with this. With their effort Babson showed "character, committment to their club and to us. I was very impressed by this." said Coach Ward. As for his team play Coach Ward noted "The boys played the best rugby so far, with good phases linking the backs and the forwards together."

More stories about eating Shrimp From Oklahoma to follow. Maybe even some pictures...

Next up:
Middlebury AT St. Mike's, Saturday 10/14/06
This will NOT be a smackdown rerun... See last year's St. Mike's match comments here.
A-side match play starts at 2:00pm following the Middlebury Women's match.

Cox Sports Newest Scrum Cap

2006-10-06T16:25:00.000-04:00

Losambe Gives Teammate Cox Credit For "Mad" Invention
Peter Straub Photo

Manyuru Doubts Effectiveness

MCRC vs. UVM = W

2006-10-04T12:39:00.000-04:00

Play is On - Peter Straub Photo

Panthers Rally From First Half Deficit in 13-10 Win

Following a year-long "time-out" the University of Vermont Men's Rugby team has returned to Division II play this year. With confident early season play and last week's lofty ranking in the NERFU standings they showed up Saturday September 30 determined to take the high-scoring MCRC to task. UVM took the game to the final horn but the Panthers depth and abiltiy to capitalize on mistakes carried them to a 13-10 A side match win under ideal weather conditions.

Meany Evil Eye - Into the Scrum - Peter Straub Photo

"UVM played with energy the whole game and Midd had to play catch up. If UVM's skill level matched their intensity, Midd would have come up short" said Midd parent and long-time Friend of Rugby Peter Straub.

Into the Scrum 2 - Peter Straub Photo

Parent Ike Levine called the first half this way (Ike's comments are italicized):
"The UVM team kept Middlebury back in its half of the pitch for nearly the first 15 minutes. We lost the ball in the scrum, the rucks, the malls and in the loose play. With all that Middlebury scored first with a penalty. Then UVM reeled off two long back rotations for two tries. Fortunately, the UVM kicker and his cavalier attitude resulted in both going unconverted." UVM up 10 - 3 at the half.

Communication -Volz / Patterson - Peter Straub Photo

"Prior to [the] half the Middlebury forwards came to life with inspired rucking and scrum work. Middlebury scrum pushed UVM off the mark consistantly from the 20 minute mark."

"In the second half, Middlebury pack showed improved focus and fitness. Five rotation scrums were lost by UVM. Finally with 20 minutes left in the match, Sparta [Craig Wilson] took a kick at mid field and spun and weaved his magic in for a try. The conversion tied the match."

"With ten minutes remaining Middlebury went on top with a penalty kick" and "the Midd magic was evident once again" As they say in South Boston: 'It's ova' when it's ova,' and not before.

"UVM mounted an aggressive back movement with their strongside winger going the last 20 meters into goal," but as it had the entire second half, the focused Middlebury back defense responded. "When all seemed lost, the [Midd] wing and fullback pushed the UVM wing into touch in goal for a 22 meter drop kick. No points, UVM balloon deflated, game over."

"Middlebury backs were evenly matched throughout the game but they never retreated nor did they yield any significant ground except for the last near try. Kudos to all for thier grit, fitness, and character not to give in or give up." Commentary provided by Ike Levine.

The MCRC Killer B's, in coaching parlance, "ran away" from UVM in B-side match play.

Next match is Saturday, October 7:
MCRC vs. Babson College AT Middlebury
Start time: probably around NOON or so...

MCRC vs. UVM = W

2006-10-03T13:45:00.000-04:00

Middlebury Behind at Half 3-10 to University of Vermont

Into the Scrum - Peter Straub Photo

Story and pics about the September 30 match to be posted soon.....

MCRC Takes Control – Whabam!

2006-09-27T20:54:00.001-04:00

Meany Scores Try - Harasimowicz Photo

Middlebury Is Fumble-Prone Early in 38-0 Win

Ike Levine’s Insights (Thoughts from a Playa') are noted in italics in this post:

A Little History
Those of you from the old days (Pre Coach Patterson perhaps) know that Williams was once a formidable Middlebury opponent. "Whoa, close game!” is not something heard at an Eph match in a long time -which is a testament to the MCRC’s commitment to recruiting talented (mostly) rookie players to the game, improving their skills and performing brilliantly against top flight competition during the post season. They don’t just win, they improve and win. (Witness last year’s New England’s contest against the always tough Coast Guard Academy.)

Struggle for Possesion - Harasimowicz Photo

But the fact is, these days Williams doesn’t have the stuff it did back in the “pre-Ward” 90's. They are currently sharing a 0-2 start to their season with NERFU Division II cellar dwellers Western CT State College and Boston University. Says Ike, “I must admit that it was quite gratifying to listen to the William's ruggers and supporters lamenting their lot in life over getting [their] butts kicked by Middlebury.” See the current standings here.

Wirene and Yoquinto - Eyes Wide Open - Harasimowicz Photo

Photographer Ellen noted that the Williams coach expressed his displeasure at his team’s failure to arrive to the pitch on time by coaching from the opposite sideline –away from the players. Yeah… that didn’t work. Williams and the weather did offered enough of a disctraction to foster considerably sloppy play early in the match. “A wet, overcast day brought slippery fingers by the backs and forwards, especially in the first twenty minutes......four or five scoring chances were lost due to knock-ons and our Coach was certainly losing some of his hair in frustration.”

Jimmy Manyuru Line-out Body English- Harasimowicz Photo

"Once again the Matty [Volz ‘07] to Pascal [Losambe] combination lit up the match in the first half as time and again the Middlebury centers ran rampant through the defense. Unfortunately Pascal was hurt at the end of the first half and our #8 shifted to center seamlessly.”

Textbook Line Out - Harasimowicz Photo

”Coach substituted liberally throughout the match with four wings, two fullbacks, and two #8 used. Fine job by the ref made watching the match more enjoyable. Our forwards rucking was clearly more intense and focused this week. I am amazed at their commitment, focus and fitness.”

Max Levine '09 Sturggles to Advance - Harasimowicz Photo

Ruck: An Explanation of This (Not So) Confusing Technique:
When the ball is being run, a player tackled to the ground must immediately release the ball (the defender tackling the runner must release the runner after the tackle) making it available to both teams. Typically the tackled player will attempt to place the ball closest to his own supporting players. Those supporting players will make a decision to pickup the loose ball or drive over the ball and tackled player to bind together into a new ruck. The defending team will do the same thing in an attempt to push the attacking team backwards. If the ball is picked up and advanced again by either side, a maul can quickly ensue if the advance is checked by the defence and the ball does not go to the ground. Each time a successive ruck or maul is set, it is described as a phase of play. (from scrum.com)

Spencer Cox Releases - Harasimowicz Photo

”Congrats to our hooker who, on a kick and run, led both the pack and backs down the field in an outburst of speed not witnessed by this observer in twenty years. Well Done. Cheers, Ike."

Next Game:
Saturday, September 30, 2006: MCRC is HOME against the University of Vermont.
This will be an exciting game. See the success UVM is having in Division II play in the link to the NERFU standings website above. Last Spring the Panthers lost to UVM in the Williamstown Tournament.

Game Time 12:00 Noon.

MCRC Busts Loose - BU First To Fall

2006-09-18T12:28:00.000-04:00

JJ Jude Out in Front in Pregame Haka - Harasimowicz Photo

Saturday, Sep 16, 2006, Boston:

In a show of team unity the Middlebury College Rugby Club started the 2006 season true to form. After falling behind in the first quarter 15-10 (no, that's NOT the true-to-form part) the Panthers shook off the rust of inactivity and cruised methodically to a 58-15 win over the hopeful Terriers of Boston University on the artificial turf of Nickerson Field. In my four years of watching the MCRC this is the first game played on artificial turf. And I missed it -I'll bet the players won't.

Coming off of last years’ 47-7 opening season loss, the Terriers had to be feeling confident early on. It was not to be as the Panther game we are used to seeing roared to life. Ellen Harasimowicz, Photographer and Mom of Jeff summed it up as “…classic MCRC brilliance.”

Ellen provided the following fabulous shots from the game. I hope to get some play by play from the game from some of you Reporter Parents in attendance... Ike, you have anything for me?? Ward, anybody? Hopefully game comments will be posted soon.

Cox Perfecting Terrier Hip Throw - Harasimowicz Photo

Game Comments From Ike Levine: (italicized)
"First ten minutes was sloppy and full of hesitancy but the rust wore off and the forwards picked up the pace and intensity. I believe the scrum won four balls off the tighthead, and the forwards forced three scrum rotation violations. ( As you can see, Ike knows Rugby and the colorful nomenclature...)

Volz Scores Valuable Points With Double Leg Takedown
(Matty Being Matty) - Harasimowicz Photo

"Great game by Matt Volz to keep the ball moving, fabulous defense and an uncanny knack for knowing when to duck just prior to being pummelled. [sic]"

Jeff Harasimowicz On Way to Second Try -Harasimowicz Photo

"New Offense has succeeded in getting significantly more ball to centers and wings which forces the forwards to be more active in following the ball for second and third phase rugby."

Highlight Film Needed Here...
"Speed kills: Middlebury outside center intercepts BU backline passing sequence for an uncontested 70 meter try under the posts."

Volz Outlet Pass -Harasimowica Photo

"End of game (almost) Spartacus [Craig Wilson] 15 punts the ball directly into touch, 15 rows into the seats to the Middlebury support fans section of the stadium, only to be told by the ref the match wasn't finished -we were now in injury time."

Levine Terrierized - Children Flee Scene -Harasimowicz Photo

Define "Pretzelling"
"Got to put a plug in for Max [Levine '09] [This was his] first A side match at 9, he struggled first 5-10 minutes with a major pretzelling by an offside wing forward but he discarded his head gear, got his mojo back and broke the match open during the 15-15 tie with a 50 meter run and kick that ended with a try."

"His mother opened her eyes five minutes after the play to ask "is he still alive?"

You can be sure I'll be posting more "Ike" play-by-play commentary of future MCRC matches.
Next up: MCRC at Williams College, Williamstown, MASS, Saturday 23. Check the schedule for start time.

Oh Yeah - It Begins Again

2006-09-13T23:28:00.000-04:00

Like it does every year about this time, the 2006 Middlebury College Rugby Club Season is about to kick off... Oh Yeah.

MCRC vs. BUMR - The Sequel

The September 16 season opener finds MCRC on the road in a 6:00pm match at Boston University. A map for the field can be found here. Nickerson field is BU's main athletic facility and is shown in the upper left part of the map. NOTE: The best way to enter the field is through Walter Brown Arena, located at 285 Babcock St. Babcock is the next street after Harry Agganis Way, intersecting Commonwealth Ave. and has available parking.

Directions to Nickerson Field for MCRC vs. BU

From the West:
Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) East to Exit 18 (Cambridge-Allston). Bear right after toll towards Cambridge. Turn right on Storrow Drive. Take the first exit (Boston University) - just past the overpass. Right at stop sign on to Commonwealth Avenue. Nickerson Field is located on the right-hand side at the fifth traffic light on Harry Agganis Way.
NOTE: HARRY AGGANIS WAY IS THE WALKING ENTRANCE TO THE STADIUM - IT IS CLOSED TO AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC

From the North or South Shore:
I-93 into Boston to the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90) West. Exit 20 (Cambridge- Allston) and bear right after toll towards Cambridge. Turn right on Storrow Drive. Take the first exit (Boston University) - just pass the overpass. Right at stop sign on to Commonwealth Avenue. Nickerson Field is located on the right-hand side at the fifth traffic light on Harry Agganis Way.
NOTE: HARRY AGGANIS WAY IS THE WALKING ENTRANCE TO THE STADIUM - IT IS CLOSED TO AUTOMOBILE TRAFFIC

Directions from Nickerson Field to the Mass. Pike:
From Nickerson Field on Harry Agganis Way, take a right onto Commonwealth Ave (outbound). At your 2nd light, take the right fork
onto Brighton Ave. At 2nd light, take a right onto Harvard Ave. Turn right onto Cambridge St (Sports Depot is across the street). Enter the Mass Pike about 1/2 mile on your right. Entrance to both North and South are available.

The team's fall 2006 schedule appears below. This year there are three 'away' games during the brief five game regular season.

Middlebury College Rugby Club 2006 Fall Schedule - Men:

Sept. 16 - AWAY at Boston University (Game at Nickerson Field, Harry Agganis Way on the BU Campus - 6:00 pm)
Sept. 23 - AWAY against Williams at 1 pm; (B game usually follows A game.)
Sept. 30 - HOME against University of Vermont (returning to Division II competition this year) at 12:00 pm.
Oct. 7 - HOME against Babson at (TBD) pm (MIDD's FALL FAMILY WEEKEND)
Oct. 14 - AWAY against St. Mike’s at (TBD) pm

Oct. 21 - New England Quarter Finals - H/A Location TBD (HOMECOMING Weekend)
Oct. 28 and 29 - HOME - New England Championships - HOSTED by Middlebury College - Saturday 1:00 pm and 3:00pm semifinals
Nov. 4 - North East Quarterfinals - H/A Location TBD
Nov. 12 and 13 - AWAY - North East Territorial Championship - Location TBD

Oh Yeah. Go Panthers.

URI Sets Speed Trap

2005-11-21T23:04:00.000-05:00

Time Runs Out on MCRC’s Final Go Of Season

Story to follow.

Photos from the URI Middlebury Match in the Northeast Territorial Union semi-final matchup 11/12/05 in Amherst Mass.

Seniors Robinson, McCormick, Williams, Etter, Hewitt, Hammock, Smith, Garner, Consenstine (Sharpe and King Missing)

Sharpe Observes Hewitt Lifting

Ball Possession Was Key

Hewitt Gives a Lift

A Little HELP Here...

Characteristically Sharpe Tackle

Play Starts With Volz Outlet to Smith

Craig Wilson tripped up By URI Player-Coach Cory Joseph

Semi-Final Game On!

2005-11-10T22:28:00.000-05:00

Northeast Territory Union semi-final match play will be held at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst on the Athletic Fields South pitches on Mullins Way on Saturday 11/12/05.
Division I and Division II competition starts at 10:00am.

#1 Seed Middlebury faces URI at 2:00pm
CLICK HERE FOR CAMPUS MAP

MCRC Sets Course for Amherst

2005-11-08T12:28:00.000-05:00

Tyler Williams '06 In Rigorous Ruck

Team Cruises in Autopilot Win Over Vassar 60-5
Will Face URI on Saturday 11/12 at 2:00pm

In quartefinal action against Vassar College this past Sunday the Middlebury College men's rugby team set about the business of advancing to the November 12 Northeast Region semifinals in Amherst with a decisive game plan: score early and score often.

Tommy Heitkamp '06.5 Scores First of Three Trys

With their talented and increasingly experienced roster of 'off the bench' players performing as fluidly as the starters they replaced, the team was ready to continue the pace set in their fabulous wins ten days ago in the New England championships. And they left nothing to chance.

Brewers Were Effective Early Stopping Fullback Craig Wilson '07.5

Lock 'Moose' Yoquinto '08 Engages With Eyes Wide Shut

Overall offensive strength, determined and confident play from the backs, rigorous scrumming from the front line and blanketing pressure on the Brewer running backs limited the options for the overmatched Vassar club.

Cal Garner '06 Battles For Post-Scrum Possession

Brewer With Superb Hand Strength Slows Williams '06

Early in the match Vassar seemed to rattle the MCRC game plan with effective mauling landing them close to the Middlebury goal line. But a couple of decisive plays by the Panther back line including a timely clearing kick from fullback Craig Wilson erased the early threat. After three early Panther trys the team started looking more relaxed.

Williams '06 Sets Up Next Phase As Teammates Support

Vassar managed few offensive yards in a game dominated by Middlebury's abitlity to capitalize on mistakes and apply pressure where needed. Midd's outside defensive backs continually shut down Vassar's wide runs allowing the always-reliable interior tacklers to go to work.
More to follow soon.

Northeast Territory semi-final match play will be at the University of Massachusetts - Amherst pitches on Mullins Way at the Athletic Fields South starting Saturday 11/12/05 in the morning. Middlebury's match is at 2:00pm. CLICK HERE FOR CAMPUS MAP

For another take on this game, read the comments of head coach Tony Brown of the Vassar College RFC by clicking here.

Then Bagpipes Played

2005-11-04T00:28:00.000-05:00

A Touch of Class
With the strains of ‘Scotland the Brave’ lilting over the field, the final game of the 2005 New England Championships began Sunday, 30 October, as the lone piper stood playing between the pitch uprights. Many of us wondered if the Coast Guard had brought some mystical aid to take down this year’s deep Middlebury team. Not so.

Catching Some Air at Halftime Peter Straub Photo

So who is the piper? Josh Hendrickson ’07.5, of Middlebury College is a friend of rugby and of team members Matt Volz and Pasqual Losambe. He has been piping for about 9 years, having learned the instrument while living in Brussels, Belgium. “I just kept bugging people until they taught me how to play,” said Josh. He noted, for Sunday’s contest against Coast Guard “some guys asked me to play… so it only seemed appropriate.”

2005 N E W E N G L A N D C H A M P S ! ! Peter Straub Photo

His choice of music was easy. “Until recently ‘Scotland the Brave’ was the Scottish National Anthem and is played before every rugby match that the Scottish team plays” said Josh. “I played ‘Scotland the Brave’ once through, then threw in 'The Rowan Tree’ …because it sounds great with 'Scotland the Brave' then I played 'Scotland the Brave' again… I chose it because it seems to be the classic fight song for a rugby game played on the bagpipes.”

Opposing USCGA Captain and Volz '07 Peter Straub Photo

Josh noted he will definitely be playing again at this Sunday’s start of the Northeast Territorial quarterfinal match against Vassar College. Game time is 1:00pm at the Middlebury College pitch, 11/6/05.

O U T S T A N D I N G !

2005-10-31T12:44:00.000-05:00

MCRC Recaptures New England Title
Sunday, 10/30/05:
MCRC defeated USCGA 11-6 in spectacular match under sunny skies and temps in the 60's. Stay tuned to this blog for more details!

MCRC Matches Are in Rutland...

2005-10-28T18:10:00.000-04:00

No matches at Middlebury Saturday or Sunday!

Click here for information on the 10/29 and 10/30 matches. Click here for directions to the pitch.

Partly Cloudy (What Again?) Part One

2005-10-27T22:47:00.000-04:00

Manyuru Perfects The Line Out Tip Drill

MCRC Tackles Trinity
In an area of Vermont once known for its industrial production the men of the MCRC kicked-off this years New England RFU Quarterfinal match play October 22 by stifling a determined Trinity Bantam team in a 26-3 victory on yet another grey New England Saturday.

Cox Has No Daylight

After finding the field in the outskirts of West Rutland, "down the gravel road, past the Marble processing plant, road takes off on the left... ignore the NO TRESPASSING signs... You can't miss it," and realizing this could be a long afternoon, I went back into West Rutland in search of chow. After bypassing a couple of taverns, and a deli, I wandered into a rather plain looking place with a colorfully painted wall mural. Good Choice.

Losambe '07 Has More Fun Harasimowicz Photo

With a Roast Turkey, Stuffing, and Cranberry Sauce Melt on rye to go, I went back to the pitch. ( I had asked about the Tuna Melt. Friendly waitress shook her head as if to say... "No. That's not what you want. You want the RTS&CSM," -abbreviated to shorten this description.) I digress.

Williams '06 Takes Advantage - Volz Observes
Harasimowicz Photo

The location of this years NERFU quarterfinal was a photographers dream: a backdrop friendly pitch carved out of the graceful reeds and grasses of a mature wetland. Run by the Rutland Rugby Football Club for their U-19 Boys and U-19 Girls teams this pitch served the event very serviceably.

Junior Tommy Heitkamp Frustrates Sleeve Tackler
Harasimowicz photo

Etter Reacts to Cox Dazzling Try

With the rains holding off through the MCRC women's match (a loss to UVM - I saw only Midd scoring) and men's A match with Trinity and B match with the Dartmouth Freshman team fans were treated to hard fought contests that challenged the Midd squads.

Wilson Working the Body English Harasimowicz Photo

In the Trinity match some very impressive running from the Midd backs electrified the crowd. Winger Spencer Cox, one of the many bright lights in the future of Midd Rugby, scored early and elicited howls of delight as he ran a series of dazzling cuts around the Bantam defenders for the first try of the match. With the kicking tee momentarily AWOL Craig Wilson pulled another trick from his bag and placed a dead-on drop kick for the two-point conversion. Haven't seen that yet this season that I can recall -things looked bright indeed.

Losambe '07 Drawing the Usual Crowd

To be continued...

NERFU Finals October 29 & 30

2005-10-26T22:20:00.000-04:00

Don't forget: This weekend the New England Rugby Football Union Finals matches will be held on both Saturday and Sunday, Oct 29, and 30 AT RUTLAND.

For Directions to the Rutland pitch: Click Here

Saturday Games: MCRC vs. Colby at 1:00pm and Univ. of Rhode Island vs US Coast Guard Academy at 3:00pm
Sunday Games: Third seed game at 11:00am and Championship game at 1:00pm

Photos from the Trinity Quarterfinals Match

...That's Gonna Leave a Mark MCRC v Trinity 10/22

Cox and Volz Tag Team to Bag a Bantam

This weekend is also Middlebury's final Fall Family Weekend. Unfortunately, you casual rugby fans won't be able to just drop-in to this game as you wander among the many campus venues -sporting and otherwise. You can't just go grab a snack from the big feast outside Proctor (my favorite...) or drop in on perhaps yet another record breaking football game (Trinity comes to town.) Rugby matches this weekend are not in a convenient location. In the vernacular: the West Rutland pitch, is (literally) 'in the tulies.'

Losambe's '07 Power Move - Harasimowicz Photo

To everyone planning on driving to West Rutland I offer this advice: You should arrive early if you intend to park near the pitch. Tailgating is allowed. Otherwise, you'll need to hoof it in from the road (not far.) Get there early, and bring your own food, and know there are no bathrooms here. Plan accordingly. (?)

The Ref Is Not a Pirate Harasimowicz Photo

ALSO -Sunday: Set your clock back an hour so you don't get to the Breadloaf Buffet line before it opens! (Daylight Savings time is adjusted this Sunday Morning at... 2:00am(?) - Spring Ahead; Fall Back)

For Directions to the Rutland pitch: Click Here

Gear Time - Holiday Shopping Anyone?

2005-10-23T22:16:00.000-04:00

Harasimowicz Photo

Very shortly, the Club will be placing orders for new gear for those members who don't yet have it. This is your opportunity to perhaps knock out some Holiday shopping earlier than you thought possible. As in the past, Ward is opening up the ordering process to all Friends of Rugby -parents, significant others, grandmas, really generous cousins and the like.

Ridge Chew Amid Sea of Sporty Yet Formal MIDD Rugby Jackets

The Duffel bags are extreme heavy duty canvas, and as seen in the photo above say ‘Middlebury Rugby’ on one side and have the player's name on the other side. The end panels say ‘Northeast Division II Champs 2002.’ The jackets are also a quality heavy nylon with the club's logo on the jacket front and block print 'Middlebury Rugby' on the back.

Ordering is being handled by Ward Patterson. You can email him directly to order gear. Your favorite rugger will thank you for it. When I find out the costs, I'll update this post.

Vlad the Photographer UPDATE

2005-10-21T21:53:00.000-04:00

Check out Vlad Ladoaba's new and improved site showcasing his Rugby photographs. Photos from the Williams game have been joined by photos from the 10/15/05 Babson match, and an archive section is include with shots taken during the 2003 season. Check out the photograph of Pascal in this section being wrapped by a very large man in a scrum cap...

GO TO:
www.lodoaba.com/mcrc
(New location, new interface for the main page, same look for the galleries.)

New England Quarterfinals Begin This Weekend

2005-10-20T22:56:00.000-04:00

One on One - Meany Style - MCRC v BURC 10/15/05

New Location Chosen as MCRC Field Is Shot
The New England Rugby Football Union Championship match play will begin this weekend with quarterfinal matches across the conference set for Saturday, October 22, 2005. Due to unplayable conditions at the MCRC pitch, the Panthers will play their match in Rutland, Vermont at the Rutland Men's Club pitch.

Middlebury will face Trinity College at 1:00pm.
Since Trinity has no B squad the MCRC Killer B's will be taking on Dartmouth University's "rookie squad' following the A match at approximately 2:30pm.
Prior to the men's matches, the MCRC Women will take on Univ. of Vermont at 11:00am.

Directions to the Rutland pitch:

From NORTH:
Take US Route 7 into Rutland. In Rutland turn right onto Business Route 4A. Take 4A all the way through Center Rutland and on into West Rutland. Once in West Rutland, bear right at the flashing red light onto Marble Street. The field is .9 miles on left, look carefully for the entrance to the field as the pitch is not visible from the road.

From SOUTH:
Take US 7 North into Rutland, and turn left onto US Route 4 at the Diamond Run Mall. Take US 4 to Exit 6/West Rutland. Bear right at the bottom of the ramp, and then turn left at the traffic light onto US 4A toward West Rutland. At the flashing red light, turn right onto Marble Street. The field is .9 miles on left, look carefully for the entrance to the field as the pitch is not visible from the road.

FROM ALBANY / WEST:
North on I 87 to Exit 20, Rt-149/Fort Ann/Whitehall. At end of ramp, turn left onto US9N. After approximately one mile turn right onto NY149. In Fort Ann, turn left onto US4 East. Stay on Route 4 all the way to Exit 6/West Rutland. At the bottom of the ramp turn left, then at the traffice light turn left onto US Route 4A toward West Rutland. At the flashing red light, turn right onto Marble Street. The field is .9 miles on left, look carefully for the entrance to the field as the pitch is not visible from the road.

FROM THE EAST: Take US 4 West into Rutland, and at the intersection with Route 7 turn left/south. Take the next right onto Business Route 4A. Take 4A all the way through Center Rutland and on into West Rutland. Once in West Rutland, bear right at the flashing red light onto Marble Street. The field is .9 miles on left, look carefully for the entrance to the field as the pitch is not visible from the road.

Partly Cloudy, Chance of Deluge

2005-10-17T10:59:00.000-04:00

A Fun Run In The Mud

Regular Season Ends on High Note
The weather, figuring it was not getting enough playing time, let loose Saturday, sending all but the most diehard fans scurrying for cover and rendering the rugby pitch a mud bowl.

Consenstein/Harasimowicz Tag Team

With temps in the 50's, and the wind starting up, fans were not the only ones challenged at the sports venues this Homecoming Weekend. The Babson United Rugby Club faced the determined play of a Panther team that was working to better their foul-weather performance of last week. And better it they did.

King '06 Tackles with Support from Yoquinto '08

Consistent rucking, and efficient phase play led Middlebury to a comfortable half-time lead over the Babson Beavers, and determined running by wings John Sharpe and Craig Wilson, and consistently strong inside play by sophomore Yoquinto, and seniors Consenstein, Williams, and Garner gave Middlebury a decided win. "They feel very confident that the St.Mikes game was just a blip" said Coach Ward.

Three on One - Battle for Possession

Gusting winds once again made line outs a challenge, and Babson managed to win a fair number of scrum balls, but the Panthers defense stopped any runs the BURC could put together.

"What Rain?" Say Stylish Bleacher Bums

Rain started shortly after the 2:00pm match start -and just after I had covered my borrowed lens -and did not let up. In fact, at times, it came down in the proverbial 'wheelbarrows' full. Boston Globe writer David Nyhan once described playing rugby as a game where players “go skidding and sliding and splattering their way to the most fun you can have with short pants on.” Saturday that was evident.

Wilson '07.5 Scrambling

Whoa There...

After their teetering victory over St. Michael's last week, the MCRC team looked focused. "Amidst weather that made it challenging to score, we executed solidly and found holes in their defense to score," said wing John Sharpe, '06. "I want to emphasis, however, that the word which describes this game is 'FUN' -we had a blast out there. Being in the mud, yelling and fighting in a seemingly raging monsoon, dominating our opponents while the fans cheered is a fantastic feeling."

The team performed an especially rowdy 'three cheers for the fans' to close the day.

Coach Ward, proud of the team effort offered praise noting, "Their game came came back and they played very well." Looking to this weekend he was frank in his comments. "This week is the beginning of the championship season," Ward said, "and so we will have to see what kind of character we show up with. We have the skills and abilities, the question is, "Do we want to earn it?"

GQ Will Be Calling

Final score: MCRC over BURC 36-0. Though many B's got into this game, there was no 'B' match, as Babson showed up with only about 20 players.
Post-season play begins Saturday 10/22/05 with start of New England quaterfinals. Time and location to be announced.

Former Cutthroat Returns East

2005-10-14T22:31:00.000-04:00

Photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz, P '06
Always eager to post news with pictures, here is a letter from a MCRC alum, Ben Herter, '03.5 accompanied by photographs from current parent, and freelance photographer, Ellen Harasimowicz.

From the Williams Match:

Winning A Line Out Harasimowicz Photo

Harasimowicz '07 Pressuring Harasimowicz Photo

Ben Herter '03.5 Back in Boston
Ben's 10/1/05 letter:

Mike - Thanks for adding me to the blog. It's always nice to hear that Middlebury is still dominating the DII scene. I'm hoping to see them continue that streak on Homecoming Weekend. [10/15/05 - match with Babson] I think there will be a number of alumni up for that game.

Losambe '07 Dishes Harasimowicz Photo

Alex White '09 Releasing Harasimowicz Photo

As for me, I'm in Boston now, working at an architectural firm downtown and getting my masters of architecture at the Boston Architectural Center (w/ fellow rugby alumnus, Steve "Mess" Messenger). Unfortunately, this doesn't leave me much time to get on the pitch.

From the Bryant Match:

Wilson '07.5 Overruns Bulldog Harasimowicz Photo

Garner '06, and Hewitt '05.5 Take Down Harasimowicz Photo

I practiced with Kevin Immonje a couple of times this summer with the Boston Rugby Club, but that's about the most running I've done in a long while. Before I moved back to Boston I was out in Bozeman, Montana playing with Jody Kramer (on) a men's club -the Bozeman Cutthroats; www.cutthroatrugby.org.

Caleb Consenstein '06 Breaks Loose Harasimowicz Photo

JJ. Jude '08 Runs Wide - Tyler Williams '06 Supports
Harasimowicz Photo

I had no expectations when I went out there, but there turned out to be some great competition. All in all, it was a good ol' time bustin some heads and drinkin some b......umm....pops!
Hey, we even won the 2004 Montana State Rugby Union Championship! Not all that bad. I hope all is well. Keep me posted on the goings-on up in Middlebury. See you up there!.

Ben Herter '03.5 Flank

If you know of anyone eager to receive news about the MCRC, send me an email: Mike Garner, Friends of Rugby, MCRC.

Ellen Harasimowicz Photographing the Bryant Match

Like Vlad the Photographer, Ellen Harasimowicz continues to graciously put up with my tedious photography questions. Most of the photos in this blog quite literally would not be here without her continued and much-appreciated support. Thank you, Ellen.

Vlad the Photographer

2005-10-13T12:30:00.000-04:00

Middlebury File Photo

Middlebury College's own, Vladimir A. Lodoaba, '06 has graciously provided a web link to his photo collection from the September 24 MCRC home match against Williams College.

Vlad is a familiar face on the Middlebury photography landscape and a wonderful sports photographer. He is also a very courteous guy who has repeatedly put up with all my tedious photography questions over the years. I wish he were able to get to more home matches!

Check out his work at: http://www.lodoaba.com/rugby_vs_williams/ and tell him thanks next time you see him.

Contact Vlad through The Middlebury Campus or at photographer@middlebury.edu (great email address...)

Purple Knights Tag Team With Weatherman

2005-10-12T22:17:00.000-04:00

Wirene Haka

Can You Say I N C L E M E N T ?
In a game that had many thinking, "What's going on here?" the Panthers faced a wake-up call from the weather and a decidedly focused and capable St. Michaels team this past Saturday at the Middlebury pitch. In a driving rainstorm, the MCRC repeatedly faced determined tackling and increasing intensity as the Purple Knights club realized that they could compete with Middlebury.

Meany - Manyuru - White

With their team down by only 7 points a small but vocal set of St. Mikes fans hopes were very high as their squad carried the Panthers deep into the second period by repeatedly stifling the Panther running game.

Did the weather play a factor? Was this a different St. Michaels team from old? 'Yes' and 'hopefully.' Coach Ward summed it up: "We have been spoiled by great weather which really allows us to play our flair styled game. We had a string of dropped balls and way too many lost possessions in the rucks for us to keep the time of possession in our favor and the attack going."

Ruck Forming

The cold and rainy weather caught many players off guard. Fly half Luke Hammock had trouble getting the balls into and out of his hands. "I couldn't feel them, they were so cold in the first half." That coupled with St. Michaels consistent pressure caused many backs to look for running lanes before they caught their passes leading to the dropped balls.

At the halftime discussion with his players Coach Ward exhorted his team to focus and change tactics. Noting that his team could ‘lose this game’ with the continuation of mishandled balls and departure from the fundamentals they had trained during the week, he urged all to step it up.

Yoquinto Near Goal Line

In the second half, though Middlebury was only to score once more during the game, they caught passes and set up their phases a bit more consistently all the while preventing any kind of St Mikes offensive threat from forming. Coach Ward observed, 'despite [facing] 'into' the wind, we held a good territorial position that did not allow them close to the goal line."

Nope

Concerning the 'new' St. Michaels pressure, Coach Ward said, "St. Mikes always gives us a bigger game than we expect. These guys have been on the edge for some time now, and I hope that they grab the opportunity to get into the playoffs and use that to springboard them higher for the next couple of years.

Manyuru Near Goal Line

"When teams continue into the playoffs their learning curve continues while the losers' stagnates -the gap is very noticable the next year."

The high point total wins aside, it is certainly a more rewarding victory when the other team 'shows up' and gives a good match. Coach Ward hopes the team has "had our 'bad' game, and we will get back on track." Final score: MCRC over St. Michaels 12-0.

Purple Knightmare?

With some good practices this week the team is focused on this Saturday's matches with Babson College. 'A' match starts on the Middlebury pitch at 2:00pm. There is also rumored to be a Old Boys game in the making... stay tuned. Better yet, just show up and see what happens. I hear there will be a considerable number of Friends of Rugby fans and parents in attendance for this final match before the playoffs begin.

On Links and Hakas

2005-10-11T22:55:00.000-04:00

Check out the link at right for The Haka -a website with rugby news, articles and links and dedicated to coverage of the All Blacks, Super 12, NPC, and Tri-Nations, which, I am learning, are Rugby clubs in New Zealand. The other links at right are good sites for checking out rugby union rules. Did you know the game Midd plays is called "Rugby Union"?

From the Haka site here is a sampling of one the more 'PC' pieces of writing where the author was on a bit of a rant about some recent uniform change being tested by the referees:

"Luckily the ref was Lyndon Bray, who is a fairly imposing sort of bloke. Smaller, yappier refs might just get laughed at by the players in future fixtures. The costume just looks bloody stupid, and the NZRFU needs to dump 'em and get down to the local Canterbury Clothing shop smartly to pick up some shorts, socks and jerseys which look like they're actually designed to be on a footy field, instead of inside a harem."

Spirited, unbiased and fair-minded writing. (Hah!) My kind of site.
Evidently the All Blacks team performs a memorable Haka before each of their matches. It ain't just a Vermont thing. (It actually never was a Vermont thing...)

No Shelter From The Storm

2005-10-03T13:26:00.000-04:00

Spartacus Scoring 2 of His 19 Points...

Despite the fabulous fall weather -mid 70's and cloudless sky at game time -the Bryant University Bulldogs rugby team ran into a storm on Sunday. The storm continued unabated for four periods of A and B match rugby as Middlebury College redefined the term 'blowout' for the hapless Bulldogs.

McCormick '06.5 Scores Try

Many of the Bryant players showed determination, played with enthusiasm, and were skilled enough to affect a different outcome. However, the team's lack of depth and inability at containing Middlebury's running game led to some frustration once the Midd scoring machine engaged. Coach Ward acting as the referee for the B match was very pleased with the dramatically better effort Bryant did hosting this year's matches. "Their language, attitude and commitment to a full B game was really appreciated."

Alex White '09 Slogs for Yardage

Concerning the A match, sentiments among the team and coaching staff were unanimous. Coach Ward noted that Bryant's biggest strength is they "play with passion. They tackled and rucked hard, and played with heart." Junior Matt Volz '07 ran well exploiting the Bulldog's main weakness. "They had a lot of athletic guys and they could hit hard, but they didn't play well as a team."

Noted Jimmy Manyuru '07, the games also offered both newcomers and B side players more time to gain "a better rhythm to their game and gain confidence in reading game situations" Looking for ways to improve “team cohesion and synchronicity” Coach Ward noted “we have struggled with getting practice and game time with the same guys side by side. Key areas are the props and centers which change daily. I think we are well into stabilizing these areas.”

Though early the Bulldogs showed the Panthers determined rucking, and effective tackling, they fell victim to Middlebury's experience at capitalizing on opponents mistakes. What went wrong for Bryant? Coach Ward summed it up saying, “Unfortunately they would over commit to attack and when they lost the ball they had no way to stop the counterattack.”

Big Baby Consenstine Breaks Free

Can you say counterattack again? Seeming at times to run at will center Pascal Losambe '07 (East London, South Africa, by way of Burlington, Vermont) continues to impress with his explosive speed and powerful ‘cross grain’ lateral moves through the field. Sometime watch some of the guys who try to tackle Pascal…

Mr. Smith Spins Away

A few hitches in Middlebury's game continue to be ironed out. Volz identified a key area of concern though: "We need to control the game early. The past two games we have been a bit sloppy in the beginning." He added, "We also need to continue to improve our fitness and cut down on penalties." Hewitt adds, “We need to continue improving on our crash ball, first of all.” (More on this idea in a later post.) Manyuru feels, “We need to improve on are getting to breakdowns (rucks and mauls) faster, providing more support to runners to give them more offload options on open phases and maintaining our concentration throughout the game.”

Harasimowicz to McCormick

With the absence of Senior Luke Hammock (injury rehab continues) Jeff McCormick, '06.5 stepped in confidently at scrum half, and if I've got it right, also scored the first MCRC try for the day. Calling the scrum efforts "a significant step up in the quality of the scrum sets" hooker Colby Hewitt ‘05.5 was again impressed with new A side props, Jason Jude, '09 who has played in both A and B matches since first entering the BU game in relief of Sean Meany '08, (concussion rehab) and the ‘frightening intensity” of Californian Alex White '09 -who brings considerable high school experience to his first year with the club.

Winning A Line-out

The B match saw some just fun-to-watch open field, break-out running from first years Tommy Heitkamp '06 and Alex King '05.5 and the usual solid scoring efforts from the veteran Darryl Etter, ’06, and newcomer Max Levine, ’09. Again Jimmy Manyuru: “It was an excellent game for Jeff King and Tommy (Heitkamp). It’s great to see the newer members get the ball and make decisive (plays).”

Slow Going

Coach Ward said “most opponents try hard in any game, but when the points stack up against you, it is very difficult to keep up the fight.” Bryant did compete until the end. Eventually, even the Bulldogs witless sidelines taunting that came early in the A match quieted down as some realized that Middlebury had more to offer their team than just how to ‘get served.’ Middlebury is once again getting very good at playing team ball and winning matches. It is plain to see.

Scores: A match: 71-3 MCRC. B match: 45-15 MCRC.

This weekend? MCRC at home vs. St. Mikes. Don't worry, it won't rain. And if it does... that's why one of you remembered the umbrella, right?
Game time is 1:00pm.

Bryant Match Date Change

2005-09-30T10:43:00.000-04:00

The MCRC match at Bryant University will be held on Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 2:00pm. This has been confirmed with Coach Ward.

Thanks for pointing this out Ms. Harasimowicz !

MCRC Frustrates Williams

2005-09-28T22:34:00.000-04:00

Craig Wilson One on One

Williams Has A Rough Day (and How Cool is Zeus?)

The MCRC last Saturday continued their winning ways with resounding victories over Williams in two more early season wins under as-promised balmy skies. With the first Randomly-occurring Unstructured Social Hour (RUSH) being enjoyed by a small but hardly shy bunch of Friends of Rugby, the weekend should be considered a success for FOR and the MCRC.

Grill Squad Relaxing at Social Hour

Hearty 'Way To Go's' to FOR veterans Larry Consenstein, Celeste Madden and Kate and Ted Volz for providing, cooking, serving, selling and whatever else they did at the Big Blue Tent last Saturday. I apologize for not acknowledging the others who helped out as well, I know a number of players were on hand too. The hard work and organization to lay out this welcome mat is certainly appreciated by the players, coaches, fans, parents, and visiting teams. Plus, I gotta add, how cool IS Zeus the Dachshund (Consenstein)? I could tell he really appreciated the grill too, as he grazed around underneath it as the party wound down.

The Most Supportive of Social Hour Award (after Lynne Garner) goes to Elizabeth Olson (Des Jennings, '08). Now we just need to let more parents know about it. We had more than enough cheese dip to go around.

Des Jennings '08 and Peyton Coles '08.5

Luke Hammock '06 expressed his appreciation for the couple hundred or so fans in attendance. Adding, "We gave friends and family a good game and a good first impression of rugby (for my dad at least). Our back play was great, but our line outs leave a lot to be desired. I blame the wind.
"We rucked hard, kept possession of the ball when we needed it and just long enough to draw their defenders toward the middle of the field and run around them. Defense also looked good, but we need to work on tackling when we are tired. Williams gave a decent effort, but they just aren’t as committed as we are. We all play for each other, not for any one or anything else."

Mystery Tackler, No 14

Coach Ward downplays the trys or who in particular is scoring, preferring the concept of 'team' scoring instead. "The game was played at quite a fast pace and we had to adjust to it. They (Williams) were also quite unpredictable in their attacking systems and ball handling which caused some defensive concerns and mistakes." He called this win a "a great improvement from last week." Final A match score 48-0.

Jimmy Manyuru '07 Going Airborne

All team members are committed to this improvement. Cal Garner '06 saw the stunning victories and the combined point totals of 96-0 as a clear statement that Middlebury (remains) on top of it's conference. "What remains to be seen is whether we can play at a sufficiently high level to beat some of the stiffer competition we will certainly face in the post-season. We are realistic in recognizing that more work remains to be done."

MCRC will be at Bryant University SUNDAY 10/2/05 at 2:00pm.

Hiensch Continues Winning Ways

2005-09-22T22:24:00.000-04:00

Rob and The Iona Shiner

Spring '05 Graduate Voted 'Man of the Match'
Belated congratulations to spring graduate Rob Hiensch who recently made contact and shared some news of his current life -both on and off the Rugby pitch:

Mr. Garner,

Thank you for taking the time to send my father an email with the picture attached. I am now going to Columbia Med School, in New York City, which, coincidentally, has quite an established rugby team. We played our first match just yesterday (9/10/05) against the British Lions and held our own despite a general lack of experience, and I happened to be awarded Man of the Match. The level of play is certainly several steps lower than what I was used to at Middlebury, but I am glad to be able to continue playing.

(I had asked Rob for graduation survival tips...)
As for graduation, I would recommend getting a hotel room as soon as possible. We were on the later side (February) and had to settle for a room at the Basin Harbor Club, which in itself was very nice, but it is twenty minute drive from campus. For restaurants, we actually didn't reserve anything and were able to get tables no problem. We were actually surprised at how empty the restaurants were. However, it would not hurt to get reservations just in case. Other than that, graduation is always outdoors so tickets are not an issue. I hope this helps a little bit, and if you have any other questions please do email me.

Finally, please give Calvin and the rest of the team my best wishes regarding the upcoming season. I hope to make it up to a few games this fall if my schedule allows me to do so, so I look forward to seeing everyone and hope all is well.

Rob Hiensch robert.hiensch@gmail.com
Rob can also be reached at rth2109@columbia.edu

Social Hour Is On

2005-09-21T12:49:00.000-04:00

Festivities Amidst Balmy Weather Planned
To all Friends of Rugby planning on attending the Williams – MCRC match this weekend, Saturday Sept 24, please plan on sticking around after the games for a little old fashioned 'Introduce Yourself' Social Hour.

Actually the plan is for a Pot Luck Social Hour. If you can, bring something to share with the group. Personally, I shun Pot Lucks that are overly organized with people assigned to bring this or that... We Garners are much more relaxed about it, so, like Jim Bransfield used to say, “If you all bring cheese dip, then we are all eating cheese dip” or words to that effect.

There will for sure be wine and cider, a bunch of cups, and maybe even some name tags. Hopefully someone will think to bring some food and if someone else wanted to bring a great big ‘ol English oak sideboard, well that would certainly lend an air of old-school class to the event.

Hope to see you at the pitch South of Kenyon Ice Arena. MCRC has always had good matches with Williams College. Men's matches start about 1:30 - 2:00 - get there early and don't miss the HAKA. Come even earlier and see the MCRC women's matches starting at 11:00am against Castleton College.

BU Misses Practice

2005-09-19T19:54:00.000-04:00

Ward's Scorecard

Discussing their anticipation of a 'good practice' game with MCRC President Hammock earlier last week, former Division I club Boston University could have been guilty of trash talking - had they been more competitive with the Midd Panthers. As it was, the BU club found it about as difficult to find the goal line as some of us out-of-towners did finding the Moakley Field pitch. Which tunred out to be a rather tattered looking affair in an otherwise beautiful location. I'd have thought a school the size of BU, (what... ten times the size of Middlebury?) would have more administrative support for a rugby program than they apparently do. I guess we Midd fans are a bit spoiled coming from one of the most beautiful sited campus athletic field complexes in... the country?

Though BU played earnestly their lack of fundamental skills showed they were not quite ready for the MCRC, who for the first 20 minutes or so admittedly did have a hard time finding their way out of their own end of the pitch. Soon Midd's skill set returned though, and BU struggled the rest of the afternoon. Unable to catch Midd's fleet-footed backs, BU was scored on by seven different players, including a determined slog by Caleb Consenstein '06, bouncing off one person after another into the end-zone. (When is Caleb not determined?)
One very pretty play saw Matt Volz running nearly 3/4 of the field and lateraling to Clark Smith '06 for the final five yards to his first try of the season. The elegant Jimmy Manyuru '07 scored in a similar manner taking the last few yards after another very long run from ... Matt Volz? Not sure about that credit... In one remarkable non-scoring run, Brinck Slattery '07 carried the ball over several BU players.

Running to Daylight

Fresh from last year's Siberian layoff, Cal Garner '06 got into both the A and B match and looked pretty good I'd say. (OK, the bias shows a little...) This picture shows him tearing down the field all alone only to be smothered by three BU players a few yards shy of the goal line.

Max Levine '09 Kicks

Providing plenty of spirited play the MCRC 'Killer B's' secured a win in a back and forth battle that was quite a bit in doubt right until the end. You know... come to think of it, I am not absolutely CERTAIN the MCRC did win... but I think they did... yeah, they did.

The 'B' match was officiated by freshman dad (and current rugby player) Ike Levine (Max '09) who drove down from Poland Springs, Maine for the afternoon.
The 'Try - In Your Face' Award has to go to Nick Immonje '08. The speed, the shoes (they were not suede), the form, the perfectly executed full-body-lay-out touch down right between the posts was a thing of beauty to those few fans still around to see it. Also memorable was the enthusiastic try by sophmore wing, Lathan 'Bucky' McCall '08.

Rob and Alex Ladeau

With the bus taking a detour to the to pick up Sean Meany - ( due to sort of a concussion-thing earlier in the 'A' match, he was delivered to a nearby south Boston hospital for observation and checkup) the Midd ruggers probably didn't make it home until nearly midnight.

Some of the enthusiastic Friends of Rugby on the sidelines today:
Teak Hewitt (Colby), Elizabeth Olson (Des Jennings), Bill Wirene (Chas), Matt Volz's Aunt and cookie-toting cousins, Rob Ladeau (Alex), Dave Woodward and friend, Tyler Williams' Uncle (Tim?) and cousin Thomas, Sarah Garner and husband John Niles (who didn't see much rugby since he accompanied Darryl Etter to the hospital so Sean Meany wouldn't be by himself. Thanks again Mr. John !) Lynne and Case Garner, a wee dog with a sweater, as well as several MCRC alumni all managed on this overcast afternoon to will the rain away from both matches and send the MCRC home with it's first victory(s) of the season. Good, good.

Saturday, September 24, 2005 MCRC plays Williams College at home. There will be a 'Social Hour' following the game. See the next post on the special events we have planned.

Saturday BU Game Directions - Revised

2005-09-17T10:00:00.000-04:00

FROM THE WEST:
Take the Mass Pike I-90 East into Boston to I-93 South (the"Expressway").
Then follow the "from Route 93 South" directions below.

Take Rte I-93 South to Exit 18 and keep following signs for AndrewSquare/S. Bay Center.
When you come to a traffic light with Fortress Storage buildingdirectly in front of you,bear right, following sign for Boston St./Andrew Sq./Edward Everett Sq. The road curves sharply to the right and then to the left.
At stop sign take a left.

At the next traffic light (a 5-way intersection) take the soft right onto Preble St (between Andrew Square Convenience and Syrena Travel.)
Go straight down Preble Street until stop sign at rotary, proceed around the rotary to the left and you'll pass a long building with a green sign in front of it that says "Columbus Park."

Park on the right side of the road just past this building, next to thebaseball fields, we have the soccer field on the other side of the street hockey rink, across from the beach, next to another field Boston RFC will be playing on.

Four Randomly Chosen Rules of the Game

2005-09-13T19:58:00.000-04:00

Forward passes are not allowed.

Dropping the ball forward is also prohibited and is called a knock-on.

The ball can only be advanced by running or kicking the ball forward.

A tackled runner must immediately release the ball, the tackler must immediately release the tackled player.

09.10.05

MCRC's Luke Hammock suffering from the weight of team Presidency

Game On!

2005-09-13T18:13:00.000-04:00

NOTE: THE TIME CHANGE FOR 'A' GAME !
On Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 2:30pm the MCRC will kick off the season against Boston University at Moakley Field in Columbus Park, South Boston (in MAssachusetts, USA). Ignore anything you may have read to this point to the contrary about this game - this is the real deal straight from Coach Ward.
It is assumed the B GAME will follow about 4:00pm or so.

The field is being offered up courtesy of the Boston Men's Club.
Please email me at work or at home if you have any questions.

Directions to Moakley Field: (These directions assume you can find your own way to South Boston...)
From the South: take 93 (Rte.1) North to Exit 15 (Columbia Rd.).Take a right off exit and follow round-about to other side.Follow Columbia Road towards ocean, field is on your right.
From the North: Travel 93 South through the City to Exit 15 (Columbia Rd.).Take a left off Exit, cross bridge and go 3/4 away around rotary.Follow Columbia Road towards South Boston and ocean, field is on your right.
From the T: get off at Red Line UMass Boston T stop. You will see the park as you walk towards the water in the direction of South Boston.

The fields are by the skating Rink behind the football stadium.

Thanks to the anonymous MCRC Friend of Rugby who sent these directions to Ward... Put off the lawn work and drive to South Boston - the weather will probably be fabulous.

The Fall Season is Right Around The Corner

2005-09-06T21:44:00.000-04:00

Well, it's almost time: the 2005 season of Midd rugby is... , like the title says 'right around the corner.'

I have recently been contacted by many parents asking about the team's fall schedule. It appears below.

The season is fairly short with only two 'away' games during the season. The September 17 season opener finds MCRC on the road in a match at Boston University. Directions for the school can be found here then finding the link titled, appropriately, 'directions.' I will post what I can find out about the location of the pitch.

Fall Family Weekend Information:
The college's first Fall Family Weekend I is scheduled for September 30 - October 2, 2005. NOTE: The MCRC will not be on campus that weekend ! To see the Midd men that weekend, you will need to travel to Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. (See link for directions.)

Fall Family Weekend II occurs the weekend of October 28-30 with Middlebury on campus hosting the always exciting New England Championships, with rugby being played on Saturday and Sunday.

Stay tuned to this blog for more postings, and remember to check back often. I won't always advertise new postings via the 'email tree'.

Middlebury College Rugby Club 2005 fall schedule - Men:

Sept. 17 - AWAY at Boston University (Game at Moakley Field, Columbus Park, South Boston -1:00 pm)
Sept. 24 - HOME against Williams at 2 pm; B team at 3:30pm v. Williams with another B game at 5:00 pm.
Oct. 1 (MIDD's FALL FAMILY WEEKEND I) - AWAY at Bryant University at 1pm; B team at 3:30pm.
Oct. 8 - HOME against St. Mike’s at 1 pm; B team at 3:30pm v. St.Mikes; B team v. VT Law School at 5:00pm
Oct. 15 (MIDDLEBURY HOMECOMING) - HOME against Babson at 2:00pm; B team v. Babson at 3:30; B team second game at 5:00pm.
Oct. 22 - New England Quarter Finals: H/A; B team: Time?; B team v. Dartmouth C side: 5 pm.
Oct. 29 and 30 (MIDD's FALL FAMILY WEEKEND II) - HOME - New England Championships - HOSTED by Middlebury College (Matches played at the Rutland RFU pitch)
Nov. 5 - North East Quarterfinals (Middlebury Hosted Vassar)
Nov. 12 and 13 - AWAY - North East Territorial Championship at Amherst
APRIL 22 and 23, 2006 - Elite Eight - Location TBA
MAY 5 - 7, 2006 - NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP - Location TBA

Middlebury College Rugby Club 2005 fall schedule - Women:

Sept 24 - HOME against Castleton at 11:00am; B team 12:30pm.
Oct. 1 - AWAY at Keene State at 2:00pm; B team at 3:30pm.
Oct. 8 - AWAY at Norwich University at 11:00am; B team at 12:30 pm (?)
Oct. 15 - HOME against Plymouth State College; B team at 12:30 pm.
Oct. 22 - HOME against Univ of Vermont at 11:00 am; B team at 12:30 pm.
Oct. 29 - AWAY - New England Quarter Finals (or Division Seeding Game)
Nov 5 and 6 - AWAY - New England Championships
Nov 12 and 13 - AWAY - Northeast Territorial Championships at Rensselaer

Attention Old Boys

2005-04-12T21:37:00.000-04:00

From the MCRC Website:
Calling Old Boys

Attention all Midd rugby alumni: you have been challenged to a game on the 23rd of April (2005) . Lets see if you still have it in you. The game will be played at the Middlebury pitch.

Email Ward Patterson or Caleb Consentine with details of what postion you would prefer to play.

Lovely English Summer Weather Greets Ruggers

2005-04-11T21:44:00.000-04:00

The following largely unedited email from Coach Ward describes the first match of the MCRC Spring 2005 rugby season played at Vassar on April 2.

April 4, 2005:
[We had] lovely English summer weather on Saturday, ALL rain and wind. The field did hold up quite well under the conditions, though.

The A's had a mixed bag of veterans, developing players and one "first gamer". The B side had many first game guys and so we came to have a fun run in the mud.

We did not know that Vasssar had just returned from a 4 game tour of Argentina, and were match ready. :(( Nevertheless, the boys got ready and started the game, and gave up a try right away. Learning mistake. We then counter attacked and scored right away. 5 - 5. It looked like a high scorer to come, but the weather proved that to be false. Our # 9, Jeff McCormick came off with a very bloody nose and so grabbed the most eligible pair of legs and wished him well. (Our B 9 had theater rehearsals.)

Jimmy Manyuru earned himself a ten minute rest, and we pressed on. We gave up one more try and a penalty try before the half. 17 - 5. The guys were not rattled and seemed quite confident of winning. We started very strong in the seond half and were able to get much better scrumming and neutralize their rucks and muals. (We had only had 3 hours of practice time on grass, and so were quite rusty the first half.) We scored in the corner, bringing the total to 17 -10. Kerry Cebul got himself sent off for most of the second half, and so we had a challenge. The guys played very hard but could not get to the line.

The B game was fun as many of the guys had never played before. We ran 6, 7 or 8 virgins at all times, and so things looked a bit unorganized. They won 5 - 0, and showed their character well. Nick Immonje scored on a break-away,and nearly scored on a dribble, but the ball bounced away from him as he leapt at it.

There will be more postings from Coach Ward during the season.

April Weekends Mean Spring Rugby

2005-03-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

Coach Ward Patterson has firmed up the Men's Spring Rugby schedule, and every weekend this April offers a chance to see the 2005 team in action. With many returning players, and several new faces this spring, the team looks promising. The winter offered the team their much needed rest and recovery from their punishing end of season games and allowed all to anticipate the heralded 'indoor practices' which started after the New Year.

WIth April comes the return of the outdoor game. The team is ready for the challenge of regaining their playing form and having some fun running in the mud.
The many Juniors who remain abroad allows many newcomers a chance to hone their skills in this offseason warmup to next fall's regulation matches. Among those abroad this spring include Cal Garner '06, in Moscow and Clark Smith '06 in China.

The 2005 Spring Schedule is as follows:

April 2 ------------------------------- at Vassar
April 9 --------------------------------Amherst at Middlebury
April 16 ------------------------------at Williams College tourney
April 23 ------------------------------Old Boys at Middlebury
April 30 ------------------------------at UVM
May 7 --------------------------------Blue + White at Middlebury

Feb Celebration Springs Two From Club

2005-03-06T13:03:00.000-05:00

'04.5's Zabs and Bags don their mortarboards and their skis and hit the slopes.
The Snow Bowl ski parade with caps and gowns may not have happened exactly like it shows in the Midd publicity photos (I never found out for sure) but club stalwarts Charlie Zabriskie and Tim Bagley did graduate from Middlebury this past February. 'Zabs and Bags', both shared some of their post- graduation thoughts in recent emails.

Following graduation and a bit of 'running around the eastern seaboard' Charlie shared his thoughts in a March 3 email:

Feb "Celebration" was all it was cracked up to be and more. Tim Bagley and I, along with the other Febs, did in fact ski down in our cap and gowns, most graduates also with a bottle of champagne in tow, to be welcomed at the bottom by hundreds of cheering friends and relatives. It was a beautiful, cloudless day, about 50 degrees in the sun, and great snow conditions believe it or not. The day started around 9am in the chapel where we received our Gameliel Painter canes (we actually do not receive our diplomas until May).

We then boarded the buses and went right up to the snowbowl for a 1pm ski-down. I must admit that coming to Middlebury as a February student put me a little bit behind the eight-ball- I didn't live in a freshman dorm, I didn't start playing rugby as soon as I would have had I come in the fall, and I basically felt "late".

However, doors opened for me from the moment I stepped on campus (as they do for all students, and febs in particular), and my excuse of being a "Feb" got me a long way. Anyway, this quirky graduation celebration was a phenomenal conclusion to an otherwise "traditional" 4 years at Middlebury.

Feb or Reg, I think I speak for all MCRC alums, my time here was undoubtedly highlighted by my experience with the rugby club. (You are reading this, right Ward?)

Life now consists of running back and forth between home and NYC for interviews. I am on a path towards a career in Real Estate Development, which I am very interested in, and eager to begin. However even with an improving market, the Real Estate business is a difficult one to break into. I've had some very promising interviews, but the openings are just not presenting themselves.

I'll keep at it though, and I'll keep you posted.
Thanks, Charlie Zabriskie

And on February 22, Tim Bagley shared his views of the Feb Celebration:

Yep, the rumors are true; I have received Gamaliel's cane, and become a member of the illustrious alumni. :) Contrary to rumor, I did not ski down the bowl with a [mortar]board on (Though it would have been fun), but donned my trusty pair of rental skis and took to the slopes for the first time in four years.

The celebrations were great- very informal and comfortable - which resonated greatly with the stereotypical Feb spirit. So, it has been an amazing, albeit interesting, journey, and I will miss the campus, the classes, the people, and, above all, my teammates and the game.

I have relocated to Washington D.C. and moved into a small apartment in the Dupont Circle area with my girlfriend. I'm unemployed, but gearing up for the big search. I am interested in working in publishing, perhaps for a literary magazine, or for a non profit organization in the area. It is a big change, coming from small-city-New-Hampshire, and having spent the past 4.5 years surrounded by farm lands and the smell of manure in Vermont, but I am adjusting well and loving it!

One of my girlfriend's coworkers, who I went to highschool with, has already proclaimed that he has recruited me to play on his rugby club here in the city. I have not been to any practices yet, but I am eagerly awaiting the onset of spring, so I can get out there and start playing again.

You can reach me at my new email, tim.bagley@gmail.com. I look forward to the emails!
Take care, Mike! Best,Tim

First Notes and a New Year

2005-01-25T22:10:00.000-05:00

This is the inagural effort of the MCRC Friends of Rugby weblog.
Let me start off by welcoming everyone and recalling that great phrase that never grows old, "Happy New Year!" O.K., I guess that is a little out of place but it has been a busy winter and it's all I can muster on this first posting.

To those of you who don't know, the Friends of Rugby at Middlebury College Rugby Club (FOR MCRC) is a loose affiliation of parents, friends, rugby club alumni, and groupies dedicated to hearing how and what the Middlebury College Rugby Club is doing.

Also, for the first time this year FOR MCRC will use the weblog format to disseminate news. This will enable easier posting of information than the emails of years past. I hope it works out, and people take advantage of the 'comments' section below the blog postings to share their thoughts on events they attend. I'll try to share emails I receive and will be posting photos as well. Stay tuned. Lots of action ahead.

Regards, Mike Garner, FOR Coordinator.

PS: Even though I wrote this piece in April, I cheated and backdated it so it looks like the first post...