The Guilford Rugby blog has become dusty with the cobwebs of neglect and the stale breath of Chris Allman. Not to worry, though, here is an update for all ye faithful (aka those who read this blog aka a few current and former Guilford rugby players) on the last month of activity and the road ahead.
After losing to the old-boys in the 2nd Annual Guilford Rugby Alumni Game in late September, GCRFC hosted a reformed UNC Charlotte team looking for revenge after losing here in Greensboro one year ago. Revenge, so it went, was readily available in easy-to-swallow pill form as the 49's rolled up to Greensboro, rolled over Guilford, and rolled back to Charlotte with only a few speed bumps (most of them being literal road traffic calming devices and only a few being those metaphorical hindrances on the pitch). As the game was a month ago, I have chosen to forget the final score, however it is clear that Charlotte had a lot and Guilford had a little (5 to be exact, coming in the form of a late second half dignity try by junior transfer Sean McNally, aka "the new David", getting his much-deserved first points of the season).
If there was anything to glean from the game it is the play of senior scrumhalf Kevin Smithey who made his debut in the 9 shirt (transitioning from his 3-year worn number 7) and proved not only his aptitude at organizing both the piggies and the princesses but also fed McNally clean ball all day (on and off the pitch), earning Smithey his second man-of-the-match award of the season. Also noteworthy for Guilford is the continued commitment of the rookie players who again came out to play despite an apparent lack of knowledge in the game. But do not discredit these boys, they're learning more every week and have definitely begun to show a retention of knowledge on the basic rules and skills of the greatest sport on Earth. Credit must also be given to UNC Charlotte. The boys we met in this game, sporting slick new black jerseys, were not only generally nice but they also showed some real talent and their drift offense had Guilford players thumbing their own buttholes while Charlotte scored time and time again.
Since that game Guilford has begun an effort to return to the basics of rugby that enabled us to go undefeated last fall and place 2nd in the matrix this past spring: endurance and defense. With junior prop Randall Aldana making the move to inside center (?!?) and senior Bryce Bjornson and rookie Lester back at the outside center position, Guilford woeful backline play since the season opener is poised for a turnaround as senior Joel Popkin and junior Harry Anthony will be able to command the back-three with rookie talents Z Klonowski and Luke Walsh-Mellett. Another bit of good news is the possible return this weekend of fullback Max George who has been out for 6 weeks after dislocating his shoulder in the first five minutes of the Elon game. Today he received a hesitant vote of confidence from the doctor, who says he will be full strength in three weeks time but is probably okay to start contact, which is by any means good enough for him.
All of this is to say that Guilford is feeling confident going into this weekend's North Carolina Rugby State Tournament in Danville, VA (??). On Saturday at 11:30 Guilford will take on crosstown rivals UNCG with the winner playing the winner of UNCC-Duke for the Sunday championship.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
McKindley Ward receives 2008 Woodcock Award
All joking aside, the 2nd annual GCR Alumni Match was a great success and the relationship between the current college club and its former alumni continues to grow at the benefit of all parties.
Importantly, on Saturday the Alumni Association recognized Junior David McKindley Ward as the MVP of the 2008 season.
Although the man often called "Superstar" by his teammates is never short of praise for his contribution to the team at Flyhalf for the last two years and change, he now has his name alongside other Guilford Men's Rugby greats including last year's recipient Nick Hunter and GCRFC legends like Tyler Cope, Ben Snyder, Dan Hayden, and Kevin Woodcock himself. Undoubtedly, due to his aggressive manner of play and deft kicking talent McKindley Ward is the all-time points leader in the clubs history, although official numbers will never be available. All former recipients of the Woodcock Award (which has been given for each year since 2002) were on hand to present the award except for the inaugural winner, Joe S.
The award is now on display to the public in the Guilford College trophy case in the gym, a further testament to the solidity of the club's relationship with the school that has developed in recent years.
Monday, September 28, 2009
"Guilford Ruggers Ravaged by Alumni Horde" (The Alumni Game Match Report as told by Nick Hunter Guilford '08)
College Pretenders: 12-26 :Alumni Avengers
The Alumni Field Report
This past weekend will live in Guilford Rugby infamy forever, or at least until next fall. In an epic rainsoaked rumble that deserved the signature of Tolkien himself, a large compliment of graduated (and not-so graduated) alumni brawlers laid waste to a young and petulant clan of footy wanna-bes. Captained by the treacherous Matt Baker of Richmond Lions duty, the larger and more experienced maroon-and-blacks flexed their numerous degrees and laid down a cold, harsh welcome to the rigors of real-world rugby.
Though Guilford plays an effective, fast-paced game that will likely demolish their collegiate foes this year, the Alumni team had planned for chaos and ball-dropping. The addition of a steady rain and a wet paddock greatly enhanced only one of those strategies, and no points for guessing whose. That said, Alumni first-five Tito Kohout's hands (on loan from Austin Huns) were impeccable on the day and he dropped nary a pass that was noticed in 100 minutes of rugby. His starting second-five Chris Pugliese was as impressive, dotting down a try and showcasing the linebreaking talent that earned him a bullshit under-the-table degree in jungle pseudoscience from Blockbuster University. Chrissy was later hailed as the backs' man-of-the-match by the college side in the postgame BBQ of Warriors at the community center. He has yet to pay his dues. Or tuition.
Referee George Huber was once more risen from the grave to lend his services to these Elysian Fields festivities. Huber's reffing style is best described as whimsical and hazardous to all players under his whistle, but his two blind eyes and lack of fitness also go well toward fantastic flow of the game. Indeed, each team was equally maligned by his calls, which is perhaps the highest compliment that can be given to any referee. With a crack in the clouds after the match, a ray of sunlight disintegrated and banished his hated form back into the shadows, and thankful gifts of whiskey were placed by his tomb.
Sporting a hefty 300lb advantage in the packdown, the grizzled alumni forwards employed a smart strategy of lockout-and-lean (and punch) that made sure they only lost about 85% of the scrummages on the day. The plan was to collapse 100% of them, so to find the ball popping out favorably on occasion was an added bonus. Jeff Frisby and Joe Rumly made trouble up front for astoundingly long periods of time, given that their undying endurance on match day could only have come from pent-up hatred for rugby and humans in general, and not from fitness. Captain Baker at number 6 and a simply evil Drew Gottlieb (Triad Rugby) in the 7 shirt were able to slow enough ball and conceal enough penalties at the breakdown to force Abel Montes and the Innocent Children into a non-compete agreement. Forwards Kevin Woodcock (Duke Grad Rugby,) Dan Miller (Hussar Sevens,) and Byron Myers (Lizard People,) were present throughout to dish out unwarranted punishment and degrade the health of their joints. Miller propped from the full-squat position to compete for scrum space with world's largest toddler David Watters. Woodcock nearly slotted a penalty from his own half, only missing at the last second because the uprights were built thirty meters to the left of his kick a year ago. Ryan Kitaif fought somebody. Probably Crosby.
Legendary enforcer of many codes of law, Dan "Thunder" Hayden was the proud police pillager of five points on the day as he brutally tazed his way through Andrew Slater and Abel Montes to score a cop try before arresting college prop Randal Aldana in front of his mother. Gabriel Guindon and Cory Williams were everywhere on pitch, and squashed numerous uprisings against their harsh and unfair rule in the outside backs. Morgan Kerr swerved through every lane of traffic for 14 hours on his drive down from Maine to finally crash head-on into the Guilford uprights, throwing himself through the windshield and landing face down on a ball that had been worked into the tryzone, earning himself 5 points and a trip to Moses Cone hospital.
Wing Derek Loehr and fullback Cody Martin combined on several occasions to return counter-attacks and make all the right knock-ons. Their kicks and runs were effective and nullified young 15 Joel Popkin's ability to break through the defense or into local politics. Loehr's shoulder did not come out once, and Cody came out at the social. John "Two-brace" Stephenson left both braces in his kit bag, but did well to prevent attacks down the touchline and acquire attractive bruises before his upcoming wedding. John is wished well, and hopefully he keeps his children away from rugby. Self-proclaimed "Beer Coaches" Max George and Nick Hunter made nonsensical substitutions between irrational complaints, and neither one of the injured duo hurt themselves further while surveying the battle.
Detestable Ben Snyder scored the last meaningful try of the scrap, which went a long way toward redeeming his many failures on the pitch and in life. Kohout converted on three out of four in the wet, sealing the alumni contribution at 26 points. He and Pugliese, Hayden, Guindon, Stephenson, Kerr, Williams, Martin, Loehr, Harry Lorello, and others all put together shows of ball movement in the back line that made no sense given the wet conditions or the relative skill of any member in that combination. Lorello made several forays into action, gaining ground with forty-meter runs and eighty-proof breath. Max Kochinke was uncatchable and ran such a commanding game at halfback that he lost his voice completely. That was preferable, however, to Matt Elverson's lost dignity at #8 due to his now classic "kick from anywhere" strategy. Speaking of #8's with zero dignity, Tyler Cope made a lot of money for those who placed bets that he would make zero passes, but used his head as a battering ram for the unholy goals of his horde.
These nomadic Alums traveled from as far as Nantucket, Texas, and the West Coast just to collectively spite their former teammates and current standard bearers. The annual victory tally now stands at 1-1, with next year's rubber match already anticipated as Guilford Rugby hastily outpaces every season behind it, and every alum grows colder, more wicked, and another year closer to death.
PICTURES COMING SOON
The Alumni Field Report
This past weekend will live in Guilford Rugby infamy forever, or at least until next fall. In an epic rainsoaked rumble that deserved the signature of Tolkien himself, a large compliment of graduated (and not-so graduated) alumni brawlers laid waste to a young and petulant clan of footy wanna-bes. Captained by the treacherous Matt Baker of Richmond Lions duty, the larger and more experienced maroon-and-blacks flexed their numerous degrees and laid down a cold, harsh welcome to the rigors of real-world rugby.
Though Guilford plays an effective, fast-paced game that will likely demolish their collegiate foes this year, the Alumni team had planned for chaos and ball-dropping. The addition of a steady rain and a wet paddock greatly enhanced only one of those strategies, and no points for guessing whose. That said, Alumni first-five Tito Kohout's hands (on loan from Austin Huns) were impeccable on the day and he dropped nary a pass that was noticed in 100 minutes of rugby. His starting second-five Chris Pugliese was as impressive, dotting down a try and showcasing the linebreaking talent that earned him a bullshit under-the-table degree in jungle pseudoscience from Blockbuster University. Chrissy was later hailed as the backs' man-of-the-match by the college side in the postgame BBQ of Warriors at the community center. He has yet to pay his dues. Or tuition.
Referee George Huber was once more risen from the grave to lend his services to these Elysian Fields festivities. Huber's reffing style is best described as whimsical and hazardous to all players under his whistle, but his two blind eyes and lack of fitness also go well toward fantastic flow of the game. Indeed, each team was equally maligned by his calls, which is perhaps the highest compliment that can be given to any referee. With a crack in the clouds after the match, a ray of sunlight disintegrated and banished his hated form back into the shadows, and thankful gifts of whiskey were placed by his tomb.
Sporting a hefty 300lb advantage in the packdown, the grizzled alumni forwards employed a smart strategy of lockout-and-lean (and punch) that made sure they only lost about 85% of the scrummages on the day. The plan was to collapse 100% of them, so to find the ball popping out favorably on occasion was an added bonus. Jeff Frisby and Joe Rumly made trouble up front for astoundingly long periods of time, given that their undying endurance on match day could only have come from pent-up hatred for rugby and humans in general, and not from fitness. Captain Baker at number 6 and a simply evil Drew Gottlieb (Triad Rugby) in the 7 shirt were able to slow enough ball and conceal enough penalties at the breakdown to force Abel Montes and the Innocent Children into a non-compete agreement. Forwards Kevin Woodcock (Duke Grad Rugby,) Dan Miller (Hussar Sevens,) and Byron Myers (Lizard People,) were present throughout to dish out unwarranted punishment and degrade the health of their joints. Miller propped from the full-squat position to compete for scrum space with world's largest toddler David Watters. Woodcock nearly slotted a penalty from his own half, only missing at the last second because the uprights were built thirty meters to the left of his kick a year ago. Ryan Kitaif fought somebody. Probably Crosby.
Legendary enforcer of many codes of law, Dan "Thunder" Hayden was the proud police pillager of five points on the day as he brutally tazed his way through Andrew Slater and Abel Montes to score a cop try before arresting college prop Randal Aldana in front of his mother. Gabriel Guindon and Cory Williams were everywhere on pitch, and squashed numerous uprisings against their harsh and unfair rule in the outside backs. Morgan Kerr swerved through every lane of traffic for 14 hours on his drive down from Maine to finally crash head-on into the Guilford uprights, throwing himself through the windshield and landing face down on a ball that had been worked into the tryzone, earning himself 5 points and a trip to Moses Cone hospital.
Wing Derek Loehr and fullback Cody Martin combined on several occasions to return counter-attacks and make all the right knock-ons. Their kicks and runs were effective and nullified young 15 Joel Popkin's ability to break through the defense or into local politics. Loehr's shoulder did not come out once, and Cody came out at the social. John "Two-brace" Stephenson left both braces in his kit bag, but did well to prevent attacks down the touchline and acquire attractive bruises before his upcoming wedding. John is wished well, and hopefully he keeps his children away from rugby. Self-proclaimed "Beer Coaches" Max George and Nick Hunter made nonsensical substitutions between irrational complaints, and neither one of the injured duo hurt themselves further while surveying the battle.
Detestable Ben Snyder scored the last meaningful try of the scrap, which went a long way toward redeeming his many failures on the pitch and in life. Kohout converted on three out of four in the wet, sealing the alumni contribution at 26 points. He and Pugliese, Hayden, Guindon, Stephenson, Kerr, Williams, Martin, Loehr, Harry Lorello, and others all put together shows of ball movement in the back line that made no sense given the wet conditions or the relative skill of any member in that combination. Lorello made several forays into action, gaining ground with forty-meter runs and eighty-proof breath. Max Kochinke was uncatchable and ran such a commanding game at halfback that he lost his voice completely. That was preferable, however, to Matt Elverson's lost dignity at #8 due to his now classic "kick from anywhere" strategy. Speaking of #8's with zero dignity, Tyler Cope made a lot of money for those who placed bets that he would make zero passes, but used his head as a battering ram for the unholy goals of his horde.
These nomadic Alums traveled from as far as Nantucket, Texas, and the West Coast just to collectively spite their former teammates and current standard bearers. The annual victory tally now stands at 1-1, with next year's rubber match already anticipated as Guilford Rugby hastily outpaces every season behind it, and every alum grows colder, more wicked, and another year closer to death.
PICTURES COMING SOON
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