OLD BLUE RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB

PO Box 1441, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163

Old Blue Hotline: 212-252-2057 Webpage: www.oldbluerugby.com

*************************

THE BULL SNORTS

"To the victors go the spoils"

Vol. XLVII, No. 20

Sunday, July 25, 2010

NRU 7s:

OB FAILS TO GET OUT OF POOL PLAY

NRU 7s
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Newport, RI

The OBRFC, two-time defending NRU 7s Territorial Champions, did not get out of pool play at the 2010 Northeast 7s, failing to muster even a single win, as they fail to advance to the US 7s for the first time since 2003 - the end of a six-year run as national 7s participants, that included a US 7s Championship (2005), another US 7s Finals (2007) and a Final Four (2009).

OB lost its opening pool match to a NYAC B side that it had defeated handily all summer, then following a tie with White Plains, again lost to Boston A and found themselves done for the day. Captain Dom Wareing dressed for the first match, but his neck injury from the previous weekend forced him to discontinue play for the day. Thus he joined perennial 7s/SL standout wing Mike Malan (turf toe surgery) and Chris Otundo (facial fractures) on IR list. Coupled with the loss of 2009 7s stars Greenwood and Sadden to job opportunities in the metro area that forced them to seek employment elsewhere, the absence of a rugby talent (especially in 7s) of a guy like young OB SL & 7s wing Mike Dibona (who was vegetating somewhere on the East Side instead of playing what would have been a critical role this summer that likely would have assured OB and himself a place in the US 7s - I luv ya, Mikey D, but where were you? You would have started in the US 7s!) and the disgusting defection of Troy Hall to the NYAC, OB competed with too many new faces without adequate reps together, with too little experience and a drop off in talent from a veteran group. The complete reversal of fortune on the scoring line vs AC B more than evidenced these facts.

OB had reason to be confident that it would finish in the top three and thus earn a seventh straight nod to the US 7s, after their summer-long efforts with a patchwork roster that they anticipated would be their strongest of the season. But the inability of Domo, Malan and Otundo - for all their efforts to take the pitch - to recover in time from injuries proved apparently just too much to overcome. There were no consolation matches, and thus no official bottom 4 NRU 7s finishers, though LI played a a bunch of pickup players who came out as White Plains to make a claim to fifth place.

OB B Side Winless in the Open Division of Newport 7s

The OB, as ravaged as its numbers were, mustered a second side to compete in the Open Division. It included OB 7s vet Mike Toth, OBs Harry Clouston, Larry Budasoff and Jim Murray, plus several guest players. More of a social side that included several guys new to 7s and rugby, they lost twice to the Kenyan Exiles and lost to Middlesex 7s for a 0-3 record. No scores were submitted to me.

Postscript

: Thank you to Dom Wareing for the weekend scores and to all of the OB men who came to training, competed and worked together all summer marked by unrelenting record-setting conditions of heat for their commitment to each other, the 7s schedule and to the club. And our gratitude as well to those OBs who sustained injury for their efforts, a speedy recovery. Cheers, Chris, Mike and Domo!

NYAC A beat Boston A in the NRU Final, as they did in every qualifier this summer, to earn the NRU #1 seed. Boston got the #2 seed to the US 7s, while Mystic River, who nearly got to the NRU 7s final in a close 17-21 semifinal loss to Boston A, beat NYAC B 35-5 to earn the NRU #3 seed at the US 7s.

NRU 7s Championship Pool Scores:

OB 12 NYAC B 26

OB 21 White Plains 21

OB 5 Boston A 19

OB A Roster: Rader, Freed-Pastor, J Hoehmann, Rechtin,

Elliott, Rory Conner(Collins?), Stern, Shaorshadze, Diong, Wareing.

**************

OB TO COMPETE IN

SARANAC LAKE TOURNAMENT

JULY 31-AUGUST 01, 2010

**************

PLAY RUGBY-USA INVITATIONAL XV FALL IN LAST MOMENTS TO DURHAM UNIVERSITY, 19-25.

MANY OBs PARTICIPATE FOR PRUSA

Prologue:

Durham University toured the Eastern USA before heading up to Canada for the final leg of their trip. Durham University visited NYC with a 6-1 record, off the back of two tournaments in the Boston area: Durham won the Middlesex 10's tournament, and then lost narrowly in the final of the North East 10's. In addition to checking out the typical sites, the Durham lads volunteered their time with PRUSA, assisting with coaching at Henry Street Settlement's Boys' and Girls' Republic summer camp. Play Rugby USA Founder Mark Griffin, former OB Captain and US Eagle hooker, attended

Durham University (1994-97), was MVP in 1997, and a member of England Universities XV in 1996-7.

Durham boasted one of the best University rugby teams in the UK, with a number of international caliber and contracted players. Their 1st XV are proud to be top of the North 1 League, with their second and third sides being top of their respective leagues also.

PRUSA 19 Durham University 25

Thursday, July 15 , 2010

Pier 40, NY, NY

On a beautiful summer New York evening and in front of a couple of hundred fans, family and friends at Pier 40 the PRUSA XV put in a fantastic effort to nearly upset the touring side from the North of England.

Having only come together an hour or two before the kick off time of 7:15 PM, the PRUSA XV team gelled quickly once they were on the field, under the guidance of RSL winning head coach Bruce McClane, and raced into an early lead through smart interlinking play in the backs after the forwards made inroads through the Durham defense. It was all PRUSA staff coaches that got on the score sheet as Tom Hatfield opened the scoring followed by Dom Wareing. Durham answered back with a try of their own before Elliot "Screech" Rechtin, another PRUSA coach crossed the whitewash to extend the invitational sides lead to 19 -7 at the half way mark.

Second Half

The second half was a completely different story as a lot of changes were made in the Play Rugby team, which allowed Durham to take the upper hand and assert their dominance on the older and now tired PRUSA XV. Despite some desperate defending, Durham managed to cross the whitewash twice more and convert a penalty to bring the game within one point and with time running out the Play Rugby USA team were holding on to a slender 19-18 lead.

Looking to close out the game PRUSA kicked for the corner from a penalty - going for a try instead of taking on the 3 point opportunity. The resulting lineout was deemed not straight and so Durham now had possession and cleverly made their way up the field and eventually the dogged PRUSA defense was broken; and Durham took the lead for the first time in the game with only 2 minutes left to play.

Despite some last gasp attacking from Play Rugby, Durham held on to seal a hard fought and well earned victory.

Thank you to everyone that came along to watch and support on the evening it was a fantastic event both on and off the field really showcasing what rugby is about as two teams from very different backgrounds and places in the world shared a field for 80 minutes and then stories over food and drinks after the final whistle had gone.

OBRFC on PRUSA Invitational XV: Forwards:

Mark Griffin (Founder PRUSA),

Abe Cohen (PRUSA Coach),

Justin Ripley (PRUSA Coach),

James Lik, Y

onathan Kaplan,

Aaron Ellison,

John Hoehmann (PRUSA volunteer).

Backs:

Dominic Wareing 9PRUSA Coach Director),

Kirk Miller,

Elliot Rechtin (PRUSA Coach),

Luke Hume.

Coaching Staff: Craig Levine (Forward's coach: team motivational speaker).

Postscript: Thank you to Mark Griffin and Dominic Wareing for the above notes and writeups. OBs on the sidelines included SuperBlue 70s flanker Frank Dunlevy, OB President Tim Neale, Sean Horan and former OB SL flanker Phillippos 'Pos' Kyriacou.

Post match festivities for all players and fans were held at Mr Dennehy's on Carmine Street.

Play Rugby USA's team slogan for the day was "The older we get, the better we were".

**************

PLAY RUGBY USA ESTABLISHES

NEW YORK CITY'S FIRST EVER

SPORTS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

OBRFC TO SPONSOR TEAMS

As reported by PRUSA on July 18, 2010, and thanks to Mark Griffin:

Play Rugby USA (PRUSA) is excited to announce the creation of New York City's first ever Sports Leadership Academy (SLA), due to open this fall at Edward A. Reynolds West Side High School ('West Side' HS) in Harlem. The Sports Leadership Academy has been successfully piloted, in albeit in a very condensed form, by PRUSA at Hyde Leadership Public Charter School in Washington DC since September of 2009. Recently, however, upon receiving a substantial New York State Department of Education award, Play Rugby USA is able to roll out the full program in New York.

We are very excited to be establishing this unique SLA program at West Side HS. As a "Transfer School" West Side HS embraces students that have previously dropped out of the public school system and provides them with a last chance graduate. Jean McTavish the school's principal could not have been more supportive of this exciting new initiative," stated Mark Griffin, Founder and President of Play Rugby USA and creator of the Sports Leadership Academy model.

The Sports Leadership Academy model encompasses all 4 elements of Play Rugby USA's program - character development, community development, conditioning and academic commitment, through a sports-themed after school program that will also incorporate arts components to embrace diverse interests of the school's student body. The program will be run in partnership with and alongside other well known community partners including the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF) and Health Corps for example. The primary objectives of the program include: (1) academic enrichment to help participants complete high school and go on to college; (2) character education through team sports and inclusive, structured competition; (3) fitness, wellness, and nutrition education to involve students and their families in healthy, active lifestyles; (4) community and youth development through service learning, online learning, and team participation. "

We know the quality of our various curricula, the passion of our instructors and the collaboration of our community partners will together make an extremely positive impact upon the participating students," Griffin, continued.

The SLA will also proudly boast boys' and girls' rugby teams which will compete in flag, 7's and ultimately 10's and the 15-a-side game. Old Blue RFC, one of the country's leading Super League rugby teams, has stepped up to sponsor the SLA's rugby teams and will support the program with start up equipment, volunteer coaching support, selected match hosting and ultimately a mentoring program for member students. The rugby teams will compete in co-branded jerseys between Play Rugby USA and Old Blue and will be open to the local community. Importantly, the teams will also continue to embrace students that graduate from West Side HS - something that is not usual in other sports. In this way, the SLA endeavors to become a community-based center of excellence for sports-themed after school education in Harlem.

PLAY RUGBY USA ESTABLISHES

NEW YORK CITY'S FIRST EVER

SPORTS LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

OBRFC TO SPONSOR TEAMS

As reported by PRUSA on July 18, 2010, and thanks to Mark Griffin:

"We are very excited to be establishing this unique SLA program at West Side HS. As a "Transfer School" West Side HS embraces students that have previously dropped out of the public school system and provides them with a last chance graduate. Jean McTavish the school's principal could not have been more supportive of this exciting new initiative," stated Mark Griffin, Founder and President of Play Rugby USA and creator of the Sports Leadership Academy model.

The Sports Leadership Academy model encompasses all 4 elements of Play Rugby USA's program - character development, community development, conditioning and academic commitment, through a sports-themed after school program that will also incorporate arts components to embrace diverse interests of the school's student body. The program will be run in partnership with and alongside other well known community partners including the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation (SASF) and Health Corps for example. The primary objectives of the program include: (1) academic enrichment to help participants complete high school and go on to college; (2) character education through team sports and inclusive, structured competition; (3) fitness, wellness, and nutrition education to involve students and their families in healthy, active lifestyles; (4) community and youth development through service learning, online learning, and team participation. "

THE BULL SNORTS

"To the victors go the spoils"

Vol. XLVII, No. 16
Sunday, June 20, 2010

OB Goes 2-3 At Rockaway 7s

Rockaway 7s
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Fort Tilden, NY
Roster: Wareing, Shaorshadze, Clouston, Chris Otundo, J Hoehmann, Rechtin, DiBona, Budasoff, Fong.
OB captain Dom Wareing led an undermanned OB 7s squad on a hot and humid day in the Premier Qualifier Division to a 2-2 record before they fell to Long Island, whom they had defeated earlier in the day, in the match for third place. (OB SL #8 Justin Ripley continues to play for Long Island 7s, but was injured early in the day.)
No scores were provided as yet. OB lost to Boston, defeated Long Island, lost to the AC A., shutout AC B, and an exhausted side fell to Long Island to finish fourth in the division. The squad expects to see the return of at least five other starters for their next competition.

**************

Third Annual Mayor's Cup A Huge Success

3rd Annual Mayor's Cup
June 5, 2010
Randall's Island, NY
Excerpted from Press Release from OB Mark Griffin's PRUSA:

Canarsie High School Boys & South Bronx Girls Take Inaugural PSAL Championships
IS-392 and Epiphany School Win 3rd Annual Mayor's Cup Middle School and Elementary School Championships

56 teams in 120 matches
The NYC Mayor’s Cup Rugby Festival on Saturday, June 5th, did not disappoint. Over 1,000 people made the journey out to Randall's Island under bright blue skies that brought humid heat but thankfully without rain, where 56 teams competed in nearly 120 matches for the coveted City Championship titles.

HSBC Bank Corporate Sponsorship
The event now in its third year and sponsored again by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. (HSBC) continued to build upon past year's success. A colorful opening ceremony showcasing 32 different national-themed jerseys and boasting bagpipers courtesy of the American Scottish Foundation and a Didgeridoo courtesy of the Australian Consulate General engaged the audience prior to the US Marine Corp's presentation of the colors. The National Anthem was then sung perfectly by High School student Kiara Rodriguez before the players were sent off to their fields for a 15 minute early opening match kick off at 9:45am.

72 Pool Games
72 pool games were hotly contested on 12 fields prior to 11:30am at which point the administrators carefully seeded the teams for the playoffs. The playoffs consisted of a Cup, Plate, Bowl & Shield for elementary and middle school players enabling all teams a chance to win some silverware. After the quarterfinals, 32 elementary and middle school teams remained in the running for the semis. They all took a welcome break to watch the inaugural Public School Athletics League Championship Finals which were contested in both boys' and girls' divisions between South Bronx Educational Campus and Canarsie Educational Campus (Brooklyn).

Inaugural PSAL Cup Competition
Both games showcased some great rugby (considering the students had only picked up a rugby ball for the first time just 7 weeks prior). The Canarsie Boys got the better of South Bronx on the day however, with a 20-0 win. There were no conversions for this first Championship. The result was almost reversed for the girls - wherein South Bronx defeated the Canarsie girls 20-5.

Plate, Bowl & Shield Competitions
At the middle school level the Plate, Bowl and Shield trophies were lifted by PS-328, representing Kenya, Riverdale Community Center, representing the USA, and PS-223, representing Canada. They defeated IS-113 (Spain), School of the Future (South Africa) and PS-52 (China) respectively. All games were tightly fought encounters.

Cup Competitions
That left the elementary and middle school Cups to finish off the action for the day. For the third year running Epiphany School (Ireland) and IS-392 (Romania) had made the finals and were defending their titles. For the youngsters PS-178 (USA) did themselves proud taking Epiphany to extra time after a 10-10 draw. In the sudden death however, Epiphany ended the match victorious 15-10. In the Middle School Final, IS-49 (Jamaica) put on a huge effort not only to compete closely against IS-392 but even to have made the final after their first-ever season of rugby. The match was fast paced, with end to end attacks and heroic defense leaving the score 20-15 in what was probably the best display of flag rugby in the last 3 years of the Mayor's Cup Rugby Festival.

Dignitaries Present Trophies
The Cups and individual player awards were then presented by Sir Alan Collins, KCVO, CMG, British Consul General; Ashley Parker, EVP HSBC; Donald Douglas, Executive Director, NYC Public Schools Athletics League; Lori Benson, Director, Office of Fitness and Health Education; and Jeff Mohl from NYC & Company and the NYC Sports Commission.
The tournament represented the best of New York City, with the addition of 5 invitational teams from outside the city that work alongside Play Rugby USA. In total, 19 teams participated from Manhattan, 12 from Brooklyn, 10 from the Bronx, 7 from Queens and 1 from Staten Island.
Photo Galleries
For a full listing of play-off results, and individual player awards, visit Play Rugby USA's homepage. Photo highlights will be displayed later this week on Play Rugby USA's Facebook Fan Club and the Rookie Rugby Club will full size images available for download at Play Rugby USA's online Gallery.

***********

OBs Prominent In Support Of 3rd Annual Mayor's Cup Event

From OB Captain and Rugby USA Coach Dom Wareing:
A HUGE thank you to all the Old Blue Boys that came out and supported the 3rd Annual Play Rugby USA NYC Mayors Cup Rugby Festival by volunteering their time and efforts. It was an amazing day that saw 116 games played on 12 fields - that’s nearly 700 kids from all 5 boroughs playing rugby!!
The Old Blue-supported side from the Bronx, Riverside Community Center, only lost one game all day on their way to winning the Bowl competition in the middle school bracket. RCC are coached by OB Captain Dom Wareing, and Mike Malan volunteered as their team manager for the day.
Elliot "screech" Rechtin kept order by refereeing pretty much non stop for 6 hours, Ian Elliott patched up the wounded players on the day as he gave up his time to be part of the medical team. John Hoehmann and Ryan Sullivan set up and then kept the fields running by taking care of a lot of the tasks no one else wants to do but without them the day couldn’t have happened and Abe Cohen's South Bronx Girls team won the first ever PSAL High school championships! James Murray also managed an elementary team on the day and did a great job.
Club man of the year Robbie Mayers showed he cares as much about the New York rugby community and grass roots development of the game as much as he does Old Blue to devote his whole day to running the elementary school brackett. Eric Scott helped keep everything running on all 12 fields as well as working out playoff brackets in between!

**************

OB Oliver Selected To USA U-20s

Young OB 2010 SL #9 Mike Oliver was named to the USA Under-20s starting lineup versus MARFU in the Tier II NASC opening match. He captained the squad for the U-20s at the recently concluded NASCs of June 10-12. They fell to MARFU 11-22 but crushed the NRU 51-22 in the Tier II consolation.
MARFU won the bracket to earn promotion to Tier I next year, while the South surprised the Pacific Coast 14-13 to capture the Tier I crown. Congratulations on your selection, Mike!

*************

OBs Prominent in New York Knights Opening Matches

NARL defending champions Knights, coached by coach Gui Ceiutat, have opened at 1-1, with Old Blues figuring prominently in both matches. They defeated the Boston 13s 32-14 on June 5th at Pier 40, NY, NY, with OBs Luke Hume and Mike Cartwright each scoring two tries (worth four points in rugby league), and Todd Fisher and Justin Ripley one each, with two Fisher conversions. Cartwright was named Knight MVP for his efforts.
In their second match of the season, they fell 25-34 away on June 13th to the New Haven Warriors. OBs accounted for all the scoring, as standout Luke Hume, who came to OB from the Knights last spring, again scored a pair of tries, with one each from Fitzjames Adams and Ryan Armbrust, as Fisher added three conversions and a penalty goal.

**************

'For The Record'

• OB Spring 2010 Election Attendance: included 30 players plus coaches Gui and Ray Cornbill, Fishbein and Adrian Scott.

• The Complete OB 2010-11 Board Members: Foundation: Donelli, Fischbein, D Hoehmann, A Scott; Club: Tim Neale, Duncan-Callender, C Carey.

• Official Score/Scorers of OB vs NRU Collegiates: May 8, 2010. In last month's match, OB defeated the Northeast Collegiates 49-29, led by three tries from #10 Mike Oliver in the pair from John Hoehmann, with single tries by Jim Lik, Calder Orr, Larry Budasoff and Mike Murphy. Oliver hit two conversions for a total of 19 points in the nine-try OB effort. CURFC first-time All American flanker Derek Lipscomb scored a try for the Collegiates.

**************

Social Notes:

• Big Izzy's Mr. Gripes Blog: 60s/70s hooker Jim Israel writes a blog composed largely of leftist political diatribes and curmudgeonly complaints on all else. Please visit www.mistergripes.com to see for yourself.

• OB Wing John Martin Out of Knee Surgery: John had reconstructive surgery on Friday, June 18th, to replace his ACL in an allograft procedure. He was in recovery on Saturday watching the Churchill Cup on TV trying to pick out fellow 0Bs in the crowd, and is expecting to start rehab straight away. He wishes good luck to the seven side. Here's to a speedy recovery Martin, and let's hope that hamstring cadaver came from a Jamaican sprinter and not someone who expired from morbid obesity!

• OB Captain's Friend Stars for Saxons in Churchill Cup Win: OB captain Dom Wareing’s UK mate Stephen Myler at #10 was a standout for the Saxons, England A, especially with his kicking for points, in this weekend's Churchill Cup. He will surely compete for the England first XV soon. So when are you going to get him to join OB, Domo?

USA U20s Name Side for NASC Opener

Golden Colo. - The USA Under 20s have named their starting lineup for their first of two matches in the National Collegiate All-Star Championships.

The pack features five age-grade veterans in Latu, Mnatsakanov, Guizani, Piakalu and Diaz. Joining this experienced bunch is front rower Morgan Gagel, second row Robert Hayslip and No. 8 Tyler Black.

Behind the scrum, skipper Michael Oliver moves from 10 to his preferred scrumhalf position, making way for the elusive Conor Mills at flyhalf. Dustin Croy returns after missing winter camp to the right wing with the left-footed Brandon Craft opposite, Army's Will Holder rounds out the deep three at fullback. The center pairing features the return of Hawaii's Apelu So'oalo and Hayward's Sione Tupouata, who was the best back at last weekend's Bay All-Star Tournament.

"Obviously we will be challenged playing against older more experienced players, nonetheless my staff and I are very excited to see this team play," said head coach Ray Lehner.

United States Under 20s Vs. MARFU
10AM Kickoff, Infinity Park, Glendale CO
15. Will Holder (Army)
14. Dustin Croy (Unattached)
13. Sione Tupouata (Hayward)
12. Apelu So'oalo (Unattached)
11. Brandon Craft (University of California)
10. Conor Mills (Texas A&M University)
9. Michael Oliver (Old Blue) [Captain]
1. Morgan Gagel (San Diego State University)
2. Patrick Latu (San Mateo Yankees)
3. Vladislav Mnatsakanov (Old Puget Sound Beach)
4. Robert Hayslip ( Arkansas State University)
5. Mohamed Guizani (Life University)
6. Paul Piakalu (Hayward)
7. Andres Diaz (Texas A&M University)
8. Tyler Black (Colorado Springs)

FOR THOSE OF YOY WHO WEREN´T ABLE TO MAKE THE AWARDS

DINNER/ELECTIONS LAST NIGHT, BELOW IS A QUICK SUMMARY

SL:

MVP: Justin Ripley
Best Back: Michael Oliver
Best Forward: Ben Sadgrove
Most Improved: Eric Scott
Coaches' Award: Fitzy for his constant dedication to improve
Club Man: Robbie Mayers

2nd Side:

MVP: Fitzy
Best Back: Levan
Best Forward: Abe
Most Improved: Murph and Phil
Coaches' Award: Murray and Mario for their remarkable team spirit

Election results:

President - Tim Neale
VP - Rich Luthmann
Captain – Dom Wareing
Second Team Captain – Michael Murphy
Treasurer – Yonatan Kaplan
Fitzy - many thanks on behalf of the club for organizing everything. Much appreciated.

2010 SUPER LEAUE PLAYOFF MATCHUPS SET:

OBRFC vs SAN FRANCISCO-GOLDEN GATE

MAY 15, 2010

SF, CA

OB will fly to the left coast this weekend for a quarterfinal test against high-scoring and undefeated defending 2009 SL champs SF-GG. OB closed out the regular season (3-3) with a comprehensive 6-try victory at Baker Field on May 1st on the occasion of the 2010 annual OB Rugby Foundation Dinner Reunion, and followed last weekend with a 40-24 tuneup against an NRU Collegiate All Star side at Baker Field. As a result OB secured a position the 2010 SL Playoffs for the eighth time in the last nine years.
As the Eastern #4, OB travels to meet host Western #1 San Francisco-Golden Gate. The other hosts are West #2 Denver vs East #3 Boston, East #1 NYAC vs West #4 Old Puget Sound Beach and East #2 Life vs the West #3 Chicago Griffins.

**Please see this issue's extensive Social Notes, as always, at the end of the Newsletter.

*************************

OB DEFEATS NRU COLLEGIATE ALL STARS

OB 4 NRU Collegiates 24
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Baker Field, NY, NY
1 Leonel (Mayers), 2 Cohen, 3 VDC (van Hoesen, B Smith), 4 Lik (Y Kaplan), 5 Orr, 6 Murray, 7 Murphy, 8 J Hoehmann, 9 Rizzo, 10 Fisher (Shaorshadze), 11 Budasoff, 12 Armbrust, 13 Elliott (E Scott)14 Kemp, 15 Rechtin (Oliver).
As a tuneup for their May 8th Super League Quarterfinal Playoff match vs a SL record-scoring, defending SL Champion, San Francisco-Golden Gate that averaged 55 PPG in a perfect 6-0 regular 2010 season, OB provided competition for the Northeast Territorial Collegiate All Stars in the second trial for the selection to the NRU 2010 Collegiates. Three Columbia players are in the pool: Open side flanker Derek Lipsomb (who won MVP honors for the NRU vs OB), fullback Conor Russomanno and prop Olof Matti were selected to the 40-man NRU Collegiate pool.
Thanks to Yon Kaplan for all of his work in making the event a success. For OB, SL #9 U-19 Eagle Mike Oliver comes on, but at flyhalf, which is actually his position, and he proceeds to score three second half tries against the NRU Collegiates. VDC thinks OB scored ten tries, but is uncertain of the final score.

*************************

OBRF REUNION WEEKEND:

OB 43 CHARLOTTE 14

OB 43 Charlotte 14
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Baker Field, NY, NY
1 Amato, 2 Brazier, 3 Duncan-Callender, 4 Lik, 5 Sadgrove, 6 Ripley (Cohen), 7 Clouston, 8 E Scott (Looker), 9 Oliver (Rizzo), 10 Fisher, 11 Rechtin, 12 Wareing, 13 Jerram (Elliott), 14 Malan, 15 Hume.
Fresh on the heels of a rousing victory by their Old Boys over Columbia's A side, OB takes the field against a fading Charlotte, intent on the bonus point and a shot at the defending 2009 Sl champion SF-Golden Gate in the 2010 playoffs. And so it would come to pass on a glorious day to play rugby. It is going to be in the 80s. Hot and perhaps an advantage to the southern visitors.
OB defends the south goal, and quickly earn a penalty in front of the posts. But the guests eschew the sure three points and opt for the LO. OC Tony Jerram drives back their big flanker entering the line, we are whistled again near the posts and they opt for a scrum. They have us dead to rights wide but mishandle, and that is all FB Luke Hum needs to burn them for a terrific individual burst out to midfield. Hooker Will Brazier is first to the breakdown. Quick ball left for flanker Justin Ripley to break their line for 50, to wing Mike Malan in great support down the sideline to an OB set at the 10 in the far corner. Wide ball to wing Screetch Rechtin, then #9 Mike Oliver puts them on their heels to a LO inside the 5. Tremendous pressure as we quick tap their LO infraction and chip wide for IC Dom Wareing.
Only our own eagerness keeps us from scoring. Hume counter their deep kick to our 20. Malan is off to the 50 then a sidestep and completes a 70-m run into contact inside their 5. Rip takes a quick tap after still another Charlotte penalty and is just short. This official loves his whistle and loves to lecture more, as more time passes during his dissertations than expires in play. Ruinous. OB LO and a weak side attack with Hume filling. They are buckling under sustained attacking pressure and making committing penalties, as OB smartly displays a continuity that has too often eluded them. Screetch gets it on the side and is tackled in the corner as he dots down @ 18 minutes of play and seemingly 30 of stoppages, as OB finally scores. Flyhalf Todd Fisher wakes everyone up with a great corner kick, 7-0 OB.
Jim Lik goes up tough to secure the restart, and takes 4-ball in the next OB LO that goes to fellow lock Ben Sadgrove in the centers. They fail to match up and Ben breaks their line and tackles to score left of the posts @ 21 mins, Fisher does not miss, 14-0 OB. They pop kick behind us and Rechtin makes 'em miss and counters inside to Jerram to Lik, who is running very hard into contact and breaks tackles. We're shredding them; Brazier pick and go, to ground, then VDC. Ben runs over a guy then Oliver scoots behind them. Lik slams through tackles to the 10. They have only one man at the breakdown in a sea of black jerseys. They're all walking. The heat is not helping them and aggressive OB play is hurting them. Penalty. We're killing them but we are rushing - patience equates to easy tries. Oliver uses the foot to the box to lead us right back inside their 5. We switch with Domo, and Brazier and Amato slam the ball ahead. They try to counter off our mishandle and Jerram lights up their runner with a hit right out of the old days. Pancakes him. Instant deceleration, laid out on his back and a two minutes. A free shot on a hospital pass.
Hume gathers their deep kick and and weaves through their entire team for 70 meters with a patented display of tremendous pace and elusiveness for a spectacular try @ 37 mins. While this breakaway is unfolding, a frustrated Charlotte is getting chippy away from the ball, with one height-challenged guy going after 6'7" Lik. Jim seems little more than annoyed and waltzes with him shaking him like a rag doll. Fisher reprises his opening wake up conversion, 21-0 OB. Cheers, Todd. Ref gives them every opportunity in the dying minutes, with repeated penalties on us, culminating in a yellow for repeated fouls. Ian Elliott is on for Jerram and they have the extra man, but the period end with no further harm..
2nd Half
Ian and Malan spark us after the turnaround with fine open field tackles. Down a man, OB still puts Charlotte on the back foot with Hume and Wareing breaking their line. Rip slashes through arm tackles on the full, as he and Lik are being dangerous runners when in possession. Ben follows. We're pounding them. Hume lays up a kick that dies in goal for Rechtin to cover, his try is disallowed on a knock on but we earn a penalty on the advantage in front of the posts. Tis game s over, but looking for a fourth try, we opt instead for the penalty, Fisher KG 24-0 OB from 10 @ 8 mins. Looker comes on for Scott to perform for the pleasure of his parents, who have come in for the Dinner from the UK courtesy of the quiescence of that massive Icelandic volcano that grounded all air travel in Europe earlier.
We go right from split backline to Brazier on the sideline to the 20. Lik is everywhere, having burner and puts us inside the 5, and Ripley crashes. We chip to the corner and Malan times it perfectly to score, but is robbed outright by the referee, who calls him offside, in a reenactment of a pair of such calls a week earlier. (The TJ never moved his flag but also never advised the ref (who had his back to backline and could not possible have seen Malan's position, yet never consulted his TJ) and later has the temerity to tell Mike that he was indeed clearly onside (?!) So, we have the confession of the deaf, dumb and blind - such is the state of much of US rugby officiating.) So the bonus try goes begging, but not for long. they are penalized for their third front row infraction and Rip collapses their defense from a quick tap. The ruck slows and suddenly Ripley squirts out through a crack at the 5 and is by for the score and bonus point before they can even react, Fisher KG @ 18 mins, 31-0 OB.
Elliott alertly grubs their spilled ball inside the 20, where 3 OBs smash their FB, who earns a yellow for not releasing. We quick tap and Fisher dummies wide then slants inside to burst to the center from the 30, he converts 38-0 OB @ 21 mins. Now, with 38 unanswered OB points, the ref decides to help out the guests, binning us for a high tackle on a shirt tackle when the guy ducks under the tackle. They miss the kick - justice, but the ref gives them another shot, KG 38-7 OB @ 25 mins. With the extra man and a series of whistles, they quickly run in another, KG @ 31 mins 38-14 OB.
We come up with ball after restart and Brazier and Ripley punish them. We have 3 unmarked backs wide. Quick ball is in Hume's hands at the ten. He hesitates then lofts a soft low kick to the corner just outside the try line, where Fisher is actually waiting for the ball to descend. Pursuit can not get there in time. The ref dares not call this one offside, as Fisher gathers, sets against the hit, and pops a short pass to Fitz Adams coming on the burst to easily touch down in one stride in the corner, KNG @ in injury time to conclude the 6-try effort, 43-14 OB. Fine effort, boys! Play for the full 80 as you did vs AC for 60, and you will succeed in SF.
OB: Rechtin (T), Sadgrove (T), Hume (T), Ripley (T), Adams (T), Fisher (T, 5C, P).
Charlotte: 2T, 2C.
Postscipt: Supporters in the stands who joined the all of the old boys who had played earlier included Founders Wellington, Donelli & Smith, Dave Carey, Nelson, Carter Mann, Hagerty, Schwartz, Wittenberg, Holmes, Furey, Horan, BJ Weber.

OB B 32 White Plain A 12
1 Leonel, 2 Cohen, 3 Mayers (Alaska Smith), 4 Looker, 5 Orr, 6 Murray, 7 Murphy, 8 Hugh James, 9 Rizzo, 10 Shaorshadze, 11 Fullerton, 12 Armbrust, 13 Kemp 14 Budasoff, 15 Adams.
While many of the large reunion turnout in the stands had to rush off to change for the OBRF Dinner at 6:30PM, many of us missed a sterling and comprehensive 6-try win by the OB B side over White Plains, led by a pair of tries by both Fitzjames Adams and Luke Fullerton. Kudos to OB SL lock Jim Lik who joined Captain Domo Wareing as amongst the few who stayed to support the side. Thanks to OB SL #8 Eric Scott for the summary - as OB came alive after a scoreless first half, to explode for 32 points.
Scoring:
OB: Adams (2T), Fullerton (2T), James (T), Shaorshadze (T, C).
AC: 5T, 2C.

CURFC B 43 Recent CURFC Alumni 27
1 B Smith, 2 Brazier, 3 Amato (van Hoesen), 4 Lik (Cartwright ), 5 Sadgrove, 6 Elliott, 7 Clouston, 8 Ripley, 9 Oliver, 10 Fisher, 11 Rechtin, 12 Wareing, 13 Jerram, 14 Malan, 15 Hume. Reserves: Rizzo, Adams, Orr, Cohen.
The OBRFC, OBR Foundation and the CURFC are blessed with perfect weather, bright sunshine on a morning that will turn into a July afternoon soon enough. The CURFC meet their recent alumni with a kickoff that occurs 40 minutes late at 10:40AM. The Alumni actually were tied 10-10 at the half, but a shorthanded CURFC B side and coach and former OB SL lock Hayden James had to utilize several of their A side players, and an even match became a runaway for the undergrads.

OB Old Boys 29 CURFC A 5
Forwards: Eamon Doran, Matt McConnell, Aaron Ellison, Clinton Courtney, Adrian Scott, Fischbein, Ed Simpson, Glenn Gawronski, Brad Wilds, Yon Kaplan, Richie Luthman, Keith Forman, Hayden James. Backs: Psycho Murphy, Bob Schoff, Jon Martin, Sean Horan, Tim O'Neale, Joel Venables, Epeli Rokotuiveikau, Andy Brindle, Kirk Miller, Greg McAllister, Mike Toth, Rich Coppo. Other OBOB Present: Tommy Nolin, Mark Nowaczyk, Mark Porter.
As the Reunion, OB's 47th and CURFC's 49th, weekend approached and the annual celebratory match times were being scheduled, it was suggested in some quarters that the OB old boys not play a Columbia A side fresh over a successful tour to Paris & Milan, a trophy as the 4-Leaf Tournament Collegiate Division and lopsided win over Princeton. Better to play the CURFC Bs and let the younger CURFC Alumni take on the CURFC first side. Grateful for the advice, the OB graciously ignored the advice and answered with a statement of their own, as they raised their average roster age off the scale - as first generation OB &CCRFC ('69) wing Rich Coppo, pushing 64, foolishly joined the fray on the very pitch where he attended his first OB practice and played his first match in 1969, but was overjoyed to be in such company. The critics predicted that the undergrads would annihilate the creaking seniors.
With open substitutions the rule of the day, the Old Blue Old Boys (OBOB), representing many former SL stars, captains and presidents, Hall of Famers and SL leading scorers, attacked to the south goal to open in a match of 20-minute halves, and recent OB alum/ringer Jon Martin ( over from the UK for the weekend - Cheers, Jon!) promptly races into the right corner, KNG 5-0 OBOB. With a game plan to keep the ball tight amongst the forwards and avoid the wide game where youth and speed can threaten those aging legs, we are right back at them, but whiff a kick at midfield that rolls lazily toward touch, where a young CURFC wing gathers and dashes in for a try in the left corner, unable to center only because of the great effort of Eddie Simpson, who chases with the successful attempt to force the touch down away from center posts, KNG @ 8 mins 5-5.
Former OB SL #8 Yon Kaplan, out there at inside center , is conspicuously dominating play. We run through several phases before FH and former OB Captain and SL leading scorer Greg McAllister breaks left and offloads to flanker Eddie Simpson in support on the sideline, where he beats the defense to the corner and centers a try from 20 out @ 10 mins, McAllister KG 12-5 OBOB. Simpson, ever serious and ever competitive, dots down for his second try, KNG to make it 17-5 OBOB at 20 mins.
2nd Half
Early in the second half, Yon Kaplan is pushed over from 5 out in a 3-man maul after still another of his many line breaks, KNG 22-5 OBOB. And while the CURFC defense is able to hold against many OBOB breaks, the old boys are able to dominate possession and starve the kids for ball, with several probing runs by outstanding young All-Ivy flanker Derek Lipscomb the only significant threats, all of which are eventually smothered by old boys pursuit. OB 7s player Mike Toth breaks a tackle in close to close the scoring near the posts, Clinton Courtney's KG, 29-5 OBOB Final. 'Nuff said.
Scoring:
OBOB: Simpson (2T), Martin (T), Y Kaplan (T), Toth (T), McAllister (C), Courtney (C).
CURFC: T.
Postscript: Wonderful to see former 80s wing Tommy 'T' Nolin came up from FL, who supported from the sideline, as did hooker Mark 'Gerbil' Nowaczyk. 90/00s wing Joel 'Sick Herb' Venables came down from his rugby haunts in New Paltz and tried to get wing Coppo, clad in headgear, shoulder pads and sans mouthpiece, supporter or boots, a try with a long football spiral out to the sideline from a ruck at midfield as time ran down, but OC and current President Tim Neale got to it first and time expired. (Ed. Note: I am grateful for the privilege of taking the field, albeit in an old boys match, with Tim and all of the above great OBs with whom I had not prior had the opportunity to play. Thank you all. RC)
PPS: MIA: Most conspicuous by his absence was 90s stellar wing Jeffrey 'TryMaster' cum 'ShyMaster' Dumpson, who confirmed that he was in, that he was coming for sure and repeatedly replied that 'the check was in the mail' Stop. ...neither he nor the check has arrived to date. Stop. Jeff, we missed you! Stop. So many of us looked forward to seeing you once again. Stop. Please send money. Stop.
PPPS: A nod to OB hall of Fame lock Brad Wilds, moved to poetry in a moment of OB old boy emotion for the Reunion, for recollecting this quotation from the closing of Ulysses by Lord Tennyson, so apt to our collective OB rugby experience:
"We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven;
that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

CAMPBELL'S FRIDAY NITE COCKTAIL PARTY

HURLEY'S TAVERN

Campbell's Cocktail Party
Friday, April 30, 2010
Hurley's Tavern, NY, NY
Thank you Bill Campbell! Again Bill generously treated all to the tremendous evening of drinks and a first class buffet at Hurley's in the Times Square Theatre District. The tavern featured a newly expanded outdoor patio on the 2nd floor, and on a gorgeous evening, it was nearly impossible to pry all of the old boys away from it in their excitement at renewing acquaintances. Bill himself was unable to attend, but everyone had an extraordinary time. Everyone stopped for a moment to view the video of the Memorial to the late Bobby Yuhas that was brought by Bob Klingensmith from CA.
Klinger also brought poster sized photos of Bob Yuhas and his OB teammates, offering them for sale on both Friday and saturday nights as a tax deductible cost for th education fund for Bob's infant daughter Chiara.
Over 40 OBs attended, including Parker Bagley and daughter Stephanie, more lovely than ever, Bill Brothers, Spider Mills (from TX) and his cousin Sara, Jim Israel, Keith Forman, Ray Lancaster, Mark Reilly, Adrian Scott, Chuck Donigian, Fischbein, Greg McAllister, Tom Holmes, Hayden James, Ed Hagerty, Ed Malmstrom,Brian Jakeway, Jim Elting, Russ and Lori Isaac, Carter Mann and Elaine (from OR and back for the first time in many years!), Mike Iseman (from CO), Matt Walier, Klinger and Nancy (CA), Eric Sott, Founder Bill Smith, Gene Nelson, Steve Schwartz, Jim Strype, Hugo Levi and lady friend Barrie, Mike Shonstrom, Bob Hoder, Paulie Levinson, Richie Luthmann, Tim Neale, Jon Martin (from the UK!), Molly Cody, Mark Cooper, Joe Tuths & Eddie Lepak,
PS: Several Columbia alumni OBs attended the CURFC Social on Friday night at the Lions Head Tavern at 109th Street & Amsterdam Avenue for plenty of food and drink.

*************************

DID YOU BUY ONE OF THE YUHAS POSTER PICTURES FROM KLINGENSMITH?

Bob Klingensmith requested this note: If you are among those who gave me cash please let me know your name (I had nothing to write down names with) and I’ll send you some sort of letter that they can use for a taxable donation. For those that gave me their promise to send a check, ask them to make it out to the ‘Chiara Berman-Yuhas Educational Fund.’ That will ensure that they can count it for a tax donation. And, if anyone else wants to buy one of the photos, I can always make more.

*************************

NYC PSAL ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT OF RUGBY 7S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PLAY RUGBY USA

OB Eagle hooker and former Captain Mark Griffin reported to his PRUSA Board (see below) the partnership of PRUSA with the New York City Public School Athletic League the introduction of rugby into the city's high schools at long last.
Mark wrote to OB,
"This is a huge step forward in growing local talent in NYC and in just 5 years, I envision thousands of public high school students playing full on rugby, fed by PRUSA’s elementary and middle school flag programs and partnerships.
In terms of Old Blue’s involvement, there are of course tons of potential opportunities down the line. First however, I would like to establish an informal tie between one of the Borough-based Academies and Old Blue. I will discuss with Dom in the office tomorrow and we’ll pick the right one. Unfortunately, we were unable to get the program started at the HS in Harlem (which would have been ideal for Columbia fields), so the Manhattan Academy is downtown (LES) but Bronx also good. It would be great to see some spectators at some of the Friday Night Lights rugby tournaments we have lined up (dates below) and at the Mayor’s Cup, June 5th.
We may also be able to arrange a curtain raiser pre SL home match, or a PSAL visit to an Old Blue practice – again I’ll talk with Dom (Wareing, OB Captain and PRUSA coach) about this to see what’s feasible.
Note, this year’s pilot program is starting with 9th & 10th graders, so we can maintain continuity from Middle School. If successful it should be significantly expanded next year to other age grades and many new schools. We also intend to introduce 10’s and ultimately 15’s but have to take it one step at a time, as we’re instructing NYC public school teachers how to coach rugby, so 7’s is a easiest and safest place to start.

Official Report to the PRUSA Board:
Finally, our 10+ months working with the PSAL to introduce 7's has paid off. We have a pilot season officially launching with them in April, consisting of our mentoring program (we train and co-coach alongside the internal PSAL coaches). There will be 4 boys clubs and 4 girls clubs, rosters of approximately 25 per club, which may represent 8 - 16 teams (if they create A and B sides). The season will encompass 3 tournaments May 7, 21 and 28 with the Championship Matches being hosted as showcase games at the Mayor's Cup. Next year it could grow massively based upon the success of this
season.
In addition to providing a true development pathway for our students now from K - 12, this enables us to develop connection and communication directly with students and their parents. All students must complete their school based attendance and academic requirements, per PSAL guidelines to be eligible for selection. There are many other enrichment opportunities we may consider adding to this program down the line including either directly or through additional partnerships, including college prep, college application / placement assistance (rugby universities), academic / test prep assistance, etc. We can also ensure kids are viewed by national team selectors for a shot at the national teams and 2016 Olympics.
This is a really scaleable and replicable program both within NYC and then with other cities. The NYC PSAL is the largest and I believe oldest city-based sports league in the country. This partnership will also introduce the first true public school rugby league in the country.
We will be sending out a full press release with the PSAL after spring break once the pre-season training gets underway. I will coordinate with Joe and Cindy (copied above) on this. In the meantime, I encourage all to view the announcement on the PSAL website: http://www.psal.org
This partnership has huge potential for us, among other things the PSAL are working on a TV network deal to show their games. We need to start thinking about large scale corporate sponsorship opportunities for PRUSA and this initiative should help. Ideas welcome.

*************************

CURFC PLAYERS ON

IVY BARBARIANS (IVY ALL STARS)

COMPETE FOR NRU COLLEGIATE SELECTION

AIB 12 NERFU Selects 27
Thursday, April 15, 2010
MA Maritime Academy, Bourne, MA

In an historic inaugural All Ivy Barbarian match, CURFC players Derek Lipscomb, Conor Russomanno, Bobby McMahon and Paul Wallace started for the All Ivy Barbarian (AIB) all star side in a loss to the NERFU Collegiate All Stars. Lipscomb was honored with selection as the inaugural Ivy Barbarian's pack leader. CURFC wing Zack Bull and Paul Phillips subbed in.

2010 NRU CUP
Sunday, April 25, 2010
AIB 12 NYS 0
SUNY Campus, Albany, NY

The All Ivy Barbarians gathered at Dick Green Field, hosted by the Albany Knicks, in an historic assembly of Northeast Territorial Collegiate Select players, unique in that it will be the inaugural official competition for an Ivy Select side as a team separate from the three NRU LAU teams from Met NY, NY State and NERFU LAUs. CURFC players Lipscomb, Russomanno (starters) and McMahon & Wallace (reserves) made the 22-man AIB squad to compete for the NRU Cup.
Lipscomb was outstanding, scoring both AIB tries in a 12-0 shut out of the Upstate NY Collegiate Selects.
AIB 31 NERFU 7
Olof Matti, who played for the Met NY Selects earlier in the day, came on as a reserve at hooker in a blowout win over the NERFU Selects as the Ivy Barbarians in their inaugural NRU appearance swept the Cup.
THREE CURFC MEN MAKE NRU COLLEGIATE POOL!
As a result of their efforts, three Lions were invited to the NRU Collegiate pool tests, Lipscomb, Russomanno and Matti.

*************************

OB SL ROSTER vs LIFE

OB 8 Life 30
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Atlanta, GA
1 van Hoesen, 2 Brazier, 3 Amato, 4 Lik, 5 Sadgrove, 6 Cohen, 7 Clouston, 8 Ripley, 9 Oliver, 10 Fisher, 11 Rechtin, 12 Wareing, 13 Jerram, 14 Malan, 15 Hume. Reserves: B Smith, Cartwright, Adams, Orr, Kemp, Mayers, E Scott.
For the historical record, this is the roster that traveled to Life. Greg van Hoesen started at loosehead prop and unfortunately injured his neck and is recovering. Well well and back on the pitch soon, Greg!

PS: CURFC Defeats Columbia Med: Back in NYC, at the same time, CURC defeated Columbia Med RFC 19-7 in a match reffed by Lew Fischbein and in which OB Max Weber subbed for the CURFC.

*************************

SOCIAL NOTES

*In Memoriam: Former 70s OB flanker John Tarbell passed away on May 1, 2010, the very day we were celebrating our OBRF Reunion. An excerpt from a Death Notice that appeared in the NY Times (May 4,10) noted, "John Weatherbee Tarbell, Jr., 67, a former Wall Street financial advisor and investment banker who helped build the field of structured finance, passed away peacefully at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan on May 1, after battling cancer...In addition to his professional accomplishments, John was a life-long athlete. He was an avid runner and could often be found logging miles in Central Park. His daily running habit remained an unbroken streak for more than 26 years. John also played for the Old Blue Rugby Football Club (RFC) in his early years in New York and later coached and captained the Columbia Business School RFC." Please see: (http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes/obituary.aspx?n=john-tarbell&pid=142483205)

A NY Times Online Obituary (May 5, 10) noted that John was an investment banker who led Chemical Bank’s first leveraged buyout group, died on Saturday (May 1, 2010) in Manhattan. He was 67 and lived in Manhattan. William B Harrison, the former JPMorgan Chase chairman, called Mr. Tarbell one of the “most creative and talented individuals that I have encountered over my career." Our condolences to the Tarbell family. Rest in Peace, John.
*Condolences to the Carey Family: Former OB SL Captain Chris Carey and his parents sadly had to withdraw form the Dinner because of the tragic loss of his dear Aunt Tootsie, his father's eldest sister, who passed away unexpectedly the Sunday before the DInner Sunday. On behalf of the entire OB family, our deepest sympathies to Chris and his family.
*UK OB sees CURFCC play in Paris: OB D-I & 7s wing Jon Martin, back in the UK after Fall 09 for work, who also came back for the Dinner this year and played in the old boys win over the CURFC, traveled to Paris to visit his 7s OB 7s Coach Sean Horan and OB old boys BJ Weber and Hayden James (CURFC coach) in mid-March.
*Columbia Football Blog - Interview with SuperBlue: The Columbia football blog featured an interview with former 60/70s OB and CU Football standout and NFL prospect Roger Dennis. Roger responded to a 4-part exchange and mentioned OB and several OB teammates. To read it, please visit http://roarlions.blogspot.com/
*Former OB Captain Misses Dinner - At Charity Fundraiser : Former OB Captain Dom DeCicco and wife Dr Donna Pacicca were regretfully unable to attend the OBRF Dinner due to a conflict for a subject very close to their family and on a subject of Donna's research. Dom wrote, 'We are sorry to not make the dinner this year. We had a prior commitment to a JDRF fundraiser here in KC (foundation that raises money for juvenile diabetes research). We both had a great time last year, we will try to make it next year.'
*OB Hall of Famer & Foundation President Profiled: OBRF Hall of Fame flanker Ed 'Muscle' Malmstrom was profiled in his hometown Kane, PA newspaper, much of it for his continued philanthropy The link for the piece is:
http://www.kanerepublican.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=56939&Itemid=1&date=2009-05-01
*Donelli Shoulder Surgery: OB Founder & Board Chairman legendary scrumhalf Dick Donelli, a favorite of surgeons everywhere, who gets cut more often than most guys drink beer and has made many orthopaedic and cardiac specialists rich, had shoulder surgery last March 25th. He proceeded to return immediately to his dental practice, where he promptly ripped the joint out yanking on some poor soul's teeth in the chair. Brilliant.
*Cornbill too: Not to be outdone by 60s nemesis Donelli, former Eagles and OB coach Ray Cornbill had back surgery in late April but still made it to the OBRF Dinner.
*More Super Blue Surgery: Former OB prop and President Gary Heavner is recovering from complications after an extensive hernia surgery that he had just beefore the OBRF Dinner. Gary was going to attend in great discomfort though unable ot eat or drink, just so that we could have the help of his daughter Corinne, a loyal OB supporter and at just 14 the leading scorer for NYWRFC U-19s, could assist at the door at the Dinner. That's nuts: We found an alternative. Cheers, Gary!
*More Super Blue Injuries Skubis: Former OB 90s SL Prop Shane Skubis, suffered a serious concussion and 7 broken ribs from a motorcycle accident that left him unable to fly and attend the Dinner. He was unable sleep lying down, (sleeping in a chair) and the pressure on the flights creates tremendous pain. Please get well soon, Shane!
*Play Rugby CA, Inc: Mark Griffin's Play Rugby kicked off its West Coast version the first week of April: Mark wrote:
From the other coast - LA program off to a great start this week, 6 charter schools, likely 180+ kids. 7 board members identified and committed -really awesome group, 2 with fantastic fundraising experience and track record. Will try to get some of them over here for the Mayor's Cup.
*OB CA Hall of Famer Joins Play Rugby CA Board: Mark Griffin announced that 2010 Hall of Famer Bob Klingensmith joined PRUSA CA INc's Board: PRUSA’s new L.A. program also has some informal Old Blue connection, as former OB – Bob Klingensmith has agreed to join “Play Rugby CA, Inc’s” board – which will be meeting for the first time next month (May). LA and the Bay area are equally huge opportunities for Play Rugby USA as we continue to expand our program and reach more kids in need of rugby!
*Delaney Coaching Football On Cape Cod: Former OB 70s center and CU Quarterback Mike Delaney is coaching his Barnstable HS alma Mater on Cape Cod around working as a special education Assistant with children with Apserberger's Syndrome, an Autism disorder. Mike finished the season by defeating traditional rival Falmouth on Thanksgiving Day 52-24 to tie the 100 yr old rivalry 57-57-8, particularly satisfying because he never did so as an outstanding player when so many years ago. His Red Raiders finished with a share of th eOld Colonial League title as the hottest team in the state, losing out of the playoffs on a coin flip tiebreaker.
*Donohue's Stellar Athletic Offspring: Former OB Captain flanker Bobby Donohue and Mairead's, of Los Gatos, CA (hotbed of US volleyball) many children are all outstanding athletes and several were volleyball stars - who went to the same elementary & HS as US Olympic Gold Medalist Beach Volleyball's Kerri Walsh and played with her sisters : Sheena, was a 4-yr starter on Princeton's Volleyball team and as a Sr this year was co-captain and a 1st team All Ivy. Her boyfriend was Princeton's 6'4" 230 lb All Ivy #8 two years ago.
(Please visit for a profile on Sheena): http://www.goprincetontigers.com/SportSelect.dbml&DB_OEM_ID=10600&SPID=4230&SPSID=46544
Allison played for Rice and was Cornell Law and worked for Dewey LeBoeuf in NYC. Michaela was captain of Lafayette, All Patriot Legue 3 yrs and attends Villanova B School nights. Son Mark captained Hamilton's soccer team; and daughter Jennifer played soccer at RIT and was in NY State HS 50 & 100 sprint Finals. All obviously got daddy's genes and OBRFC athletic prowess.
*Muz' Son to Columbia Track: Former 70s OB hard hitting flanker Bob Muzikowski (CC -79), founder of a Chicago inner city charter school, confirmed that son Bo will attend mother Columbia next year: Bo Muzikowski, Sr. at Chicago Hope Academy, born and raised inner city Chicago, (You gotta be fast) runs x-country and the 2 mile, All State in IL.
*Weggler's Girls Reach Women's D-II Final Four: Former OB flanker Bobby Weggler, coach of Norwich University Rugby reached the 2010 D-II Women's Semifinal falling in a close match 5-15 to eventual D-II champs Washington State, who annihilated Temple in the final 37-0. They played on April 30th at Stanford U and kept Bob from attending the Dinner. Congrats to you & your girls, Bob!
*Mike Neal In Tennessee: Former OB star wing and CCRFC #10 Mike Neal (CC'77) and wife Dale are still in Murfreesboro, TN. Daughter Megan Lee graduated from UT Knoxville, married David Whitson and works in Atlanta, GA for Ely Media. So Sean is a frosh at UT KNoxville and President of his ATO Fraternity. Daughter Kelly is at Middle Tennessee State (I think - cannot read my own scribbling)
*CCRFC/OB Flanker Gerry Keating Judge & FSU Hall: Former CCRFC and OB flanker Gerry Keating (CC'75) is one of six in the final pool of nominees of the Governor of Florida for a vacancy as a Judge. He will be in NYC in June for his 35th Reunion. Gerry, a Founders of the Dayton Beach Coconuts RFC, was recently inducted into the FSU RFC Hall of Fame. He played for them while in Law Schoo (78-81) and was FSU RFC MVP '80 & 81. (See fsurugby.org for details)
*OBs in Shanghai 7s: Last fall.winter OB XVs & 7s wing Mike Malan was in China with his girlfriend and played in the Shanghai 7s Social Division with fellow OB Tim Sharpe for the Shanghai Hairy Crabs. Current OB 18-yr old SL #9 Mike Oliver was also a the event playing with the Shanghai Lemurs. Small world...
*OB Kemp to Med School: OB SL/D-I wing & former CURFC #9 Phil Kemp is returning home to St Louis, MO to attend medical school at Washington University. Both his physician father and nurse mother work there. Thank you Phil. Get back here soon!
*OB Makes Philippines National Team: OB flanker Ron Fong has been tapped for his national team: OB Captain Dom Wareing offers, 'Congratulations to Old Blue player and Play Rugby USA part time coach Ronald Fong on making the Philippine National Rugby Team! Ronald has been training with Old Blue for the last couple of seasons and is a nuggety back row player. We wish you all the best in helping the PNRT win the Asian 5 Nations D-II title in 2010!
*CURFC's All Ivy Choices: CURFC Senior Derek Lipscomb, a psych major looking forward to grad school at Columbia or NYU, was the sole non-HArvard/Dartmouth player selected to the Fall'09 All Ivy 1st XV. It is his second time so honored. FB Conor Russomanno and #8 Bobby McMahon were tapped for 2nd Team All Ivy. Columbia's Honorable Mentions included wings Zack Bull & Kudzanayi Dzvairo, flanker Greg Fontela, lock Tyler Halpin-Healy, flyhalf Minsoo Lee and center Paul Wallace. Congratulations to all!
*6 CURFC Men Make Met NY Collegiates: Lipscomb, Russomanno, McMahon, Bull, Wallace and Olof Matti made the Met NY All Star Collegiate side.
*CURFC Players Invited To Ivy Barbarian All Stars: An all star pool of Ivy League ruggers is being assembled to compete against LAU and Territorial select collegiate sides in order as a pathway to NRU Collegiate and US All American selection.

NRU College All-Stars Warm Up v. Old Blue

Baker Field, New York City - As part of its preparation for the National Collegiate All Star Championship (June 11-13, Glendale, Colo.) the Northeast RFU Collegiate All-Stars took the field for the first time in a trial match against an Old Blue DI side that featured several Super League players.
The Northeast dropped a 49-29 decision to Old Blue.

First Half
With a very strong wind at their backs, Old Blue posted 32 unanswered first-half points before the newly-formed Collegians got on the board with a try by Trevor Cassidy in the 39th minute.
Old Blue’s first half scoring came on tries from Jim Lik, Calder Orr, Larry Budasoff, Mike Murphy and two by John Hoehmann. Only one was converted to make the score 32-5 at the break.

Second Half
A try by Columbia’s Derek Lipscomb initiated the Collegiate comeback. Alan Page (Castleton State) converted Lipscomb’s try and then added one of his own in the 16th minute bringing the tally to 32-17.

A try by Old Blue flyhalf Mike Oliver (37-17) in the 20th minute disrupted the NRU comeback but there was no quit in the Collegians as a long, multi-pass movement ended with a try by Franco DeLisa (Syracuse) (37-22) in the 28th minute

With Old Blue’s lead down to fifteen points the game was put out of reach when Oliver scored his second and third tries in the 31st and 35th minutes, self-converting the latter, 49-22.

Down but not out, the Northeast Collegians would have the final word when a nice run by wing Maurice Diong (New York RFC) resulted in a try that fullback Jasper Wilson (Stony Brook) converted, bringing the final score to 49-29.

Starting Lineup
Northeast RFU Collegiates
1 Frielander Stony Brook
2 Matti Columbia
3 Wachter New Haven
4 Cassidy New York RFC
5 Shriver Yale
6 Lipscomb Columbia
7 Kozak Stony Brook
8 Mc Mahon Columbia
9 Reed Massachusetts
10 Rosa Southern Connecticut
11 Raehle Buffalo
12 Garcia Sacred Heart
13 Vota Boston RFC
14 McCorkle Hobart
15 Russamano Columbia

OB 45 Charlotte 14

May 1, 2010, Baker Field, New York, NY - Old Blue leveled its season record at 3-3 and qualified for a spot in the Super League playoffs with a 45-14 win over the visiting Charlotte RFC, whose record declined to 1-5.

After some initial resistance on Charlotte’s part, the first half was all Old Blue. Old Blue opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a corner try by wing Elliot Rechtin. Four minutes later lock Ben Sadgrove went 40 meters for Old Blue’s second try. Fullback Luke Hume got the third in the 36th minute when he finished off an Old Blue movement that started at mid field. Flyhalf Todd Fisher converted all three, giving Old Blue a 21-0 halftime lead.

Old Blue’s scoring parade continued after intermission when fullback Luke Hume kicked a penalty (24-0) in the seventh minute and then converted a try by flanker Justin Ripley in the 18th (31-0).

A try and conversion by fly half Todd Fisher in the 26th minute increased Old Blue’s shutout to 38-0. Charlotte then came to life, resulting in converted tries from scrumhalf Dutch Jones and number eight Jack Lange in the 30th and 38th minutes, 38-14. Old Blue, however, would have the last word when Fitzjames Adams touched down in the 40th minute and the conversion was added, 45-14.

SL: OB 8 LIFE 30

OB 8 Life 30

Saturday, April 24, 2010

Atlanta, GA

1 van Hoesen, 2 Brazier, 3 Amato, 4 Sadgrove, 5 Lik, 6 Cohen , 7 Clouston, 8 Ripley 9 Oliver, 10 Fisher, 11 Rechtin, 12 Wareing, 13 Jerram, 14 Malan, 15 Hume. Reserves: B Smith, Cartwright, Orr, Kemp, Adams, Mayers, E Scott.
OB traveled to Atlanta, Ga to face undefeated Life in bad weather and jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead against the host 2009 SL Finalists on a Todd fisher penalty goal and a try from OC Tony Jerram. But a lightening storm halted play for nearly an hour; and when paly resumed the OB momentum was lost, as Life went to the turnaround up 13-8.

2nd Half
Life went on to score 17 unanswered second half points to conclude a string of 27 points in a row to win handily 30-8, earning a bonus point for four tries.
As a result of PAC's 24-8 win over the Wolfhounds, they move ahead of OB in to fourth place based upon points differential. PAc must face third place Boston in MA as the underdog, while OB looks to earn a victory over Charlotte this weekend on the Reunion Weekend to overtake PAC.
OB: Jerram (T), Fisher (P).
Life: 4T, 2P, 2C.

Saturday 1st May - home coming/club dinner weekend

We look forward to seeing everyone at Baker Field on Saturday. There will be four fixtures as follows:
10.00am CURFC Alumni vs CURFC B
11.30am Super Blue Legends vs CURFC A
1.30pm Old Blue 1st XV vs Charlotte
3.00pm Old Bue 2nd XV vs White Plains

OB SL 18 BOSTON IRISH 16

OB B LOSES TO BI B

SATURDAY, APRIL 10, 2010

* The facts, such as they are, was provided by OBs Dom Wareing, VDC and Richie Luthmann.

OB 18 Boston Irish Wolfhounds 16
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Canton, MA
1 B Smith, 2 Brazier, 3 Amato (van Hoesen), 4 Sadgrove, 5 Lik, 6 Ripley , 7 Clouston, 8 E Scott (Looker) 9 Oliver, 10 Fisher, 11 Shaorshadze , 12 Elliott, 13 Jerram, 14 Malan (Hume), 15 Rechtin. Reserves: van Hoesen, Hume, Rizzo, Cohen, Looker,M Murphy, Armbrust.

OB was on the road again in Week 4 of the 2010 SL, in their third match, coming off an away win over PAC. The match started with Captain Dom Wareing (Levan Shaorshadze started onwing in his palce, with Mike Malan the other wing and Elliot Rechtin the FB) and fullback Luke Hume on the sidelines dinged up. Flyhalf Todd Fisher opened the scoring on a neat drop goal early, 3-0 OB. Rechtin just missed a try, and a pair of Irish penalty kicks and an unconverted try left us trailing at the half, 3-11 BIW.

2nd Half
Hume came on at wing for Malan and got us back in it with a try from about 10 meters out, Fisher KG, 10-11 BIW. #8 Eric Scott went off with an akle injury. With our main jumper out, the Wolfhounds answered after their long kick put OB on their own 5, which they took on our over throw to fall in goal at the back of the lineout, KNG, 10-16 BIW. WIth time waning down, OB applied pressure and following several pick and go rucks on goal line Greg van Hoesen, in the front row this week, scored his first OB SL try in far left corner running through 5 meters of defenders. Congratulations, Greg, on the first of many to come! Difficult sideline kick NG, 15-16 BIW. Down one! Much kudos to the OB pack, who had won a scrum against the head just inside the Irish 22 to start the sequence that led to Greg's try. Justin Riley had picked up at #8, ball was recycled back and Greg made some hard yards to finish. OB frantically pounded on the Wolfhounds inside their 22. The Irish then infringed in the ruck to the right of the posts in injury time and OB down by one. Todd Fisher then kicked the penalty goal glancing off the post went through to give OB its first lead since his opening drop goal, 18-16 OB. A swarming OB defense then held off any comeback and OB had a win in the style of the best OB tradition of a full 80 minutes: never quitting come from behind rally in their house to earn the victory. Now for the filthy AC

Scoring:
OB: Hume (T), van Hoesen (T), Fisher (DG, P, C).
BIW: 2T, 2P.

OB's 5 TRIES ON THE ROAD SINKS PAC

NOW 1-1 IN 2010 SUPER LEAGUE PLAY

AS OB SWEEPS TWO IN D.C.

OB 30 PAC 12

OB B 17 PAC B 15

OB rebounded from their Week 1 home shutout loss in near hurricane conditions (in a match that probably should have been postponed) with a 30-12 victory on the road over PAC. With their 5-try effort, the OB earned a bonus point (for 4 or more tries), while PAC remains winless at 0-2, but with an Easter makeup home game hosting 1-1 Charlotte. Should PAC earn their first SL win of the season, it will leave OB alone 3 pts behind Boston with a game in hand.
OB SL Off Easter April 3rd Weekend - OB B vs Bayonne at Baker
In an abbreviated 6-match regular season, those bonus points become even more magnified; and each win more vital. OB travels to 0-3 Boston Irish on April 10th. They then host 2-0 NYAC before traveling to Blue Conference top dog Life for a third consecutive weekend of SL rugby, closing out at home for the Foundation reunion May 1st weekend versus Charlotte. (As a footnote to SL Red Conference play, Old Puget sound surprises early to challenge 2009 SL champion SFGG at 2-0. Perhaps bigger surprise is the bottom of the table: joining an unfortunate 0-3 Dallas are the Chicago Lions and OMBAC, both at 0-2!

The OB B side prevailed over PAC's Bs 17-15 in a tight match.

Thanks to Richie Luthmann, Rob Mayers, the injured VDC and Lew Fischbein for the rosters & brief summaries that follow.
OB 30 PAC 12 Saturday, March 27, 2010
Georgetown Prep, Washington, DC
1 Amato (van Hoesen), 2 Brazier, 3 B Smith, 4 Sadgrove (Cartwright), 5 Lik, 6 Ripley , 7 Clouston, 8 E Scott 9 Oliver, 10 Fisher, 11 Rechtin , 12 Elliott, 13 Jerram, 14 Wareing (Malan), 15 Hume. Reserves: Adams, Rizzo, Cohen, Looker.
After a SL Bye weekend last week, the OBRFC traveled ot the nation's capital to play PAC on the grounds of Georgetown Prep. They wasted no time in erasing the memory of their opening day setback, as #15 Luke Hume opened the scoring, 5-0 OB. This was followed by a penalty goal from #10 Todd Fisher 8-0 OB. Former Columbia U RFC standout Brian "Alaska' Smith, now found at SL prop on OB, crashed over for another unconverted try at 30 minutes to give OB a 13-0 lead at the half.
2nd Half
After the turnaround, OB answered a pair of PAC tries with three of their own to keep the host team under wraps and close out an 18-pt victory to even their record to 1-1. Wing and OB 7s standout Elliot Rechtin tallied the next try for OB, and hooker Will Brazier's try assured OB of the bonus point. Hume, who had a big match from the fullback position, closed out the scoring with his second try of the match center posts to make it all academic. Lock Ben Sadgrove and #8 Justin Ripley had strong games in the loose, with Ben and fellow lock Jim Lik conspicuous in defense with numerous big hits. Rip also was strong in the attack, with repeated breaks for long runs. The OB halfbacks, #9 young Mike Oliver, and #10 Fisher also played very well.
Scoring: OB: Hume (2T), B Smith (T), Rechtin (T), Brazier (T), Fisher (P, C).
PAC: 2T, C.
Scoring: OB B 17 PAC B 15

*************************

OBRF ANNUAL HALL OF FAME DINNER SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010
PLEASE SEND IN YOUR REPLY CARDS OR EMAIL A REPLY TO THIS NEWSLETTER EMAIL OR TO ME DIRECTLY (I GET BOTH)
THIS COMING WEEKEND IS THE DEADLINE FOR DISCOUNTED TICKETS AS NOTED IN THE INVITATIONS AND EMAIL DETAILS:
OLD BOYS/GUESTS $185 (vs $210) PLAYERS/COACHES $125 (vs $150)

Rich Coppo: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

*************************

COLUMBIA GOES 4-0: FOUR-LEAF TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS! MEN'S UNIVERSITY DIVISION: FINAL: CURFC 32 PRINCETON 8

Saturday, March 27, 2010
Wards Island, NY, NY
Fresh off their return from a highly positive 3-3-1 European Tour, Columbia's men's rugby team swept through 3 preliminary matches to a University Division final against Ivy foe Princeton, and defeated the Tigers 32-8 after running out to a 25-3 halftime lead that pretty much settled things in the first 40 minutes of the Village Lions 4-Leaf Tournament. Postscript: Former SL flanker Mike Matkovic won the Old Boys Division with the White Plains Old Boys over the Classic NYAC, with former OB flanker/#8 Ed O'Reilly.

The following writeup is thanks to Lew Fischbein: Over spring break, Columbia University RFC toured Paris, France and Milan, Italy with some 40 players (over half underclassmen) and three coaches, and went 3-3-1 against local University sides. Building strongly on that experience, Columbia used a dominating defense, speedy backline and depth at the skill positions to capture the University Division Championship of the Village Lions 2010 Four Leaf Tournament. Columbia outscored their opponents 81-15 on a sunny but cold day on the artificial turf fields at Wards Island off the East River between Queens and Manhattan. All games were 40 minutes in length, including the final.
CURFC 19 Seton Hall 7
CURFC 27 Marist 0
CURFC 3 Clarion (PA) 0
After capturing their bracket with 19-7 and 27-0 victories over Met Union rivals Seton Hall University and Marist College, Columbia faced a much bigger Clarion University from Western Pennsylvania in one semi-final and made a 3-0 halftime lead stand up at the final whistle.
In the other semifinal, Princeton University defeated New Jersey rival William Paterson University 6-5 on penalty kicks in a sudden death shoot-out after a scoreless overtime, with Columbia cheering the Tigers on in the hope of facing Princeton in the final and avenging a narrow away loss in the fall during Ivy League conference play.

Men's University Division Championship
CURFC 32 Princeton 8

Granted their wish, Columbia raced to a 10-0 lead against the Tigers five minutes into the final on the strength of a senior flyhalf Luis Garcia penalty kick and a Garcia-converted penalty try when a 40 meter sprint up the left sideline by junior fullback, club president and former Columbia football wide receiver Conor Russomanno was interrupted just short of the try line by a Princeton high tackle. Columbia then blew out their stunned Ivy rivals on the strength of twin 60 meter tries up the right and left sidelines, respectively, by sophomore wing and former Columbia track sprinter Kudzanayi "Special K" Dzvairo of Zimbabwe and senior wing and fellow former Columbia sprinter Zach Bull, sandwiched around a Garcia penalty kick, which propelled the Lions' lead to 25-3 at halftime, as Garcia also converted the try by "Special K."
Princeton had barely crossed the halfway line in the first half, as the Lions' maurading backrow of juniors and former Columbia football players Derrick Lipscomb and Greg Fontela, and sophomore number 8 Bobby McMahon from El Paso, Texas (where he was coached by former U.S. Eagle Doug Park), poached ball repeatedly and bolted through the Tigers when the Lions' back three were not running around them.
2nd Half
Columbia put the game away in the first five minutes of the second half when sophomore lock Tom Timberlake crashed over the try line off a forward drive and Garcia converted for a 32-3 lead. However, the Tigers woke up after a deep slumber and put together several phases with their big forward pack to send their left winger over for a try near the death, as both teams used their reserves liberally in the last 10 minutes. CURFC 32-8.
Scoring:
CURFC: Dzvairo (T), Bull (T), Timberlake (T), Penalty Try, Garcia (2PK, 3C).
PRicneton: T, PK.
Alumni & OB Supporters: With over half-dozen alumni and former long-time Columbia Rugby head coach Mark Porter in proud attendance, Columbia posed for several team and club pictures under the posts. Columbia is coached by head coach and longtime Old Blue lock Hayden James, and assistant coaches and Old Blue alumni Sean Horan and B J Weber and Australian Leo Purtill, whose daughter attends Columbia.

FUND RAISER FOR CRITICALLY

INJURED RUGBY PLAYER & FATHER

In February of 2010 Michael Jones was critically injured while playing in a tournament in Florida. Mike is paralyzed from the neck - down and remains hospitalized on a breathing machine. The challenges facing Mike, his wife Lisa and daughter Liliana are tremendous and as a result they need your help.

What: FUND RAISER FOR MICHAEL JONES
When: April 10th from 7 - 10pm
Where: The Australian / 20 West 38th St - NYC / Located between 5th and 6th Ave
Price: $ 40 (3 hr Open Bar!)

For further information or to make a donation please visit:
www.michaeljonestrust.org