Guilford Rugby back in full swing

With the start of the 2009/2010 school year, Guilford Rugby wasted no time getting back on the pitch and shaking off the summer dust from their boots. Captains Slater (forwards) and Joel (backs) are delighted to welcome more than 10 brand new payers, mostly first-years, to fill in the gaps left by a very talented graduating class.

Perhaps the most exciting addition, however, is junior transfer Sean McNally, who has 6 years of experience with game and most recently played with Boston in the USA Super League. Sean will replace David "Superstar" McKindley-Ward, who's going to be drinking whiskey and growing his beard in Ireland this fall, at flyhalf for the semester. Although a little afraid of our boys' off-field antics at times (i.e. Sean has declined all make-out offers from other teammates so far), Sean is getting on just fine on the pitch and the backline is looking formidable, with returning centers Bryce Bjornson and Harry Anthony, fullback Maxwell George, winger Paul McCoullough and Joel Popkin, who will move to scrumhalf to replace recent graduate Max Kochinke.

The pack welcomes back world-destroyer/#1 Dad Abel Montes de Oca at hooker after his semester hiatus. With returners Randall Aldana, David "Under the Bridge" Watters, Kevin "The Lips" Smithey, Graybird, Air Crosby, Will "Manchild" Dawson, Alex Knox, Teddybear, and Slater, the pack shouldn't look too different from last year.

On Saturday the boys had an inner-squad scrimmage and followed it up with a season-opening joint social with the lovely ladies of Guilford's women's side. The 9-on-9 game gave the new guys a chance to get dirty and get lit up by Slater and it showed the experienced players how out of shape they actually are. A sizable crowd of rugby fans showed up to watch and afterward congratulations and beerulations were shared with everyone. Recognition was given to brand new ruggers of the game Kevin, of the new forwards, and Dave, of the new backs, who both showed tremendous potential in the budding stages of their careers.

In other news, the highly anticipated innaugural Guilford Men's Rugby nude calendar will be coming out this week! The calendars, which will be sold at $15 each with all proceeds going towards the social fund, features players from last year's team and Teddy Bear himself on the cover. Anyone interested in the first run of 100 calendars find Bryce.

And lastly, here's a look at the fall match schedule. Our first 4 games in a row will be here at Guilford, including the fall highlight, the second annual Alumni game on Sept. 26.

9/12 1pm: Triad @ Guilford
9/19 12pm: Elon @ Guilford
9/26 1pm: Alumni Match @ Guilford
10/3 Rucktoberfest (App St)
10/10 1pm: UNC Charlotte @ Guilford
10/31 NCRU Tournament
11/7 Guilford @ Duke
11/14 Guilford @ Eno River
11/20 Guilford @ NC State

See y'all on the pitch.
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