April 1998 Newsletter


Frederick RFC

MARFU Champs!

What a feeling!! On a beautiful sunny weekend at the "Ft. Detrick Rugby center" (those 3 green pitches looked absolutely brilliant!) the Frederick machine rolled over a physical Second City Troop and a stunned Hibernians. The depth of the squad was tested on Saturday. Two blood substitutions made early for Rabbi and Kretz, then three on at half (the front row). Really soon after the half, Moo decided to take a nap, and another front row slotted into the machine!! To make things a little more even, Larry decided to sit in the Sin Bin for 10 mins then that mean number-8 decided to see what it felt like!! Luckily, the returning English Darren kept the Pack focused and calm (not a role that Daz had taken before - something about a couple of yellow cards!?!). Frederick 43 - Second City 14. After watching Hiburnians outplay Raleigh on Saturday afternoon, the squad knew that we had to be focused on Sunday. Well, I guess we were. 39 - 0 at the half and 61 - 0 at the end of the match. Art was everywhere, scoring 3 tries and securing the Man-of-the-Tournament trophy, with Chris Sipe dotting down 3 more along with Jason, JJ and Rob. Thanks to everyone who helped set-up and break-down the Tournament. Young Daz spent 5 hours lining pitches on Friday and luckily Kerry Anne French was available to read tent directions to the tent squad!!

**Fundraiser**

Celtic Club

Saturday 9th May

To help out with travel costs, we have joined up with the Celtic Club to do a Frederick Rugby Fundraiser. $10 gets you Pork BBQ, Fries, Slaw and of course BEER. The event will start 2:00pm at the Celtic Club (Market Street between 6th and 7th). Please attend and bring some friends!! The Celts will be spreading the word among their membership, if we could raise $1000, we could really help out on some of the hotel stuff!!

MARFU Division II Championship

Frederick, MD. Saturday April 25 and Sunday April 26

Semifinals

Frederick 43, Second City Troop 14

Hibernians 35, Raleigh 31.

3rd Place

Raleigh 30, Second City 20

Championship

Frederick 61, Hibernians 0 (half 39-0)

MARFU Division III Championship

Frederick, MD. Saturday,25 April and Sunday April 26

Quarterfinals

Media 18, Chambersburg 0

Harrisburg 11, Blacksburg 10

Roanoke 19, Wilkes-Barre 17

Reading 36, West Potomac 5

Semifinals - Loser's Bracket

Blacksburg 65, Chambersburg 10

West Potomac 27, Wilkes-Barre 26

Semifinals - Winner's Bracket

Media 26, Harrisburg 12

Reading 43, Roanoke 18

5th Place

Blacksburg 15, West Potomac 0

3rd Place

Harrisburg over Roanoke

Championship

Media 45, Reading 19

PRU High School Championship

Frederick, MD. Saturday,25 April and Sunday April 26

Championship

Gonzaga 41, MD Exiles (U-19) 17

Final Standings:

MARFU Div II MARFU Div III

#1: Frederick #1: Media

#2: Hiburnians #2: Reading

#3: Raleigh #3: Harrisburg

#4: Second City #4: Roanoke

Sometimes Rugby is More than Just a Game

This month has seen a couple of rugby related events that I wanted to pass on. The first was the very sad situation of one of the Mount St. Mary’s seniors being found dead the morning of the Mount’s rugby Tournament. I want to thank Larry Grimm for passing on a communion letter from the Club at the funeral and I have just inserted the letter I sent on behalf of Frederick RFC and a reply I received this week.

Dear Mount Rugby, 8th April 1998

All of us here at Frederick Rugby were very saddened to hear of your friend’s passing over the weekend. It is always such a shame when someone so young is taken away. Please pass on our deepest condolences to family and friends.

Rugby is a very physical sport, but there is an even stronger spirit of camaraderie and mutual respect that links all Rugby players together. If there is anything that we can do in support, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely.

Julian Reading (Manager FRFC)

Dear Julian, 20th April 1998

Thank you very much for your kind words of sympathy. we appreciate your support as we try to get through this difficult time. Thank you for the open invitation to come down to Frederick practices. Those of us who have taken advantage of the opportunity have benefited a great deal from it. We as a club would also like to wish you guys good luck in hosting ands playing in the MARFU play-offs this weekend.

Thanks once again for your support over the last year. I think our clubs will both benefit from working together in the future. It is also comforting for us to know that the camaraderie that we are relying on as a club right now extends through the rugby community.

Brian Melody (President MSMRFC)

The other story involves Media RFC. As you all know, Radar, while stationed in Philadelphia played with Media. One of the senior Media players was diagnosed with a serious cancer and was having trouble taking care of his medical bills. Radar organized a donation on behalf of Frederick RFC, this is a letter I received.

To Major (Radar), Julian and the young men from Frederick Rugby.

I hope that I can play this game with the big C. as good as you guys on Saturday. I hope to win all 15 rounds. Thank you very much for helping me.

Mike Burke (Media Rugby)

Thanks to everyone for taking the time to support our fellow rugby players.

Frederick Take Foot off the Gas

Draw with Media

Philadelphia, PA Saturday 28th March

Frederick Rugby, at 7 and 0, traveled to Media full of confidence and received a timely wake-up call. A focused hard Media squad broke through Frederick’s mid-field, assisted by a steady wind to go into the half 22-10 ahead. Frederick fought back and finished up in a 36-36 draw. Defensive weaknesses were exposed which will have to be addressed before the MARFU Division II Play-Offs on Saturday 18th April. The Frederick ‘B’-side, refused to let Media get in the first hit and crushed the home side 86-0. Fly-half Jay Myles notched up 31 points (3 tries, 8 conversions), Scrum-half Bub Van Reenan touched down twice and the returning Lance French also scored. The remainder of the 14 tries were spread among forwards and backs.

Frederick Regain Focus

Downs PAC ‘B’ 39 - 12

Frederick, MD Saturday 4th April

After a disappointing trip to Philadelphia last week, several fresh players were selected to the Frederick ‘A’-side. This shake-up, along with the return of the intensity that led to the Club going 7 and 0 over two weekends, delivered the goods. Division I Potomac Athletic Club (PAC) sent their ‘B’-side to Frederick and were comprehensively beaten. Frederick got on the board early with tries from Jason Delauter and Rob Shuster. A well worked back-row move sprung Art Hall for the third try and Jason got his second just before the half-time break. Frederick turned around into a stiff wind 20 - 0 up at the half. A combination of well placed kicks and too many Frederick penalties allowed PAC to get on the board with a converted try. Frederick answered with three more scores by Julian, Eric Kretzer and Tobin Triebel. Jay Myles converted two tries to put Frederick comfortably ahead by 39 - 7. PAC never gave up and scored once more before time expired. Final score, Frederick 39, PAC 12. Frederick ‘B’-side faced Division II South rivals Rocky Gorge, but fell 22 - 12. Frederick ‘C’ played very well but also lost to a NOVA side that fielded two Eagles, 10 - 0.

Special Thanks to Walt

When you next see the elusive Walt Winn, make sure to buy him a beer (or Deanne a Tequila). Walt donated the money for the green and black practice balls! Walt has also worked very hard to secure plane tickets for players going to Chicago. Thanks a lot amigo!!

Change in Web Page Address!!

English John has worked out a deal with Fred Net where Frederick RFC get their own direct Web Page.

www.frederickrugby.org

It is easy to remember and has newsletters, photos, links, a message board etc. Check it out.

Frederick Rolls Over

Baltimore 31 - 19

Baltimore, MD Saturday 11th April

In the last match before the Mid-Atlantic Play-offs, Frederick RFC traveled to Division I Baltimore. After 5 minutes, Frederick were on the board with a well worked back-line try by Tobin, converted by Kenny. Baltimore however, were not ready to lie down and responded with a simple power move using their big center. This brought the hosts level 7-7. Frederick maintained both possession and field position, but were unable to convert the pressure to points until 20 minutes had passed. JT Triandafilou touching down with Jay Myles converting. Kenny had been run over earlier, a knee to the temple knocking him out. Another breakdown in defense led to Baltimore narrowing the gap to 12-14 by the half. The second half really belonged to the Frederick forwards. Although smaller than Baltimore, technique in the scrum led to two push-over tries touched down by Julian and Eric Kretzer. Baltimore scored a consolation try before Frederick hammered the match shut with a second try for Tobin. Final Score, Frederick 31, Baltimore 19. In the ‘B’-side match, MVP Flanker Jamie Romano, scored 3 tries in an 8 try demolition of Baltimore 42-17.

Frederick Dominates

Virginia 50 - 12

Ft. Detrick Saturday 18th April

In the Mid-Atlantic regional quarterfinals, Frederick dominated Virginia, going into the half with a 34 - 0 cushion. The lead had been built on forward power in the scrum, coupled with the speed of our back three. Rob Shuster played a key role in defense and got on the scoreboard with a try where he appeared to jog by the entire Virginia defense. Tries were also added by "Slash" Delauter, the returning Chris Sipe and Tobin. Eric Kretzer pressured the opposition scrum half all day and was rewarded with a try following a solid scrum by Frederick. Jay Myles added a penalty kick and three conversions to fill out the scoreline at the half. The second half saw Virginia put some pressure on the home team. A lapse in concentration led to a quick try and conversion. Frederick plugged away, generating good attacking situations only to have them spoiled by Virginian hands. Myles tacked on two more penalties as a result. Another period of pressure by the visitors led to a second try, bringing the scoreline to 40 - 12. With 10 minutes to go, Frederick regained control, Eric "the Claw" Aldinger touching down at the end of a rolling maul. Tobin and Slash teamed up to put Slash in for the final score of the game as time ran out. The match was aired on Cable 10 and saw the first appearance of John "the Mouth" Fox assisting Tommy G.

Congratulations!

The Zang’s and Wilkinson’s both had babies (boy and girl respectively) congrats to you all. Also Steve Schleup is very close to walking down the isle!! Good luck Steve!! Rob Schuster is off to represent the Combined Services this weekend (May 2nd) down at Ft. Bragg - good luck. One of the Mount players, center Mike Williams, tried out for the Eagle U19’s!! Mike is a center (has come down to Frederick RFC practices) started rugby with Wilmington Youth - and is a mentor at Thurmont Middle School. Good luck Mike.

All of the following will be in Chicago in 2 weeks time. Go Frederick!!

Eric, Aldinger, Will Brewington, Darren Clarke, Jason Delauter, Josh Ditsky, Jim Ford, Lance French, Larry Grimm, Art Hall, Tory Ireland, Pete Ireland, Eric Kretzer, Dan Makosy, Jay Myles, Kenny Orndoff, Julian Reading, John Redmond, Jay Reeder, Jamie Romano, Ed Shafer, Mike Taylor, JT, Tobin Triebel, Chris White, Tom Angel, Al Goetz, Mike Grunwell, Jeff Lutton, Rob Schuster, Chris Sipe, Seth Townley, Bub Van Reenan, Rabbi Gustafson, Jon Hixon, Web, Walt Winn