The Fall Pre-season can be summed up in one phrase "Squad Effort". In every match the line-up changed. Instead of panicking and trying to do other people’s jobs, the players focused on doing their own job, and the team succeeded. We moved from a Club that was stacked up with speed in the Back Three, and weak in the Tight-Five, to a monstrous Pack with solid depth and strength at the centers. As it seems every year, the ‘A’-side on paper never materialized, and just when there seemed to be a massive hole, a new player turned up to fill it. In the front row, Web has become indispensable. With a greater level of commitment from Josh, and the injection of Chris White, Moo, Tory and Tool are part of a real Front Row Union. When you add in the return of Walt Winn and George Pappas, the ever present Irish and Mike Saintcross, the potential of Seth Townley and the Front Row/ Second Row antics of Jon Hixon, you can’t help but feel confident. The Second Row appeared light this season, with Jeff attending school on Saturday mornings and Pete recovering from a Seven’s injury (those Ireland brothers!?!). However Tom would have no part of that, he worked out even harder, making the PRU squad and Ed returned, properly rested over the summer. As mentioned earlier Jon Hixon has worked in well at the Second Row, and partly because of his increased power? Jamie Romano has been working in the engine room. The back row also mourning the loss of Chuck and Art looked thin. However, Larry is playing hard, English John has returned to his favored position and Jamie has been more available than expected. When you add in the arrival of Eughan (or Ian as Coach calls him) from Breckenridge and the efforts of Boos and Rabbi, we have some cover. In the backs, we have managed to hold onto Toby and Jason, but have lost Steve for the season due to a new job and New Wave to the MD Exiles (more on this later). To cover our wings the Club welcomed Greg Christenson, Chris Sipe is back full-time, Mike Thompson has speed to develop, and the versatile College Vinny is back. In the centers, Wilki was unceremoniously yanked out of retirement for one more season, Vince Santore is committed to developing, JB (though picking up a slight knee injury) has been a key player, JT and now Lance French bring experience and skill into the back-line. At half-back, Eric and Kenny look to build on their partnership of last year, with the occasional support of Rusty and Sipe. Finally, yes, even though clearly stated in his contract, Coach Redmond did take the pitch against Lancaster. I think that on this occasion the Club was fully behind John, and I personally applaud his ability to go out there and score two tries. Ed also thanks you for his gift try - well almost!! Onwards with the Matrix season. Four down, four to go!!

The Club voted on Captain, Vice Captain and Alternative Selector. These terms last a full year.

Dave has played a major part in the development of Frederick’s backs over the last year. When we finally got Dave and Kenny to move from their Div III Club Mason Dixon to Frederick, we knew it was the right thing for them and (secretly and more importantly) for us. Sally was very upset to hear Dave was gone, "because he’s such a nice guy" (well the speed didn’t hurt either!!). Dave worked very hard with Frederick, spent the summer with Tory, Tool and Eughan in Colorado, and came back to work his way into all 3 of the PRU victories. Dave has the opportunity to work into a new style MD Exiles squad, with a lot of the old guard retiring and a brand new Coach instated, the time was right to give it a shot. We all wish Dave the best - the door is always open to come back - and we will miss you because you really are a great Club-mate. Good Luck!!

If you order Rugby Supplies from Mat Godek’s say you are with Frederick RFC and get a 10% discount!! You can call 1(800) USA RUGBY or visit the store on Gallows Rd in Fairfax, VA.

On a sunny Sunday afternoon, our PRU boys completely dominated and crushed a strong Canadian territorial team, Ontario. Ontario had just won the Canadian Territorial Cup, played the Welsh national side tough, and were on their way to tour South America. Unfortunately for Ontario, the PRU squad was not intimidated at all. What added to their problems is that the Canadians had informed PRU Coach Cookey that they would not attend the after match party as they needed a training session to prepare for South America. Cookey took this as a personal insult, and at the half, the PRU were ahead 27:0. The Canadians were constantly penalized for being off-side, their pack was brutalized by the PRU and their backs took the ball standing still. In the second half, Ontario did mount something of a comeback, partly due to the PRU losing intensity, with the final score reading PRU 51, Ontario 31. Frederick RFC was well represented, Dave Gentzel (still an FRFC boy then) played, Tommy Angel and Jeff Lutton were on the bench, John Redmond was assistant Coach and Kevin Eagar was the referee.

After the nightmare trips to Lancaster of the past three years, Frederick were not looking past our first match. For those of you with a morbid curiosity, we have beaten Lancaster consistently at home, but never won away. Numbers traveling were good, but due to an injury to JB against the MD Exiles we were a little light in the Backs so looked to Coach Redmond to round out the Backline. The first half was full of errors, too many penalties for spoiling ball, and an inability to win quality lineout ball. At the half we were up 5:0 on a try created by a Kenny pop-kick, grounded by John Redmond. The squad then settled down, lineouts improved, scrummaging was solid all day, and we quickly finished off Lancaster, running in three more tries scored by Redmond, Kretzer and Larry Grimm. In the ‘B’-side, Frederick won 15:7 Webb scored a beauty on the wing, Vinny Baker ran the side-line, popped ahead and recovered for a good looking score. Eric rounded out the scoring. Ed Shafer claimed Man of the Match honors.

Former Frederick RFC Head Coach Don Briggs is now running the Mount’s Rugby Club. While Jay Myles is recovering from injury, he is assisting, looking after the Backs. The Mount practice at 3:30pm most days, if you have time to spare, why not go and work out with them. You can pass on some of your experience, and get a good extra workout. Look for some of the Mount players to attend Frederick’s practices, help them out and make them feel welcome. So far this season the Mount lost their season opener to Frostburg by two tries to one, then rebounded to beat St Mary’s College 37:22. The Mount faces a stiff challenge this weekend, hosting Mike Stull and the National Champions, Salisbury State. Contact Don by e-mail at tepeyac@erols.com or call at (301) 241-3828 for more information.

The second of our four road trips found the squad missing a couple of key players. Prop and Captain Tory was suffering from a strained back and Fly Half and Vice Captain Kenny was in Wisconsin on business. Dan Makosy was shamed into missing a wedding to cover Tory, and the presence of JT, Vinny Santore, the return of Jason Delauter and Wilki filled out the Backline. Chris White got his first ‘A’-side slot at Tight Head Prop and Tool-Time took over the controls as Captain. The game was definitely a game of two halves. In the first half, after trading Penalty kicks, the Pack took over to gain solid possession and position. Early in the match, Vinny Santore got a nasty cut to the eye so left the field to be replaced by Coach Redmond. A well worked try was scored before the half, a pop-kick from John Redmond, chased and touched down by Jason. Chris Sipe added two Penalty kicks. At the half the score read Frederick 11 Wilmington 3. The second half started off well. A beautiful full-pace Back-attack from around half-way resulted in a second try for Frederick. The ball went through everyone’s hands ending up again with Jason scoring in the corner. Chris Sipe converted, then came the let-down. Concentration was lost as was intensity. Wilmington scored two quick tries, but we still didn’t wake up. Half way through the second period we held onto the lead 18:15. Wilmington continued to press, finally going over in the corner. Fortunately, the scoring player stepped out of bounds, no try scored. This at long last, galvanized Frederick. The intensity returned, we cleared our lines and Sipe slotted another penalty. Once again pressuring on the Wilmington line, we were denied due to hands in, and awarded a penalty. The ‘Big’ Penalty play was set-up five yards off the Wilmington line. The ball was slow out of the first ruck, but got to me nicely, as I was about to set the second ruck, Jason came screaming through calling for the ball. I popped it to him, and no one is going to stop Jason at full tilt. Try scored, match won. The ‘B’-side admirably led by English John, dominated. Five tries scored, Ed (actually held onto the ball!!), English John scored and converted, Mike Thompson scored as did Ladd from Wilmington and finally Kretzer. Final score, Frederick 27 Wilmington 3 (a drop goal late in the match). Man of the Match honors went to Tobin, who’s cover defense and countering were inspirational all day.

Frederick RFC open a four home match stand over the next five weeks. All matches will kick-off at 1:00pm and will be played at Ft. Detrick. The party will follow the ‘B’-side match down at the Olde Towne Tavern. Currently the Club is performing flat but are in full control of our destiny to claim the #1 slot in Div II North. What we really could use is support on and off the field. Come shout on the side-lines and drink Blue Ridge with us after the matches!!

The Mount continue to develop under the

tutelage of Don Briggs, but couldn’t halt the Teamwork of an efficient Salisbury State squad. The score got away a little towards the end. We here at Frederick RFC, salute both squads and wish them all the luck for the season.

Brandywine 24, Severn River 6

Doylestown 26, Blackthorn 17

Frederick 24, Lancaster 0

Hibernians 32, Second City 18

Brandywine 19, Doylestown 12

Frederick 26, Wilmington 15

Lancaster 37, Blackthorn 17

Second City 63, Severn River 11

Doylestown 29, Frederick 20

Second City 51, Wilmington 8

Brandywine 47, Blackthorn 17

Hiburnians 32, Severn River 24

Frederick 15, Severn River 8

Brandywine 28, Second City 23

Hiburnians 31, Lancaster 27

Blackthorn 25, Wilmington 7

Well, it was in the air at Thursday’s practice. The complacency and lack of focus. It was there on the pitch in Doylestown too. We took up a good strong pack, admittedly Tiny and Jeff were unable to travel, but Ed and Pete are a tried and true combination. The backs were really just missing the threat of Tobin and possibly the depth or experience that Wilki could have added. The team, just didn’t get the job done. We went up 3 to nothing very early on a penalty by Chris Sipe, but true to form gave Doylestown the opportunity to tie it up minutes later. Loose kicking from defense, fed Whitey - the Doylestown Full-back who did his best Deon Sanders imitation and ran the sideline for a try. 8:3 to Doylestown. Not long after, a busted second jumper lineout ball fell to the Doylestown number 8 who ran in for an easy score, and conversion. 15:3. Frederick recovered slightly - put pressure on Doylestown, and moved the ball from a maul to JT to score on the wing. At the half, we were down but by no means out, 8:15. In the next 20 minutes, Frederick lived in our own 22 and suffered two converted tries. In the hole 8:29. By this time, our game plan was tap and go. We now woke up put pressure on a tiring Doylestown, but it was too little too late. Pete Ireland and Rabbi both crossed the line for tries, built on good forward and back passing. Frederick came out very tired losers, 20:29.

English John and Sharon have set up our Web page at the address below. There are a lot of team photos, all the newsletters, full Club roster with phone numbers etc. If you go to ‘Rugby Links’ you can visit many of the US Rugby sites, you can get all our Divisional Scores plus International newspaper reports on rugby all over the world. If you go to ‘USA Talk Rugby’ you can check for any last minute information, such as directions to away matches - local TV rugby coverage or scores from around the league. You can also post messages yourself. If you are on the Internet - or have family that is - get them to visit the site.

This match was fun to watch!! Severn River, for so long the thorn in our side were beautifully torn apart by an outstanding Frederick effort. In a flash back to the old days, Walt Winn and his toe-punt was at Full Back?!? accounting for 11 points (1P and 4C). The powerful second row combination of Irish and Jamie appeared odd, but in a match when Web was stealing the opposition line-out ball - everything was just fine!! It was Jamie in fact who got the first Try, converted by Walt in addition to an earlier Penalty that put Frederick up 10:0. Vinny Baker on the wing was the next to score. Then came flanker Triebel and finally (in the first half!) Greg Christenson, returning from a rib injury, scored a beaut (that term is for Eughan - Bonza!). Severn managed a converted Try by a rather tired Ice, score at the half was 27:7. The second half had more of the same. Our new transplant from the Bronx via Colorado (somehow he now sounds Irish) Alex Agre, playing scrum-half got a nice score, converted by Walt. Rusty then added to the scoring, rounded out by Greg. Severn scored a last Try. Final, Frederick’B’: 46, Severn River ‘B’: 12. In the ‘A’-side match, we managed a win. This was very important, to keep us in touch with the Div II North leaders Brandywine. This was the first match for Lance French at outside center and another Breckenridge transplant English Darren at tight-head. Chris White got his third straight start at his third position, Second Row, and performed admirably. Big Jeff was #8, Larry and I rounded out the flanks to cover the injured Eughan. We started strong, Wilki scoring a try within 5 minutes. Then a well executed Viking move, ended up springing me for an easy run in. 10:0 to Frederick - I could see the Second City type of score already 60:0!! Well - that never actually materialized!! We spent the rest of the half in our own 22m. Positional kicking and Touch kicking were horrible. Forwards couldn’t keep their feet in the ruck and Darren and I were claiming a different nationality to the Referee who stunk up the joint. Severn managed a Penalty and a Try, 10:8 Frederick in the lead. Still sloppy, Eric went over for a try from a tap penalty, to win the match 15:8. A win is a win in our Division, don’t get me wrong - but we must improve by Saturday. The party was on the water on Kent Island - absolutely brilliant. George, Web, Rabbi and Alex chugged for MOTM, Rabbi wore his beer and Alex took the Cup.

Congratulations to Chuck Zang who has been accepted in to the Frederick Sheriff’s office. Chuck will return to FRFC after his Boot-camp which is great to hear. Congrats also to Boos who ties the knot next weekend, as does English John. Welcome to all our Breckenridge friends. First came Eughan and Gage, now we also have Darren and Donna and Alex. Great to have you all here. Finally - sorry to pass on that JB has to have knee surgery so will be off the pitch for the rest of the season.