Conference hbahba::cam_sports

    Life is like rugby. Hey someone had to say it.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

    TCM, the proper phrase is:
    
    Rugby is not just a sport, it is a way of life (and in Wales it is a
    religion).

William Webb Ellis was playing soccer one day at Rugby School, got impatient, 
picked up the ball, and ran it over the end line, touching it down.   

The sport of Rugby was born.  It was a bit disorganized at first, as
all new games can be, but over time the Laws of the game were laid down.

The first rugby team was purported to be School House at Rugby School.
They were the first to wear uniforms, and their skull and crossbones
crest was designed in 1848.   School House still plays rugby today,
their crest displayed on a white w/ 1" black hoop jersey for home games,
and and all black jersey for away games.

The United States of America, while certainly not a rugby powerhouse today,
did in fact win a gold medal at the Olympics in 1924 in the sport. 
Today, they have a hard time keeping up with the Big Eight of the 
upper echelon of world rugby (the four home nations:  England, Scotland,
Ireland, Wales, and France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa)....


Traditions in rugby abound.   The "drinkup" after a game is a case
in point.  A short while ago, you have been trying your darndest to
annihilate the other team, now you're having beers with them and
talking (what else?) rugby.

The New Zealand All Blacks perform a Maori war-chant before every
international match, to pscyh out and scare their opponents:


		E ringa pakia waewae tahahia
		E kine nei haki
		E ring e ringa e torona kei waho montonu

		Kamate!  Kamate!
		Kaora kaora
		Tenei te tangata puhuruhuru
		Kana e tiki rai whaka whiti te ra
		A hupane!  A hupane!
		Hupane kopane whiti te ra!
		

Most of the opponents have taken to either ignoring this, or else getting
very close to the All Blacks and staring them down.


Other traditions deal with hospitality.  It is generally the norm for
members of a team to house members of a touring side in their homes.
Thus cultural gaps are overcome, and there is unity through rugby.

All in all I have to agree -- it's not a sport, it is a way of life....


'Saw

From the VNS Sports Report:

Rugby Union
        Five Nations Championship

        England (13) 16,           France (12) 15
        Try : Hunter 37'           Tries: Saint-Andre 7' 16'
        Conversion:                Conversion:
              Webb 37'                    Camberabero 7'
        Penalties:                 Penalties:
              Webb 2' 8' 53'              Camberabero 59'


        Scotland (15) 15           Ireland (0) 3
        Tries: Stark 9'            Penalties: Malone 60'
               Stanger 38'
        Conversion:
               Hastings 9'
        Penalties:
               Hastings 2'






<--More                       VNS UK SPORTS REPORT                              

    

    The Hartford Wanderers have been awarded the US National Club 7s
    Championship.  The Championship is played sometime in August.

    
    >>The Hartford Wanderers have been awarded the US National Club 7s
    >>Championship.  The Championship is played sometime in August.
    
    
    I know of Spades, Hearts, Poker, Euchre, Pinochle, etc.  but what kind
    of card game is "7s"??????
    
    Inquiring minds and all that crap
    
    JaKe
    

|    >>The Hartford Wanderers have been awarded the US National Club 7s
|    >>Championship.  The Championship is played sometime in August.

Wow, that's great.  I knew that we were in the running, but we had a 
snowstorm the night of the AGM and haven't gotten a letter yet.
    
    
>    I know of Spades, Hearts, Poker, Euchre, Pinochle, etc.  but what kind
>    of card game is "7s"??????
    
7s rugby is rugby played with 7 people instead of 15.  There are two
7 minute halves with a one minute halftime break.   It's a very fast
paced game, and can quite often be high scoring.   (It's played on the
same sized pitch, and with less people, there's PLENTY of room to manuever).


It is typically a game for faster people, which is why I don't play 7s
except in our annual spring intra-squad 7s tournament.


It's a lot of fun to watch, and has often been said to be the way to
introduce rugby to the general American public.....


'Saw    

    
    Dammit Jake,
    
    Now why'd ya have to go and resurrect this corpse?  It was so nice
    bypassing this note......
    
    ;^)
    
    
    

    Kev, 
    
    Comas are a lot like Rugby.
    
    JaKe
    
    

    Jake, I'm hurt.  And after all those nice things you said about the
    game at our last get together.  That reminds me, you said in your quest
    of a leaner, meaner (I don't think you can get meaner, though) Jake you
    wanted to know where rugby was played in your area.
    
    Here you go:
    Pittsburgh Harlequins
    c/o Shales Cafe
    1208 Fifth Avenue
    Pittsburgh, PA 15219
    
    South Pittsburgh Hooligans
    c/o Carl Pfarner
    106 Grandview
    McMurray, PA 15317
    Club Phone: 412-941-3747

    
    >>           <<< Note 17.10 by PATE::MACNEAL "ruck `n' roll" >>>
    >>                         -< Pittsburgh Clubs >-

    >>Jake, I'm hurt.  And after all those nice things you said about the
    >>game at our last get together.  That reminds me, you said in your quest
    
    Had to get ya somehow fer you and TC(changes weekly) junking up the
    STEELER note.    (8^)*
    
    >>of a leaner, meaner (I don't think you can get meaner, though) Jake you
                           ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
    
    C'mon, I been practicing the kinder, gentler JaKe recently.  Only been
    deleted once in here since this incarnation opened up, and no "SH's",
    if'n ya knows what I mean.  I could open a note about projecting
    vertically disadvantaged Homo Sapiens at wooden pins if ya want.  
    (8^)*
    
    
    JaKe
    

    
    Alright, Howcome I got dragged into this LDUC????????
    
    
    I remain,
    quite sensitive doncha know.....
    Kev
    

    Schnectady RFC has joined the New England Rugby Football Union.  This
    marks the second team that has jumped from the Upstate New York Union
    to New England.  Rumor has it one of the Buffalo teams is looking into
    moving to the Allegheny Union.

    As long as they don't pick up the accent, that's fine with me...

VNS UK SPORTS REPORT                      

Rugby Union
        +------
         Five Nations Championship

         England ...... 26  Scotland ..... 12
         Wales ........ 14  Ireland ...... 19

    The Barbarians are an All Star team primarily made of players from the
    5 Home Nations of France, England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.  East
    Midlands is a regional All Star Team from a section of England.
    
             <<< SHAWB1::DISK$USERS0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]RUGBY.NOTE;1 >>>
                    -< Rugby (Union and League) Conference >-
================================================================================
Note 221.12                 March '93 News and Views                    12 of 12
MILE::PRIEST "All at sea at Solent"                  24 lines  11-MAR-1993 14:32
                          -< Bit of a scorcher .... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Re: .-1
    
    East Midlands ... 59  	-  	Barbarians ... 77
    Tries:	Ward			Tries:	Woodland
    		MacNaughton 2			Geoghegan 4
    		Pask				Hunter
    		Alston				Rodber
    		Wilkinson			Packman
    		Shelford			Adamson
    Pen. Try:	Webster				Wallace 2
    Convs:	Tubb 6				Back
    		Mansell				Richard Moon
    					Convs:	Davies 2
    						Packman
    						Rupert Moon 3
    	
    Richard Moon replaced Adrian Davies at half-time (calf strain, but
    apparently minor), bringing the Moon bros. together in a team for
    the first time ever. They then alternated between scrum-half and
    stand-off, swapping places every 2 or 3 plays !
    
    Goeghegan had the chance to score a fifth try, equalling the record
    for the Barbarians, but passed instead - my paper doesn't say who to.
    
    

Traditionally there is always one player on the Barbarians
who has not been capped....


'Saw

    
    
    Does anybody have a schedule for spring rugby in the Worcester area?
    
    
    

>    Does anybody have a schedule for spring rugby in the Worcester area?


Mac should.  He reads this topic regularly and is a moderator, so he may
have even mailed it to you by now....


'Saw    
    
    

    There are also some college teams (both men & women) in the Worcester
    area.  I can try to get their schedules as well if anyone is
    interested.
    
    College teams in the area include Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Holy
    Cross, Clark University, Worcester State College, and Nichols College.

    Massive snowfalls are a lot like rugby!!
    
    JaKe
    

    Speaking of which, if we had taken our usual spring road trip, we would
    have been in D.C. this past weekend playing in the Washington Irish St.
    Patrick's Day Tournament.  I heard D.C. was under a foot of snow.  I
    wonder if they played the tournament anyway.  I was down there last
    year and although there was no precipitation there was a nasty cold
    wind coming off the Potomac and that was bad enough.  There is very
    little shelter near the pitches other than the vehicle you drove in.  I
    wouldn't have wanted to be waiting around for my next game.
    
    Entry fee for the tourney is $250/team.  Several teams from outside of
    the D.C. area make the trip.  I wonder how many refunds they had to
    hand out.

    Its the game they play in heaven.
    
    Though it sometime looks like hell.
    
    
    Madge

    Sometimes not sometime
    
    Sorrry
    
    
    Madge

    It's the rugby note, spelling doesn't matter.

    brews, I think you have us confused with the Broons note.

    There was nothing wrong with the spelling it was just grammatically
    incorrect.
    
    
    Madge

    
    Yabbut,
    
    Being confused is a lot like rugby!
    
    I remain,
    being kind, it's not "like", it IS!
    Kev
    

    re: -1
    
    What????

    Just heard on the "local edition" of Morning Edition that there's some
    kinda big rugby affair in Hotlanta this weekend.  The "Atlanta Rolling
    Thunder" are a 3rd seed.
    
    They interviewed some guy on the Rolling Thunder.  Yikes!  His quote
    was something along the line of:
    
    "We gonna kick some tail out tare!"  Then they axed him how come he
    seems to fall down so much (the interviewer was watching them practice)
    and he said "I might fall _lot, buts I usually does take a few wif
    me!".
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    Rolling Thunder?  Never heard of them.  The Atlanta teams I'm familiar
    with are the Renegades and Old White.

    Here is an updated schedule for Worcester Rugby.  I made a mistake in
    the previous posting.  The WRFC is playing the Connecticut Yankees
    away, not at home.
    
                     WRFC Spring 1993 Schedule

March 27  Western Suburbs RFC			Fairfax, VA
April  3  Providence RFC			Home
      10  Connecticut Yankees RFC               Stamford, CT
      17  Amoskeag RFC				Home
      24  Central Mass. Collegiate Invitational Home
May    1  MIT Rucking Beavers RFC		Home
       8  Charles River RFC			Away
      11  Royal Engineers			Home 5 pm
   15-16  NERFU Tournament			TBA

Home games are played at 1 pm at Quinsigamond State Park on Lake Ave. in 
Worcester unless otherwise noted.

           Faded Blacks 1993 Spring Schedule (Over 30 team)

April 17  Connecticut Greys			Home
      24  Mystic River Old Boys			Home
May    1  Boston Gentlemen RFC			Home
       8  Charles River Old Boys		Away
      22  Boston Brahmans			Boston, MA
June 5&6  Old Man in the Mountain Tournament	Franconia, NH

Home games are played at 11 am at Quinsigamond State Park.

       Worcester Youth (Under 18's) 1993 Spring Schedule

March 20  Marshfield High School 		Away
April  3  Kimball Academy			Home
      18  Barrington High School		Away
      25  St. Bernard's High School		TBA
      28  Marshfield High School		Home
May   16  NERFU High School Tournament		Amherst, MA
      26  St. Bernard's High School		TBA

      Worcester Shamrocks (Women) 1993 Spring Schedule

March 27  Road Trip				Washington, D.C
April 17  Plymouth State College 		Home
May    1  Keene State College			Home
       8  Portland RFC				Away
    

    
    See some good rugby stuff on TSN and CBT up here.  TOo bad I just click
    right by it!
    
    CanuckJD

    I received some word on the Washington Irish St. Patrick's Day
    Tournament scheduled for the weekend the Blizzard of 1993 hit. 
    Apparently 1 game did go off.  Schenectady played the host Washington
    Irish.  The tournament was cancelled after this match.
    
    Glad we opted not to go.  Spending money to be stuck in a blizzard away
    from home isn't my idea of a fun weekend.

>    Glad we opted not to go.  Spending money to be stuck in a blizzard away
>    from home isn't my idea of a fun weekend.


Especially with guys like Hoppy.....8^)

    This Saturday's match between Providence and Worcester has been moved
    to Providence.

    On March 26 the WRFC left warm, sunny, snow-covered Worcester for the
    suburbs of our nation's capitol.  Departure time ensured that we hit
    NYC at rush hour on a Friday afternoon.  We got the hotel and met a few
    of the guys from the local rugby club and headed off to Champions to
    watch some of the NCAA Tourney.
    
    Unfortunately the warmth and sunshine was back north.  In the DC area
    it was rainy and chilly.  Worcester took on Western Suburbs RFC of
    Fairfax, VA at their back-up pitch due to the soggy conditions.  The
    WRFC touring party was made up of 30 players who were divided into 2
    squads to take on the A and B sides of Western Suburbs.  I captained
    the second side from the second row.  It was the first time Worcester
    had been outside with a rugby ball.  Western Suburbs had about a half
    dozen games under their belts already.
    
    The field was nicely covered in grass but had a gooey clay base. 
    Footing rapidly deteriorated between the traffic and the pouring rain. 
    Both matches were low scoring affairs with sloppy ball handling due to
    the rain and mud.  Worcester lost the first match 15-0 and the second
    13-5.  Despite the losses, we had a lot of fun.  It felt good just to
    be outside again -- and there's nothing like trying to dive on a loose
    ball only to slide about 10 yards.
    
    Saturday night we went out on the town after a fine post match social
    and alot of soap and water (I think I was still finding mud on me 3
    days later).  I hooked up with a couple of guys from Western Suburbs
    who took a few of us into downtown D.C.  We hit the Hard Rock Cafe
    (where I paid too much for Guinness) and then walked to a place called
    the Bottomline (who had a fine brew called Bottomline Ale).
    
    Sunday afternoon we boarded the bus for the long trek back to New
    England.

    On Saturday, April 3, the WRFC travelled to Providence, RI to take on
    Providence RFC.  The match was supposed to be played in Worcester, but
    the fields were too wet and were closed to all use.  I took the field
    with the B side at tighthead prop.
    
    Providence did a nice job finding a pitch.  It was surprisingly dry
    after all of last week's rain and thaw.  It was nice and big,
    completely grass covered (though not much green yet) and soft.
    
    Our coach's comment at training last night pretty much summed up the A
    side match -- he said that it was the first time he had seen a match
    where the losing team was never out of it despite a 40 point deficit. 
    The game really wasn't as lopsided as the score indicated.  Providence
    capitalized on every Worcester mistake.  Worcester had good penetration
    into Providence's end of the field, but couldn't come up with a score
    (it was around 20-0 Providence at the half with Worcester having missed
    at least 3 penalty kicks).  Providence supported very well with players
    getting to the ball in waves.  We need to work on our fitness a bit so
    we can do that as well.  Our other deficiency was in the scrum. 
    Despite taking advantage of the rule change by successfully tying up
    Providence ball carriers and being awarded the put in on the ensuing
    scrum, the Worcester pack was continuosly being driven back off their
    own ball (as a result we did alot of scrummaging last night at
    training).
    
    The B-side match was a better showing for Worcester.  We had similar
    problems getting that last pass off to put a man in the tryzone and as
    a result were blanked 13-0.  We savored the little victories though,
    like consistently winning the ball in our own set and loose pieces, and
    the comments from the Providence players over how tough and
    hard-hitting we played.  The B-side pack did a fine job scrummaging
    against Providence.
    
    The third match of the day featured a game between a mix of Providence
    and Worcester players and Roger Williams College RFC.  I think
    Providence/Worcester won.  One of the try scorers for Providence was a
    Worcester rookie.
    
    Next Saturday we travel to Stamford, CT to take on the Connecticut
    Yankees.  Home opener is on April 17 against Amoskeag RFC.

    
    <set mode> brokenrecord.com
    
    So Mac,
    
    I see you guys ducked Harfaa again in the schedule.  Wassammeter?
    Skeered??????
    
    I knew that!
    
    I remain,
    thwarted once again to see 'saw kick yo butt!
    :*(
    Kev
    

    Last Saturday (4/10), the WRFC travelled to Stratford, CT to take on
    the Connecticut Yankees.  Fortunately the weather forecasters were
    wrong again and we didn't get the deluge that had been predicted.  It
    was a pretty nice day to play rugby and an OK day to watch it.
    
    I got the nod to play for the first side at tighthead prop.  We brought
    up a beefier lock from the second side as well.  Both moves were made
    as an attempt to improve on our scrummaging from the previous week in
    Providence.  The move paid off as the scrummages were very stable
    throughout the match and Worcester was able to take a few against the
    head.  Worcester carried the play in the first half but only had 10
    points to show for it.  We were once again having trouble finishing off
    the play and dealing with the referee (we didn't adjust to the way he
    was calling the game).  The Yankees scored a converted try in injury
    time to close out the first half with Worcester ahead 10-7.
    
    The second half was pretty much more of the same.  It seemed that
    everytime Worcester was about to break the game open, a pass would be
    dropped or the whistle would blow.  The Yankees took the lead midway in
    the second half as they were able to overload Worcester's defense and
    take it in for a try for the 12-10 lead.  That's the way the game ended
    as the Worcester kicker still had trouble finding the posts and the
    ref's whistle kept blowing at the worst possible moments.
    
    Worcester's young B-side took the field next.  Inexperience showed as a
    mishandled kick and a no-look pass were picked off and converted into
    tries.  Despite some good play from the Worcester forwards, they were
    not able to find the tryzone and ended up losing 10-0.
    
    The next match is scheduled for this Saturday against Amoskeag
    (Manchester, NH) RFC.  It is supposed to be the Home Opener, but things
    don't look good for Quinsigamond State Park being available.  Worcester
    may be on the road again this week.

the WRFC report sounds very familar. Does he cover UNC over in the ACC Note?

;^)

    Worcester can't play defense.

>                     -< yeah, right, blame it on the refs >-
>
>    Worcester can't play defense.

Actually, if it was a New England league ref, I'm not surprised at the
premature whistling blowing.   Some of those guys wouldn't know "the 
advantage" if it bit them in the ass.....


Sounds like the B side needs a kicker....  But I ain't volunteering 
mind you.  Being a forward, my kicking abilites were genetically bred OUT.

As to the overloads -- mistakes of youth, or mistakes of fitness.


(For you non-ruggers, an overload is a very specific type of situation.
It's not a common situation where one team over-powers another, as the
name suggests).


hth,
'Saw

    excerpt from "News of the Weird", Pittsburgh City Paper, Vol 3 I15,
    4-14-20, 1993
    
    In December, the New Zealand High Court reduced the sentence of Rugby
    League player Rudi Crichton, 21, from five months to three months.  A
    Lower court had found him guilty of deliberately grabbing another
    player's testicles during a match in July, hospitalizing him for a
    week.
    
    
    
    JaKe
    

    Mike H., for the record it's ref, not refs.  There is only 1 referee in
    a rugby match.
    
    Bad defense?  We did have 1 defensive lapse which cost us 7 points (a
    converted try).  I don't think anyone in football would consider giving
    up 2 touchdowns in a game as a poor defensive effort.  I can put you in
    touch with a Phoenix club, Mike, so you can start to learn a little
    something about the game before taking some jabs.
    
    FWIW, those that know me (and even those in here who only read my match
    reports) know that it is a very rare occasion when I criticize the
    performance of a referee.  I ref myself on occasion so I tend to give
    the guy the benefit of the doubt.  This particular ref was from the
    Met-NY Union and since we don't play that many games in that Union it
    was the first time I've ever seen him ref.  Maybe he just had a bad
    day, but he seemed to have no self-confidence and exhibitted very
    little control -- fortunately it was a fairly friendly game.  He seemed
    well up on a few of the new laws, but seemed completely out of it on
    others.
    
    Jake, Rugby League is a different game from Rugby Union.  I play (as
    well as most of us who play in the US) Union.  One of the big
    differences between League and Union is that League is professional.

    The WRFC vs. Amoskeag match scheduled for tomorrow will be played in
    Worcester.  Depending on the weather and field conditions we will be
    playing at either Quinsigamond State Park on Lake Ave. or Phil
    O'Connell Field next to the firestation on Grove Street.

You should have told me it was a Met-Union ref.  Those guys suck, plain
and simple.   Talk about Home Cookin'.....


'Saw

>    up 2 touchdowns in a game as a poor defensive effort.  I can put you in
>    touch with a Phoenix club, Mike, so you can start to learn a little
>    something about the game before taking some jabs.
    
    If I had the time, I would, but it wasn't a jab; more of a razz.  I
    guess it only works one way with you though.

    Heard on the news at noon that an English Rugby team touring the USA
    was involved in a bad highway accident.  Once person is dead; 14 others
    injured.  The team was riding in some kindof van; they'd played
    yesterday in Atlanta and were traveling to Fort Benning, presumably for
    a game against somebody or other.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

Chris,  if you hear any more details can you post them?

What's the weather like down there?  Could that have been a factor?


'Saw

    Weather was definitely a non-factor.  Perfect driving (or anything else
    for that matter, short of snow skiing) conditions.
    
    I'll try and check the paper for more details ...
    
    
    - ACC Chris

>                -< BTW, is it_a Rugby "match" or Rugby "game"? >-

Match is usually used in a formal sense.

Some of the folks I know from the British Isles call it a fixture.


Thanks for the info, btw.....

'Saw

    To all Rugby noters,
    
    I am on my way. Will be in LA on 17th May and depart from LA on 18th
    June. During that time I will be around Boston and in contact with 'Saw
    so I expect to see Mac, Kev, 'Saw and a few other names that I can put
    faces to.
    
    
    I will be in touch
    
    Madge

    Tomorrow's match between Worcester and Charles River will be played at
    Hormell Field in Medford, MA.  First match kicks off at 1 pm.  The
    pitch is located behind the football stadium.

    >Tomorrow's match between Worcester and Charles River will be played at
    >Hormell Field in Medford, MA.  First match kicks off at 1 pm.  The
    >pitch is located behind the football stadium.
    
    Hope the weather wasn't chili...
    

    Hello from Malaysia!
    
    Anyone of you fellas heard of the Old Blues Club from the Bay area?
    They have played here for the past two Cobra/MRU International
    Ten-A-Side.  We also have club teams from NZ, Oz, Fiji, W Samoa, Japan,
    England, Scotland, taking part.
    
    The tournament is usually held before the famous HK 7s (Feb-Mar) over a
    weekend.
    
    Cheers
    Rob

>    Anyone of you fellas heard of the Old Blues Club from the Bay area?
>    They have played here for the past two Cobra/MRU International
>    Ten-A-Side.  We also have club teams from NZ, Oz, Fiji, W Samoa, Japan,
>    England, Scotland, taking part.
    
If I'm not mistaken, they've won our national championship several times.

Glad to have you aboard,
cheers,
'Saw

    Boston RFC won the Division I title in this past weekend's New England
    Tournament in Newport, RI with a convincing victory over Beacon Hill. 
    Mystic River was knocked out in the first round by the Albany
    Knickerbockers.  Boston advanced to the final with wins over Providence
    and Albany.  Beacon Hill crushed New Haven and defeated Hartford on
    their way to the final.  None of my teammates were very impressed with
    Eagle Kevin Swords who plays for Beacon Hill.  He did a lot of walking
    and standing around.
    
    Burlington (VT) captured the Division II crown with a win over the
    Boston Irish Wolfhounds.  Burlington defeated Newport in a close one
    (Newport actually led at the half) and then defeated Charles River on
    the way to the final.  The Wolfhounds beat Old Gold and Portland.
    
    Interestingly enough, both Division winners were #4 seeds.
    
    The Women's Division was one once again by Beantown as they went
    through the roundrobin competition undefeated.
    
    Worcester finished a dissapointing 1-2 in the competetion.  We lost to
    Portland in our first match by 11 points.  In our second match we
    crushed Old Gold by around 30 points.  We then proceeded to lose to
    Newport by a couple of tries in the consolation final.
    
    The Worcester Shamrocks (women's team) posted some excellent losses (in
    the true sense of the words).  The scored against Beantown and Boston,
    and lost 2 heartbreakers to Hartford Wild Roses and Merrimack (the
    Merrimack match was lost in sudden death OT).  There were a lot of
    compliments on how much the Shamrocks have improved since joining NERFU
    a year or so ago.

>>None of my teammates were very impressed with
>>    Eagle Kevin Swords who plays for Beacon Hill.  He did a lot of walking
>>    and standing around.


None of the Wanderers are that impressed with him either.  8^)

Actually, I think it's a case of him not getting "up" for club rugby any more,
preferring instead the international scene.

I saw one game where Brian Shell took him to school.....


How badly did Beacon Hill beat Hartford?


'Saw

    An update on ACChris' news that a rugby team travelling by bus had a
    serious accident last week (since Chris hasn't put in his promised
    update).  It was a British (I think) Army team touring part of the US. 
    Apparently the driver fell asleep at the wheel.  The driver was killed
    and a few players were seriously injured.

    > since Chris hasn't put in his promised update
    
    Ya gotta remember Mac that horrific traffic accidents are nothing more
    than a *blip* on the radar scopes of most news organizations.  If
    there's something mildly interesting about the people involved (a
    traveling foreign Rugby team, in this case) or the accident had an
    extra-strong dose of blood & guts, it just might be lucky enough
    to be "newsworthy".
    
    Normally people die in their auto's every day and the only "monument"
    to where they went to meet their maker are the bits of broken metal,
    glass, and plastic left alongside the road.
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    re .64:
    
    That's just what I'd expect from an NC fan -- a bunch of excuses on why
    he didn't deliver the goods.

The neck injury was to Brian Shell.  He returned and was willing to
play another game, but did not.

The second player was from Amoskeag, who was injured earlier, and 
said he felt sick to his stomach, and as long as the ambulance was there
he might as well go.

Turns out by the time he got to the hospital he was in SERIOUS condition....


'Saw

>>    None of my teammates were very impressed with
>>    Eagle Kevin Swords who plays for Beacon Hill.  He did a lot of walking
>>    and standing around.
>
>None of the Wanderers are that impressed with him either.  8^)
    
    Hey, after I went home last night, I opened up the latest issue of SI
    and saw this guy featured in one of these "Old Spice" ads proclaiming
    him as "America's Greatest Rugby Player Ever" or some such thing.  Is
    this damning him with faint praise, I guess?
    
    glenn
    

    Like 'Saw said, some say that he can't get up for mere club rugby
    anymore.  He is getting on in years.  He is one of the most capped (if
    not the most capped) players in US history (a cap is earned by playing
    for your national team against another national team).  He was named to
    at least 1 All World team.

Don't get me wrong.  Swords is a very accomplished, very good rugger.

But to say he's the BEST lock that can be put on the Eagles might be stretching
it.  He's the BEST lock who's consistently available and consistently
impresses the national selectors.   Like any other sport there are always
political influences and things like that.


Swords is a leader.  He was chosen Captain of the All-World-Cup XV in the
1991 World Cup competiton.  That is indeed a high honor.


So, I don't want to give the impression that I don't think Swords is good,
because he's very good.   But if you play against him when he's in for
Beacon Hill, and he doesn't feel "up" for the game, he's more than beatable.


Tommy Vinnick on the other hand played every rugby match (even the couple
of C side matches I played with him) as if it were the last game he'd
ever play....


'Saw

Next year I'll be eligible for the Hartford Old Boys.  They have a strict
35 year old age requirement.

Of course, I'd be trying to break into one of the finest front rows in all
of Old Boy rugby.  I suppose I could spell one of them from time to time....8^)


One thing about the HoBos, is they are a highly social club, very tightknit....


'Saw

    I was surprised that the HoBos were absent from the tourney.  Did they
    help out with a Hartford entry in the Connecticut Cup?

>    I was surprised that the HoBos were absent from the tourney.  Did they
>    help out with a Hartford entry in the Connecticut Cup?

I don't know.

It's not often that a lot of them help out.  You might get one or two
from time to time.....

It could be something as simple as they opted to not spend so much money
on tournaments this summer, perhaps.....


'Saw

VNS UK SPORTS REPORT:                           +Billy Findlay, VNS Sports Desk+
---------------------                           +Ayr, Scotland                 +

Rugby Union
-----------

The All Blacks won the first test in Christchurch by 20-18, after looking
the beaten team with only minutes of the game remaining.
A fiercely disputed penalty award by Australian referee Brian Kinsey gave
All Black Grant Fox the chance from 40 yards to steal the match. He calmly
slotted home the penalty and the game was won.

Lions skipper Gavin Hastings became the all time Lions top points scorer
with six penalties.


Scotland went down 28-11 to Western Samoa and lost their unbeaten Pacific
Tour record in this their final tour match.


                              VNS UK SPORTS REPORT                       More-->

    

             <<< SHAWB1::DISK$USERS0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]RUGBY.NOTE;1 >>>
                    -< Rugby (Union and League) Conference >-
================================================================================
Note 229.28                  June '93 News and Views                    28 of 28
OTOOA::FELDBRUEGGE                                    4 lines  21-JUN-1993 15:14
                             -< Canada 20 - USA 9 >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    On Saturday, Canada defeated USA 20-9. I do not have any details on the
    match.
    
    John
    

    On Saturday, the Wallabies play the All Blacks for the Bledisloe Cup,
    in New Zealand. The Blacks just beat the British Lions in a 3 test
    series. Whilst Australia has played and won one test against Tonga (yes
    that rugby powerhouse Tonga). What great preparation the Wallabies have
    had for this test.
    
    Plus injuries to forward - Eales and Offenhgaue
                 and backs - Slattery (replaced by Farr-Jones out of
    retirement) and Lynagh (replaced by a 19 year old playing his first
    test)
    
    Plus Roebuck has been dropped from fullback because of poor form.
    
    This basically is a recipe for disaster.
    
    My prediction - All Blacks by 10+.
    
    I cant believe I said that.
    
    So to hedge my bets I'll also say Wallabies by 3. 
    
    Madge

    If anyone is interested there is a rugby tournament this Sunday (July
    18) at the Acton-Boxborough High School starting at noon.  This is a
    10s tournament meaning that each team has 10 players on the field
    rather than the usual 15.  The games are made up of 2 10 minute halves. 
    Post tournament party will be at the Sit n Bull.

    Australia lost 25-10. They played like a group of guys who hadnt played
    together before. they only put the All Blacks under pressure for about
    20 minutes.
    
    Madge

    NSW beat Sth Africa 29-28 on the weekend in what was one of the great
    games of rugby. The Wallabies play Sth Africa on Saturday night.
    Australia dropped new five eight Pat Howard for Scott Bowen (another
    old Newington schoolboy to go with Farr Jones and Kearns).
    
    Madge (another old Newington schoolboy)
    
    PS. We were not really known as a rugby powerhouse

    
    
    Ireland's under 25 developmental squad is also touring in Southern
    Africa. Some scores:
    
    	Mashonaland: 10		Ireland Under 25's:  25
    
    	Zimbabwe:     6		Ireland Under 25's:  20
    
    I believe they will play South Africa at the conclusion of the tour.
    
    

    There has been some shuffling between divisions in NERFU this year. 
    The Albany Knickerbockers, winners of Div.II, elected to move up to
    Div.I.  This caused Charles River RFC to drop to Div.II.  New Haven Old
    Black was granted a request to drop to Div.II.  Boston Irish have
    disappeared.  If they reappear they will play in the Men's social
    division.  Harvard Business School and MIT were moved back to Div.II
    since the Business/Professional School League didn't pan out.  The
    Boston Irish Wolfhounds requested to move into Div.I to take the place
    of New Haven.  This request was denied at a NERFU BoD meeting last
    night.  This means there will only be 7 teams in Div.I this fall and 12
    teams in Div.II.
    
    Men's Clubs:
    
    Sullivan League (Div.I)
    Mystic River, Boston, Hartford, Providence, Amoskeag, Beacon Hill,
    Albany.
    
    Maxwell League (Div.II)
    Boston Irish Wolfhounds, Burlington, Springfield, Harvard Business
    School, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Schenectady, Charles
    River, Portland, Newport, Worcester, Old Gold, New Haven.
    
    Social Division (I may have missed someone)
    Berkshire, Rutland, Mad River-Stowe, Boston Irish (?), Boston
    Gentlemen, Sudbury River, Dracut.

>  Don't know if Rachel still plays for 'em but Beantown of Boston won 


I don't either.  She don't answer my mail any more........


'Saw

                       WRFC FALL 1993 SCHEDULE

Aug	28	Monmouth Tournament		Monmouth, NJ
Sep	 4	Newport Tournament		Newport, RI
	11	Springfield Rifles RFC		Home
	18	New Haven Old Black RFC		New Haven, CT
	25	Charles River RFC		Home
Oct	 2	Old Gold RFC			Home
	 9	Newport RFC			Home
	16	Portland RFC			Portland, ME
	23	Playoff				Away
	30	Playoff				Home*
Nov	 6	Northeast Region Wildcard	Home
        13      Open
	20	Northeast Region Championship	Buffalo, NY
	TBA	Bermuda Police RFC		Home
Dec	 4	USARE Championship		South Carolina


Home games are played at Quinsigamond State Park on Lake Ave. in Worcester, 
MA.  Kickoff is at 1 pm unless otherwise noted.

* This is a home game unless it is played against Charles River, Old Gold, or 
Newport, in which case it will be away.

The Northeast Wildcard game hinges on us finishing 2nd in New England.  A
first place finish results in a bye that weekend.  Championship dates depend
on advancement in playoffs (obviously). 

The Bermuda Police RFC match is in conjuction with the Bermuda Police/MA State 
Police Boxing matches.
    

    Australia won the second test 28-20 in Brisbane on Saturday. The score
    could/should have been more severe, but the Aussies fell asleep in the
    last few minutes with the game already sewn up, and the Boks sneaked in
    with a surprise try.
    
    Oz showed us what they really are capable of after a couple of recent
    lacklustre performances. Very fast, highly imaginative, and ruthless in
    defense. At one point in the seond half, there was only one team on the
    field, as the Boks puffed and panted their way around wondering where
    the ball was.
    
    For Australia, Jason Little in the center and Tabua (ex-Fidji) were
    outstanding. SA captain Pienaar also had a good game. Bok winger James
    Small was sent off for bad mouthing the ref once too often. A good
    decision, as Small has shown himself to be a bit of a hothead on many
    occasions. He was suspended for just one game, and will be eligible for
    next Saturday's decider in Sydney. Australia will field an unchanged
    side.
    
    Salut.
    Edward

>    outstanding. SA captain Pienaar also had a good game. Bok winger James
>    Small was sent off for bad mouthing the ref once too often. A good
>    decision, as Small has shown himself to be a bit of a hothead on many
>    occasions. He was suspended for just one game, and will be eligible for
>    next Saturday's decider in Sydney. Australia will field an unchanged
>    side.
    

Bad-mouthing the ref is dumb.  I very rarely talk on the field, but if
I DO have some gripe with the ref, I've tended to say to the captain in a voice
loud enough for the ref to hear, "Hey, can you talk to this guy?  How
can I be twisting the tighthead -- I mean, he outweighs me by 50 pounds"
or something like that.

Most times, that works.... 

'Saw

    The first match of the 1995 World Cup will feature host South Africa
    against Australia.

The cover of the most recent Matt Godek catalog features the Boks playing
some other team (wearing blue).

The Boks' lock has an incredible vertical leap, and it looks like the
loosehead is doing a FINE job of propping him....


Great photo,
'Saw

    Australia beat South Africa in the third and deciding test in Sydney on
    Saturday by 19 to 12. The game was a little disappointing after the
    outstanding second test, which Australia also won. Both sides made many
    individual and tactical errors.
    
    Oz made up for it by scoring a magnificent try in the second half,
    thanks mainly to great work by their record-breaking winger David
    Campese. The rest of Oz's points were scored by the boot of fullback
    Marty Roebuck.
    
    The Boks did in fact score two tries, and over the three games, SA
    scored a total of 7 to Australia's 4. South Africa have progressed
    considerably since their return to the international scene last year.
    But they still have some way to go before they can seriously challenge
    the world's best teams. Their forwards are too slow, and keep the ball
    too tight, while the backs stand around playing solitaire. A shame,
    since the backs division includes some very talented players.
    
    Upcoming fixtures: the domestic seasons are about to start in NH
    countries, and Oz will be touring France in the autumn.
    
    Salut.
    Edward

Okay, it's fall season coming up, and I know if I show up, I'll get
games, despite not practicing.   They always need a prop (why is it no
one wants to prop?????)  even if he's old and both ankles feel like
they have marbles in them after the game, and the knee complains for 
the next week......

Are there any new rules this year I should know about?  I'm still having
problems remembering last years rules.....8^)


'Saw

PS  Do they still have that silly rule about how long your sleeves have to
    be if you cut them off short?   Some of the refs gave our guys a hard
    time about that.....

    The Worcester RFC had its home opener this past Saturday.  We took on
    the Springfield Rifles.  It was a great day to play and watch rugby.
    
    The A side won by about 2 tries.  In the words of the coach, they
    played 60 minutes of very good rugby and 20 minutes of crap.  I think
    we'll be doing a lot of fitness work this week since the bad 20 minutes
    was towards the end of the match.
    
    The B side also won handily.  We had an interesting combination of
    players.  The pack was made up primarily of experienced front row
    players.  The backline had a few rookies and a couple of experienced
    players playing in positions relatively new to them.  The backs were a
    pleasant surprise, especially the rookies.  Going in I figured the
    forwards would have to control the game to have any chance of victory. 
    The rookies showed good speed and fairly good tackling.
    
    The B side pack had a prop in the second row (me), a prop at one
    flanker, a prop at #8, and a hooker at the other flanker.  We had to
    play most of the game down a man since our tighthead prop lost his
    temper and got tossed during the first half.  At least it was easy to
    move one of the other forwards into his position in the scrums.  Even
    with only a 7 man pack, we still won most of the ball in the scrums and
    lineouts.
    
    This was my first game of the season.  I wasn't as unfit as I thought I
    might be, but the cool temperatures definately helped in that
    department.  The club has played 2 games already -- 2 weeks ago in a
    tournament in Monmouth, NJ and a week ago in Newport, RI.  Only 14 made
    the trip to Monmouth where we picked up a player or 2 and went 1-2 on
    the day.  Around 30 went to Newport where they went 1-1.
    
    The League season opens next Saturday.  We'll be playing New Haven Old
    Black RFC down in New Haven.

    Worcester travelled to New Haven, CT this past Saturday to open up the
    Maxwell League season against New Haven Old Black.  This past summer
    Old Black had decided to drop down from the Umbro League due to
    declining membership.
    
    The A-side match was tightly contested throughout the first half, but
    Worcester poured it on in the second half and won easily 52-12.  It
    had been a long time since we had beaten New Haven, so to open up the
    League season with a win on the road against them was especially sweet. 
    I actually saw our coach jumping up and down on the sidelines, pumping
    his fist after one of the tries.  I've never seen him so animated at a
    match before.
    
    The B-side match also featured a tight first half with New Haven going
    into the break with a 15-12 lead on a controversial try.  Fortunately
    we didn't let it get us down and roared back in the 2nd half with 20
    unanswered points for a 32-15 victory.
    
    The only lowlight of the day was the friends I rode down to New Haven
    with had their car stolen during the match.  Some of the New Haven
    folks helped out by providing transportation to the police station to
    file a report.  Fortunately there were enough empty seats in other
    Worcester players' cars to get us all back to Worcester.
    
    This coming Saturday Worcester takes on Charles River RFC at home. 
    Charles River finished last in the Umbro (First) Division in 1992 so
    they were relegated to our division when Albany was promoted.

    Worcester took on Charles River at home this past Saturday.  Charles
    River has moved down to the Maxwell League to replace Albany who moved
    up to the Sullivan League.
    
    I didn't see much of the A-side match as I was refereeing the Holy
    Cross/Norwich match across town (HC won 57-3) and then I had to get
    ready for the B-side match.  We blew out Charles River last spring on
    their home field, so when I got to the pitch I was surprised to learn
    that Worcester only held a 17-10 lead with about 15 minutes left to go
    in the match.  From what I heard, the match was knotted at 10-10 for
    quite awhile.  Worcester ended up pulling away in the waning moments
    for a 30-10 victory.  We are now 3-0; 2-0 in league play.
    
    The B-side then took the field looking to avenge a spring season loss
    (I played lock again).  We did so handily winning 27-0.  Not a pretty
    win, but we'll take it nonetheless.  There were times discipline and
    control broke down and the ball was passed around with reckless
    abandon.  Other times we settled down and played the game the way we
    practice it and took complete control.  Some of the Charles River
    forwards flagged me down in the parking lot after the match and said
    what a great job our forwards did.  It felt good being recognized by
    the opposition.
    
    We're home again next week against old rival Old Gold from Boston.
    
    My friend's car was recovered after being stolen last week in New
    Haven.  Apparently not much was left of it.  Even the seats were taken
    out.

>    for a 30-10 victory.  We are now 3-0; 2-0 in league play.
    
So who's your toughest competition for the Div II champeenship?

Springfield?  Portland?  Burlington?

You guys should whup Old Gold....


'Saw

    I've been out of this notesfile for some time. What happened to Rachel?
    
    Edward

    She's still around, but doesn't note much.

>                               -< Where she go? >-
>
>    I've been out of this notesfile for some time. What happened to Rachel?
>    
>    Edward

I don't know.  

She doesn't answer mail, so I assume she must be very busy with her job....


'Saw

    The U.S. Eagles will be taking on the Australia Wallabies this
    Saturday, October 2, in Riverside, CA.

    Big Willie O. and fullback Kelaher are out of the Oz squad that is
    touring the US, Canada (I think) and France. Phil Kearns will be out of
    action for the games in North America, but should be fit again for the
    games in France. I'm not sure whether Campese has elected to tour or
    not.
    
    Edward

    The Worcester/Old Gold match is shaping up to be one of major
    importance in the Maxwell League.  Both teams are undefeated going into
    this match.  Old Gold has defeated Charles River (35-10) and Portland
    (25-5).

    Worcester took over first place in their bracket in the Maxwell League
    with a 24-6 win over previously undefeated Old Gold.
    
    The game was nip and tuck for about 3/4 of the match.  Old Gold had the
    wind in the first half but couldn't capitalize on it as they went into
    the break trailing 7-6.  Worcester stretched their lead to 12-6, and
    Old Gold kept battling back to keep it that way until about 15 minutes
    left in the match.  Worcester then ran in 2 tries to close out the
    scoring at 24-6.  This was a real nail-biter until the first of those
    tries was scored.  Worcester is now 3-0 in League play.  Old Gold
    dropped to 2-1.
    
    Worcester's Bs then took the field with a bit of uneasiness.  Old Gold
    Bs demolished Portland Bs by 60 points the previous week.  Old Gold had
    the wind in the first half, but was only able to take a 3-0 lead into
    halftime.  Worcester's forwards controlled the set pieces throughout
    the match.  The loose play was hotly contested by both sides. 
    Worcester took a 5-3 lead early in the second half on some nice support
    play starting with a ruck around midfield.  They extended their lead to
    12-3 with another try later in the half.  Old Gold powered a try in off
    a lineout with about 5 minutes left to close the gap to 12-8. 
    Worcester hung on for the victory, though, and remain unbeaten.
    
    On Sunday I laced up the boots again and played prop for the WPI Alumni
    against the current WPI squad in the annual Homecoming game.  The
    Alumni had a decent turnout bolstered by the addition of recent grads. 
    We only had to borrow 3 players.  It was a scrappy match, not helped by
    the fact that we had no referee.  The Undergrads jumped out to a 5-0
    lead in the first half.  The Alumni squandered 2 scoring opportunities
    as 2 penalty kicks sailed wide.  The Alumni regrouped in the second
    half and powered over a try to tie the score.  The score stood knotted
    at 5 until late in the match when the Alumni scored a try with no time
    left to earn a 10-5 victory.
    
    In other Worcester area rugby news, the Shamrocks (women's team) lost
    to Beantown 116-0.  Clark U. defeated Bates 22-10.  Worcester State
    College was hammered by Wentworth (I didn't catch the score).
    
    Worcester's next game is against Newport RFC and is the last home game
    of the regular season.  We close out the regular season on Oct. 16 on
    the road in Portland, ME.

>    drafted into the NFL (by Phoenix?), and was later claimed by New

I wanna say Denver.


>    Someone asked him (before he was injured) why he was risking an NFL
>    career by playing rugby.  He said he wasn't worried as he wouldn't have
>    to depend on an NFL salary to support himself.  He had earned an
>    undergrad degree and an MBA in his 4 years at Georgia.  He is back
>    playing for the Mystics and is running his own business.


Which is probably why Mystics is cleaning up the league.  Add him to
their talent from last season, where they finished second in the country
and nexted thing you know......


'Saw

    
    Yabbit iz dis a great country or what?
    
    I remain,
    wondering if his business is hiring?
    ;^)
    Kev
    

    
    Well, I did it.
    
    Saturday I made it a point to scoot over to Woostah's Elm Park to see 
    'zactly what a rugby match is like.  I ran into A&W and together we
    constituted the entire ::Sports get together attendance.
    
    YOU GUYS ARE OUT OF YOUR FREEKIN MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    
    Full contact tackle football without any ('cept for the 'lectrical
    tape) padding.  I saw guys get forearm bashes to the head, tackles to
    ring ya bell big time, stomping, a few punches now and again.  Guy's
    "punting" just missing heads 3' away.
    
    Orgainzed?  Sheesh, it was mayhem on the field. Throw in a game of
    "keepaway" with the stuff just mentioned and, that's rugby!
    
    Smallest guy seemed to be about 5'8", maybe 170lbs.  (I was told that
    in a former life, he was/is a boxer.  
    
    I am Soooo happy I don't play rugby because like #5, "I am alive!"
    (and I'd like to stay that way).
    
    Oh yeah,  MtM played well and his team won, 3 touchdowns - zip.
    
    I remain,
    happy to stay on da sidelines!
    Kev
    

    Speakin of ruggers, I rented the film "Alive" over the weekend.  I'll
    second what -1 said:
    
    YOU GUYS ARE OUT OF YOUR FREEKIN MINDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

>    Speakin of ruggers, I rented the film "Alive" over the weekend.  I'll
>    second what -1 said:
    
Could've been anybody up there in those mountains.

But, I will say this.  Ruggers do take a perverse pleasure in that little
bumper sticker:

		Rugby Player Eat Their Dead....


'Saw

    I saw a bumper sticker last week that said,
    
    "RUGBY: Elegant Violence"

>    I saw a bumper sticker last week that said,
>    
>    "RUGBY: Elegant Violence"

That's a classic and a favorite amongst ruggers.

Although I did take a poll one time and it seems the most popular one
is "Rugby Because..."


'Saw

    
    	Yabbut Tommy, thisted one's for you!
    
    
    
    In today's Gil Thorpe, the British rugby playing exchange student
    just showed the 'merican his kicking ability!
    
    I knew you wanted to know that!
    
    I remain,
    ::Sports occasional newspaper reader too!
    Kev
    

    What's the today's Gil Thorpe?
    

>    In today's Gil Thorpe, the British rugby playing exchange student
>    just showed the 'merican his kicking ability!
    
They can kick.

Glen Judge, our flyhalf, put one through from over 60 yrds when you figured
in the angle.   At the time it put us up by just exactly the point margin
we needed to make it into the wildcard slot.

Unfortunately, Mystic still had another half to run roughshod over us.
And they did.....


'Saw

    This past Saturday Worcester RFC took on Newport RFC, who as of late
    have been a real thorn in our side.  They have beaten us two years in a
    row in the New England Tournament.  They have a young, aggressive side
    with some very speedy backs.  They came into the match with a 2-1
    league record.  
    
    We spent both training sessions this week getting ready for their style
    of play.  We worked on using the forwards to keep control of the ball
    and worked on our cover defense to contain their speed.  It paid off on
    Saturday as for the most part things went according to plan.  We took a
    9-0 lead into halftime on three penalty kicks thanks to the expected
    undisciplined nature of Newport.  We squandered a few try scoring
    opportunities with dropped passes near the tryline.  Newport was
    applying the pressure and noone felt comfortable with only a 9-0 lead. 
    We were able to extend our lead to 12-0 on another penalty kick early
    in the second half.  The score stood that way until about 5 minutes
    were left in the match.  Newport finally was able to poke a hole in our
    defense and sprung one of their speedy wings for a converted try to
    close the score to 12-7.  Worcester appeared to have an insurance try
    scored after a rumble up the sideline by a couple of the forwards, but
    despite no touch judge raising his flag, the referee ruled that our
    player had stepped out of bounds, thus calling back the try.  Newport
    once again attacked ferociously, and sprung the winger for a try in the
    corner.  Fortunately for us, the conversion attempt was wide of the
    mark and a moment later the whistle blew full time and the result was a
    12-12 draw.
    
    The tie pretty much put us in must win situation for next week.  Not an
    easy feat as we will be travelling to Portland to play a team that is
    always tough at home.  A win would give us first place in our bracket
    outright.  A loss would probably make for a pretty muddy finish with
    alot of tiebreakers being invoked.  So far, Newport, Old Gold and
    Portland have only 1 loss (assuming that Old Gold beat Charles River
    and Portland beat New Haven this past weekend).  Newport hosts Old Gold
    next week.
    
    The first match was a bit fiesty as Newport is a bit undisciplined and
    cocky.  This really carried over into the B-side match as Kev alluded
    to (I played B-side again this week).  Adequate control by the ref and
    self discipline on the part of Worcester players helped to keep the
    game from being stopped and turned into a hokey-style brawl.  A few of
    Newport's A-side helped fill out their B-side.  We had to bring in one
    of our A-backs midway through the first half due to an injury.  The
    match was extremely physical (and I have the marks and stiffness even
    today to prove it), but it really wasn't in much doubt as Worcester
    dominated most of the play and earned a well deserved 17-0 victory.
    
    In other Worcester rugby news, WPI took on a flu depleted Framingham
    State team (WPI loaned them 5 players) at home and notched their first
    victory of the season by a score of 32-7.  I reffed the game and had an
    opportunity to see WPI start to use some of the stuff I've been
    teaching them.  In what is looking to become a big cross-town rivarly,
    Worcester State College defeated Clark University (I didn't catch the
    score).

>    The tie pretty much put us in must win situation for next week.  Not an
>    easy feat as we will be travelling to Portland to play a team that is
>    always tough at home.  A win would give us first place in our bracket
>    outright.  A loss would probably make for a pretty muddy finish with


A tie will always come back to bite you.  Found that out the first season
against Mystic River.   We finished second behind them on the basis of
our tie with them.   We had one loss, they didn't.  If we had beaten
them, we'd have had identical records and finished first on the basis
of having beaten them in head-to-head competition....


Good luck.


'Saw

    Worcester travelled to Portland on Saturday with the post-season on the
    line.  Unfortunately we played lousy and will be battling it out with
    the other also rans to determine 5-8 place.
    
    The match started out well for us.  It was a bit sloppy on both sides,
    but we spent the first 10 minutes or so within Portland's half of the
    field.  Unfortunately we came up empty.  A penalty kick was ruled good
    by the touch judges but was waived off by the referee.  On 2 occasions
    we had a series of 5 meter scrums only to eventually have Portland win
    a hook and clear it, or have one of our players do something stupid and
    have Portland clear it.  The rest of the half was pretty much back and
    forth with a lot of whistle blowing, and alot of stupid stuff and
    lethargic play on our side.  This was capped off late in the half when
    Portland's inside center picked off an errant pass and ran in a try
    from about 25 yards out.  The conversion kick was good and Portland
    took a 7-0 lead into halftime.
    
    Portland extended their lead to 10-0 on a penalty kick early in the
    second half (he was something like 0-3 in the first half).  There was
    more back and forth sloppy play and alot of whistles before Worcester
    finally started putting something together.  Some nice ball handling
    and support play led to a Worcester try to close the gap to 10-7. 
    Portland extended their lead to 13-7 with another penalty kick with
    about 5 minutes left in the match.  Worcester put on a serious attack
    and was finally rewarded with a penalty about 5 yards out.  The penalty
    play we had used on 2 earlier occasions was called, but the ref blew
    the whistle and hit us with a penalty for binding together before
    contact with the opposition.  Portland kicked to touch and the match
    was over.
    
    Portland took first place in our bracket with a 4-1 record.  Someone
    from Newport called us at the bar after the match to tell us they had
    beaten Old Gold 24-7.  That meant Worcester and Newport were tied for
    second with 3-1-1 records.  Worcester lost out on the tiebreaker and
    was relegated to the second tier of playoffs.  Newport will play the
    Boston Irish Wolfhounds in one semifinal.  Portland will play
    Burlington in the other.  The Wolfhounds and Burlington both finished
    at 4-1, but Burlington lost out on the tie breaker as they lost to the
    Wolfhounds this past Saturday (the Wolfhounds only loss came against
    Schenectady!).  Worcester will play away at MIT this coming Saturday
    and then will face either Springfield (home) or Old Gold (away) the
    following week.
    
    From what I can gather of the standings, they look something like this:
    
    Boston Irish Wolfhounds  4-1	Portland  4-1
    Burlington               4-1	Newport   3-1-1
    Springfield              		Worcester 3-1-1
    MIT       				Old Gold  3-2
    Schenectady*	    		Charles River*
    Harvard Business School*		New Haven*
    
    *Charles River and New Haven were winless going into this past weekend
    and played each other so that may be reversed.  Schenectady and HBS may
    be reversed.
    
    The B side attempted to avenge the loss of the A side.  We were
    outmatched size wise in the forwards and our backline was a bit
    makeshift.  What we lacked in size and experience, we made up for in
    intensity and fitness.  We totally outplayed Portland's B side to a
    tune of something like 24-5.  I picked up my first try in a Worcester
    uniform in quite some time.  The only place we were weaker was in the
    scrums -- Portland's size in the pack did have us backpedalling at
    times but we were still able to get the ball out.  Worcester Bs
    finished off the regular season undefeated (5-0 in league play, 6-0
    overall).
    
    We can't afford to pack it in for the next two games.  MIT has been on
    the rise and they beat us the last time we played on their turf.  After
    that we will play either Springfield or Old Gold, both teams looking to
    avenge early season losses against us.  There are some rumors flying
    over another league reorganization.  One rumored proposal is to go from
    the current two divisions of 7 and 12 teams respectively to 3 6-team
    divisions.  If that were to happen, in order for us to stay in the
    Second Division, we would have to win our remaining 2 matches.
    
    On to the Rucking Beavers!

    Worcester travelled to Cambridge on Saturday to take on the Rucking
    Beavers of MIT and to try to salvage the season after the previous
    week's loss to Portland.  The first 10 minutes of the match looked like
    a repeat of the Portland match with Worcester playing very poorly. 
    Worcester then woke up and took control for the rest of the match. 
    Despite having 2 tries called back (one by the ref for the ballcarrier
    allegedly not having the ball in control when he touched down, the
    other by the MIT touchjudge for the ballcarrier stepping out of
    bounds), Worcester took a 24-0 lead into halftime.  The second half was
    more of the same despite MIT having the wind at their backs.  MIT did
    manage to punch one in, but it was too little too late and Worcester
    won 62-5.
    
    Worcester's B-side extended their unbeaten streak to 7 games as they
    shutout MIT's Bs 27-0.  The only thing that kept the score from
    matching (or topping) that of the A side match was the referee and
    MIT's ability to get away with being offsides for most of the match.  I
    was back in the front row for the first time this season and had a ball
    as we won all of our own scrums and most of MIT's.  The ref even had to
    ask us to take it easy on them so nobody would get hurt.
    
    Next week we will play the winner of the Springfield/Old Gold match. 
    The match will be in Worcester if it is against Springfield, in Boston
    if it is against Old Gold.
    
    From the grapevine, some of the other results in New England Men's Div.
    II:  Charles River picked up their first win of the season 2 weeks ago
    by beating winless New Haven.  Charles River then defeated Harvard
    Business School this past weekend.  In one of the Div. II semi-finals,
    the Boston Irish Wolfhounds defeated Newport 15-5.  The Wolfhounds will
    play the winner of the Portland/Burlington match and have already
    earned at least a wildcard slot in the Northeast Regional playoffs.
    
    As for the guys I coach, WPI had 2 games during term break.  Their
    first game was against Roger Williams College in Rhode Island.  Only 15
    players made the trip.  The first half was scoreless.  WPI then lost a
    player to injury in the second half and had to play the remainder of
    the game down a man and ended up losing 10-0.  This past Saturday they
    travelled to division leader Babson with only 10 players, forfeited the
    match, picked up 5 of Babson's B-side players and only lost something
    like 15-5.  A dissapointing season record wise (1-4 in the league), but
    I could see the improvements week to week.

    Last night we found out that Old Gold had defeated Springfield last
    week, so Worcester will travel to Boston to take on Old Gold in our
    season finale.
    
    Other results heard through the grapevine (so I don't know how accurate
    they are):
    
    Mystic River defeated Beacon Hill 6-5 to win New England Div. I.  I've
    heard that Boston defeated Beacon Hill earlier and I know Albany
    defeated Boston.  I don't have all the info, but there is a chance that
    Boston finished 2nd in the Division and as a result won a wildcard
    berth in the USARE playoffs.  This is a bit of a surprise as most would
    have picked Beacon Hill to come in second.
    
    I've also heard that Providence has had a real down year and may have
    lost all but one of their matches (I know they beat Albany and were
    trounced by Mystic.  Grapevine says they lost to Amoskeag).  If true,
    Providence may be playing in Division II next year.

    Worcester travelled to Roxbury to take on Old Gold this past weekend to
    decide 5th place in New England Division II.  Fortunately the
    forecasted heavy rains held off for most of the two matches.  The games
    were played in a constant drizzle, but overall the conditions weren't
    too bad.
    
    The A side match wasn't very exciting.  Both teams started out sloppy
    and listless (probably an effect of playing each other again in an
    essentially meaningless match).  The small playing field didn't help
    either as it helped induce alot of play stoppages for lineouts.  After
    swapping several missed penalty kicks, the two teams started getting on
    the scoreboard.  I don't remember the halftime score, but it was low
    and close.  Worcester put it away in the second half though winning by
    a score of 20-8.
    
    The B side match wasn't much prettier, but it was much scrappier.  We
    trailed at halftime 8-5.  Old Gold put on a nice play off a lineout
    deep in our end for a try.  After winning the lineout they brought most
    of their players into the maul (which upon thinking back on it may have
    been illegal at the time since the original maul hadn't moved before
    they started bringing in their backs) and started to drive and roll. 
    When they succeeded in sucking most of our players in, a couple of
    their players broke off along the weak side and ran it in from a couple
    of yards out.  We shut them out in the second half, though and went on
    to win 18-8, perserving a perfect record for the season.
    
    From the outside, a 5-1-1 season looks pretty good, but in reality it
    was quite disappointing.  Despite finishing with only 1 loss, we
    finished in 5th place (out of 12) in New England Div. II.  We can only
    blame ourselves for the matches we let slip away against Newport and
    Portland.
    
    I haven't heard any results of other matches from the weekend.  The way
    things played out, most of them were rematches of earlier season
    meetings.  Burlington (VT) hosted the Boston Irish Wolfhounds for the
    Div. II Championship.  Two weeks ago, Burlington lost to the Wolfhounds
    in Framingham.  MIT and Springfield met again, this time to decide 7th
    and 8th place.  The 9-12th place slots were decided among teams that
    hadn't played each other yet.  Charles River (a Divison I club last
    year) took on Schenectady (NY) to decide 9th and 10th place.  Winless
    New Haven Old Black (also a Div. I team last year) played winless
    Harvard Business School to decide 11th & 12th.  Only the top 8 teams in
    Division II will participate in the New England Tournament in the
    Spring.

    > We can only blame ourselves for the matches we let slip away against 
    > Newport and Portland.
    
    A_Excellent Loss perhaps?
    
    
    - ACC Chris

    In a strange twist of fate, Worcester has been awarded a wildcard slot
    in the Rugby East playoffs.  We will be taking on Rochester (the New
    York State wildcard team) this Saturday, Nov. 6, in Worcester.
    
    The New England College Division III Championship Tournament is also
    being held in Worcester this Saturday.  Preliminary matches will take
    place at O'Connell Field next to the firestation on Grove Street and at
    Quinsigamond State Park on Lake Ave.  The tournament will start at 9
    am.  The schedule is as follows:
    
    Phil O'Connel Field
    
    9 am -- Worcester State College vs. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
    10:30 am -- Worcester State vs. Keene State College
    12:00 pm -- Keene State vs. UMass-Lowell
    
    Quinsigamond State Park
    
    9 am -- Wentworth College vs. Western New England College Law School
    10:30 am -- Wentworth vs. Bridgewater State College/Rhode Island
                College winner
    12:00 pm -- Bridgewater/Rhode Island vs. WNEC Law
    1:00 pm -- Worcester RFC vs. Rochester RFC
    2:30 pm -- New England College Div. III Championship Match

congrats.

why is it a strange twist of fate??

The Crazy Met

mac
where's western new england college 'o' law?
dr.a

>    
>    Beacon Hill was the Div. I champ for New England and Boston was the
>    runner up.  Boston is now scrambling to satisfy the USA dues
>    requirement so that they will be allowed to play the Div. I runner up
>    for New York State on Saturday.


THIS is a surprise, but I'm happy for Beacon Hill -- they're a great
bunch of guys and one of my favorite teams to play against.

What happened to Mystic?  I thought they were odds on favorites?


'Saw

    Here are the final standings for New England Men's Divisions I and II
    the best I can figure.
    
    Division I (Sullivan League)
    1.  Mystic River  6-0
    2.  Boston        4-2
    3.  Beacon Hill   4-2
    4.  Albany        3-3
    5.  Hartford      2-4?
    6.  Amoskeag      1-6
    7.  Providence    1-6
    
    
    Division II (Maxwell League)
    
    1.  Burlington (VT)  6-1
    2.  Boston Irish Wolfhounds  5-2
    3.  Portland         5-2
    4.  Newport          4-2-1
    5.  Worcester        5-1-1
    6.  Old Gold         4-3
    7.  Springfield      ?-?
    8.  MIT              ?-?
    9.  Charles River    2-5
    10. Schenectady      2-5?
    11. New Haven        1-6
    12. Harvard Business School  0-7

    We will be playing the Rochester Colonials this Saturday.  There are
    two rugby teams in Rochester, the Colonials (Div.II), and the Aardvarks
    (Div.I).  When Worcester captured the New England Wildcard slot in 1991
    (with a legitimate second place finish), we hosed the Rochester
    Colonials in the wildcard game.
    
    Worcester has been in the Northeast Regionals in '89, '91, and now '93. 
    Let's hope we can finally make it out of the regionals and into the
    Championship.  Playing for a National Championship in our 15th
    Anniversary Year would be sweet (Nationals are held in May, the Club
    will be 15 years old in '94).

    
    	The Worcester Hosers ...... eh?  :*)
    
    Claybone

Must've been a shitty season for the Wanderers.

Most of the ruggers I bumped into that I know, were not playing.  Plus,
their coach, The Count, hasn't coached them for the past two seasons, so
they must be hurtin.

They didn't have anyone who could hook this season, and I'm wondering about
the strength of their pack, as they had to have been short other tight
five players too.

Oh well.....


'Saw

    Worcester earned a spot in Rugby East's Sweet Sixteen with a 24-0
    victory over the visiting Rochester Colonials.  So we'll be shuffling
    off to Buffalo for Nov. 20 & 21 to take on Rockaway (NY), Burlington
    (VT), and Finger Lakes (NY).  The pairings will probably be Worcester
    vs. Rockaway and Burlington vs. Finger Lakes on Saturday, with the
    winners facing each other on Sunday.
    
    Rochester was much improved since we faced them in '91.  They gave us a
    few scares and did a good job in the forwards, but Worcester's defense
    and patience paid off and the tries started coming.  Worcester even put
    on a bit of a show while the clock was winding down and they were up by
    24-0.  The backs started running some of the plays they've been using
    in practice but haven't put in a game yet -- plays like dummy scissors
    with the centers and then the wing taking the scissor, double scissors
    with the centers, etc.

    Wentworth College captured the New England College Division III crown
    for the 3rd time in 4 years with a 25-7 victory over Keene State
    College.
    
    Wentworth advanced to the final with wins over Western New England
    College Law School (26-5) and Rhode Island College (5-0 on a forfeit --
    Rhode Island showed up very late).  Keene State had victories over
    Worcester State College (43-0) and University of Massachusetts at
    Lowell (17-7).
    
    Other earlier round games had UMass-Lowell defeating Worcester State
    33-3, and Rhode Island defeating WNEC Law 10-0.
    
    The quality of rugby in College Division III has certainly picked up
    over the past few years.  There was some very good rugby on display
    throughout the tournament.  A large part of the improvement is due to
    the coaching which is finally being made available to the colleges. 
    Every team at the tournament has a full time coach -- most of them
    coming from local clubs.  It's good to see some folks giving back
    something to the game and making an impact.

    We got the official word last night on the pairings for the Div. II
    Northeast Regional.  Turns out Rockaway finished as runner up to OMEX
    in the Metropolitan New York Union so we will be playing OMEX in
    Buffalo.  Rockaway is in the "Sweet Sixteen", but they'll be playing in
    another Regional.
    
    In Division I action, Boston defeated the Syracuse Chargers last week
    to earn a spot in the Regionals.  They'll probably be playing Old Blue. 
    The other match up is Mystic River vs. Buffalo.

>    We got the official word last night on the pairings for the Div. II
>    Northeast Regional.  Turns out Rockaway finished as runner up to OMEX
>    in the Metropolitan New York Union so we will be playing OMEX in
>    Buffalo.  Rockaway is in the "Sweet Sixteen", but they'll be playing in
>    another Regional.

OMEX used to be division I.  We played them, and it was a fun match.
    

>    In Division I action, Boston defeated the Syracuse Chargers last week
>    to earn a spot in the Regionals.  They'll probably be playing Old Blue. 
>    The other match up is Mystic River vs. Buffalo.

Look for Old Blue to beat Boston and Mystic to beat Buffalo.  I like
Mystic River over Old Blue to win the Northeast....



'Saw

    Well, the New England Men's Leagues have been reorganized once again. 
    Last night at the monthly BoD meeting the Board voted to move the
    Boston Irish Wolfhounds up to Division I without moving anyone down,
    thus putting Division I back to 8 teams and leaving Division II with 11
    teams and a scheduling nightmare.  Burlington had the first choice to
    move up since they finished in first place in Division II but declined.
    
    This move was spearheaded by the Board members from Providence RFC
    (surprise, surprise) who would have had to play and beat the Wolfhounds
    to remain in Division I.
    
    The only hope for Division II is that the rumors of Danbury (CT), the
    Connecticut Yankees, and Windover (NY) wanting to join New England are
    true.  If all three join that will mean a 14 team Division II which is
    workable.  We'd run the same format we ran this year with 7 team
    brackets instead of 6 and start the season a week earlier.  If only one
    of the those 3 join, they would take the place vacated by the
    Wolfhounds and things stay the same.  If 2 join it's back to the
    drawing board.
    
    Another incident occurred to add to the friction between New England
    and Rugby East.  Rugby East finally added an Eastern Championship for
    Division II Colleges which folks in New England have been asking for
    for years (at least it would help justify the Rugby East dues collected
    from the Div. II College clubs).  The decision was made by Rugby East
    after the New England schedule was set and teams were playing games. 
    Not so bad except Rugby East picked the same weekend to run the Eastern
    Championship as New England had picked to crown the New England champ. 
    As a result, New England could not sent a representative to the Rugby
    East Championship despite boasting the largest Division II College
    league on the East Coast.

    I didn't see too much of the other action in the Northeast Regional. 
    Saturday's games were divided between 2 locations.  The Division I
    teams played in Delaware Park, while the Division II teams played in
    Shoshone Park.  It was also too damn cold and windy to be standing
    around outside for any length of time.
    
    In Division I action, Metroplitan New York Champ Old Blue defeated New
    England Runner-up Boston by a score of 43-0.  New England Champ Mystic
    River narrowly escaped New York State Champ Buffalo Old Boys winning in
    OT 15-10.  Old Blue met Mystic River in the final.  Old Blue was up
    13-3 about halfway through the first half.  I didn't see the rest since
    everyone wanted to get back to the hotel to shower and get on the road
    to home.

    I finally got some news on the Northeast Region Div. I final.  Old Blue
    stuffed Mystic River 30something to 6.
    
    Rugby East Final Four is tomorrow and Sunday in Columbia, SC.

    Here are the results of the USA Rugby East Championships.  The winners
    will go on the National Championship of their respective division next
    May.
    
    Men's Div. I:  Life College came back in the 2nd half to defeat Old
    Blue
    
    Men's Div. II:  Baton Rouge won a see-saw game over Burlington
    
    Women:  Beantown repeated as USARE Champs
    
    Men's College Div. I:  Navy defeated UCONN.
    
    In other news, New England was awarded the 1994 Northeast Region I
    playoff site for Men's Club and Men's College.  Starting in 1995, the
    USARE Championships will be moved to the Spring from the present
    December venue.
    
    New England's bid to be a Territory of USARFU was denied.  Bids by
    Metropolitan New York and Southern California Unions were also denied. 
    The governing of USARFU has been changed from 4 representatives from
    each of the four territories to the 4 reps from each of the territories
    plus 8 at large reps to be voted on by the membership at large (ballots
    will be sent to those who enrolled in the National Dues program).

>    Men's Div. I:  Life College came back in the 2nd half to defeat Old
>    Blue

It'd be good if Life could win it all.  Then Tommy Vinnick would have
a National Championship to go with his World Cup appearance...
    


'Saw

    
    Yabbut washing your hands after a whiz is a lot like rugby
    
    ;^)
    
    I remain,
    Kev_for_Hawk
    

    Navy rugby made up for the football team's loss to Army.  They crushed
    Army in the semi-finals of USA Rugby East college championship last
    week and then proceeded to do the same to UCONN in the finals.

Anchors Aweigh!

    Navy is on a roll.  First Navy won the Interservice Championship, then
    the Academy landed a spot in the US Collegiate Final Four.

    Here's an article I wrote for WRFC's Tour Progam:
    
                          RUGBY IN THE UNITED STATES
    
    There are almost 1400 clubs reported to be playing rugby in the United 
    States.  Rugby is being played by men and women, in the local parks, on 
    college campuses, in the military, and in the high schools.  There is 
    even a move afoot to bring rugby to the 5 to 14 year-olds.  It is 
    played in all 50 states and on American military bases throughout the 
    world.
    
    How did all this begin?  The first rugby match played on American soil 
    took place between Harvard University and Montreal's McGill University 
    in 1874.  Noone remembers who won, but it is certain that rugby began 
    on the college campuses and it continues to be strong there to this 
    day.
    
    The United States is the only country to win gold medals in rugby at 
    the Olympics.  The U.S. struck gold at the 1920 Paris Olympiad, and the 
    1924 Antwerp Olympiad.  The opinions on why rugby is no longer played 
    in the Olympics vary.  Some say it was due to unruly crowds at the 1924 
    games.  Others say the International Rugby Board (IRB) did not want to 
    lose any of their authority to the International Olympic Committee.  
    Recently the IRB acknowledged that it was the governing body of rugby 
    and thus opened the door for U.S.A. Rugby Football Union to apply to 
    the U.S. Olympic Committee for membership.
    
    The U.S.A. Rugby Football Union (USARFU) was formed in 1975.  USARFU is 
    comprised of 4 Territorial Unions, U.S.A. Rugby East (USARE), the 
    Midwest Rugby Union, the Western Rugby Union, and the Pacific Coast 
    Rugby Union.  The Territories are further broken down into Local Area 
    Unions (LAUs).  The Worcester Rugby Football Club is a member of the 
    New England Rugby Football Union (NERFU) which is an LAU of USARE.  
    NERFU is the largest LAU in the USARFU with approximately 140 member 
    clubs.  
    
    USARFU awards national championships each year to clubs competing in 
    Men's Divisions I and II, Armed Services, Women, College Men, College 
    Women, and High School Men.  Each Territory sends its champion to the 
    U.S. Final Four in the Men's and Men's College Championships.  A 
    slightly different format is used in the Women's and High School 
    Championships due to the uneven distribution of teams in these 
    categories between the territories.  Recently Men's 7-a-side national 
    championships have been awarded.
    
    Other competitions are held between the LAU and Territorial All-Star 
    (also known as Select Side) teams.  These competitions help select 
    players to the Eagles, the National team.  The U.S. Eagles played their 
    first international match in 1976 against Australia.  Their first match 
    outside the U.S. was held in Canada in 1977.  The Eagles participated 
    in the 1987 and 1991 World Cups and are in the process of trying to 
    qualify for the 1994 World Cup.  In 1988 the Eagles became the first 
    team from outside the Eastern Bloc invited to play on Russian soil.  
    They are 13-35-2 in international play.  The Eagles' 7-a-side team, 
    although newer on the scene (first match was played in the 1981 Hong 
    Kong 7s) has been more successful posting a 49-47 record as of August 
    1993.
    
    It should be noted that the above Eagle performances are those of the 
    Men's team.  The Women's Eagles are considered to be the best at their 
    sport in the world with a 1991 World Cup Championship and a 9-1 record 
    in international test matches to prove it.  Women's rugby in the U.S. 
    began in 1972.  The Eagles were formed in 1987.  A Women's national 7s 
    program was started in 1991.
    
    President Bill Clinton played rugby while a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford.  
    Eagles Gary Hein and Don James also played at Oxford.  New England 
    Patriot football player Richard Tardits plays for the Mystic River RFC 
    in Boston, MA and played for the Eagles against Australia in 1993.  
    Eagle Gary Lambert was named to an All World XV which played the 
    Wallabies during Australia's bicentennial.
    

             WORCESTER RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB 1994 SPRING SCHEDULE
    
    April  2  White Plains RFC             White Plains, NY
           9  Amoskeag RFC                 Manchester, NH
       13-25  Tour of Wales and England
          16  Rutland (VT) RFC             Home
          23  Berkshire RFC                Pittsfield, MA
          30  Providence RFC               Home
    May    3  Old Laurentians RFC          Home*
           7  New Haven Old Black RFC      Home
          14  Mystic River RFC             Malden, MA
       21-22  New England Tournament       TBA
    June  21  Arklow RFC                   Home*
    
    Home games are played at Quinsigamond State Park on Lake Ave. in
    Worcester, MA.  Kickoff is at 1 pm except for * games.
    
    *  Weeknight game against touring side.  Kickoff will most likely be
    around 5 pm.  Will post when exact time has been set. 

>    April  2  White Plains RFC             White Plains, NY


Singin' in the rain, just singin' in the rain,
What a glorious feelin' I'm happy again......

    The New England Tournament has been awarded to the Springfield Rifles
    RFC.  The Tournament will take place at Blunt Park in Springfield, MA
    on May 21 & 22.

>    The New England Tournament has been awarded to the Springfield Rifles
>    RFC.  The Tournament will take place at Blunt Park in Springfield, MA
>    on May 21 & 22.

Wow -- that's a switch.  Whatever prompted them to leave Newport.  

When we had it down in Hartford, John-what's-his-name (Logan?) had a fit
if I remember.  There was all kinds of talk that we did it so that we
could have shorter fields to take advantage of Glen's foot, and stuff
like that.

So, how come they went to lovely (NOT) Springfield?


'Saw

    Springfield put in a pretty strong bid.  There appears to be more
    sponsorship potential, the facilities are pretty nice, and they are
    promising TV coverage.  It's someplace different (Newport has held it 9
    out of the last 11 years), and it a bit more centrally located.  If
    Springfield blows it, I wouldn't expect the bid to be awarded anywhere
    but Newport in my lifetime.
    
    There were some issues with holding the tournament in Hartford.  I
    haven't heard anyone say that Hartford deliberately played on small
    fields, but they did misrepresent their bid and played the tournament
    on fields that were not regulation.  They strong armed the Union into
    moving the tournament to Hartford by using the USA/Scotland game. 
    It's before my time, but somebody in New England did something to piss
    off Hartford's John D'Amico.  Since then relations between New England
    RFU and Hartford RFC have been strained at best.

>    
>    There were some issues with holding the tournament in Hartford.  I
>    haven't heard anyone say that Hartford deliberately played on small
>    fields, but they did misrepresent their bid and played the tournament
>    on fields that were not regulation.  They strong armed the Union into
>    moving the tournament to Hartford by using the USA/Scotland game. 
>    It's before my time, but somebody in New England did something to piss
>    off Hartford's John D'Amico.  Since then relations between New England
>    RFU and Hartford RFC have been strained at best.
>


Yeah, I know that the USA/Scotland game was a big trump card in the deal.

John D'Amico is a very intense person -- he can accomplish great things,
but like all intense people he has his idiosyncracies...   He's a nice
guy though....


'Saw

    Earlier this month (March 12 I think) the US Eagles played Bermuda as
    their first World Cup Qualifier.  The game was close for the first half
    with the Americans looking like they were suffering from jet lag or
    something.  In the second half, they woke up and piled it on the
    Bermudans for a final score of something like 60-13.
    
    Now, they have to get past the Pumas of Argentina in a home and home
    series to get an invite to South Africa in 1995.  That will be no easy
    task.

             <<< SHAWB1::DISK$USERS0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]RUGBY.NOTE;1 >>>
                    -< Rugby (Union and League) Conference >-
================================================================================
Note 260.40                  March '94 News & Views                     40 of 40
IOSG::SHOVE "Dave Shove -- REO2-G/M6"                19 lines  25-MAR-1994 11:14
                       -< E 15, W 8. Final table below >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
England 15  (tries: R. Underwood, Rodber; Conv: Andrew; Pen: Andrew)
Wales    8  (try: Walker; Pen: Jenkins)

England needed to win by a 16-point margin to get the championship on
points difference.

Final table
===========

		P	W	D	L	F	A	Dif	Pts
		=	=	=	=	=	=	===	===

Wales		4	3	0	1	78	51	+27	6
England		4	3	0	1	60	49	+11	6
France		4	2	0	2	84	69	+15	4
Ireland		4	1	1	2	49	70	-21	3
Scotland	4	0	1	3	38	70	-32	1

Dave.

    Hong Kong Sevens Result
    
    New Zealand beat Australia 32-24 (???)
    
    Madge

>    Hong Kong Sevens Result
>    
>    New Zealand beat Australia 32-24 (???)
    
Gives one pause, don't it?

    'Saw
    
    Say what:
    
    "Gives one pause, don't it?"
    
    There must be an airport around here somewhere.
    
    
    Madge

|      <<< Note 17.168 by SNOFS2::THURGAR "Passion is no ordinary word" >>>
|                           -< What are you on 'Saw >-

You of all people should know what I'm on, mate.

It's that "don't know which end is up, can't find my way home" feeling.....


And it can be the GREATEST feeling in the world, if you let it.......


'Saw

    Worcester opened their season with a trip to White Plains, NY this past
    Saturday to take on White Plains RFC.  It was a nice day for rugby with
    cool temps, some sun, and a soft field (very soggy in one spot,
    though).  Worcester travelled with around 35 players -- not too shabby
    for the first roadtrip of the season.
    
    Worcester showed that it can play with "the big boys" (White Plains is
    a Division I club and features former Eagle Gary Lambert), but lacks
    fitness -- understandable this early in the season, I guess.  Worcester
    took a 10-8 lead into halftime but were unable to hold on as White
    Plains roared back in the second half and won 20-10.
    
    The B-side match was similar to the first side.  Worcester took a 5-3
    lead into the half but ended up losing 30-10.  It was the first loss by
    Worcester B-side in quite some time (they were undefeated in the Fall
    of '93).  It wasn't as bad as the score indicated.  The Worcester
    forwards outperformed White Plains in the set pieces.  The White Plains
    backs were better able to handle the ball they did get than were the
    Worcester backs.  White Plains did a better job of getting to the
    breakdowns in the second half than Worcester as well.  Worcester had
    several rookies in the backline and made some wholesale changes in the
    second half to make sure everyone that travelled got a game.
    
    I'm sure we'll be getting a lot of work on our fitness at this week's
    training sessions.  Next week's match is against Amoskeag RFC. 
    Location is still to be determined.  Amoskeag was having trouble
    getting a field in Manchester, NH and may move the game to either
    Lowell or Worcester depending on field availability.

Didn't Lamber play, or did he tank it like he usually does for the 
regular season, appearing only in the tournaments?

'Saw

Surprise, surprise, surprise...

That's the first time I've heard (or seen) him play a regular season game.

We only used to see him during the tournaments....


Is that red-headed prop still playing for them?  Don't remember his name,
but he was a helluva nice guy the day I propped against him.  He was an
A-side guy who came back to play C-side, or B-side, I forget which.

Finally, did they do Singin' In The Rain at the drinkup?????


'Saw

|    I didn't notice.  I don't recall a redheaded prop in the B-game,
|    though.  I was playing lock.  If he was any good, I doubt he played the
|    B-game.  We won all of our hooks and at least half of theirs.


Wish I could remember his name.  Neither of us had shaved, so we "chewed"
this sh*t out of each other's faces, and late in the game (it was the
first game in August, if I remember correctly) when we were both dragging
BIG TIME, he says to me "Okay, I won't run if you won't".   I said to
him "Fine, you've got a deal".   
    

|    Don't know.  I caught an early ride back and didn't get to the drinkup. 
|    I asked about it and was told it was kind of lame.  White Plains
|    occupied one part of the bar, Worcester the other, and there wasn't
|    much mingling.


Oh, that's too bad.  We had a most excellent drink up out on the back 
deck at Johnny's. Fortunately, the deck had high walls, otherwise, at the
end of the song we all might have had some problems......8^)


'Saw

    After some uncertainty as to where the game would be played due to the
    weather, the WRFC travelled up to Manchester, NH to take on Amoskeag
    RFC.  Amoskeag had recently returned from a trip to Cardiff, Wales
    where they compiled a 1-3 record in an international tournament. 
    Worcester is leaving for a tour of Wales and southern England on
    Wednesday.
    
    As usual, Amoskeag came out with a big pack.  They used this to their
    advantage and came out with a 16-10 victory over Worcester in the A
    game.  The B game was a see saw match with some fairly exciting moments
    (or so I was told by the spectators, all I know was that I was running
    my butt off around the pitch).  The backline was much improved over the
    one who played White Plains a week earlier, but some inexperience still
    showed and Worcester ended up losing a heartbreaker 17-13.
    
    Most of the Worcester Club leaves for the UK on Wednesday.  We'll be
    playing Machen, Wales (outside of Cardiff) next Saturday, followed by
    weekday games in Bournemouth and Spalding, England.  The players who
    are staying behind will be hosting Rutland RFC next Saturday and
    travelling to Pittsfield, MA the following Saturday to play Berkshire
    RFC.

>    RFC.  Amoskeag had recently returned from a trip to Cardiff, Wales
>    where they compiled a 1-3 record in an international tournament. 
>    Worcester is leaving for a tour of Wales and southern England on
>    Wednesday.

Have fun on tour.  I'll expect a report (albeit in mail, since I know the
"rules" of touring) when you return.

Also, is Amoskeag in Division I this year?


>    As usual, Amoskeag came out with a big pack.  They used this to their

They have some BIG boys on their team.  Big boys.

Does Frank, the blond guy, still play fly-half for them?



>    Most of the Worcester Club leaves for the UK on Wednesday.  We'll be
>    playing Machen, Wales (outside of Cardiff) next Saturday, followed by
>    weekday games in Bournemouth and Spalding, England.  The players who
>    are staying behind will be hosting Rutland RFC next Saturday and
>    travelling to Pittsfield, MA the following Saturday to play Berkshire
>    RFC.

Cool.  Have a couple for me while you're there, and kick some butts....

But most of all, have fun.....


'Saw

    
    
    		Yabbut I nominate JaKe to be the "temporary moderator"
    while Mt*m is in England.
    
    		Any Seconds???????
    
    I remain,
    hopping to start a 'nternational incident!
    Kev
    

>    		Yabbut I nominate JaKe to be the "temporary moderator"
>    while Mt*m is in England.
>    
>    		Any Seconds???????
>    
>    I remain,
>    hopping to start a 'nternational incident!
>    Kev


Ex-squeeze me?  Baking powder?


We still have more than enough moderators to handle things around here...

    

    
    
>>   "... especially tough since I won't be at Fenway for Patriots Day."
    
    
    
    		Yabbut rest assured, we'll find a way to get over that!
    
    ;^)
    
    I remain,
    not too broken up, either
    Kev
    

>    food, though ($3 for spaghetti and salad, not too bad).  In all
>    fairness, noone has a deal like we get in Worcester at Stoney
>    O'Brien's.
    
Yeah, I hear you.

It was actually a better deal I think that we had, because if I remember
correctly, we might have charged for food on the grill out back.  You always
paid if you had food at the bar, I think.


>    I didn't stay too late at the drinkup.  My ride was interested in
>    heading home early and we didn't get to the drinkup until after 6. 
>    Amoskeag scheduled a C and D side match against UNH A and B.  We loaned
>    Amoskeag our extras for the matches.  4 matches made for a long day.

I stayed fairly late the time we were there, and then drove home -- about
2+ hours.  Not bad, cause I caught some excellent radio stations down 
the line.....


''saw

 >   In all fairness, noone has a deal like we get in Worcester at Stoney
 >   O'Brien's.
    
   or a better cook!!!!!!!!!!!!

 ;^)

>It was actually a better deal I think that we had, because if I remember
>correctly, we might have charged for food on the grill out back.  You always
>paid if you had food at the bar, I think.

Duh, Big Typo changed the whole meaning --

What I meant to say was your deal, and the deal in Manchester was better
THAN we had......

    Well we're back and I'm almost in one piece (suffered a broken nose in
    the first match).  We brought an interesting mix of veterans, current
    players, and rookies on a 12 day tour of the U.K.
    
    We arrived in Machen, Wales (about a 30 minute drive from Cardiff) on
    Thursday, April 14 after a loooonnnnnggggg delay in Logan due to the
    weather.  This was a stop to renew old friendships as the club
    travelled to Machen on their first tour in 1987.  On Friday we
    travelled to Cardiff for a tour of God's Acre -- Cardiff Arms Park, the
    National rugby ground, and some sightseeing and shopping around
    Cardiff.  
    
    Saturday was match day vs. Machen.  The rugby started with our second
    side going against theirs.  Tragedy struck early as our scrumhalf left
    the pitch with a dislocated shoulder about 10 minutes into the match
    (so much for the golf he had planned as well).  The match went downhill
    from there as our second side went down to defeat by a margin of around
    50 points.  
    
    Next up was the battle of the First teams.  Worcester was looking to
    avenge a narrow loss suffered during the 1987 tour.  There were two of
    us on the field for Worcester who played in that match 7 years ago,
    myself (at prop in '87, at lock in '94), and one of our centers.  There
    were quite a few new faces on the Machen squad as well.  Much like the
    '87 match, this one was nip and tuck the whole way.  Machen did a very
    good job of retaining ball possession.  Worcester used the speed of
    their backs to capitalize on the possession the forwards were able to
    garner as well as some tenacious defense.  Worcester creeped out to a
    narrow lead with about 10 minutes left in the match only to see Machen
    score and retake the lead by a point.  With about five minutes left in
    the match we had a lineout deep in Machen territory.  Somewhere in the
    fray I received a blow to the eye/nose.  With so little time left a
    decision was made to replace me as the blood was flowing freely from my
    nose.  By the time the bleeding was stopped, the final whistle blew.  I
    walked onto the field to join my teammates in congratulating our
    opponents on another close victory when I discovered that while I was
    being treated we had notched a penalty kick and recorded a 2 point
    victory!!  If I remember correctly the final score was 19-17.
    
    The post match party was the usual Machen hospitality.  The evening at
    the clubhouse cluminated in some incredible Welsh singing.  From the
    Machen clubhouse, some of our group boarded the bus and headed into
    Cardiff to see a little of the big city nightlife.  I joined my host
    and a few other Worcester tourists for a walking tour of the Machen
    pubs.  On Sunday our hosts saw us off promising to visit Worcester on
    their U.S. tour next spring.  We boarded the bus and headed off to
    Bournemouth on the Southern coast of England.

>    travelled to Cardiff for a tour of God's Acre -- Cardiff Arms Park, the
>    National rugby ground, and some sightseeing and shopping around

Whoa.

	A moment of silence, please........

So Mac, you got "Coon Eyes" or what?

Nothing like a busted nose to spoil your day.   Pete the Dick got one one
time and he told the most interesting story about getting it set.

He went to the doctor, and the doctor sat him in the chair and kind of
reclined him a bit.  The doc turned down the lights and had a little
bit of Bach playing in the background.

The doc examined him, and said that he had some further examination to
do, and perhaps he'd make an appointment to have him come back so he
could set it.

With that, he started to go up Pete the Dick's nose, with some kind
of nasal instrument or whatever, telling Pete he had to check something
out.

WHAMMO!  Next thing you know, the doc yanks on this instrument and 
Pete the Dick's nose pops right back into place.  He said the tears
were streaming out of his eyes and everything, but his nose was fine....


Did they do that to you?   


Busted Nose must be the lock injury of choice.  The only time I got
wanged hard in the nose I was playing lock too.....


'Saw

    
    
    	Yabbut is a "broken nose" a rugby term for "Improved Cosmetic
    Surgery"???????
    
    I remain,
    figgerin dose brits wanted ta chow ya their version of "Universal
    Health Treatment"
    ;^)
    Kev
    

>    You bet.  A lot of the color is gone now, though.  I did play in the 2
>    remaining games (one first side and one second side).  I'm taking this

COOL.

>    Fortunately, the nose stayed in pretty much the same place.  The only
>    thing I had done was have many cold water soaked sponges compressed
>    over the bridge of my nose to stop the bleeding and reduce the
>    swelling.
>

The Magic Sponge...

    
>    
>    This time I was the 5th man in our lineout and I was going in to bind
>    on our 6th man who was jumping for the ball.  I'll give my opponent the
>    benefit of the doubt and figure that he was going in to either tackle
>    my teammate or strip the ball from him and my head got in the way.
>

Mine didn't break, but something definitely is different now from what it
used to be before, especially when I blow my nose -- I get this little
popping right up by my eye.  My brother would tell me to get it
fixed, but no way am I gonna have an operation if I can live with what
I got....


He probably was trying to strip or tackle, I'd bet.  I mean, if he
wanted to bust your nose, a fist in a ruck would've been better....


'Saw

    Next stop on the WRFC tour of Wales and England was Bournemouth on the
    Southern English coast.  On the way to Bournemouth we stopped to view
    the Cern Giant, a large carving of a man dating from prehistoric times
    on one of the hillsides.  The Bournemouth RFC facilities were quite
    impressive.  It is a large sports complex as the Rugby Club shares the
    facilities with (field) hockey, cricket, football (aka soccer),
    archery, riflery, and squash clubs.  While in Bournemouth we made some
    bus trips to the nearby town of Poole, a seaside resort town.  Because
    we were there during the week, we saw little of our hosts as they were
    working.
    
    Because the match was held on Tuesday night, the kickoff was at 6 pm in
    order to allow the Bournemouth players time to get home from work.  In
    order to avoid a real late night, the first and second side matches
    were played at the same time.  This made for a bit of a logistical
    problem on our part as we had barely enough players for the two games. 
    The first side kept one of the second side players on the sideline for
    a reserve.  A couple of friends from Machen helped fill out our second
    side and some Bournemouth players were on standby to help us out just
    in case.  Our first side played a mix of first and second side players
    from Bournemouth.  Our second side played a mix of third and fourth
    side players.  Once again our second side went down in defeat by around
    50 points.  We also lost another player to a shoulder injury, our club
    President (another one looking forward to some golf) who suffered a
    separation.
    
    Our first side played a horrible first half.  We were tentative and
    just let Bournemouth take it to us.  We were fortunate to be down by
    only 9-3 at the half.  About midway through the first half, one of our
    centers went down with a twisted knee and our only replacement came on.
    At halftime we realized that we could play with these guys and after a
    Knightesque tongue lashing from our coach we came out smoking in the
    second half.  We scored a couple of pretty tries with some nifty moves
    from our backline.  Once again we were well behind in ball posession,
    but thanks to our defense and lack of imagination on the part of
    Bournemouth we were able to hold on.  The game seemed to last for ever
    (our second side who started at the same time was able to see the end
    of our match).  Late in the game I got whacked in the nose again as I
    was going in to make a tackle.  When the stars cleared I looked up to
    see a scrum being called inside our 10 meter line with us clinging to a
    narrow lead.  I realized we didn't have any replacements left and
    trudged over to join the scrummage.  We won the hook, held our ground
    and our standoff cleared the ball.  A couple of merciful minutes later
    the final whistle blew and we had won our second match of the tour.
    
    After the match we had the usual meal and presentations.  Much to our
    surprise, we did most of the singing.  We then headed into town for a
    little night life.  After the nightclub closed, two of us headed off to
    our hosts house for the night where we ended up sipping coffee and
    whisky and watching videos of the 1994 Five Nations games until the wee
    hours of the morning.  The next day we roused ourselves out of bed and
    boarded the bus for the long trek to Spalding in Lincolnshire.

>    of our match).  Late in the game I got whacked in the nose again as I
>    was going in to make a tackle.  When the stars cleared I looked up to
>    see a scrum being called inside our 10 meter line with us clinging to a
>    narrow lead.  I realized we didn't have any replacements left and
>    trudged over to join the scrummage.  We won the hook, held our ground
>    and our standoff cleared the ball.  A couple of merciful minutes later
>    the final whistle blew and we had won our second match of the tour.
    
Tell me this is what every forward secretly craves deep in his heart....

    There will be a rugby match on Wednesday, May 4 to benefit Children's
    Hospital.  The Worcester Rugby Football Club will be playing the Old
    Laurenthians RFC from Rugby, England at Crompton Park in Worcester. 
    There will be 2 matches.  The first match will kickoff at 6:30 pm.  The
    second match will be played upon completion of the first (approximately
    8 pm).  A donation of $3/person is requested.  All proceeds will go to
    Children's Hospital.
    
    For more information, contact Keith (PATE::) MacNeal.

    and you bumped our league off of Crompton field that night.  I
    take it that will be a good night to be at Stoney's!!!!  I'll
    see you there....
    
    Jimbo

    I don't think I want to know what a semi-formal rubgy dinner entails,
    Ear tape optional?
    
    MikeL
    

>    I don't think I want to know what a semi-formal rubgy dinner entails,
>    Ear tape optional?
    

	   		Male		Female
Semi Formal           Suit/Tie		Party Dress

Formal		      Tux		Evening Gown


hth,
'Saw

    
    Well axe a dumb question and you git a dumbell to retort with a
    dumber answer...
    
    8^)
    MikeL
    

    yabbut, what did you expect he played rugby.
    
    The Crazy Met
    

>              -< Mebbe I deserved that yaPictish Campbellite 8^) >-

Watch that Campbell sh*t, ye dumb Mick.

Glencoe and all that.....


8^)

    The kickoff for this Wednesday's rugby match between Worcester and the
    Old Laurenthians is 6 PM, not 6:30 as previously reported.

    On April 20, the WRFC tour party boarded the bus and set off for
    Spalding in Licolnshire.  We made a lunch stop in Oxford to break the
    ride up.  Spalding is known for their vegetable and flower bulb
    (daffodils were in bloom) farming.  While in Spalding I ran into two
    guys I played with while in Austin, TX.  They are from Spalding and
    played a season or so while on holiday while I was there.  Like they
    say, small world.  Spalding will be touring Texas later this month. 
    The day of the match the bus took us into Cambridge for the day.  Some
    mighty impressive architecture there.  The day after the match we went
    into Peterborough whose claim to fame was an impressive cathedral and a
    large indoor shopping mall.
    
    The matches were played on Thursday evening, April 21.  Spalding was
    getting their main pitch ready for cricket season so we played the
    match on their secondary pitch.  The second side played first.  I had
    been moved to the second side for this match.  I didn't mind; that
    second whack in the nose in Bournemouth had put me in the mood for a
    less intense game.  We borrowed a couple of players from Spalding to
    fill out the side (one of whom was the scrumhalf I played with in
    Austin -- it was fun playing with him again).  We saw some rain during
    the game and at times there was a beautiful rainbow in the sky. 
    Spalding put alot of pressure on us in the first half and went into
    halftime with a 7-0 lead.  The second half was almost a mirror image
    with Worcester supplying the pressure.  The match ended in a 7-7 draw.  
    
    After the second side match ended, the first sides took the field. 
    Worcester was sporting a new scrumhalf, a Royal Navy player we had met
    through ties with Machen, as our first side scrumhalf had gone home (he
    was on the short tour) and our second side scrumhalf had dislocated his
    shoulder in Machen.  Spalding fielded a mix of first and second side
    players.  The Spalding player who played scrumhalf for our second side
    played scrumhalf in the firstside game for Spalding.  I don't know how
    he did it -- he was showing the lads the Spalding nightlife as well. 
    The Spalding forwards weren't that impressive, but their backline was
    very quick.  They kept the ball in the forwards as little as possible
    and let the backs (with some help from the wing forwards) create.  It
    was a bit much for the tour weary boys from Worcester.  Spalding raced
    off to a 14-3 lead, but then Worcester closed the gap to 14-10 just
    before halftime by intercepting a pass and running it in for the try. 
    In the second half, Spalding extended their lead to a comfortable
    margin.  Worcester put in a valiant effort and scored a try at the end
    to make it respectable.  The final score was something like 24-17.
    
    Friday night, Spalding invited us to their season end banquet.  One of
    the speakers was the past president of the RFU (England rugby's
    governing body).  Saturday morning we boarded the bus once again and
    headed for our final stop, London.  No rugby, just some sightseeing,
    some shopping, and some relaxation.
    
    This was the most successful tour in club history with the first side
    going 2-1 and the second side 0-2-1.  I was the only undefeated player
    on the tour (2-0-1).  The first side had played a total of eight
    matches on our previous 2 tours for a record of 1-7.  Our second side
    was something like 0-4 in those prior tours.

    While some of the WRFC were in the UK, a group stayed behind and kept
    playing.  I don't have many details as I was one of those in Great
    Britain.  WRFC split their two US games beating Rutland RFC at home and
    losing to Berkshire RFC on the road.

    Worcester hosted Providence RFC this past Saturday (4/30).  I opted to
    let my nose heal for another game.  I only saw part of the first side
    match as I refereed the UMass-Amherst vs. Holy Cross match across town
    (UMass won 31-3, avenging a loss at the New England College tourney
    held in mid-April).  When I got to the Worcester game, the match was
    knotted at 3.  Worcester had just missed 2 recent scoring
    opportunities, dropping key passes deep in Providence territory. 
    Worcester kept applying pressure and were rewarded with a penalty kick
    attempt which went wide.  Worcester came back down the field, though,
    and finally punched one in for a 10-3 lead.  That's the way the score
    stood when full time was signalled moments later.  It's the first time
    I can recall Worcester ever beating Providence (I can recall getting
    pasted by them on 2 prior occasions).
    
    The B sides then took the field.  I reffed the match.  Providence
    pushed for 30 minute halves as several of their players were forced to
    play a second game.  A few Worcester players also took the field for
    Providence in an attempt to get everyone from Worcester a game (there
    were a couple of changes at halftime as well).  It was a decent match,
    with the experience of Providence winning out in the end by a score of
    25-12 (or something like that).
    
    Next match is Wednesday night under the lights at Crompton Park against
    a touring side from England.

 how can you play Worcester and ref a game they play in and not be partial?

 mike

    It ain't easy, Mike, but with the lack of referees it is an unavoidable
    situation.  Generally speaking, a player from one of the teams will ref
    the second side match.  The ref assigned to do the first side match
    rarely will do a second game these days.  We have around 40 registered
    refs (I'm not registered yet) in New England and around 150 teams.
    
    Actually, I didn't have much of a problem with this game.  In fact, I
    was complimented by players from both sides afterwards.  I had more
    complaints from UMass kids thinking I was favoring Holy Cross (little
    did they know my feelings for HC are almost like those of Nazz and Ninj
    for BC).

    Last night the Worcester RFC took on the visiting Old Laurentians RFC
    from Rugby, England.  It was a beautiful night to play.  The skies were
    fairly clear, the temperature was cool but not uncomfortable.  A good
    crowd turned up to watch (the biggest I've ever seen at one of our home
    games).  I played 2nd row for our second XV.
    
    Worcester started out fast, scoring 2 tries in the first 10 minutes. 
    To their credit, O.L. didn't fold and put the pressure on for the rest
    of the half.  They ran out of gas a bit in the second half and
    Worcester took advantage of it and cruised to a (something like) 25-9
    victory.
    
    The second match was an exciting affair pitting our rucking style
    against their strong mauling ability.  Worcester enjoyed a big
    territorial advantage in the first half, but only had a 10-3 lead to
    show for it (and 3 missed penalty kicks).  O.L. came back strong in the
    second half.  A good defensive stand by Worcester thwarted an O.L. try. 
    O.L. hit 2 penalty kicks to tighten the score to 10-9.  Worcester then
    put on a nice rush, penetrating deep into O.L. territory.  I really
    thought we were going to punch another one in, but time elapsed and the
    score stood at 10-9 in favor of Worcester.
    
    This has been a great couple of weeks for the club.  It wasn't that
    long ago that we played touring sides here and abroad and got our heads
    handed to us.  A 2-1 tour and then both sides winning against a touring
    side at home show just how far we've come.
    
    Next match is Saturday at home against New Haven Old Black RFC.  The
    first match will kickoff at 1 pm at Quinsigamond State Park in
    Worcester.

>    The second match was an exciting affair pitting our rucking style
>    against their strong mauling ability.  Worcester enjoyed a big


Yep, those English love to maul, especially the rolling maul.  We used to
use that once in a while down near the try line.  Because we practiced it,
one thing I did get good at when defending it was getting in low and
pulling down the guy with the ball, or the first guy I could get to.
Highly illegal, but if you didn't get caught, it worked great.....8^)


Sounds like WRFC has really improved of late.  I hope you do well against
New Haven.....


'Saw

    New Haven Old Black RFC traveled north to take on Worcester RFC this
    past Saturday.  It was a beautiful day for rugby, although a bit warmer
    than most players prefer.  Friday's rains softened and greened the
    field up a bit.  I played lock for Worcester's Bside.

    To quote from the WRFC Captain's halftime speech "this was the worst
    half of rugby I've ever seen this team play."  Worcester was lucky to
    only be down 9-0 at the half.  New Haven did a great job of ball
    control and retaining possession.  Worcester did pick it up a bit in
    the second half and scored 2 quick tries to take a 14-9 lead before
    relaxing a bit again.  The rest of the match was a see-saw affair with
    Worcester scoring last to take a 25-21 victory from the jaws of defeat. 
    
    New Haven has really fallen on some hard times.  Several of their first
    side players had to fill in on the second side.  Worcester loaned them
    some players to fill out their backline (most of the Worcester extras
    were forwards...).  The captains agreed to play 30 minute halves. 
    Knowing what they had in their backline, New Haven decided to play "10
    man rugby" and keep it in the forwards.  Knowing what New Haven had in
    their backline, Worcester elected to get it to their backs at every
    opportunity.  The strategies ended up in a 17-7 victory for Worcester.
    
    Next week's match is away at Mystic River RFC.  It should get us in the
    right frame of mind going into the New England Tournament the following
    week.

    WRFC travelled to Malden on Saturday to take on New England Division I
    champ Mystic River.  It was a cool, sunny day with a hellacious wind
    blowing down the length of the field.  Mystic won the toss and chose to
    play with the wind at their backs for the first half.  They used the
    wind to their advantage as well as some strong running to take a 15-0
    (2 tries, a conversion, and a penalty) lead into halftime.  Worcester
    regrouped a bit and closed the score to 15-8 midway through the second
    half (unconverted try and a penalty).  Mystic then iced the game with 2
    more tries (one converted) for a final of 27-8.
    
    The B game (I locked) was a pretty good game as well.  The wind wasn't
    as much of a factor as was the case in the A game.  Mystic jumped out
    to a 14-0 lead before Worcester powered in a try to close the gap to
    14-7.  Mystic extended their lead to 21-7 but Worcester never gave up
    and scored another try to bring the score to 21-14.  Unfortunately the
    final whistle blew as the conversion went through the uprights and the
    score stood at 21-14.
    
    Next week we'll be travelling to Springfield, MA to play in the New
    England Tournament.  We'll face Old Gold in the first round and then
    either Burlington or Schenectady in the second round.  I've been
    selected to the pool of players for the tournament and should get a
    game at lock.  The Tournament will be held at Blunt Park on Roosevelt
    St. (next to Central High School, just down the street from Smith &
    Wesson).  First round games are scheduled to kick off at 10 am on
    Saturday.  The Championship matches will be played in the stadium just
    down the street from Blunt Park starting at 10 am on Sunday.

    Update:
    
    Australia lose both centres.
    Tim Horan and Jason Little both got knee injuries playing for
    Queensland Vs Netal on the weekend and seem to be out for the year.
    
    Madge

>    Madge

Hey you Aussie bastard.....

Tell them to bring back Campese!  They'll never win again unless they
have Campese...  He can play center.  Hell, he could prop if he had to...


Is Ewan what's-his-name propping for them yet?


How long are you back for this time?

'Saw

    'Saw
    
    Campo will be playing on the wing. Where he belongs and cant do too
    much damage.
    
    Ewan McKenzie is still the prop along with Daly and Kearns (hooker).
    
    Bad news is that Horan is out for 8 months. Lucky if he will ever play
    again. Damage to knee "torn cruciate and both medial ligaments,
    dislocated kneecap and had torn cartilages" .Ouch
    
    Little is out for 2 - 3 months with a torn cartilage and only partial
    tears to the cruciate and posterior ligamants.
    
    I am in this week, Melbourne next, Sydney week of 6 June and Melbourne
    week of 27 June.
    
    I will be stateside in Conneticut for a wedding in November.
    
    Later
    
    Madge 

>    
>    Campo will be playing on the wing. Where he belongs and cant do too
>    much damage.
>    
Spoken like a true Aussie rugby fan.


>    Ewan McKenzie is still the prop along with Daly and Kearns (hooker).

Ewan is a STUD, but then again so is Kearns.

    
>    Bad news is that Horan is out for 8 months. Lucky if he will ever play
>    again. Damage to knee "torn cruciate and both medial ligaments,
>    dislocated kneecap and had torn cartilages" .Ouch

OUCH.  Sounds like there's NOTHING holding that knee together...

    
>    Little is out for 2 - 3 months with a torn cartilage and only partial
>    tears to the cruciate and posterior ligamants.

Better...
    
>    I am in this week, Melbourne next, Sydney week of 6 June and Melbourne
>    week of 27 June.

Cool.....

    
>    I will be stateside in Conneticut for a wedding in November.

PARTY TIME....  PARTY TIME.  Where abouts in Connecticut??   PARTY TIME.



'Saw



    

    What's the big deal about Stoney's besides questionably aged Assumption
    girls wandering in ordering pink lemonades and Zima with grenedine?
    

    Ok... they had Assumption sweatshirts on so I assumed Assumption... sue
    me.... they had to go back to the limo to hit the next bar....  Mike's
    dad works there?  

>    Mike C.'s dad makes a
>    mean ziti and meatballs.  


Aw SHIT.

Why didn't you mention this before!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?


I can honestly vouch for the fact that Mike Child's is probably the BEST
cook sports has ever seen.  His gumbo is legend, no make that Legend
with a capital "L".   Mike had to learn that from somewhere, and now I've
put two and two together.

Next get-together is at this place, as lonag as Mike C's dad will be
cookin.....


'saw

>..........No old fogies hanging around a piano.
    
    Darn,
    	Just when I was thinking what a great bar this was..

>            -< Once More... Lord Jeffrey Amherst was a soldier... >-

It would be a cool bar if that's the kind of stuff that sang, but it
ain't...

I used to know a musical version of Danny Dever years ago, but couldn't
remember it now to save my life....


To Absent Comrades,
'Saw

|   What do I like about Stoney's?  The beer is cheap and cold.  The rugby
                                                ^^^^^ 
I'm shocked...

    Michael Shea's?  The Irish brew from Rochester?
    

    One of my teammates spent the winter and part of this spring in
    Australia.  He went to some rugby dinner and was able to get a picture
    of him and Kerns together.

Cool.

That's Madge's buddy......

    The New England RFU Tournament was held this past weekend in
    Springfield, MA.  Boy was it hot.  All that rain earlier in the week
    had the fields in good shape.
    
    Worcester's first game was against Old Gold.  It was the usual chippy
    match between these two teams, especially since Old Gold was losing. 
    Final score was Worcester 14, Old Gold 3.  This put us in the
    semifinals against Burlington who had defeated Charles River pretty
    handily.
    
    I played lock in the Worcester/Burlington game.  Burlington got on the
    board first with a drop goal to take a 3-0 lead.  Worcester countered
    with a penalty kick to tie the game.  That was all the scoring for the
    first half.  Burlington turned up the pressure in the second half and
    scored a try on a highball that was allowed to bounce.  That swung the
    momentum Burlington's way as they proceeded to add 2 more tries and
    another dropgoal for a 21-3 victory.  Burlington went on to win the
    tournament with a victory over Springfield 32-14.
    
    In Div. I action, Beacon Hill took apart Mystic River in the final
    winning by a score of something like 24-8.  Beantown dominated the
    women's bracket, as usual and took home the championship trophy.
    
    Our next match is June 21 against a touring side from Ireland.  Other
    than that it's pretty much 7s season until the first weekend of
    September.  I'll be working on my fitness adnd passing on the 7s myself
    (as well as taking care of business neglected during the season).

>    
>    In Div. I action, Beacon Hill took apart Mystic River in the final
>    winning by a score of something like 24-8.  Beantown dominated the
>    women's bracket, as usual and took home the championship trophy.
>    


How did Hartford do?


It seems like momentum has swung around again to Beacon Hill.  A few years
ago they went through a heavy dry spell, but prior to that had bene
contenders.   Now they seem to be on the top again.....


'Saw

    Hartford won their opener (against Albany I think), and then lost to
    either Beacon Hill or Mystic.

>    Hartford won their opener (against Albany I think), and then lost to
>    either Beacon Hill or Mystic.

Thanks -- we always had Albany's number...8^)

    Albany lost to the Boston Irish Wolfhounds.  That leads me to believe
    that Hartford lost to Mystic in the semis.

>    Albany lost to the Boston Irish Wolfhounds.  That leads me to believe
>    that Hartford lost to Mystic in the semis.

Well, Mystic always did have our number....8^)

    New South Wales crushed Ireland on the weekend by about 30 points.
    Doesnt look good for the Irish in the upcoming tests.
    
    Madge

>    New South Wales crushed Ireland on the weekend by about 30 points.
>    Doesnt look good for the Irish in the upcoming tests.
>    
>    Madge

That's downright embarassing.....

    The 1994 National Collegiate Championship Final between Navy and
    California will be televised on ESPN2 at 2 pm on June 20th.

 |Title:  Go Middies!! 
 
Bestest Navy team...

"Anchors aweigh, my boys, anchor's away."

"Eternal Father strong to save...."

             <<< SHAWB1::DISK$USERS0:[NOTES$LIBRARY]RUGBY.NOTE;1 >>>
                    -< Rugby (Union and League) Conference >-
================================================================================
Note 265.36                  May '94 News and Views                     36 of 36
OTOOA::FELDBRUEGGE "He who laughs, lasts best."       5 lines  25-MAY-1994 17:04
                             -< Canada 15 - US 10 >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Canada defeated the US 15-10 in the match played in Los Angeles.
    Apparently it was not a very entertaining match with neither team
    wanting to make mistakes. 
    
    John

    The U.S. will be taking on Argentina this Saturday in CA in their quest
    for a berth in the upcoming World Cup.

    The ACT  (Australian Capital Territory ) defealted Irealnd by 15 points
    yesterday.
    
    Irish eyes are not smiling.
    
    Madge

    My mistake, the College Championship will be shown on ESPN on June 20
    at 2 pm.  It will be repeated on the Duece July 2.
    
    Speaking of College Championships and Penn State (see Notre Dame note),
    Penn State sent 2 teams to rugby Fours this season -- one to the Men's
    and one to the Women's.  If I remember right, the Men finished 4th and
    the Women 3rd.

    US 22 Argentina 28
    
    Salut,
    Edward

    Thanks for the update, Ed.
    
    Not knowing any details of the game, I'll still chalk this one up as an
    excellent loss.  I think coach Jack Clark's program is paying dividends
    already.
    
    The only way the U.S. can qualify for the World Cup now is to soundly
    defeat Argentina in Buenes Aires.

    Australia bet Ireland by about 20 points in the first test (35-15) 
    I think.
    
    Scrappy game.
    
    Madge

    Correction score was 33-13
    
    Madge

    Australia beat Ireland in the second test. Cant remember the score.
    
    Sorry.
    
    Next test against Italy.
    
    Madge

    Ran into Mac at the credit union.  He just landed a job with Parlex
    in Methuen doing {mumble} and starts a week from Monday.  No
    visible rugby injuries, but both the A and B sides are 2-1.  
    
    Jimbo

Man, I can't believe Mac is still playing.  He's been playing for years
longer than I did, and I know the beating that my knees and ankles took
for the period of time I played.

'Saw

Well, on Saturday afternoon I took a ride into Hartford to see the Wanderers
play.

They're in the new Division I Super League, which takes the four best teams
from the New England League and the four best teams from the New York
Metropolitan League and pits them against each other.  Basically what that
means is "no rest for the weary".

The Wanderers are not doing very well, seemingly in a rebuilding phase.
Retirements, folks moving away, and other responsibilities seem to have
taken a lot of the guys I played with away from the team.
Doc, the old prop who was such an inspiration to me, retired and is now
one of the coaches.


They lost to White Plains.  The game was closer than the score indicated,
as the Wanderers gave up some points late, but the officiating left a lot
to be desired too.

Hartford's B side lost a close one.  The White Plains backs had the edge
over Hartfords, but Hartford owned the forward play -- the Hartford pack
got a walk-over try at one point.

The Wanderers probably would have won the game, except that TWICE the
referee whistled up a penalty against White Plains when Hartford had a clear
advantage out on the wing (overload situations which clearly would have
lead to a try).   Guess the ref never heard of the advantage rule....


It was fun to watch, and I ached to play again.....   Guess it is hard to
take the needle out of your arm.....


'Saw

    
    
    Without wishing to "poach" any noters from this forum, I'd just like
    to point out that there is a very active Rugby conference on SHAWB1
    (42554 if your node doesn't know SHAWB1)
    
    The forum covers both Union & League codes (but mainly Union) and
    around this time of year there is a lot of interest in the Five
    Nations.  Contributors include current players, former players,
    referrees, coaches or just plain fans of the game from all over the
    world (N.Z. Oz, South Africa, U.S. Canada, Five Nations)
    
    Please take the time to have a look at SHAWB1::RUGBY if you get the
    chance! 
    
    
    Graham Warnes
    Moderator of RUGBY (you might have guessed ;-)
    
    Hit KP7 to add

Caught the neatest Nike commercial on Saturday:

	Three guys in overcoats walking through the snow.  Middle guy
	is carrying a box.

	Next thing you know they stop and start spraypainting red lines
	in the snow.  [I'm wondering what the heck is going on]

	Next thing you know, they show a scrum -- these guys are playing
	rugby!

	They pull back the shot to go wide angle, and they've outlined
	a rugby pitch on the snow, in red, and are playing rugby.

	Then, the screen blanks, it says "Just do it", and shows a
	red spray-painted Nike swoosh.....


Cool.

'Saw

Over the weekend, the South Africa Springboks beat the New Zealand All-Blacks
to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.  A late drop goal broke a 12-all tie, winning
it 15-12 for the Springboks.

South Africa, long a rugby power, had been prevented from playing in world
competition due to aparthied policies in SA.  But, several years ago, they were
awarded the honor of hosting the 1995 World Cup.   According to most ruggers in
the world, the pitches of SA are the finest in the world.

Due to the total lack of coverage here in the US, I'm pretty sure that the
US Eagles did not qualify for this Cup.  In fact, I cannot even tell you who
was involved, other than SA and NZ.  Australia, was, I'm sure, as defending
champs.

Beyond that, I have no results....

But, it is safe to say that South Africa has returned to prominence as one of
the rugby powerhouses of the world, in the top tier with the Home Nations,
France, Australia and New Zealand.


'Saw

'Saw, I'm really glad you entered -.1, because I haven't got time to do it
justice.  The game itself was tense, edge-of-your-seat stuff all the way.  At
the end, SA had better nerves than All Blacks, who fumbled an awful lot of
passes, especially in extra time.

But that was just the game.  About every thirty seconds, you are reminded again
of what this all means.  There is a black on the SA team (rugby has always been
a white man's game, and indeed an English speaker's, in South Africa, so it is
a wonder that a black would have acquired sufficient skill, much less have been
welcome on the team).  Nelson Mandela, clad in Springbok black and gold, was in
the stands.  A group in native costume was at the sideline, singing high life.
When it was over, everybody embraced everybody, as if it really was a victory
for (as the SA captain said) ALL South Africans.

Incredible.  I've never seen anything like it and I'll remember it for a long,
long time.  Thanks to Eurosport for bringing it to me live.

Steve

Wow.  It was in EXTRA time?  I didn't know that.  

Sounds cool that it was a unifying experience.....


It's very surprising to hear that the All-Blacks lost their nerve.  That's so
unlike them.  

I did get to see a small newsclip of them doing the Haka before the game.
Man, I love to see that -- it's one of the strongest rugby traditions:

		Kamate!  Kamate!
		Kaora kaora


It was supposedly on tape-delay pay-per-view over here, but I don't even think
my cable system was offering it.....


I wonder who'll get the next one....


'Saw

re -2.

Rugby in South Africa is actually an Afrikaans game in SA.  So much so that
all the instructions on the field are issued in Afrikaans.

New Zealand were the best team in the tournament but didn't play very well
in the final.  10 of the team (& 18 of the squad of 26) got food poisoning
on the Thursday before the game possibly being one reason for their below
par performance.

USA didn't qualify but Canada did, playing well but failing to qualify for
the quarter-finals from their group.  They were in with Australia & SA but had
2 players sent-off foR fighting against SA.

Quarter-Finals

England beat Australia     25-22 (last minute drop goal)
New Zealand beat Scotland  48-30
France beat Ireland
SA beat Western Samoa

Semi-Finals

NZ beat England  45-29
SA beat France   16-12  (France about 3 inches from a try (5pts) in last minute!)

Best performance was by NZ against England.  They scored 2 tries before 
ENgland had even touched the ball!

Controversy at the end of tournament dinner when the president of the SA Rugby
Union made some very ungracious remarks and the players from NZ, France &
England walked out.  He then presented a $2,000 watch to the referee of the
Semi-final against France who had disallowed the last minute try ignoring
the refereee of the final, prompting a walk-out by the referees!

Next Rugby WC in 1999 in Wales & England.

Thanks so much for the info!

I was pretty sure the US didn't qualify because we had ZERO coverage.  If the
US had been in it, some of the sports channels on cable would at least have
done something.

Wales and England in 1999?  Sounds like a trip to save up for....8^)


'Saw

RE: ZERO cover in the States.... Not !!


A good number of the matches were shown on SportsChannel.

Chris

>RE: ZERO cover in the States.... Not !!
>
>
>A good number of the matches were shown on SportsChannel.

Oh, okay.

My cable company doesn't show Sports Channel.  Well, it might be a premium
channel, but I don't usually pay for anything extra.

So, I take that back then....


But, I do know that four years ago, because the US was in it our local paper
had more coverage than the 1" they gave to the results of the Final.


btw, is rugby still on shawby?  I keep getting node not reachable....


'Saw

    The winner presents expensive gifts to the referee?  
    
    And Roland Duprez thinks I'm bad?  
    
    After stiffing the finals ref don't look for SA to go far in the
    future.

>    The winner presents expensive gifts to the referee?  
    
>    And Roland Duprez thinks I'm bad?  

Huh?  I've never accused you of bribing refs... :-)

Expensive gifts to the ref - they should call it the:

	W orld
	W rugby
	F ederation

    No but you gave me a hard time for pointing out the some ref in OSU's
    pocket stiffed Camby with a phantom foul everytime he stepped on the
    court in the second half of the UM-OSU final eight.  I only brought it
    up here because I saw it coming and when it happened was pretty sure
    that something indeed had happened.

The controversy about the refs is continueing with the British refs issuing a
statement denying any bias towards SA after an acusation from a French ref.
Probably annoyed that he didn't get a new watch!


BTW. The player of the tournament was the 20-year old NZ winger Jonah Lomu.
He's 6'5" tall, 18st9lb (260lbs?) and can run 100m in 10.8secs which is
only .1sec outside Linford Chritie's time at the same age!  Apparently, a few
of your NFL teams were interested, specifically Dallas Cowboys but is in
the process of signing a 1m pound sterling contract to start in Rugby Union.
Not bad for an amateur!  

He scored quite a few tries by just running over people (Gavin Hastings of
Scotland was one).

John

>BTW. The player of the tournament was the 20-year old NZ winger Jonah Lomu.
>He's 6'5" tall, 18st9lb (260lbs?) and can run 100m in 10.8secs which is
>only .1sec outside Linford Chritie's time at the same age!  Apparently, a few
>of your NFL teams were interested, specifically Dallas Cowboys but is in
>the process of signing a 1m pound sterling contract to start in Rugby Union.
>Not bad for an amateur!  

Plays the wing but is built like a lock.  That's scary.



>He scored quite a few tries by just running over people (Gavin Hastings of
>Scotland was one).

Ouch.

>BTW. The player of the tournament was the 20-year old NZ winger Jonah Lomu.
>He's 6'5" tall, 18st9lb (260lbs?) and can run 100m in 10.8secs which is
>only .1sec outside Linford Chritie's time at the same age!  Apparently, a few
>of your NFL teams were interested, specifically Dallas Cowboys but is in
>the process of signing a 1m pound sterling contract to start in Rugby Union.
>Not bad for an amateur!  

    I saw highlight film of this kid against England(?). The first thing I 
    though was that some NFL scout would be contacting him. He was such a
    punishing runner that I actually felt sorry for the guys who were try-
    ing to take him down (with no success). Picture Earl Campbell at full
    steam with no pads on.
    

About Lomu:  he wasn't the only truly huge man out there in the skills
positions, nor was there a striking dropoff of skills among the lower
numbers.  If anything struck me in the finals, it was the high level of
skill across both lineups.

But yeah, Lomu was awesome and he's just a baby.  And he does it without
anybody blocking for him.

John, what's the current state of amateurism in Rugby Union?  You mention
Lomu signing for a million quid, and the German commentators of the final
talked about how much money there is in Rugby, now that South Africa is
back in the picture, and that the days will soon be past, that a rugger
had to hold another job to get by.  What's your take on that?

Steve

Steve,

Rugby Union is about to decide on changes to the amateur status this month I
believe.  However, the Southern Hemisphere countries have signed a 10 year
deal with Rupert Murdoch to cover a new annual 3-nation tournament between
SA, NZ & Aus, plus a Super-12 (expanded from 10) series for the club sides
worth a cool 550m (Australian?) dollars.  A large amount of money will
almost certainly go to the players.

Unless the Rugby Union goes professional the SH countries (+France/Italy?)
would probably go their own way.  The leading clubs in Wales are also 
threatening to split away from the current league plus a new European club
competition is starting this year.  

With the amount of time top players need to take I think RU will go
pro allowing unlimited payments for playing.  The whole RU/RL thing will
then have to be solved allowing free movement between the two codes for
legal reasons (restraint of trade in UK).

John

PS Lomu has signed a contract to stay in RU for 3 years.