The Old Men Turn 21

The Grey traveled with strong numbers and typical style for the 21st edition of the Old Men of the Mountain Rugby Festival in Franconia over the weekend of June 3-5. The Saturday coincided with Mother Nature's decision to turn on summer, a test for all of the forwards and not a few of the backs. With the exception of a twisted knee, a sour stomach (too much Gatorade, Bomber?), and a bruised rib or two, the troops survived relatively unscathed. Festival coordinator and honorary Grey Bill Good set us the task of playing two of the stronger clubs, the Portland Ancient Mariners and the Amoskeag Old Boys, in recognition of our own depth and the strength of our spring season schedule. We were rewarded with two well-contested matches including what many called the match of the day, the afternoon tilt between the Grey and Bill Bishop's own Amoskeag RFC. President Tom Flynn describes the weekend.

"Well we have survived another season, largely intact, and successful. This was a great season on many levels. We are continuing to play very competitive rugby for men our age. We are attracting new members who are not only good players but also good fellows. We have more fun that most people our age ordinarily have. I don't expect that to change. I'd like to take this opportunity to update you on recent events and solicit some comments.

"I have to say that this weekend was one of the best we've seen in Franconia. After a temporary scare that it might not come off, and that the US - Wales game in East Hartford might reduce attendance, the weekend turned out to be wonderful. The weather, although a bit warm for this time of year, was great. Dick the Bartender was back for another go 'round with all of his favorite customers, and the Inn was ideal again. And the rugby was pretty damned good. The Grey beat Portland (25 - 0) and Amoskeag (28 - 24) in a couple of tough matches against the better teams at the festival. I'll leave the match reports to Louie and Bill, but those were two nice wins to end the season. Andy Terry and the Toronto XL's were disappointed that we didn't play this year but assured me that had we played, this was the year that the Grey would have gone down to ignominious defeat, and they blamed Bill Good for preventing the inevitable again this year.

"This festival was partly run by committee ... Bill Good and Joe Flynn ran things in general but were able to delegate much of the grunt work to each team. Each team was asked to take a two-hour stint as helpers and to assume specific responsibilities. Many thanks to Bill, Joe, and their faithful sidekick Mike Flynn for another memorable time and a great T-shirt.

"I'd like to thank the folks who helped me hold up our end of the bargain, starting with the guys who went up to Franconia last winter to make the commitments to Bill and Joe that we would help. The Seeger & Scan show continued with some of the best shrimp and steak you will ever have, even if I had to watch Fred sweat a couple gallons of beer and booze out while he cooked. Thanks to Jeff Bouvier for coordinating the referees, to everyone who policed the pitches and made the cleanup easy, to Dean Jorgensen for bringing up the champagne and making sure it was properly chilled, and to Dean and Tony Johnson who provided the OJ. Thanks to Jon Leone and my lovely wife Lindsey for coordinating the afternoon "Italian Buffet"... Jon was able to purchase the items and he and Lindsey packaged them and set it all out with the help of the Brancards and the other ladies. Lindsey would like to get some feedback from the Club regarding the food on Saturday ... I warned her ... but please let Lindsey, Jon, or me know what people might like to see differently. Thanks to Mike Kosilla, Kevin McNamara, and John Kubic for doing the Grey's gofer duties. Thanks to Guz for the music and the mudslides, or for being the "Dairy Queen" of alcohol services, and to the folks who once again decided that "Buckethead" is a good idea.

"We also made a new friend in the rugby world ... Keith Davis, dad of Theresa Saul, father-in-law of George, and member of the New Zealand All Blacks in the 1950's. Keith had a chance to see George score on a blessedly short run and George avoided running Keith over during the match. Keith came out of a long retirement. His last game was sometime in the late 80's, and he played a couple of strong minutes for us in both our matches. It was Lindsey's and my pleasure to have dinner with Keith, Theresa, and George and to hear some of the stories from those days when you actually had to take a boat from NZ to get anywhere in the world and most of NZ. We presented him with a signed game ball and welcomed him into our club. It was a real pleasure to expand our circle of friends and acquaintances that much further. Welcome to America, Keith, and many happy days.

"A lot goes into an event like this ... and it was very easy because of all the help that the Executive Committee gets when we ask. I can't thank you all enough. It is great fun for all. I'm sure that I've missed someone ... and I'm sure that they will remind me. And I just wanted to say to Brendan and Bordo ... I hope you had a nice day in East Hartford."

An Inspirational Guest Player

It was indeed an honor and a pleasure to run out with New Zealand All Black Keith Davis on Saturday. Son-in-law George Saul writes, "The elder statesman had a fine time and has already expressed to his daughter that it was one of the best weekends of his life."

Keith started his representative career at Auckland. His first game for Auckland A could not have been on a more momentous occasion. He was at halfback for the province on debut in the Ranfurly Shield challenge against Waikato, won by his side 9-0. The dream opening continued, for the following week he was in the Auckland side narrowly beaten by a single point by the touring Wallabies.

Keith, then just 22, had not been dropped suddenly into rugby's deep end. Before his entry into the A side he had appeared in 1951 and 1952 for the Auckland B side, and early in the 1952 season he had been on an internal tour with the New Zealand Maori side. A product of Sacred Heart College in Auckland (1st XV 1947-49), he was singled out at an early age as an exceptional prospect, and in his formative years received extensive one-on-one coaching from an All Black halfback of the 1930's, Merv Corner. After acting as reserve for the first test in 1952 against the Wallabies at Lancaster Park, he displaced Ponty Reid for the second test at Athletic Park.

Keith retained his All Black place for the 1953-54 tour of Britain and France with the other halfback his cousin, Wellington's Vince Bevan. Despite Bevan's greater experience Keith, a sharp runner as well as a quick, snappy passer, was preferred for all five internationals and the tour finale against the Barbarians.

Keith's playing span for the All Blacks covered seven seasons. He continued playing for Auckland until 1958, playing 54 games for the A team and having his last game for the union at first class level for a B selection against King Country in 1959. Starting with the 1952 season, he also had an extensive involvement with New Zealand Maori sides, frequently as captain. He was on two overseas tours with the Maori, to the Pacific Islands in 1954 and to Australia in 1958. His last major game for the Maori was against the 1959 Lions. Keith won the Tom French Cup as the outstanding Maori player in the country in each of the 1952, '53, and '54 seasons.

You are encouraged to head to http://stats.allblacks.com/Profile.asp?ABID=213 for Keith's full All Black bio.

Call to the Jo Jo Moore Tournament

Just a reminder that the Jo Jo Moore tournament is on for June 18. Details have been circulated. While this is not an "official" Grey event, Brendan Coffey and Mike Guzzio have expressed an interest in organizing a motley side. Mike writes, "After talking to Louie and a few guys in Franconia who plan to go to the Jo Jo tourney as a motley side, I decided to help out organizing it. I figure if fearless Leader (Louie) is going, there may be others who are interested. Between those who I can scare up and those who Brendan can attract from the Mid Hudson boys, we should have enough to make a side. I just think since this is so important to White Plains, it should be somewhat important to us, and we should try to make some type of showing."

If you're interested in playing for the "Grey Dogs," contact Brendan, bcoffey@us.ibm.com, or Mike, mguzzio@yahoo.com.

Back to the Block

It's off to Block Island on July 30 for our annual summer friendly against the Rhody Old Cocks, "and yes they are," opines el Presidente Flynn. "This is a great weekend," he says, "or even a day trip for the Club, notwithstanding the competition ... I hope everyone can make it because I'd love to beat these guys, more than any other rugby club in a long time. Book your rooms ASAP. I will be looking for a head count later in the month. We will be having essentially the same party as in the past."

Kickoff is scheduled for noon (rugby time) at Heinz Field, with a drink-up to follow at Scotch Beach. Hotel rooms and ferry crossings, if you're taking your car, book fast. Go to www.blockisland.com for links to hotels, ferry schedules, and everything else you need to know about spending a day or a weekend on the block.

Oh Danny Boy, the Pipes are Calling

It's confirmed. The Grey will be touring the Emerald Isle in the spring of 2006. We are looking at a one-week tour, possibly departing JFK on Friday, April 7 and returning on Friday, April 14 (Good Friday), with one match in Belfast and another in Dublin. Dean and Tom will be circulating details soon, but for now, reserve the dates.

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