Congratulations to everyone involved in the Club this season. Bottom line is that we did enough to go into this winter off-season with something to play for in the spring. Hats off to all the guys that stepped up into the A-side to help out the squad this fall. 34 players went through that first side, to replace injured or absent teammates and no one let the side down. I think you can look around and see how some players have really matured this season, while others have actually got younger - I swear Al is now in his mid-20s, running around like a spring lamb! As always it's been a pleasure to play alongside all the new guys, like Mike Stull (though he seems like he's been here forever), Rob Smith, Marty Word, Saverio Roberto, Guy "Iron Man" Barrett and Randy Suter. As well as having such great backrow teammates in, Jamie Romano, Art Hall and Bryan "#8" Gustafson. Take a look at the comparison between this season and the fall 97 season. They were very similar. It tells me that if we work as hard in the off-season as we did last winter and mix in some of our returning injured players, we have the real opportunity to repeat as Mid-Atlantic champions and move back to the National competition. If you were there last May, you want to get back there - and if you weren't, work hard now because it is quite a ride.

This year's Banquet will be at the Red Horse Restaurant (Rt-40 West and Rt-15, in Frederick) for a record third time (shows you how well behaved we have become through the years!). Date is set, Saturday 16th January, from 7:00pm till late. The menu will include Prime Rib, Chicken, vegetables, BEER and cash bar. Ticket cost is $22:50 (same price as last year - which is really good value). I've made the reservation for 70 people. If you could get in touch and get a check to me before Christmas, I can confirm numbers. Evening will include the Player Awards and a guest Speaker. Due to an unprecedented "roar from the crowd", John Redmond will NOT be permitted to do his legendary Lounge Lizard act (or at least not until everyone has had a lot to drink). Make checks out to FRFC and mail to Julian Reading. 1509 Scott's Chase drive, Frederick, MD 21702.
 
 

The Club will be going back down south to Savannah (for the 3^rd time). We will move to Division I, for more competitive matches, but will still focus on playing the full squad and building up our team spirit. Weekend is March 13^th-14^th. The cost of the tour will be $125. This includes buses and hotels. You will need to leave Frederick on Friday 12^th a.m. and will not return until Monday 15^th p.m. This is based on 20 guys, 3 buses and 4 rooms. Please contact me very soon if you want to go, then I can book things. All I need is $100 deposit and you are definite. First 20 go.
 
 

This is a local Tournament (Washington DC). The plan is to take two full sides; the $15 covers the entry fee. This is a great opportunity to get 4 rugby games under your belt - but - last year was very cold and very muddy so please bring lots of clothes!

Thanks to all the players who gave up their spare time to work on these fundraisers and also to the individuals who planned the projects. On behalf of the Club, thanks to all the people who have put the work our way.
 
 

Please attend this meeting. The raffle will be drawn (delayed from November 25^th to give people more time to sell their tickets!). Also we will do the Club Elections for Pres., VP, Treasurer etc. Bring your checkbooks, outstanding dues must be paid off and Banquet tickets can be bought!
 
 

Please note that you are responsible for the 25 tickets that you were given a long time ago. Get the tickets and money to Jon Hixon ASAP. You can also get your money to Pete Ireland.
 
 

The Frederick after 35 "Masters" team took the field against the Wild Geese (Washington Irish) for the very first time on Halloween Day. Irish, Pat Keeling and Tim Desmond agreed to fill in the side for the Geese, 17 others lined up for Frederick. Jim Ford, Chris White, Walt Winn, Mike Blackwell, Ed Shafer, Dave Johnson, Larry Grimm, Ron Hemby and Vince Digioia in the Forwards and Dennis Gnatowski, John Fox, John Redmond, JT Triandafilou, Jeff Jones, Steve Southworth, Rusty Schenk and Dave Wilkinson in the Backs. Frederick rugby was evident in the Forwards as relentless pressure produced 2 tries. Despite the slippery mauling of the opposition, Frederick went into the half up 15 - 3. In the second half, Frederick improved control of possession and sent more ball wide, leading to 6 tries, final score of 49 - 6. It was difficult to name the try scorers, especially with credits like John Redmond's try, which he passed to Larry Grimm on the one-meter line, under the posts with no opposition. It was a great day of rugby for many who have made contributions to the success of Frederick rugby. Pat O'Connell supplied a "few brews" and both sides prepared to watch Frederick dismantle South Jersey. There is interest in taking this team to a Masters tournament in the spring. Some options include: -

Chesapeake Old Boys April 2-3

Cherry Blossom April 10-11

Rites-of-Spring May 1-2

Interested players, call Ed Shafer at (301) 473-7576 to get on the roster.

In the past, the New Zealand Embassy has put a rugby team together and played against the MARFU all-stars. This has been a fun event that also serves as a competitive match for the MARFU Coaches to evaluate players. I was challenged to put something similar together for the Brits in the area, and it actually turned out to be a real success. Every 4 years, the best English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish players are selected to tour the Southern Hemisphere as the British Lions - so the team was called the Embassy Lions. The Embassy part was added as the British Embassy (through Ref. Cavin Parker) promised to supply a social after the match. As you can imagine, getting 21 "foreigners" from VA, MD, DC and PA to turn up for a rugby match and getting $50 from each of them was a pretty tall order - particularly when they are Rugby players. However, with the help of a slightly stressed Captain, Martin O'Donaghue of the MD Exiles and assistance from Roger Evans at Washington RFC, 21 players were assembled around 30 minutes before kickoff! The match was a lot of fun for me, playing with a bunch of strangers who became best buddies by the end of the day. For the record we lost 21-59, at times it was close, just really losing touch in the final 20 minutes. A massive thanks to the Frederick players who supplied a second side to face MARFU. Frederick did a great job, finally going down 10-33. I hope that you all had a good time in the Pub after the match. Raised $500 for Dave Wilkinson's Big Brothers Big Sisters charity.

Frederick went 2 and 1 in pool play, beating PSI Net (MD Exiles based team) 19-0 and Will Brewington's "Old Boys" in a tight one 26-24. Frederick benefited from a 2 minute coaching session from Martin O'Donaghue ahead of the victory. Unfortunately, Martin's team (MARFU All-stars) took Frederick apart pretty clinically in a losing effort at the Cup semi-final. Thanks Dave Crome for running touch! Players listed below:

Before you start to compare the Frederick team this season with the Championship 1997/8 team, take a look at the facts. Last fall saw a team that traveled poorly, was injury prone and let the opposition stay in the game far too long. Sounds rather familiar doesn't it! If we commit to working hard in the off-season, we can come out this Spring on a mission to reclaim the Mid-Atlantic.