The Hourglass

May 27, 2001

A Publication of the Connecticut Grey Rugby Football Club
Augey Doggy, Editor

WARNING: The consumption of alcohol may lead
you to think people are laughing WITH you.

GREY NOTCH FIRST WIN OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM

After the long, long string of losses this spring, the Grey finally rebounded with a decisive victory over the Lion Kings on Saturday, May 5th, at the island oasis of Randalls in New York. While many Grey were slightly fearful of the list of strong teams our Match Secretary lined up for us this season, that fright pales in comparison to the thought of playing consecutive weekends at Randalls Island. That, and the concern over our inability to play anything closely resembling the game of rugby, placed us squarely in the position of losing two on the hallowed (yet hard) grounds of Randalls Island. So, in order to ensure some success on the field, the Grey showed up with only 17 players, including the new addition of Rich Murphy - former Mad Hatter to the squad. This was the lowest participation level of the season and with a youthful (yet aging ever-so-slowly) lineup on the Lion Kings side, the outcome wasn't looking bright for the old men. Key absences and welcome first-time appearances this season was the turning point in the outcome of this match. This was definitely one of those situations where you see addition by subtraction. Captain Kerr gave a rallying speech prior to kickoff that must have sparked something in some of the Grey (it made me have to pee) as there was a real spark in the play right from the kickoff. With Don Brancard back at flyhalf and Brendan Coffey at inside center, the backfield was aptly improved for this match. Louie P. and Trunksie added to the relatively strong pack that held their own against the more fit Kings forwards. The Grey drew first blood scoring a penalty kick in the opening minutes of the first period. Brancard's kick put the Grey up 3 - 0. The Lion Kings rebounded with a score of their own and touched one down under the posts. With the conversion, the Kings went up 7 - 3. The Grey played very strong throughout the period and a good backline move, with Tenenbaum supporting from the fullback position, was able to take advantage of good second phase and find Tenenbaum close in to score the try. The conversion was wide but the Grey went into the break up 8 - 7. In the second period the Grey continued to press the Kings and after a long kick up the sidelines, Mike Kosila was able to foot the ball forward to Don Brancard who scooped up the ball in mid-stride and galloped in for the try. The conversion was good and the Grey now led 15 - 7. The Kings were continuously thwarted defensively by the Grey and the usual sprints around the planted wingers just weren't happening this game. Long defensive stands within the Grey five meters line occurred several times in this half and after numerous attempts to punch through, the Kings were finally awarded a penalty kick. With the kick good, the Grey were now up only 15 - 10. However, to add spice to the pie, the Grey quickly marched back into the Kings side and from another close in scrum were able to get the ball out to the backs and then, with second phase support from Trunksie, hit Don Brancard who threaded several Kings for the score. With the conversion good, the Grey led at the end of the second 22 - 10. In the final two ten-minute periods, the Grey held on defensively and by the end of the second ten gave up a long run that was so reminiscent of the last four games and relinquished yet another 90-meter try on the year. The conversion was wide and the whistle blew with the outcome a long-awaited Grey victory, 22 - 15. Men-of-the-Match honors were awarded to Lou Petruzzello in the forwards and Don Brancard for the backs. The beer after never tasted sooooo gooood! (That's because instead of the usual Buds and Lites that most teams give us, the Kings had a Family Day and if you can name the import, they had it - Lots of Coronas, Heinekens and to my surprise Stella Artois too!!) Greta job on the family day refreshments and game to the Lion Kings.

GREY RETAIN CUP

With the victory over the Lion Kings, the Grey continue their kidnapping of the Sugar Bowl. Once again after the ceremony (I've seen longer prayer services for dead pets) the cup was given to the Grey who passed the cup full of brew around for the victory slurp. Just for your information: now, for those who decided to drink from this cup let me inform you that based on where I know that thing has been and the fact that it sits on the shelf at Paul's for the entire six months ultimately finding its way into the hands of Jorgensen for the last week, I would really question the new and as yet unclassified strains of microflora and fauna that currently reside in the bowels of the bowl. If you are one of the fortunate (yet sanitarily stupid) persons who drank from the cup and are feeling a little queasy right about now, I give you a 50/50 chance that foot-and-mouth disease is imminent.

GREYS DROP CLOSE ONE TO DINOS

The feeling of euphoria and the belief that we were back on track were quickly derailed on Saturday, May 12th, when the Grey hosted the Beacon Hill Dinos at East Shore Park in New Haven. East Shore Park was the venue for one of the Sweet 16 national playoff brackets that took place that weekend across the country and our thanks to the New Haven Old Black (and the Guzz) for allowing us to partake in the day's festivities. Can't say the same for other associates of the Grey. Anyway, what we feared most was playing a strong Dinos squad using the same brainless and effortless display of skills that plagued us early in the season. With vast improvements in our play that was presented during the Village Lions game, the Grey hoped to improve the win/loss numbers with another victory, seeing that the Dinos traveled light and had to recruit from the masses of rugby whores that flock to these events like grunions to the mating beach. Surprisingly, the Grey showed significant improvements in play and the first period was fought entirely within the Dino's half of the field. With good movement and a backline break, the Grey moved the ball upfield and a dish to Joe Bordieri (a.k.a. Little Miss Chatty Cathy) resulted in the first try for the Grey. The conversion was wide but the Grey led at the break 5 - 0. Now, reverse roles. The Dinos, seeing that we really liked that end of the field decided that they would camp out there for the next period too. Unfortunately, they were slightly more productive in the scoring from this angle. The Grey played 20 minutes of continuous defense and it is doubtful if they ever crossed the 50 the entire period. With defensive holes and mis-assignments, the Dinos squeaked one over for their first score. The conversion was good and they now led 7 - 5. Soon after, a mis-call on a kicker being dumped after the kick allowed the same Dino to take the ball down the sideline while the entire Grey contingent stood by waiting for the obvious call ... that never came. Seeing the opportunity to strike while the Grey dozed, the scrumhalf bolted down the side and ended up under the cross bars for a second try. Again, the conversion was good and the Dinos were up at the break 14 - 5. The first 10 of the third period had the Grey with a little more enthusiasm but dropped passes ended any hope of putting one down for a score. The second 10 saw life for both teams as the Dinos tallied their third try (a hat-trick for the Mystic River scrumhalf) but a missed conversion put the Dinos further ahead 19 - 5. Not dead, but then again not breathing either, the Grey were able to post one in near the end by Bordieri (again?), and with the conversion good, ended on a positive note but a sour taste. Final score, Dinos 19, Grey 12. So much for the win streak but again, at least this wasn't a runaway like some of us had nightmares about the evening before. Man-of-the-Match was awarded to Lou Petruzzello. And the drinking began.

LOBSTERS BAKE GREY

And as the season slowly closes the Grey hosted only its second home game of the season against the Long Island Lobsters at the PNA field in Wallingford on Saturday, May 19th. Unfamiliar with the playing conditions of the field at the PNA since it's been such a long time (I think there was snow on the field the last time we were there) the Grey let the game slide away and handed the Lobsters a win - along with a handful of Grey extras. Once again, a guarantee of 15 players by L.I. was a bluff as they showed up light and scoffed up a couple of the Grey subs to fill out their side. Although this is good sportsmanship on the part of the Grey, it sucks when teams fail to fulfill their commitments (personal note added for future reference). This was scheduled as the Grey Family Day and one thing we have begun to notice at what began as a once a year deal now turned into a twice a year event (remember the round-robin last fall?). That and the fact that there is an obvious absence of "families." Anyway, that behind me, the Grey took the field against what appeared to be a strong L.I. side. The Grey, however, scored first on a try by Ed Carr, the conversion by Don Brancard was good and the Grey were up 7 - 0. That was just the beginning, and one might say the end too! The Lobsters countered the try by breaking long runs that gained miles of acreage but failed to tally until, near the end of the period, the break finally broke and the Lobs scored their first try and conversion to knot the score at 7 apiece at the break. Now, remember we gave the Lobs a few of our own, so, as the second period began we had the impression that with the Greys in Lobster's clothing, we should be pretty even. Except that Greys, who for the entire season in a Grey jersey never scored and hardly ever, maybe never, actually caught a pass decided to play for a change and score two tries for the Lobs in the second period. With both conversions, the Grey were down at the second break 21 - 7. In the third, the flood gates would open as the Lobsters ran ragged over a visibly hot and tired (and at times, inept) backfield. With the momentum and the staunch, mumbledy peg defense exhibited by the Grey, the Lobbers posted three quick tries with only one conversion to take a commanding lead. The Grey were, however, able to score on as Darryl Garrison scooped up a poor Lobber pass and tramped in for the score. In the end, the Lobbers showed real dominance and the Grey, well, just showed up. The final was 38 - 14 Lobsters. Man of the Match was awarded to the entire Lobster backfield.

FRANCONIA NEXT STOP

The annual migration north for the first weekend in June Old Man of the Mountain festival takes place next weekend. All who are planning on going need to inform Dean Jorgensen of your intentions and if you will be going to the Saturday night dinner party for the fest somewhere in Littleton. Not really sure what the slate of events are for the Grey like if there's a picnic on Friday night, but what is guaranteed is the golf on Friday afternoon, the Friday night get-together at the Village House, the Saturday games (Boston and Worcester) and the Saturday after-match champagne hour. I guess Saturday night is now open since the party has been moved from the Mittersill (a.k.a. Tiffany's) to someplace even farther away. So, let the crew know who is going and if you are going to play. There is a game fee for the weekend matches and cocktail party. Questions can be posed to Jorgensen.

MIDSUMMER DAY'S MATCH?

Yes, at this time the Grey have agreed to a friendly on the Island of Block scheduled for Saturday, July 28th, against the Rhody Old Cocks. This has the makings a real nice time (if the weather holds) with a trip to the island, a day at the beach with a cookout. I had planned on camping out that night but that would guarantee rain so I have booked a two-night stay at one of the Inns - which should guarantee nice weather. More information can be found on the website, cgrfc.org, on tips on how to get there, where to stay and the like. Please let the Organization know if you are going on this trip as it would be nice to know how many are going before we actually get there.

AUCTION A SUCCESS

Who would have thought that we could actually come up with a load of old crap from our sports past and actually be able to have people want any of it. Well, the thought seemed a little cheesy but in the end, I have to admit, Dean got this one right. With tables full of old rugby and sports paraphernalia, the Grey were able to take in about $700 for the Connecticut Jammers Quad Rugby Club. A thanks to all who donated some very cherished items and items that may have been hard to part with (I will miss those Titleists).

FROM THE PRESIDENT

Thank you, one and all, for making our Spring 2001 Family Day such a success. While we may be disappointed with the match result, it was still a great day for the Grey.

I would like to thank all of you who helped coordinate the food and games. I'd especially like to thank Bill and Marti Aman for bringing the big tent (we really needed it as it got a lot hotter and sunnier than had been forecast); Guzz for bringing the music and the bocci; Tom Flynn for bringing the grill; John Kerr for bringing the ice; and Mike Guzzio and Roberta Romeo, for DONATING ALL THE FOOD AND SODA. I'm sure I'm missing others who contributed (I don't know who brought the badminton game), so please accept my thanks to one and all.

We also held a very successful auction to raise money to buy a sports wheelchair for the Connecticut Jammers. The final tally is in. We raised exactly $800 through bidding and cash donations. A lot of you went all out, bringing a total of 44 items to be auctioned including new rugby jerseys, original artwork, new golf clubs, and even an autographed Cal Ripken, Jr., baseball. Jeff Bouvier was the stand-out in terms of donated items. His offerings raised $192. And the deepest pockets belong to Chicky and Bud who, between them, bid $194 and walked away with 10 of the 44 items donated.

Also, I'd like to extend our thanks to the Long Island Lobsters, who arrived with their own families in tow. They were great opposition on the field and great fun off it. They brought several items for the auction, and as a club, contributed over $100 of the money raised. A classy bunch of guys.

While our Won-Lost stats may not be very satisfying, I feel confident in saying that the Club is still in great shape. I look forward to seeing you at our two summer rugby events, Franconia and Block Island. Check out the web site for links to Block Island ferry and hotel info.

NO SARANAC LAKE

It has been confirmed that Grey did not register for this year's Saranac Lake tournament and will not be going up as a team. Anyone who interested in going may want to call around - I would suggest Lou P. - to see who needs players.

AROUND THE FIELD

It was noted at a recent game that one of our more manly forwards during a pop kick coming into his general vicinity actually performed a spectacular "duck and cover" in order to avoid injury from the ball striking him in the head. The ironic part about this is, he was wearing a helmet. I can't remember the last life-threatening injury that resulted from being hit by the ball.

From the sidelines it was difficult at times to watch the frequency at which opposing teams were able to run right through the complete Grey contingent unscathed to score try after try. One was able to conjure up numerous analogies to compare this feat with other notable and well recognized items such as:

Weebles - actually, broken Weebles as these can only fall down
Stalks of grass - which may explain why no one could see anything done right - they were camouflaged
Touch Lines - as we know these provide absolutely no obstruction (to most players however, one or two Grey have been known to trip on these)
Discarded Candy Wrappers - even the wind blows these around
Empty beer cans - these too are useless but at least they're redeemable
Stop Lights - like people actually let a little light bulb tell them what to do

There is no need to provide much more light humor in this letter as, if you want to really see the jokes, just read the game recaps in the website.

And, the number one song in West Virginia for the second week in a row is: "Mama Get a Hammer Cause There's a Fly on Papa's Head."