Cardinal Rugby
goes to Fort Lauderdale 2009
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Fort Lauderale Ruggerfest 2009 was fine success for the Cardinals. All four sides enjoyed at least finalist honors. The 50's won the whole thing. Champions. Magnificent effort. We can all be proud. We are the only master side in the Nation that can travel with four sides and enjoy our level of success. Feel good, my band of brothers.
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 Vinnie Schoenig up for the ball,Mick Christ lifts
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The Cardinals contingent had teams in the 35+, 45+ 50+ and 55+ tournament brackets.
The tournament started for the Cardinals with the 35’s going against the Florida team Babalaas, a strong South African expatriate side. The match started as a see-saw affair with Pat Moran and Rob Christian doing their best to clear pressure. Unfortunately, the Babalaas forced most of the action deep in Cardinals territory. However stiff defense limited the opposition’s scoring and some nice movement off prop Jason Wood’s bursts in the loose began to make a difference. Lance Vesely had some great runs enabling two trys and the Cardinals won the match with breathing room in the second half. The 45’s opened against the Wild Geese from the metropolitan area of Washington D.C. This team showed their strength of playing together and gave the 45’s stiff competition to start their tournament. Cardinals forwards played tough in set pieces and line-outs with new-comers Vince Schoenig and John Fenn standing out. Bill Hayward was excellent controlling field position with his kicking while the backline had to work hard against quality pressure. The overloads came and the team delivered a comfortable margin by the whistle. It was great to see George Fiscella back in the backfield again. The 50’s then met the host Silver Knights from Fort Lauderdale . Cardinals’ depth provided great pace in this match. The connection in the backline between Mike Puopolo and Pedro Wildenburg opened things up for the backline to score several trys involving multiple players to deliver another solid victory.
In round two, the 35’s faced the Boston Irish Wolfhounds whom also had a team in the open division. This contest got away from the Wolfhounds in the first half when the Cardinals pack seemed to want to avenge a modest performance in their first match. Joe Freeman was virtually unstoppable setting up a couple of trys and scoring two on his own. Super Dave Strohman was a standout at flanker in supporting the backline against their key scrumhalf-flyhalf link-up. Lance Vesely again broke some fantastic runs covering large lengths (and widths) of the field. The Wolfhounds kept the pressure up throughout the game and at times frustrated the Cardinals with great play in the loose, but in the end the hard play of the entire team made this victory possible. The 45’s then defeated Niagra in their second match with more solid play by the forwards, particularly in the loose, and heads up running by the backline. The concurrent 55+ match had the Cardinals working hard to come up with 15 players to face a deeper Florida side. It showed. Although they weren’t shut out, the spread was wide with Florida winning somewhat easily. The remaining match for the 50’s with Florida was put off until Sunday, as that was the scheduled match on Sunday anyway.
On Sunday we had three teams in the finals. The 50’s played first and came away with the Championship against Florida 12-7. Both sides were deep yet had great difficulty playing in a 20 mile plus cross-wind. At the start the wind created a lot of havoc, so defense became critical. Thankfully, after the first 15 minutes, better ball control by the Cardinals produced two trys and the victory. A few more of the big guys got into the scoring action. Forwards Bill Brownley, Tim Largin and Todd Musick dotted one down in tournament. The 45’s and 35’s played their finals simultaneously yet at other ends of the venue. The 35’s lost in double digits to Team Chiropractic, a combined Life and Palmer side. Life had the largest contingent at the tournament; winning the 35’s, the Open division and the Premier Division (beating OMBAC by close to twenty points). The 45’s went up 12-0 against Canada ’s Myths & Legends, a re-match of last years final, before being overtaken and then overcome by two trys starting from stoppages near our goal-line. No one ever predicted it would be easy for any of the squads, and this wrap-out doesn’t begin to cover some of the super commitments on and off the field. Special thanks to Mark Van Trees for bringing two Marine Corps tents and water bottles for the tournament.
Three finals and a Championship in one of the country’s premier tournaments helped buoy our off-field activities. John L. Sullivan’s Irish Bar in Pompano Beach ended up as our unofficial home base. With excellent food, Guinness on tap, live entertainment and live 6-Nations, it was hard to beat. The bar was alive with Cardinals Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. There was another great cook-out at the Kalahari on Saturday night, but with Sullivan’s across Route 1 from where many were staying, the night-caps started early. John Carr organized a great party at Sullivan’s on Sunday night, while Rob Greenough tormented as many of his mates as possible with his repeat version of a Kangaroo Court. It was all in fun and helped create some memories if not hangovers.
Brian Vizzard,John Carr,Terry Whelan
The weather was almost perfect all weekend, yet it never topped the unbridled joy of spending a long weekend with super teammates and a wonderful extended rugby family.
I too, want to thank everyone for letting me tour with your team....Had a great time and look forward to the next one. Rich, get me on the email list for your tour with Boulder....Always interested in traveling...Thanks again everyone.
Superdave from California... In a message dated 3/4/2009 6:41:00 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, rgetzkorn@yahoo.com writes: Gents, great fun! Thanks again for letting me get a run in with the Cards.
I neglected to make a couple of serious Rugby related announcements at one of the functions:
1. We need to get a handful of us to join up with Super Dave and Doc from the Huntington Beach Unicorns for Catalina Island the 1st weekend in May...who's in?!?
2. I am planning a tour with the Boulder Rugby guys to the Spanish Mediterranean (probably Barcelona; the Balearic Islands; Valencia...or something like that) around June 12 - 27 of 2010....who's in?!?! (Greg Robinette....tell 'em how much fun they'll have...)
St. Louis Rich
What a fabulous weekend. It is great to be back in the fold and playing with everybody. Today I am really sore but it is the best feeling I have had in a year. It was great to see Karen back with us. As for nomination for the weekend, the 50s finals it was a team victory. I can’t remember the last time we had such a tuff game. I believe it is only the beginning when it come to tuff games. Most of the teams really came to play (35s, 45s, and 50, and 55s). Teams are starting to “BRING IT ---WITH NUMBERS). Therefore I believe “US” (as Cardinals) must bring it to the next level in the future. I believe the team we face in Fort Lauderdale 45s will also come in force too Saranac. We will have to have a good commitment from everyone to win the 45s back.
As for the 35s I believe Pat Moran had a great tournament and should be MVP.
Reggie
to John Carr, a big time kudos to you on John L. Sullivan’s…good food, lots of room, reasonable prices, good service, Guinness on tap, excellent live music…a great bar, and a great call on your part! I know they kept me occupied for three days…I hope the tab was as expected.
I think all of us will be in Savannah , so we should plan a get-together then.
Mike Puopolo, you really did a wonderful job juggling,(managing all 4 sides) more than any one person should handle. Thanks a lot for your efforts…congratulations, it was a great outcome!
Mike Herron
INSIDE BUSINESS
General Manager – Associate Publisher
Phone: 757.222.3991 or 757-222-5342 FAX: 757.222.5333
I was impressed with Pat’s play on Saturday and Sunday. Being a rookie it is hard to jell with a team right from the start. I saw Pat do this right from the start. Playing scrum half is a hard position. He played like he has played with us for many games. He broke thru the defense and kicked the ball more than one occasion when we need something to happen. Because of the scheduling conflicts between 35s and 50s I did not see all the games but at the drink up on Sunday I heard nothing but praise for pat play. A matter of fact I believe the rookies on the 35s team Lance Vesely and Pat Moran were given great praise by every one. So if nothing else maybe both Pat and Lance need the award. They both played great. Reggie
Yes indeed - great stuff - some of us had our own little cook-out on Saturday Night too with the piece de resistance being the skewered chicken hearts - yummeee! See:GauchoRodizio.com
It was also great to see how much fun new guy Stewart Gordon had - he didn't know there was rugby in Florida until a couple of weeks ago!!!
A note too for Terry Whelan - my quadratus lumborum muscle strain turned out to be a broken rib (number 8!!!!) Explains a lot! 6 weeks to heal and then I look forward to getting fit for Saranac Lake - we've already booked our house on Lake Flower!
Cheers!
Ron Murray
Gentlemen:
It is now five days until we once again take the pitch and turn our backs against the cold breath of looming decrepitude. That fate is closer for some than for others, but for certain members of our band, and I speak specifically of Dave Hamberg, fate has, sadly, become fact. But as we cross the touch lines to once more subject ourselves to the ridicule of our wives (and I speak specifically of my wife who thinks I am going to spring training in Tampa to see the Yankees), let us recall our first match as callow youth, ignorant in the ways of the world and the offside rule, and remember the first time we were 20 yards ahead of the kicker and how good it felt to drill the opponent who fielded the kick and how amazed we were that something that felt so good could result in three points for the opponent. It wasn’t a better world then, but it was sure a helluva lot easier running to the lineout. It will be sheer joy to once again join in the camaraderie of rugby football (and does anyone have a cap autographed by A-Rod that I could show my wife?).
See you in Lauderdale,
Steve
Everything below the redline is Prelude to Fort Lauderdale 2009
News - Kit - if you ordered kit, it will be shipped to you (the shipping address you provided) on Friday, 2/20. It will be delivered on, or before, February 25 (next Wednesday). If you haven't ordered kit then you need to go to the Cardinals website (www.cardinalsrugby.com) and order before lunch tomorrow. If you do, the order could make it to Lauderdale to meet you. Practice - We will have a practice/organizational meeting on Friday afternoon at 5 PM at Holiday Park. Holiday Park is off N. Federal Highway (Route 1) near the intersection with E. Sunrise Blvd. If you have a ball, think about bringing one. You can bring it flat as Mike Herron will have a pump. Practice will last 90 to 120 minutes. We will get rosters filled out and waivers signed. We will split into sides and get reacquainted with each other and meet our new teammates. I realize that a good number of you will not arrive in time, or will be late. No problem. It will still help those that can make it. Match Schedule - Not posted yet. Can't usually trust them when they are posted. We will have the schedule Friday (Feb 27th) night and I will make sure to post it on or near the front desk of the Days Inn, Pompano. Otherwise, you can call me at 434 531 5360 on Saturday morning. Expect an early match with regard to planning your behavior on Friday night.
Next Communication - If I get of wave of questions about something I have missed then I will get another email out to the whole group. Otherwise, expect an email in the next few days from John Carr. John has organized things with the Kalihari and the butcher shop for Saturday evening as well as our party on Sunday evening. He will provide details shortly. Rosters - 55's, 50's, 45's, 35's The 55's roster includes all of the eligible players on the 50's roster, meaning that they have reached their 54th birthday. If your name isn't among the 20 players listed on the roster below and you qualify then please let me know.
Ron Murray, Tom Oxenham, Mark Scully, Dave Hamburg, Steve Burgess, Cajun Bermes, Collin Crawford, Rob Greenough, Bob Carswell, Terry Lee, Mike Bressi, Mike Herron, Mick Christ, Tim Dankanich, Mike Monaco, Lex Macubbin, Jimbo Steelman, Fran Russell, Dick Greene, Carl Ostermann The 50's roster includes Terry Whelan, Rob Greenough, Bill Brownley, Bob Carswell, Tim Dankanich, Mike Monaco, Mark Hoffman, Mick Christ, Marty Edrich, Dennis Stoneman, Dick Greene, Stuart Corker, Tim Largen, John Carr, Fran Russell, Todd Musick, Ken Worm, Mike Herron, Mike Witter, Howie Chadbourne, Collin Crawford, Phil Dorsey, Lex Macubbin, Pete Freeman, Mark van Trees, Mike Puopolo, Roy Manuel, Reggie Tift, Mike Posko, Ed Logue, Alan Larivee, Pete Wildenberg, Mike Bressi, Terry Lee, Mike Wright, Jimbo Steelman - I would like to say that although the 50's bracket appears to have only three teams. We would play two on Saturday and hopefully a Championship on Sunday. Don't be overly confident. Florida is a very good side and the Motleys will be loaded and looking to knock off the Cardinals. There is a possibility that a 4th 50's side will also be added. The 45's roster will include the following 25 players - and be supplemented as necessary by the 50's. Tim Trivette, Greg Robinette, Dale Sutherland, Dennis Stoneman, Tony Brooks, Ian Mills, Stuart Corker, Hillary Robinette, John Via, Rich Etzkorn, Vince Schoenig, Dayle Runner, Joe Kiley, Dan Roach, George Johnson, Keith Cassidy, Bill Hayward, John Lawrence, Will Thornton, Brian Fischer, Wayne Dimarco, George Fiscella, Matt Comstock, Pete Wildenberg, Al Lucas In addition to these 25, we will identify the 45's needs prior to each match and supplement the roster with players from the 50's roster. The 35's bracket posts a 22-man roster limit. It can be changed on Sunday morning but will be set for the day on Saturday as soon as we turn it in. The roster that I anticipate turning in for the 35's is as follows: (If you won't be there, say so as soon as possible.) Steve Merelman Tobin Piker Ian Mills Jason WoodEric Brand Mark Bini John Via Joe Freeman Dave Strohman Mike Powers Owen Gardner Rob OwensPat Moran Jim Burke Rob Christian Roy Carver Greg StellutiTri Ligon Louis Tulio Brian Doheny Wayne Dimarco Lance Vesely There are plenty of quality 44+ players that can assume slots on the 35's if we need them but if everyone is healthy and shows up, the roster is the 22 above. Brackets - as posted at 9:30 tonight OB 35 OB 45 OB 50 Cardinals Cardinals Cardinals S. Pittsburgh/WPB Myths & Legends Florida MasterGators Babalaas NOBS Motley Pelidactyls Wild Geese Team Chiropractic Team Chiropractic Boston Irish Jersey Shore White Plains South Pittsburgh/WPB Looking forward to seeing everyone. Travel safely and please get in touch with me if you have any questions or information. Thanks, Mike Puopolo434 531 5360 cell
