CONNECTICUT
GREY
RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
~ est. 1979 ~
Mountain Mist Outdoor Center
Meriden, Connecticut
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~ est. 1979 ~
Mountain Mist Outdoor Center
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The Hourglass November 12, 1999 A Publication of the Connecticut Grey Rugby Football Club Sticker seen on a California bumper: "Keep honking, I'm reloading" GREYS JILTED IN BRIDGEPORT On Saturday, October 30th, the Grey traveled to Bridgeport to play a first ever match against the Yankee Old Boys. Now, a few years back the Grey did play a group of elder Yankees in the Connecticut Cup but they went by the name Silverbacks at the time and most of them don't really play for the Yanks anymore. However, this was thought to be a truly unique opportunity to play another old boys team from Connecticut. Only one problem, there weren't enough of 'em to make a team – a basketball team maybe, but not even a baseball team. And so, once again, the Grey were stiffed on the opposite numbers and had to supply at least 6 or 7 players to the Yanks to even consider making a game out of it. With the ranks of the Grey sufficiently depleted to supply subs for the Yanks, the game began with what was probably not the strongest Grey side but the most fair in terms of participation and attendance at away games. The Grey actually did surprisingly well even with some of our more notable players on the other side of the field. The Grey scored first on a close in scrum when the ball was passed out to the backs and Malcolm Davidson, playing fly half, dragged the opposition out and passed to Chris Rose who passed back into Malcolm who once again dished it back to Rose who dove over for the try. The conversion was not good and the Grey had a 5 - 0 lead. Later in the period the Grey once again had the ball in close and after a nice ruck a penalty was called on the Yanks. Ed Carr quickly put the ball through the mark and dove over for the second try of the period. The conversion was again amiss and the Grey led at the break 10 - 0. With the understanding that we had three periods to play, substitutions were made and players were either passed over to the Yanks or sidelined for the period to rest while a fairly new batch of Grey played the second period. Now here is where the wheels start to fall off. For some reason, the Grey just failed to improve on any of the progresses made during the first period. Won rucks would soon turn sour with the ball being grabbed from the back of the Grey ruck by a Yank who would then run many meters down field with good support only to either knock on or throw the ball away. This happened several times and the Grey were being very lucky until they finally put it all together and scored from about 60 yards out. Many thanks to Seeger for scoring the try for the Yanks while tip-toeing along the touch line. Could have just as easily fallen out of bounds couldn't you???? Anyway, their conversion kick was not good either and the game was now a much closer 10 -5 match. As if we couldn't learn a little lesson from the earlier mistakes, another (almost identical) ruck found another Yank at the back of the Grey pack coming free with the ball and scampering down the middle with a little kick forward and an ultimate goal. The conversion was good and the Yanks led 12 - 10. Down but not defeated the Grey assembled to put together the roster for the final period. With fresh players coming in, the balance of momentum just had to go in favor of the Grey. That's what you think. We knew that the Yanks, what there was of 'em, were going to be really tired in the third period and that's where we were really going to pour it on. Sensing this fate or just deciding to take the self-proclaimed win, the Yanks walked off the field en-masse and decided that many had to leave at that point. Why not, we just scored the go-ahead points. We can't lose if we don't play. And a better wheeze has never been pulled in such fashion or flare – or audacity! Even with complete substitutions by the Grey, there were not enough players to even defend the slim lead. What balls! Therefore, the Grey were awarded the victory try for the opposition's failure to field a side for the third and final period. I realize that many of the Yanks don't play anymore and some of the rules may be a little fuzzy to many but when the ref and captains agree to three periods, you play three periods! Final score, Grey 15, Yanks 12. There was no Man-of-the-Match but Malcolm did an outstanding job at standoff and Ed Carr was once again stellar at flank. Now for the real boob awards or the "What in the hell are you thinking about?" We'd like to thank Seeger for missing two conversion kicks for the Grey only to score a try for the Yankees, and Dave Yanik who showed more passion and enthusiasm playing for the Yankees than he ever has for the Greys – like he really wanted to win!!! Finally, a closing word of advice to our Match Secretary who was informed on Wednesday that it didn't look like the Yanks were going to have numbers but insisted that they were fielding 15 – I F____NG TOLD YOU SO!!!!! And, I will never let you forget that! Finally, Joe Scan was seen at the game but the questions is, was the game seen by Joe? Joe had to sit this one out since he was having a very difficult time getting his contact lenses in. Joe had obviously grabbed the wrong bag since the problem was they weren't lenses but discarded bottle caps. GREY END SEASON WITH BIG WIN OVER LIONS On Saturday, November 6th, the Grey hosted the Lion Kings for the last game of the season at PNA park in Wallingford. According to eyewitness accounts, the Grey kept to their game plan which was simply "Don't let them have the ball." Pretty good idea since they can't score without the ball. Anyway specifics, once again, are very sketchy and although it sounds as if there was really good play by all, the summary of scoring by quarter is very vague. So vague that I'm not even sure if we can name all the point getters correctly. It is known that scores were made by Seeger with a penalty kick to start the onslaught, Ian Roberts, Mike Fotos (Foaming Fotos), Grayson Gregory and a whole slew of forwards that were very quick to place numerous hands on bulled-over scrums that crossed the try line. The final was a resounding 37 - 5. From conversations, this was a pretty fun game and a match against the Kings is one that will be on the schedules (Spring and Fall) for some time to come. Great to go out with a win and also to not have to supply any players to the opposition. Man-of-the-Match was Bud Harvey. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING It's that time again for us to gather together and hash out all the good, the bad and the ugly from the past year and try to figure a way to improve it in the next millennium – especially the ugly. The Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday, November 21st, at the Bouvier ranch (the Sounderosa) in Milford. This will be more than just the usual murder of Grey haggling over elections and slugging down beers, Kenny style. This year, since we're in nicer digs, we have even decided to invite the dolls. Yep, that's right, we're even allowing women-folk to this year's meeting (since there is more than one room with a door) to partake in an afternoon of drink and, well, more drink. So pencil in the date and you will be informed of the exact time and location at a later date. I believe the meeting is scheduled to begin at 2:00 so don't be late just BE THERE. One of the major agenda items for this meeting is the election of officers for the 2000 year. Many members have voiced their desire to hold office and have been reviewed by this year's nominating committee (the board members) and are listed below with the position they are seeking: President: Dean (Basil) Jorgensen If you are interested in becoming more involved with the team and taking on more (unpaid) responsibility, let one of the current directors know of your desires and we'll get your name on the ballot for the voting. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT Gentlemen, This will be my last message to you as President of the Connecticut Grey RFC. My work and family commitments have increased dramatically in the last few months, and it is time to get some new blood, ideas and enthusiasm into the administration of the Club. We have been successful, in part, because there have always been new people willing to tackle the week-to-week organization of the Club. Now is the right time for some change. Clubs like this need change periodically to remain strong and vibrant. When I took over as President, this was a great Club, based on a strong foundation of commitment to the game, to friends and family and to the enjoyment of life in its fullest. We have taken this Club to an entirely new level over the last three years. Beginning with the Perennials Tour, continuing with the enormous growth in the number of our players, a competitive and full game schedule (even if there have been some short sides and no shows), strong showings at Saranac, great parties at Franconia and culminating with the 1999 Awards Banquet and 20th Anniversary Weekend, the Grey have enjoyed remarkable success and a beautiful run. All that success is due to the dedicated work of the Executive Committee and the commitment of every member of this Club, both to rugby and to the spirit of the Connecticut Grey. Special thanks to Ed Carr for all his work on and off the field, for his leadership and friendship, to Thom Ward-McKinlay for a great 20th Anniversary Weekend, to Ed Robinson, for the 20th Year Kickoff and Awards Banquet, to Dean Jorgensen for his dedication to getting us a full schedule, and for bringing us into the 21st century with the web site and e-mail, to Tony Johnson for the newsletter and his commentary on the interesting things that go on in our lives, and to Sandy Woodard for keeping us soundly grounded in fiscal reality. It has been a great honor and pleasure to be President of the Grey for the last three (I think it is three, but things have tended to get blurry lately) years. I have enjoyed every moment – even when the chicken wings run out and certain members are still hungry – of serving the Club and more importantly playing rugby with all of you. I have said it before, but it bears repeating. This Club is the epitome of friendship, sportsmanship and rugby tradition. I hope the Executive Committee has continued to build on the standards and traditions established by the founders of the Club. I know that our successors will continue to build on our successes. Sandy Woodard said at the 20th that he helped found the Club for entirely selfish reasons. He wanted to keep playing rugby for a couple more years. And see what has happened! I would like to continue in that spirit and make it a personal and Club goal that we keep playing at least until I can schedule a game against each of my daughters' college teams, beat the snot out of them on the field, and perhaps at the party, much to their everlasting embarrassment. These have been great times for all of us. I look forward to many more with the Connecticut Grey RFC. Tom Flynn, President AROUND THE FIELD After the last two seasons, it is apparent that there are very few (if any) old boys teams that can actually field fifteen players. And, I don't think we played a team this fall where we didn't have to supply at least one Grey to complete an opposing side – even at away games. [Berkshire came through. Ed.] However, with each new season and new opponent it is obvious that this problem of lack of numbers is going to be with us for many more years to come. We just have to take into consideration that we will always be supplying players. With that in mind, we have decided that we don't need to schedule teams with at least fifteen players. Our schedule for the spring will include such teams as the Yankee Old Boys (plural added as a joke), Boston (also added as a joke), the Dionne quintuplets, the Blue Angles and the "Flying Pharaohs" – a team comprised of 767 flight crews from EgyptAir. "Squawks" are problem listings that pilots generally leave for maintenance crews to fix before the next flight. Here are some squawks submitted by US Air Force pilots and the replies from the maintenance crews. (P)=PROBLEM (S)=SOLUTION
One obvious problem that the Grey continue to exhibit with each game is the inability to tackle. Based on observations as seen from running touch, I have been able to classify several ineffective tackling techniques that certain Grey posses – all with devastating results. The Flynn Flail – where the size of your stomach extends far beyond the length of your outstretched arms and the attempt at the tackle looks more like a feeble attempt to swat annoying flies. The ball carrier is unfazed. The Robinson Roundabout – where you run full speed after a kick and begin your bend five meters from the ball carrier with outstretched arms missing him due to a slight side-step from the opposition and a loud "Toro" from the ball carrier – followed by a chorus of "Olé's" from the crowd. The Roncaioli Rubdown – where you stand as erect as possible and as the ball carrier approaches (make no attempt to approach the ball carrier yourself as this could be dangerous), bring both hands firmly down on the runner's shoulders or upper chest – molesting him heavily – and pray he falls down. Problem is, runners don't stop when "tagged." The Harvey Halt – this really isn't much of a tackling maneuver as it is an attempt to just become an obstruction to the ball carrier. It is performed by planting both feet in a wide stance, crouching and extending arms outward in the classic tackling form – except that this is done while standing on the fifty meter line and the ball carrier is still within his own 22. Again, any attempt to move toward the ball carrier is to be avoided at all costs since this again is considered dangerous and may actually resemble the game of rugby. Then there are those players who we hope provide the proper guidance to the faint at heart at physical contact and their tackling styles are as follows: The Brancard Bear-hug – where you masterfully wrap both arms completely around your opponent hugging him very close and bull-dog him to ground with a thud – after that few flyhalfs try to run toward you again and instead pass out to the wing where they usually find more success. The Yanik Panic – where a successfully executed waist high tackle is made while fully extended, parallel to the ground and at considerable speed – sort of like a large cannonball driving the ball carrier backwards and doubled over at the waist. This bone crushing tackle is extremely effective in inflicting pain and injury – usually on Dave. The Bouncing Bordieri – since Joe is somewhat altitudinally challenged, this tackle requires the defender (Joe) to ambush the opponent by laying in wait in tufts of high grass (like a land mine) then bounce up into the air and smother the ball carrier with a full frontal alien-like wrap. The ball carriers are usually able to keep standing and running but are disoriented and eventually succumb to the loss of direction and fall to the ground. The Flatten Falatyn – just grab the guy with the ball and throw him unmercifully to the ground – no big deal.
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