This Saturday, Portland Rugby Club will be hosting the fifth annual Maine Collegiate Rugby Championship at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds. Men's and women's teams from all over Maine will converge on the Fairgrounds to decide the state champions and compete for a spot on the Maine select-side that will compete in the upcoming New England Championship. Things kick-off at 8 a.m. (ouch! We all know how those students hate to get up in the morning), and will continue through to the awards ceremony at 4 p.m.
As if that wasn't enough excitement, the Portland men's club will be hosting the Met New York D3 Runners Up, Hudson Valley in a regional play-off game. Both teams will be competing for a berth in the Northeast Final 4, which is to be held the following week in Syracuse. Kick-off for that game is 12:25 p.m.
Add to that a B game against Bull Moose from Mount Washington Valley, Portland Women against Hudson Valley Women, as well as High School action and PRFC hosted mini-clinics, and you're sure to get your fill of rugby for the day.
Entry is free to all spectators and refreshments will be available on site.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Monday, April 10, 2006
Newport News
After all the waiting and wondering, Portland finally made the trip down to Newport this weekend to settle our fate for this Fall in a Challenge Match which, according to NERFU, was to decided any promotion and relegation after the end of last season.
It meant an early start on a raw morning, with the assembled faithful gathering at the Park & Ride alongside a bus that clearly had more miles on it than even some of our oldest veterans. Despite any misgivings about the mode of transport, the luggage compartment held several cases of refreshment, kindly donated by our new sponsors, Steinlager, so everyone boarded secure in the knowledge that we had more than enough lubrication for the ride home.
Oh, if only we knew then what we know now.
But more on that later. As the bus headed south, so the weather deteriorated. Cloudiness gave way to showers, which gave way to rain and then a steady, driving downpour. Not ideal conditions for such a match, but also weather that is not unfamiliar to the Portland boys, given some of the rain soaked affairs we had been involved in last Fall. Perhaps it was a good omen, disguised as a wet slap in the face.
Having arrived in Newport in good time, the bus soon turned in to a sweaty sauna, as everyone tried to stay dry as long as possible and struggled to don their kit in the cramped conditions. Yet, despite the steamed up windows, there was no disguising the fact that it was still raining cats and dogs outside. Even when the brand new shorts were handed out (courtesy of Steinlager and Portland Pie Company), everyone managed to find their metaphorical glasses half empty, complaining that they were all too big. Apparently, despite most of the team's ample upper body proportions, and dare I say it, man-breasts, they have all somehow managed to retain girlish waistlines and narrow hips that fail to hold up all but the tightest of shorts. Mystifying!
But I digress. After an extensive warm up that was still not able to chase the chill out of the bones, the game finally kicked off, with Portland losing the toss, and finding themselves playing in to the teeth of the gale for the first half. Newport naturally sought to take advantage of the wind, quickly pinning Portland in to their 22 and piling on the pressure. The conditions did not make for great handling however, so there was more than the usual share of scrummaging on account of all the knock ons. The Portland pack was up to the task however, holding their own and even pushing the Newport pack backwards on several occasions. With this kind of resistance Newport found it hard to turn their pressure in to points, having to settle for just a solitary penalty as their only points in the first half. As the whistle blew to mark the interval, Portland were able to look optimistically to the second half, with the wind at their backs to offer some relief.
Sure enough, Portland were able to use the wind to establish themselves within the Newport half, although the slippery conditions still meant that it was difficult for either side to string much together. Indeed, the first Portland points came from some scrappy ball that an alert Mark Fournier (hmmm, I don't recall ever having written that phrase before) kicked through in to the Newport try zone. Displaying some well concealed pace, he was able to out run the shocked defenders and pounce, or perhaps I should say fall, on the ball for the opening score. Carlos Tetzlaff nailed the conversion, 7-3 Portland. Shortly thereafter, Portland were able to add to the score again, this time from a penalty kick, also by Carlos. 10-3.
With about a quarter of the match remaining, Portland scored their second try of the day, this time in a more conventional manner. In keeping with the conditions, it was the Portland pack that mauled the ball over the line, with Hannes Bouwer being helped over by Tractor, Francis and the rest of the crew. Another conversion from Carlos, followed shortly by another penalty, and that effectively put the game out of reach in these conditions. Reduced to 14 men by a late yellow card, Newport staged some last ditched offence, but Portland were able to close the door, and the final score remained at 18-3.
A solid performance by Portland, and surely worthy of a place back in Division Two. Right NERFU?
Despite the worsening conditions, there was still a B Game to be played, and kudos to all those who waited on the touchline in the rain for their turn to run around. Of course, both sides were cold, but it was probably the previous result that gave the bigger lift to Portland. It was all grit and determination up front, but there was also a little finesse, as some deft handling put Dan Joyce through under the post for a first half, 7 point lead.
The second half offered more of the same, with the forwards staying warm as they rucked and mauled around the field, while the back line froze as the rain turned to hail. Portland were able to add to their tally with another try, although I don't remember who scored it. The final scoreline, 12-0, and spectators and players alike were relieved to hear the final whistle so they could retreat to the bus and begin the task of getting dry.
Thanks to Newport for their post-match hospitality, putting on a good spread, with plenty of hot food. A side man-of-the-match honors went to Jason Willey for being the first man at almost all the breakdowns, B side honors went to Dan Joyce, for demonstrating some fine pace on an otherwise slow moving day.
The ride back to Portland proved to be longer than any of us imagined, particularly when the beer ran out by Kennebunk. For some, it was just as well that there was no beer left, since they were already bringing back up their earlier intake. For others though, the lack of beer was the final straw after the bus blew a tire, causing us to limp from Kennebunk to Biddeford before finally giving up the ghost just off Exit 32. Thanks to all the friends & family who came to pick us up, and deliver the weary but happy travelers back to the Park & Ride.
Portland are at home this weekend to Hudson Valley in a regional D3 play-off match. This game, along with a B-side fixture against Bull Moose, and a host of college games will be played at the Cumberland Fairgrounds in the fifth annual Maine Collegiate Rugby Championships. It promises to be a great day of rugby, so please come out and lend your support.
It meant an early start on a raw morning, with the assembled faithful gathering at the Park & Ride alongside a bus that clearly had more miles on it than even some of our oldest veterans. Despite any misgivings about the mode of transport, the luggage compartment held several cases of refreshment, kindly donated by our new sponsors, Steinlager, so everyone boarded secure in the knowledge that we had more than enough lubrication for the ride home.
Oh, if only we knew then what we know now.
But more on that later. As the bus headed south, so the weather deteriorated. Cloudiness gave way to showers, which gave way to rain and then a steady, driving downpour. Not ideal conditions for such a match, but also weather that is not unfamiliar to the Portland boys, given some of the rain soaked affairs we had been involved in last Fall. Perhaps it was a good omen, disguised as a wet slap in the face.
Having arrived in Newport in good time, the bus soon turned in to a sweaty sauna, as everyone tried to stay dry as long as possible and struggled to don their kit in the cramped conditions. Yet, despite the steamed up windows, there was no disguising the fact that it was still raining cats and dogs outside. Even when the brand new shorts were handed out (courtesy of Steinlager and Portland Pie Company), everyone managed to find their metaphorical glasses half empty, complaining that they were all too big. Apparently, despite most of the team's ample upper body proportions, and dare I say it, man-breasts, they have all somehow managed to retain girlish waistlines and narrow hips that fail to hold up all but the tightest of shorts. Mystifying!
But I digress. After an extensive warm up that was still not able to chase the chill out of the bones, the game finally kicked off, with Portland losing the toss, and finding themselves playing in to the teeth of the gale for the first half. Newport naturally sought to take advantage of the wind, quickly pinning Portland in to their 22 and piling on the pressure. The conditions did not make for great handling however, so there was more than the usual share of scrummaging on account of all the knock ons. The Portland pack was up to the task however, holding their own and even pushing the Newport pack backwards on several occasions. With this kind of resistance Newport found it hard to turn their pressure in to points, having to settle for just a solitary penalty as their only points in the first half. As the whistle blew to mark the interval, Portland were able to look optimistically to the second half, with the wind at their backs to offer some relief.
Sure enough, Portland were able to use the wind to establish themselves within the Newport half, although the slippery conditions still meant that it was difficult for either side to string much together. Indeed, the first Portland points came from some scrappy ball that an alert Mark Fournier (hmmm, I don't recall ever having written that phrase before) kicked through in to the Newport try zone. Displaying some well concealed pace, he was able to out run the shocked defenders and pounce, or perhaps I should say fall, on the ball for the opening score. Carlos Tetzlaff nailed the conversion, 7-3 Portland. Shortly thereafter, Portland were able to add to the score again, this time from a penalty kick, also by Carlos. 10-3.
With about a quarter of the match remaining, Portland scored their second try of the day, this time in a more conventional manner. In keeping with the conditions, it was the Portland pack that mauled the ball over the line, with Hannes Bouwer being helped over by Tractor, Francis and the rest of the crew. Another conversion from Carlos, followed shortly by another penalty, and that effectively put the game out of reach in these conditions. Reduced to 14 men by a late yellow card, Newport staged some last ditched offence, but Portland were able to close the door, and the final score remained at 18-3.
A solid performance by Portland, and surely worthy of a place back in Division Two. Right NERFU?
Despite the worsening conditions, there was still a B Game to be played, and kudos to all those who waited on the touchline in the rain for their turn to run around. Of course, both sides were cold, but it was probably the previous result that gave the bigger lift to Portland. It was all grit and determination up front, but there was also a little finesse, as some deft handling put Dan Joyce through under the post for a first half, 7 point lead.
The second half offered more of the same, with the forwards staying warm as they rucked and mauled around the field, while the back line froze as the rain turned to hail. Portland were able to add to their tally with another try, although I don't remember who scored it. The final scoreline, 12-0, and spectators and players alike were relieved to hear the final whistle so they could retreat to the bus and begin the task of getting dry.
Thanks to Newport for their post-match hospitality, putting on a good spread, with plenty of hot food. A side man-of-the-match honors went to Jason Willey for being the first man at almost all the breakdowns, B side honors went to Dan Joyce, for demonstrating some fine pace on an otherwise slow moving day.
The ride back to Portland proved to be longer than any of us imagined, particularly when the beer ran out by Kennebunk. For some, it was just as well that there was no beer left, since they were already bringing back up their earlier intake. For others though, the lack of beer was the final straw after the bus blew a tire, causing us to limp from Kennebunk to Biddeford before finally giving up the ghost just off Exit 32. Thanks to all the friends & family who came to pick us up, and deliver the weary but happy travelers back to the Park & Ride.
Portland are at home this weekend to Hudson Valley in a regional D3 play-off match. This game, along with a B-side fixture against Bull Moose, and a host of college games will be played at the Cumberland Fairgrounds in the fifth annual Maine Collegiate Rugby Championships. It promises to be a great day of rugby, so please come out and lend your support.
Seacoast Warm Up
On an unseasonably hot early-Spring day, April Fool's Day no less, Portland traveled to UNH for a warm up (no pun intended) against Seacoast, and a mixed Keene State/UNH side. With the thermometer pushing 70, there was almost as much exposed flesh on campus as at Spring Break in Daytona, and it was a wonder that any of the team made it to the ground without rear-ending someone (in their cars, I mean).
UNH had set aside a nice artificial turf field for the day's activities, which had been marked with lines for every conceivable sport, and had a few extra taped on for good measure. Regardless, the Portland boys took to the field hoping that their many months of Winter training would pay dividends. Indeed, there were many positive signs of the work that had been done, with the Portland pack chucking the ball around right from the whistle. This they continued to do, much to the frustration of the backs, only to find that they continued to make one pass too many, where anxious hands led to the inevitable knock on. Portland were however blessed with tons of possession in the first half, so despite their mistakes they were able to post the first points of the game with a penalty slotted over by Eric McClain (Spyder). Shortly afterwards another forward passing play was finally executed without error, with Jason Henry making the final moves to touch the ball down. 10-0 Portland, with the promise of more to come.
The first half however finished without further event, other than seeing Mike DeSalle cut down in mid stride by a Hamstring that gave up the ghost. A bitter reward for all Mike's hard work in the off season, but hopefully one that will heal quickly and not keep him out of the game too long.
The second half saw a major re-shuffle by Seacoast, and a reinvigorated pack, much more committed to running the ball at Portland. This being their first game of the season however, Seacoast were not without their own handling errors, and the Portland defense was able to smother any fledgling attacks. However, with possession now no longer a certainty, the inventiveness dried up, and the second half ended without a score for either side. 10-nil the final score, with still plenty of questions left unanswered before the all important Newport match.
The first half of the B game was literally a case of men against boys, with Portland lining up against the college select side. In this instance however it was the boys who came out on top, using their speed and fitness to run around and through the Portland lines on more than one occasion. While the competition up front was more in Portland's favor, there was enough ball supplied to the collegiate backline to make them a serious threat. I don't know the exact score, but it was not flattering to Portland.
The second half was played at a more sedentary pace however, with the Seacoast B side replacing those young college pups. This allowed room for our own young bucks, Ryan Facey and Hannes Bouwer, to link up several times and make themselves a real handful for Seacoast. With Portland reverting to some 10-man rugby, they were soon rumbling over the tryline despite the sudden monsoon conditions. Again, the score line is missing, but Portland put in at least two tries, and I think Seacoast may have managed just one.
All in all a good day out, but an expensive one, with two costly long term injuries. Mike DeSalle, who's hamstring I already mentioned, and Matt Burgess with some kind of groin deal.
UNH had set aside a nice artificial turf field for the day's activities, which had been marked with lines for every conceivable sport, and had a few extra taped on for good measure. Regardless, the Portland boys took to the field hoping that their many months of Winter training would pay dividends. Indeed, there were many positive signs of the work that had been done, with the Portland pack chucking the ball around right from the whistle. This they continued to do, much to the frustration of the backs, only to find that they continued to make one pass too many, where anxious hands led to the inevitable knock on. Portland were however blessed with tons of possession in the first half, so despite their mistakes they were able to post the first points of the game with a penalty slotted over by Eric McClain (Spyder). Shortly afterwards another forward passing play was finally executed without error, with Jason Henry making the final moves to touch the ball down. 10-0 Portland, with the promise of more to come.
The first half however finished without further event, other than seeing Mike DeSalle cut down in mid stride by a Hamstring that gave up the ghost. A bitter reward for all Mike's hard work in the off season, but hopefully one that will heal quickly and not keep him out of the game too long.
The second half saw a major re-shuffle by Seacoast, and a reinvigorated pack, much more committed to running the ball at Portland. This being their first game of the season however, Seacoast were not without their own handling errors, and the Portland defense was able to smother any fledgling attacks. However, with possession now no longer a certainty, the inventiveness dried up, and the second half ended without a score for either side. 10-nil the final score, with still plenty of questions left unanswered before the all important Newport match.
The first half of the B game was literally a case of men against boys, with Portland lining up against the college select side. In this instance however it was the boys who came out on top, using their speed and fitness to run around and through the Portland lines on more than one occasion. While the competition up front was more in Portland's favor, there was enough ball supplied to the collegiate backline to make them a serious threat. I don't know the exact score, but it was not flattering to Portland.
The second half was played at a more sedentary pace however, with the Seacoast B side replacing those young college pups. This allowed room for our own young bucks, Ryan Facey and Hannes Bouwer, to link up several times and make themselves a real handful for Seacoast. With Portland reverting to some 10-man rugby, they were soon rumbling over the tryline despite the sudden monsoon conditions. Again, the score line is missing, but Portland put in at least two tries, and I think Seacoast may have managed just one.
All in all a good day out, but an expensive one, with two costly long term injuries. Mike DeSalle, who's hamstring I already mentioned, and Matt Burgess with some kind of groin deal.
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