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On Saturday we hosted the boys from Pax River at our pitch in Falmouth. They were a large lot to say the least and for once conditioning and the heat worked in our favor. We started off on a down note as Pax River (PR) crashed their way to inside our 22 meter. But that was about as close as they were to get in the first half. The forwards did a good job winning rucks and mauls and getting the ball out to the backs and the jumbo heavy centre combo of Jeff "Middie" Wilson and "Red" bruised their way past the gain line. Starting off the scoring was Tony DiMaio, then in no particular order, Andrew "Moosehead" Fowler dotted down on a loose ball while a Pax River player was trying to kick out of the try zone, Thomas "Strap On" Lee dashed down the sideline for a try, and Danny "I still need an offical nickname" O'Hara scored a try. Half-time score 22-0.
The second half started and Rappahannock took a 27 minute nap. In those 27 minutes, PR was able to score a try and two penalties, to close the gap to 22-13. But some deft running by the backs and opportunistic positioning by Pete Murray, lead to Pete scoring a try. Confusion quickly reigned after the try as Cisco Jimenez went down and needed to be replaced. While we were yelling for a sub from the sidelines and not paying attention to what was going on on the pitch, one of us told the ref we were ready and PR kicked off recovered the kick and scored the easy try to close the gap to 29-20. At this point we were into injury time and it looked like PR was ready to spoil the home opener for us. Not to worry, as we stopped their rumbling, stumbling, bullocking second row on the kick off return even though it took about 4 of us. In the ensuing second or third phase we won a ruck and got the ball to Matt "Bucket" McCarthy who dashed 60 meters or so to seal the victory 36-20.
Positives:
Scoring was spread out between the forwards and backs. We beat them at their own game by winning rucks and mauls. Our fitness was better than
their fitness.
Negatives:
We totally went on vacation in the second half and let them back in the match. Fitness. Penalties, we had plenty and several of them were stupid
and unnecessary. Chatter on the field, there was too much. Big Rob went down with an injury and had to go to the hospital via ambulance. The
injuries, as we found out later, were a nice, big knot on his head, and a sudden onset of muscle inflammation in his neck that temporarily pushed
into his spine. Like a true pack player, he came straight from the hospital to the social for a beer.
Bonus:
We started a new zulu tradition with our club at the social. All those scoring their first tries for the team had to shoot the boot, and those
scoring their first tries ever (high school doesn't count), Thomas "Schmoopie" Lee and Tony "Maximus" DiMaio, had to run zulus in
the bar. Additional congratulations need to go out to our Man of the Match, Andrew Fowler!
Finally a HUGE thanks goes out to Ken Concepcion for reffing. It was pushed on Ken at the last minute and he was willing to do it for us, plus he did a better job then our last ref. We all owe Ken a cold one.
Next Match
It is the local Derby with Quantico at our home pitch. We know these things about them: They will be fit, they will ruck, they will play hard,
they will be well coached, but they will be inexperienced and they won't be big. So please make every effort to make it out to practice and to run
on your off days. Every bit helps!!!!
Pictures, courtesy of Ginny Bach, Photographer Extraordinaire.
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