EAST MIDS EXCHANGE IN PROGRESS
Rich Boyer, Jordan Bruno and James Hinkin are with our friends in the East Midlands all this week. While you are at your desk this week, think of what it could be like for you right now – add eight hours and imagine what they are doing.
Whatever it is, it beats working. We’ll look forward to reading their reports.
RUGBY PLAYERS NEED REFS
These folks depend on us in order to get the most out of their rugby experience. And of course we depend on them for precisely the same reason. Please let us know if you can referee any or all of these events:
Saturday, September 29:
St. Mary’s Sevens – eight college teams
Two women’s league games
Saturday, October 6
Three alumni games at Chico State
Two women’s league games
Sunday, October 7
All Blues - New York game needs ARs
Two alumni games at Stanford need refs
Friday-Saturday, October 12-13
Fiji Day Sevens on Mare Island in Vallejo
Saturday, Oct. 13
Stanford men's Sevens from 9 - 5
Three-team round-robin at UOP from 10 - 2
Saturday, Oct. 20
Donkeyfest in Ukiah
Men’s Slugfest at UC Santa Cruz
Sunday, Oct. 21
Stanford-Cal women's sevens - six games or so
GAME SEPTEMBER 15
SF Fog Women 0 –BELMONT SHORE 15 Referee: James Hinkin
ARs: David Newport, Eric Rauscher
My last tune up before the England Exchange saw SF Fog Women v Belmont on a postcard day at Treasure Island. Leaving the Hinkin Castle 2 hours before game time seemed like a good plan to relax a bit before the match and all seemed well until Hayward... until a massive accident on 880 closed 3 of 4 lanes. Traffic stopped. What to do? As soon as I could I turned back and took 92 across the bay and motored up the peninsula side but the damage was done. I arrived at TI about 30 min before game time to find... a wine tasting expo, a wedding and a dragon boat race in progress forcing traffic in all directions and blocking off most of the familiar pathways. Finally getting to the field 15 min before noon (match time) I was happy to see 2 ARs and both teams ready to go.
A quick talk and apologies to the captains later we were underway. The Fog were ill disciplined early and gave up a few quick penalties that Belmont capitalized on to score an early try. After that the game settled into a pattern of hard rugby and solid phases capped by a lack of finishing. 5-0 at half.
The second half was a repeat of the end of the first half with lots of active yet futile rugby. Belmont had a couple of brave goal line stands that kept the Fog out by the slimmest of margins. Eventually the Fog’s lack of releasing and rolling away in the tackle saw a team yellow and the tourists turned the one lady advantage into a score. The Fog hit back and put a mountain of pressure on that resulted in a 5 meter lineout that was stolen by Belmont. The clearing attempt was charged down and pounced on by the alert Fog flanker... about 6 inches over the dead ball line. The lady advantage in the resulting scrum was too much and Belmont stole the scrum and cleared their line. Belmont added a late try to make the final score 15-0.
A fine run on a great day. Many thanks to both ARs who helped tremendously – including when both teams attempted to sub in all of their backs and were surprised to find out I wouldn’t let them and that front row subs must be front row subs. Timely backup by Eric the Wizard was appreciated.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
Sunny Day and Roy Riegels
NORCAL TRIPLE THREAT 32 – Belmont Shore 17 Referee: Rich Boyer
The game of Belmont Shore women v. Nor Cal Triple Threat began at an electric pace, with Belmont Shore drawing first blood after great back play. I find it interesting how the women very rarely hold the ball too long seeking the extra yard, instead preferring to let the ball do the work.
Both teams focused on strong forward play, setting a few rucks then spinning to the backs. Numerous times both teams had overlaps but the defenses were quick enough to cover. The new scrum cadence was well received.
Triple Threat's eight became very prominent at the breakdown and off the base of scrums as the game wore on. She must have poached a dozen balls. After the game her coach informed me she is the Women's Eagles hooker.
Belmont initially looked to have the advantage in the backs due to strong incisive running by #13. But she couldn't quite get free on many occasions to link up with her wings, such was Triple Threat's rush defense.
Triple Threat scored the next three tries, both converted by #13, Erica, as well as a difficult penalty kick. Two of the tries went to #11, a very fast wing who took advantage of overlaps. 24-7 Triple Threat at halftime.
In the second half Belmont's workhorse #8 tried to offset her Triple Threat counterpart and poached a number of balls herself. But Triple Threat continued in waves and wore down Belmont, who had played a full game v. Fog the previous day. Belmont's 8 was rewarded after numerous successful picks and drives with a strong rush for a try.
Triple Threat capped off the scoring with another penalty kick and a very strong try by the prop running at pace near a ruck near the try line, carrying three players with her in goal.
Final score 32-17, Triple Threat.
Are the readers familiar with Roy Riegels? He played football at my alma mater, Cal, and in the Rose Bowl as a lineman scooped up a fumble and rambled 70+ yards the wrong way until he was finally tackled by his teammate at the one yard line. Well, an Amazon player, new to the game, did the same on Sat. She ran for 20+ yards, encouraged by the opposition then, realizing her mistake, threw what she thought was a backwards pass that was actually a forward pass. This was a new development for me after 32 years in rugby.
SEPTEMBER 22 AND 23
No games that we know of took place.
ANNUAL REGISTRATION WITH USA RUGBY DUE NOW
It is time to register with USA Rugby for 2013. Old registrations expire on August 31.
https://membership.usarugby.org/default.aspx
You need to register here. Your 'club' is the NCRRS. Print out the waiver, sign it, and mail it along with $10 dues to:
Jim Crenshaw
c/o Delta Supply
1248 East Oak Avenue, #D
Woodland, CA 95776
Then you'll be current with NCRRS and USA Rugby for the coming twelvemonth.
NCRRS AGM AND FIRST 2013 TRAINING MEETING
REO Preston Gordon has announced that our first meeting for the 2012/13 seasons will be on Saturday, November 17 at the SFGG clubhouse on Treasure Island.
Ed Todd will be a guest speaker, and the ever-popular Coaches’ Panel will also be featured.
Mark your calendars now, starting at either 9 or 10.
BEGINNING REFEREE COURSES ANNOUNCED
We will be hosting Level One match officiating courses at the following dates and places. Spread the word!
Sunday, October 7 in Dixon
Sunday, November 4, in Moraga
Sunday, December 2, in San Jose
Registration is available at www.USARugby.org, click on Officiate the Game.
THIS WEEK’S PHOTO
Last Saturday the Pelican’s Nest in Salinas hosted a luau, with a number of the flock driving down from the Bay Area to eat Spam musube and watch the Thunderbirds fly overhead! (It was the Salinas California Airshow weekend.)
The Big Kahuna graced us with his presence.
HAIL, PELICUS!
For the Senate
Pelicus Scriptoris
