Starting this Thursday (9/22) practice will move under the lights at Riverton School. Practice is still 6pm to 8pm. Directions are here.
With our home opener upon us, you'll need to make sure you're there in order to get some playing time.
You'll also need to pay your Fall dues.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
Monday, September 19, 2005
Blingy New Jersey
They're finally here. To the list of important reasons to make sure you're available for this week's home opener, add the fact that you'll have the chance to wear one of these kickin' new jerseys.
They're ultra-light, form fitting and even a lttle shiny. Too nice to play rugby in really, but for you dear, anything.
Oh, and did I mention the matching shorts and socks? They're to die for.
They're ultra-light, form fitting and even a lttle shiny. Too nice to play rugby in really, but for you dear, anything.
Oh, and did I mention the matching shorts and socks? They're to die for.
Pay for these nice jerseys now by paying your dues!
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Harvard Match Report
Travelling in such style to a game is something you could get used to, even if coming back stuck on bus with the same people after a few drinks is something you can do with out. But more on that later...
The Portland team (and friends) arrived in Boston just as the rains stopped to reveal the finely manicured and lavishly appointed Harvard Sports facilities. Hopes of finding an equally manicured and appointed rugby pitch were soon dashed, because after all, those B-school students need somewhere to graze their cows.
Clearly the damp pitch conditions seeped in to the spirits of the Portland fifteen, who came out flatter than last night's beer. In the sloppy conditions both sides made their share of mistakes, although Portland did take an early lead through an Andy Nelson penalty. That was about the high point of the first half, as both sides huffed and puffed with little effect.
Half time arrived with the hope that a few inspirational words would open things up. Well, I'll be darned if something that was said didn't register deep in the cortex of our players as they came out in the second half with a new found purpose. In the 46th minute they found themselves with a lineout five yards out from the Harvard line, and they didn't need to be reminded about what to do in such circumstances. A clean take, a drive and Hannes touches down. 8-nil Portland.
The next twenty minutes passed uneventfully, other than another penalty attempt by Andy that increased the score to 11-0. In the 66th minute however, a clearance kick by Jerry McQueeny was charged down inside the Portland 22, and some Harvard dude scooped up the ball and ran in uncontested. The ensuing covnersion was good, bringing the score to 11-7 and all of a sudden Portland looked as though they had another squeaker on their hands.
With their new found composure however, Portland shut things down for the remainder of the game, other than to take the score to 14-7 with another Andy Nelson penalty, who finished with 3 out of 5 for the day. All in all a solid, workmanlike performance by the Portland team, but not one that'll be winning any beauty pageants.
The B Game was less of a contest, with Portland rolling out 25-0 winners. They opened their account with a replay of their A game try that saw a couple of guys claiming to have their hand on the ball when it hit the deck. The next two tries were a little more fluid, and also great team efforts. Francis dumped off to Matt who hit Freddy for the first score, and Jimmy Hendricks begat Matt (again) who begat Jerry McQ for the second. The last try went to Scotty Derrig, who capped a fine solo effort with a completely unecessary dive in to the try zone. Nelly converted 2 of the 4 conversions, giving his right leg a good workout throughout the day.
Thanks go to Harvard for their lavish hospitality, which included three slices of pizza and a few pitchers. Clearly they are truely "the man" in training, and already trying to keep good folks like us down. Well, we stuck it to the man, so keep your pizza.
Not that a few pitchers of beer didn't do the trick in stripping away any pretence of decency amongst the Portland players and their entourage. Like New Orleans after a hurricane the thin veneer of civilty was soon stripped away, and as far as a I can tell, the only winner was the gene pool. Charles Darwin would have been proud.
The Portland team (and friends) arrived in Boston just as the rains stopped to reveal the finely manicured and lavishly appointed Harvard Sports facilities. Hopes of finding an equally manicured and appointed rugby pitch were soon dashed, because after all, those B-school students need somewhere to graze their cows.
Clearly the damp pitch conditions seeped in to the spirits of the Portland fifteen, who came out flatter than last night's beer. In the sloppy conditions both sides made their share of mistakes, although Portland did take an early lead through an Andy Nelson penalty. That was about the high point of the first half, as both sides huffed and puffed with little effect.
Half time arrived with the hope that a few inspirational words would open things up. Well, I'll be darned if something that was said didn't register deep in the cortex of our players as they came out in the second half with a new found purpose. In the 46th minute they found themselves with a lineout five yards out from the Harvard line, and they didn't need to be reminded about what to do in such circumstances. A clean take, a drive and Hannes touches down. 8-nil Portland.
The next twenty minutes passed uneventfully, other than another penalty attempt by Andy that increased the score to 11-0. In the 66th minute however, a clearance kick by Jerry McQueeny was charged down inside the Portland 22, and some Harvard dude scooped up the ball and ran in uncontested. The ensuing covnersion was good, bringing the score to 11-7 and all of a sudden Portland looked as though they had another squeaker on their hands.
With their new found composure however, Portland shut things down for the remainder of the game, other than to take the score to 14-7 with another Andy Nelson penalty, who finished with 3 out of 5 for the day. All in all a solid, workmanlike performance by the Portland team, but not one that'll be winning any beauty pageants.
The B Game was less of a contest, with Portland rolling out 25-0 winners. They opened their account with a replay of their A game try that saw a couple of guys claiming to have their hand on the ball when it hit the deck. The next two tries were a little more fluid, and also great team efforts. Francis dumped off to Matt who hit Freddy for the first score, and Jimmy Hendricks begat Matt (again) who begat Jerry McQ for the second. The last try went to Scotty Derrig, who capped a fine solo effort with a completely unecessary dive in to the try zone. Nelly converted 2 of the 4 conversions, giving his right leg a good workout throughout the day.
Thanks go to Harvard for their lavish hospitality, which included three slices of pizza and a few pitchers. Clearly they are truely "the man" in training, and already trying to keep good folks like us down. Well, we stuck it to the man, so keep your pizza.
Not that a few pitchers of beer didn't do the trick in stripping away any pretence of decency amongst the Portland players and their entourage. Like New Orleans after a hurricane the thin veneer of civilty was soon stripped away, and as far as a I can tell, the only winner was the gene pool. Charles Darwin would have been proud.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Lumbered? Lumbered !?!?
I just read the North Shore match report, and I'm rendered (almost) speechless in disbelief.
"lumbered"?? What's that about?
I can think of so many more suitable adjectives. How about "flew", "jinked", "tore" or "steamed". I even would have settled for "galloped", "careened" or "sashayed".
So what would be slower than lumbering? Plodding? Shambling? Dawdling? 'Cos that's what the North Shore backs must have been doing not to catch me.
Well at least he got the score right. 18-17. Yeah. Lumber that.
"lumbered"?? What's that about?
I can think of so many more suitable adjectives. How about "flew", "jinked", "tore" or "steamed". I even would have settled for "galloped", "careened" or "sashayed".
So what would be slower than lumbering? Plodding? Shambling? Dawdling? 'Cos that's what the North Shore backs must have been doing not to catch me.
Well at least he got the score right. 18-17. Yeah. Lumber that.
B-School Bus Bonanza
Now that was an alliteration!
Perhaps you somehow aren't on Fred's mailing list, or perhaps you just like the way I say it better, but tomorrow's road trip is a special one, in that the club has chartered a "luxury" motor coach for your riding pleasure. Decent.
Now pay close attention, since this means a few changes from your usual road trip routine. Firstly, given the price of fossil fuels these days, you will need to bring an extra $20 over and above your usual travelling funds to help the club off-set the costs. So, for most of you, that means you have to bring about $21.50. Or, $1.50 and a check made out to PRFC for $20, or even better still, pay your dues with a credit card below, and tack on an extra $20.
Still with me? OK. Secondly, we'll be meeting at a different Park 'n' Ride. One that you can actually fit a bus in to. This particular one is just a little up the road from our regular haunt, opposite Planet Fitness or Bally's or whatever it's called these days. Be there at 8:15 some the bus can leave at 8:30 to pick up all the idiots still at the other Park 'n' Ride. Bring snacks, reading material and a muscial instrument if you can play Rhinestone Cowboy on it. Probably bring an umbrella too.
K. Simple enough, really. Anyone still to register for CIPP should get on that, lickety-split. Do it here.
Perhaps you somehow aren't on Fred's mailing list, or perhaps you just like the way I say it better, but tomorrow's road trip is a special one, in that the club has chartered a "luxury" motor coach for your riding pleasure. Decent.
Now pay close attention, since this means a few changes from your usual road trip routine. Firstly, given the price of fossil fuels these days, you will need to bring an extra $20 over and above your usual travelling funds to help the club off-set the costs. So, for most of you, that means you have to bring about $21.50. Or, $1.50 and a check made out to PRFC for $20, or even better still, pay your dues with a credit card below, and tack on an extra $20.
Still with me? OK. Secondly, we'll be meeting at a different Park 'n' Ride. One that you can actually fit a bus in to. This particular one is just a little up the road from our regular haunt, opposite Planet Fitness or Bally's or whatever it's called these days. Be there at 8:15 some the bus can leave at 8:30 to pick up all the idiots still at the other Park 'n' Ride. Bring snacks, reading material and a muscial instrument if you can play Rhinestone Cowboy on it. Probably bring an umbrella too.
K. Simple enough, really. Anyone still to register for CIPP should get on that, lickety-split. Do it here.
Do the Dues:
Monday, September 12, 2005
Nail-biter at North Shore
Portland opened their league campaign this past Sunday with a real squeaker at North Shore. Clearly they'd done a bit of recruitment in the off season, and came out looking to compete.
Portland opened the scoring early after a break down the wing from yours truly, before being dragged down cruely short of the line by what can only have been the fastest prop in NERFU. Fortunately Hannes was not to far behind and was able to pick up the ball and touch it down in the corner. Not sure if the conversion was made, since I was hobbling off towards the cooler.
Honestly I lost track of things for a while there, but I believe Portland added another penalty to their total before North Shore got on the scoreboard themselves. Portland added another penalty and another try, which was a collective effort from the forwards, which means I don't know who scored it. What I do know is that Andy Nelson converted it from the sideline, which turned out to be the deciding factor in the game. Though North Shore added a penalty of their own, and scored a breakaway try in the final minutes, it still left them agonizingly one point short. Thus ended the game, 18-17 in favor of our boys, who showed some character to hold on for the win.
On the positive side, Portland showed up with some good numbers for a change and enjoyed some strength in depth. As I said, the boys hung in there and absorbed a lot of pressure. On the negative side, I wrote a really shitty match report. Sorry about that.
Have you paid your dues for the Fall? If not, then you'd better do it here:
Portland opened the scoring early after a break down the wing from yours truly, before being dragged down cruely short of the line by what can only have been the fastest prop in NERFU. Fortunately Hannes was not to far behind and was able to pick up the ball and touch it down in the corner. Not sure if the conversion was made, since I was hobbling off towards the cooler.
Honestly I lost track of things for a while there, but I believe Portland added another penalty to their total before North Shore got on the scoreboard themselves. Portland added another penalty and another try, which was a collective effort from the forwards, which means I don't know who scored it. What I do know is that Andy Nelson converted it from the sideline, which turned out to be the deciding factor in the game. Though North Shore added a penalty of their own, and scored a breakaway try in the final minutes, it still left them agonizingly one point short. Thus ended the game, 18-17 in favor of our boys, who showed some character to hold on for the win.
On the positive side, Portland showed up with some good numbers for a change and enjoyed some strength in depth. As I said, the boys hung in there and absorbed a lot of pressure. On the negative side, I wrote a really shitty match report. Sorry about that.
Have you paid your dues for the Fall? If not, then you'd better do it here:
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