CONNECTICUT GREY
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

~ est. 1979 ~

Mountain Mist Outdoor Center
Meriden, Connecticut

The Hourglass

October 26, 1998

A Publication of the Connecticut Grey Rugby Football Club
Tony Johnson, Editor

GREYS LOSE TO BERKSHIRE

On Saturday, October 3rd the Greys traveled to Berkshire and left with the first loss of the Fall season. With almost 20+ players, the Greys were a little weak in both the forwards and backline which became quite obvious soon after the kickoff. Although the Berkshire Pumpkinheads sport younger, faster and more fit players, the Greys were able to dominate in the early goings and scored first on a drop goal by Don Brancard from the Berkshire 15 meter line. It only got worse from there. Soon after, an errant pass was picked up by a Berkshire back who went 80 meters for the try. The conversion was good and Berkshire led 7 - 3. Two more tallies by Berkshire put them up 19 - 3 at the first break. With substitutions made, the second half appeared more in favor of the Greys as play seemed to confine itself in the Berkshire half of the field and most of that time was spent in close to the Berkshire goal. A misdirection by Brendan Coffey caught Berkshire off guard and a pass to Tony Johnson resulted in a Grey try. The conversion by Johnson was good and the Greys were back in it 19 - 10. However, momentum shifted and Berkshire was able to score another try just before the period ended to take a 26 - 10 lead. In the final periods the Greys fell upon bad luck and weren't able to muster any impressive offense. Once again Berkshire was able to find the try zone to extend the lead to 33 - 10. The game eventually ended with a drop kick by Berkshire that closed the scoring and ended the bleeding with a 36 - 10 victory. Good games were turned in by Jim Facey, John Falatin, Don Brancard and Brendan Coffey. We were, in short, outmatched.

GREYS BARF UP TWO

Not to let the only loss of the season put a damper on our quest for glory, the Greys traveled once again to Berkshire (Dalton) on Saturday October 17th and came away with more than just two wins. The Greys were slated to play Rutland first but the usual confusion and lack of the far traveling team to show up on time resulted in the Greys playing Albany Law in the first game. Now Albany did have younger players and we've been in this situation before but it usually ends the same way with cunning and skill beating the youth and speed. In the first period, the Greys appeared to dominate play and the usual mistakes made by a young team led to many rewards for the Greys. A loose break by John Kerr inside the Albany 20 meter was followed by a pass to Tony Johnson who carried three Albany boys into the try zone for the first score. The conversion by Don Brancard was good and the Greys went up quickly 7 - 0. Another backline movement initiated by Brancard who cut back into the pack and turned upfield for the score. The conversion was good and the Greys led 14 - 0. Tony Johnson closed the first half with another try and with a missed conversion the Greys led 19 - 0. Although the scoring in the first half was done by the backs, it was the forward play that got the Greys down close to the Albany goal. Great loose play and breaks by the forwards were the main reason for the ultimate scores. At break, the Greys invoked the mass substitution clause so that more players could enjoy beating the tar out of future scums of the earth (lawyers). The Greys opened the second half with really strong forward play that paid off early. Ed Carr broke loose close in and touched down for the try. The missed conversion put the Greys up 24 - 0. Again, forward dominance allowed a set scrum five meters out from the Albany goal that resulted in a strong push forward and a try by Jim Facey. The conversion was not good but the lead was now extended to 29 - 0. It was at this time that brain freeze or old age stepped into the Greys lineup as the younger lawyers were able to tally two quick tries after long runs and numerous missed tackles. Two 70 meter plus scores resulted in points for the lawyers but the gap was insurmountable as the Greys still led 29 - 10. Not finished yet with scoring, the Greys mustered one more forward push and passes out through the backline resulted in another try by Larry Laroque (yes, he's still alive). The conversion by Brancard was good and the final score was Greys 36, Albany Law 10. Good forward play and backline movements kept the ball in the Grey's possession for most of the game. In the second game of the day the Greys were matched against Rutland who were just coming off a close loss to Berkshire. With a smattering of Berkshire players, the Rutland boys played the Greys closely through the first half. However, a backline pass close to the Rutland goal resulted in a try by Roosterman Roberts. The conversion was good and the Greys led early 7 - 0. Rutland answered quickly with good loose play that resulted in a few missed tackles and a try for the redmen. The conversion was good and the score was knotted at 7 apiece. Not yet finished, the Greys mustered a quick out catching the redmen in an overload that resulted in Brendan Coffey catching a pass and running the remaining 30 meters for the score. The conversion by Brancard was good and the Greys led at the half 14 - 7. In the second half Rutland played up to the Greys and were able to tally a try early. However, the conversion was wide and the Greys still led by a slim margin 14 -12. As time pressed on so did the Grey forwards and with seconds left, a five meter scrum outside of the Rutland goal saw the ball being kicked back by Rutland through the pack and through the legs of the eight (and past the scrum half) into the Rutland goal where a kick and very nimble John (the ferret) Kerr dove on the ball for a try. The conversion by Pete McInerny was good and the game ended Greys 21, Rutland 12 (and there was much rejoicing). Good games were turned in by Jim Facey, John Falatin, Pete McInerny, Don Brancard and Chuck Schuette.

ALBANY LAW REVENGES LOSS

On Saturday, October 24th Albany Law traveled to Wallingford in force to settle the score with the Greys from their blasting at BARF. The Greys were only able to muster 15 players for a home game - an extremely poor showing. The Greys were missing almost the entire starting backfield and almost all Mid-Hudson players (except Scan and Garrison). With most people playing out of position, the Greys were still able to dominate in the forwards and keep the ball in the Albany side of the field for most of the first half. Still, Albany was able to tally three quick tries off backline movements on overmatched Grey defenders. The Greys were only able to muster two penalty kicks by John Kerr the entire first half. At he end of the period, the score was Albany 24, Greys 6. The second half was more of the same with Greys forwards dominating and eventually pushing the ball over on a set scrum to score a try. There is confusion over who exactly touched the ball down as the try was awarded without any Grey actually playing the ball. The conversion was good to give the Greys 13 points. However, Albany was able to score twice again and the final was a well revenged 38 - 13. Thanks to all Greys who had to play out of position (John Kerr at flyhalf and Jim Facey at scrum to name two). Raspberries to the rest of the playing membership who took the day off!

GREYS WELCOME NEW PLAYERS

At the BARF outing, the Grey's playing membership increased with several new additions. Chuck Schuette, a former HoBo, is an excellent addition to our aging backfield. From Mid-Hudson came Dave Kim, a fullback/back and forward Pete McInerny. All three saw a good deal of game time at BARF and all three had very good games that really helped in the two victories. Unfortunately, Dave was kicked in the head during a ruck and received a pretty good gash as a result. Join me in welcoming these new players to our roster.

NEXT GAME LES VIEUX - RANDALL'S ISLAND

The next scheduled game is at Randall's Island, New York to play against Les Vieux. This is always a hotly contested match especially in New York and it is imperative that all Greys contact Joe Scan before Wednesday, October 28th to let him know of your availability. If we do not have numbers, we will cancel this game. In all fairness, it isn't right to let the few regulars get their heads handed to them by Les Vieux. WE NEED SUPPORT!!!! Please contact Joe (not Don Brancard or Tom Flynn) directly to let him know if you are going to make it to this game.

THE RULES OF RUGBY - PART IV

It has come to our attention that many of our less than willing stand-ins at the fullback position do not know the proper use of the word "Mark!" Now, based on the past three games, it is clear that these players fully understand and comprehend the words "Aw Shit!!!" and "Help me God!!!!" but they just haven't mastered one of the allowable exclamations that may just save them from the crushing gang-tackles deep in our own territory. According to the Rules of Rugby, Law 16 FAIR CATCH (MARK) reads as follows: "A player makes a fair catch when in his twenty-two meters area or in his in-goal, he having at least one foot on the ground, cleanly catches the ball direct from a kick by one of his opponents and, at the same time , he exclaims 'Mark!' A free kick is then awarded." It is hoped that this re-affirms our intentions to avoid the loss of possession through the proper use of the fair-catch rule which should result in less tries by our opponents.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

November 22, 1998 Kenny G's - Wallingford 2:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

From the President: The Executive Committee (Tom Flynn) has selected this date and time because it will eliminate most of the legitimate excuses typically used to avoid this meeting. Those have included "it's a holiday weekend" (Thanksgiving is the following week), "I have to go Christmas shopping" (it is far too early for any of you), "the kids have soccer" (the season is over), and "my wife/significant other wants me home for a change" (like that's ever stopped you before). Besides, would you rather be out with your friends, watching football games in a bar and drinking beer, or at home watching football games, drinking beer and listening to your wife/significant other asking you when the damn football season will be over which somehow leads into complaints about your life together in general and in more detail. Really, how much more trouble can you get into at this point in your life? We need a strong turnout for this meeting. I anticipate a number of changes in the officers this year and we need to start planning on our 20th Anniversary year (1999). Please plan on attending. Your loving President.

AROUND THE FIELD

You know your ugly when... An injury during the Berkshire game required Berkshire to make a substitution with the only standing player left on the sidelines. Onto the field struts this very large and somewhat unattractive thing (which proved to us that the link is no longer missing - he is living in Pittsfield) wearing gloves to replace the injured pumpkinhead. Upon seeing the gloves the Greys in unison requested quite vocally that "the gloves have to go." In dead silence and as the hominid-like being removed his gloves, Brendan Coffey quipped, "but you can leave the mask on!" And, there was much laughter. It appears that the man-beast didn't realize he was just insulted.

It just goes to show you: Mike (Magellan) Guzzio was unable to play for the Greys at Berkshire since he was selected for Montclair's 'A' side for a match in New Jersey. Mike playing prop did quite well but Montclair still lost by 1 point. However, the Montclair boys weren't too pleased with Mike. You see, Mike tried to punt the ball out of the Montclair goal but had the kicked blocked which was recovered by one of the opponents for a try. So, it just goes to show you that "PROPS SHOULDN'T KICK!!!" We are hoping to get this added as another rule of rugby. Montclair has since relegated Mike to the 'C' side - for Morris.

Do we get some cheese with that wine???? The officiating in the Albany Law game at the BARF festival was less than acceptable - even though it usually played to our advantage. Still one Grey seemed quite upset with the constant "no-calls" for high tackles. It appears that John Kerr had his fill of neck grabs, collar catchers and face slaps and couldn't keep his dander down. This ultimately resulted in John's incessant crying (quite loudly) to the ref about the abuse he was taking. This didn't stop with the final whistle as John proceeded to complain off the field to anyone who would listen and many of us who didn't care to. Word has it that Bert is getting John a necklace for Christmas - with little Albany Law players already attached.

All right, you can keep the trophy - NOT! As if the decision not to play Berkshire in a final winner-take-all game at the BARF Festival was an admission that we "just wanted to play" and would pass up the chance for the victor's trophy. The options, play Berkshire, again, possibly get beat and leave Dalton 1 - 1, or, play Rutland, win and share the title with Berkshire at 2 - 0 apiece. Well, with only one trophy to give, it was assumed that the Greys just wanted to play Rutland, win and forgo the spoils of victory. Or, at least that's the way it appeared. In the end, Berkshire did not receive the trophy. In fact, neither did the Greys. It can easily be explained that the undesirable elements within the Greys membership took it upon themselves to award the Greys the trophy. Through a quick slight-of-hand, Chicky (would you have guessed anyone else???) snatched the golden orb from the awards table and passed (I also find this hard to believe) to Scan for the trip back to New York. Let's see, Chick, an Italian and Scan, also of Italian descent. I guess this just goes to show one of two things. Either the criminal element is just inherent in Italian blood or the idea of lifting the prize is just incomprehensible by our Polish members.

Worse ref than Brendan Coffey: During the Rutland game, Joe Scan volunteered to ref which we initially thought was going to be to our advantage. However, during a Rutland backline movement the flyhalf swatted the ball 5 meters forward, picked the ball up and passed out to another Rutland player for a try. All Greys seemed to stop at the same time, certain that the knock-on was witnessed by Joe. But, he "didn't see it." We have heard that Houston was informed by the astronauts on the recent space shuttle that they noticed a knock-on by a team wearing red in Dalton at the same time - FROM 150 MILES IN SPACE!!!!!

At the beginning of the Albany Law game in Wallingford, Jeff (the Bard) Bouvier passed out newly purchased copies of Italian-to-English dictionaries so that we may better understand what our Captain Joe Scandariato was saying. Thanks Jeff. However, this means we can not elect Bud Harvey as Captain since I do not believe there is an English to Gibberish dictionary.