With Pete Ireland as their Captain and JT as Coach and zen master (the comparisons between JT and Yoda from Star Wars are too obvious to mention) the Frederick Sevens squad have worked out hard and have qualified for the MARFU Sevens Championship. This includes all the Division I clubs in addition to the Division II clubs so is quite an achievement. The Sevens matrix season (summary of qualifying tournament wins and losses) ended with Frederick going 5 and 5, with notable wins over Wilmington, Virginia Beach and Nova II.

On Saturday July 26th, the Frederick squad of 10 will travel to Bryn Mawr Second City's pitch near Philly) to take part in the MARFU 7s Championship. Here are the pools:-

Philly White Marsh NOVA

MD Exiles Raleigh

NOVA II Washington

Second City Frederick

Anyone interested in traveling along to support should get in touch with Pete Ireland at (301) 620-9366 or e-mail at Pete9366@aol.com

The MD Exiles have been added to the Fall schedule on Saturday Sept 6th. This is the week before our first matrix match so should be a good test of where we are. The matches will take place at the MD Exiles pitch at the University of Maryland - a nice close AWAY match in the morning. That afternoon the PRU select sides will host Ontario at the same pitch. This way we get to play rugby then support our Union All-stars (hopefully including some of Frederick's finest!!).

For those of you that don’t know the story, Frederick RFC were so impressed by the immense calves of Stu Levine that his will has been adjusted so that we can have a Club BBQ when he passes on to wherever he’s going. As a trial run, on the afternoon of the Club’s first practice, Saturday Aug 9th, we are going to have a Pig Roast at Al’s. The pig will be donated (or stolen) by Pete Ireland and Jason, Beer will be provided by Jamie, Jon Hixon and some other good Samaritans, and we’ll charge a $10 cover for all you can eat and drink. Please bring a covered dish. RSVP to Julian (301) 662-2599.

Eric has unfortunately had to bow out early from the Sevens season due to a particularly nasty broken finger (see Bethlehem 7s in last newsletter). If you get a chance you should check out the X-ray, you can see the screw and pins in his knuckle (from an earlier injury to the same finger!!) and the clean break of the chicken bone (we should get English John to put it on the Web page!) Eric recovered well from his surgery, a bunch more screws in the finger to keep the existing screws and pins company. Eric should be fit to play a major part in 15s with us by the Fall. Swift recovery Fat Boy!! that inside center spot looks like it could fit you.

JB became the latest FRFC member to leave Larry, Al, Tool-Time and Tory behind and move into married bliss with Kara. The reception was a lot of fun (particularly for the two rugby tables). Fortunately, when Father Funk was not present to say Grace, a Mr Irish of the Frederick Rugby Football Club, took care of the proceedings. JB was overheard wistfully muttering, "Forever Young" for the rest of the evening!! Congratulations to JB and Kara Bonfils on behalf of us all. Congrats also go out to Kevin and Pam Grunwell who were married on June 7th.

Not to be outdone by JB - Bill became the very latest FRFC player to give up the single life. As is becoming the tradition - the reception was a blast. Too much beer/wine/margaritas and just enough Frederick rugby players (2 tables), led to a lot of fun. In tribute to Bill's background in physics, Irish and Jamie worked on a science project - how many balloons would it take to levitate the table centerpiece (quite a few was the answer). Luckily Art was there to dive off a stack of chairs to rescue it. There was an interesting part to the party when Bill and Chong were involved in a traditional Korean wedding ceremony - I thought that Bill took it a bit far wearing those Mickey Mouse ears though!! The quote of the day was from Kelly, when all the FRFC guys got up for communion at the church, "I’m surrounded by married Catholics!!" - I guess the image of Frederick rugby players has changed over the past few years! The party ended up in the Presidential suite, great time and congratulations Bill and Chong!!

As you are painfully aware, the Club has been focusing heavily on raising money in this off-season (though Sally would argue the existence of such a thing) to avoid the usual mess half-way through the season. Here is the current picture, we are doing really well, so thanks for all your efforts and fund-raising ideas!

Summer Party etc: $805:00

Landscaping Project: $1,000:00

Frederick Keys: $230:00

Merchandise Sales: $60:00

Directing Comm: $500:00

Walt Winn Donation: $750:00

Atlantic Cup Fee: $250:00

Union Dues: $500:00

Referee Fees: $180:00

Parties (5): $1000:00

Julian Loan: $500:00*

Atlantic Cup Fee: $250:00*

P.O. Box rental: $100:00*

Right now our Club owes $4,680:00 for the Fall and has $2,765:00 in the checking account. We need to raise another $1,915:00. So please keep attending our fund-raisers and pay your Club dues as early as you can.

Earn $50 for yourself AND $50 for the Club!! Do you know someone who isn’t satisfied with their water ie too much Cl-, plumbing problems, bad well water or unhappy with their current water treatment system? Want to do something about it? Rabbi is selling Rainsoft water treatment systems. with each referral $50 for you and $50 to the Club if a sale is made. Call Rabbi at (301) 682-7393. Mention the newsletter and get $100!!

The 1997 Immortals won the test series over the Cup Champion Springboks taking the first two and losing in the third. They played a total of 13 games, winning 11 and losing 2. The pace of this new professional game is something to behold - ask John Hixon or Eric Aldinger who went down to Flannigan’s to see the third test live - great stuff!!

Much like the game of rugby, the English language, though born way over there, seems to have been perfected, mastered and grown to new levels over here. Though he has made two very valiant efforts, our dear funny-talking friend has twice fallen down trying to get this right. I can’t be sure what subtle nuances he failed to pick up on, but I did feel it was time to step in and, not only give our sponsor recognition, but help Julian out before he messed this up yet again:-

While you’re out on Rt.85 working out at Gold’s and grabbing a six pack from Evergreen Liquors, stop in and grab a sandwich from the ROUTE 85 SUBWAY, located in that shopping center by the go-carts and Central Farm and Tractor. Forget those other establishments mentioned by our not-as-quick-as-he-used-to-be 8-man (just kidding Julian). Also, look for your VIP discount cards which are good for 15% off your Subway purchases for the next year. They’re coming soon to a practice near you.

Join the Club for an outdoor happy hour-or-so at the Keys this Wednesday. $10 per person, get your ticket from Dud on Wed 6:15pm on (in the picnic area to the left of the main gate). All proceeds go to the Club. Contact Julian or Dud.