United/Virginia Gentlemen RFC

at the Christmas Sevens Dec 2002

Our Club was represented at the Christmas Sevens this year by two sides. The A side, lead by Daryl Lowery, was entered in the "open division" and the Va. Gents entered the "social division." In deference to seniority, lets first discuss the outstanding effort by the Gents this Sat.


front row left to right Stuart Corker,Steve Brachen,Matt Brachen second row L to R Paul Keal ,Dan Osewyski,Phil Bassett,Matt Spruill third row L to R Danny Patterson,Jerry O'Connor,Jon Hill, Cary Kennedy,John Murphy
The matchups were classic battles of youth and enthusiasm vs age,wisdom, and treachery all day. The first match v Christopher Newport University was , at first, difficult. The youthfull lads tested our defense and suspect quickness immediately with some successful runs and trys but Bassett and Keal answered , as well, with points. The second half witnessed some outstanding defense from Patterson and Murphy as they combined for about four tackles in quick succession near the touchline. This defensive flury seemed to quell the enthusiasm of our opponent. The Gents patient ball handling, misdirection, and spread offense, as well, eventually sapped the lads ability to pressure on defense. Several possessions had over 10 passes before a restart or score resulted!

Second match vs Renagades was a lark. Our opponent seemed eager but had little enthusiasm for tackling. Try fest resulted---too many to mention but Patterson scored a beauty off a lot of help from Bassett. Murphy in the right corner with three opponents on his back. The Brachen Bros always looked good with the ball in hand. Jon Hill found plenty of gaps to do his magic.

Our third and final round robin match vs Hyde School we knew would be our toughest. This side was loaded with swift lads with finishing speed anywhere on the pitch. Their ball handling was remarkably sound for a young side and they were well coached and undefeated too. We selected out best old boys for the first half and matched them well but still had no anwer to their speed. When Hyde School got the ball wide our defense was sorely tested and usually failed. So we pulled our stars,O'Connor,Bassett,Keal,Dan O, and The Brachens for the second half and played our REALLY old players, like Hill, Kennedy and Patterson. We tanked the match but we gave our best ponies a chance to play together for the first time that day,a little rest in the second half and an opportunity to study these swift colts from the touchline---knowing we had to face them again in about an hour in the finals for the Plate Division. Danny Patterson's cagey and insightfull selection pattern all day was brilliant. We had 12 players--all got plenty of action during the day and, also, this allowed us to conserve out better players and built momentum for the final. What a final! The Old Boys actually played defense in this match! We pressured the ball together. Their passing and attempts to go wide were squelched and continually aborted with knocked down passes and lots of atticipation. Dan Osyewski at scrumhalf was a genius in defense--the lads just were not allowed to play their wide open speedy game which would have destroyed us. Our attack and possesssion was alway confident today and this match was no exception. Keal and Bassette were the titans. Special mention to Matt Spruill, the only youngster on our side and recruiting prospect for United, Matt is a superb athelete and his quickness in defense on the outside in the last match was much appreciated and a tip of the hat to Danny Patterson for selecting him to play wing in the final.

Pictures of the Artic 7's er--Christmas 7's

The playing surface and temps today were beyond description. As I tumbled out of bed that morning 6:30am , I am thinking to myself,"Have you really lost your mind today"-its always been considered a possibility but today was a critical reality check. My wife just shook her head and went back to sleep as I trudged out the door and loaded the car with rugby stuff--ice was everywhere--low twenties--my pathetic little car seat cracked from the cold temps as I got behind the wheel. I began to feel better as I entered the parkinging lot for the tournament and there is Billy Cauthern, mighty fan today and lock on our 15s side, preparing bloody marys on his truck hood celery sticks and all---I begin to think, "I haven't lost my head , yet--or, Billy is crazy as us."

United played in the second match that day---the broken ice on the field of play may as well have been broken glass. Steve Griffith's knees were bloody chucks of hamburger---Daryl gashes his hand touching the ball down for a frigging try! Blood was everywhere.


check out Paul's knees

Today was a true testimont to the local rugby community and their dedication and love for this game. We honored rugby today---no doubt about it.

United play was strong. Daryl continues to show excellent form with the ball and in defense. He had some beautiful scoring runs under the sticks. Brian "The Blade" Patterson's ability to cut through the defense is astounding. Tim Crum, with his first exposure to 7s, shows excellent promise. He has just the right combination of size,speed, power, and will to win. United made it to the consolation round competing for third place in their division but lost a hard match to old foe James River RFC. Good performance still, in that, this side had not trained at all for the tournament.

Have a jolly Christmas,
Cary

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