EGGeRS inaugural game

The first game for the Elder Gentlemen of Grimsby Rugby Side (EGGeRS), I will take no credit nor blame for that name Adam, it is all on you. This dozen of EGGs went to the NOB's 10-a-side tournament (old boys sevens) on Sunday Sept 20th and just as summer slips into fall, many are regretting it today.  

From left to right:  Frank, Dirk, Josh, Dean, Bob, Ross, Chris, Jon, Adam, Alex, James, Martin

The following report was filed by Adam.

Outstanding effort by the EGGeRS (Elder Gentlemen of Grimsby Rugby Side) on Sunday. The team went 1-1-1, ending the tournament with a dismantling of Brampton OB's...

Man of the day goes to Alex Easton. Having not played in a year, made too many tackles to count and carried the ball well.

Honourable mentions to Milli and Vienneau who ran like a couple of 20 year olds...

And a shout out to Nasby, Atkinson, Schilte, and Keus for playing well after taking a long hiatus from the game...as well as Turbo for pretty much playing the whole afternoon a day after playing for the Creek...

So that means all of the above have to chug beers on Thursday (Palm Breeze for Schilte)...

Well done boys, next time matching socks. 

St. Kitts away

Grimsby Gentlemen 25: Niagara Wasps II 27 (according to information gathered: but the league says 24 to 27 that I know is wrong)

Venue: Niagara Wasps new field in Thorold.  It is called Niagara Farms so they do not yet have to pay to sever the property from Wayne Hodgin's farm. Taxes will go way up when they build a clubhouse.

Niagara Clubhouse

Referee: (forgot his name, sorry)

Weather:

Warm in the thirties but not as humid as Chatam
Attendance: 

two veterans enjoying the game (waiting for something exciting to happen) 

Team:  1. Nick Lord, 2. Brandan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington, 4.Jeremy Young, 5. Vic Blaney, 6.  Dirk Reichow (40 min), 7.  Duncan Earl,  8. Eric Alvara(back from his Canadian Rugby League experience ,  9. Nick Lemieux, 10. Jake D"Achille 11. James Vienneau (40 min) 12. Heri Lewessoh (35 min- injury) 13. Derrick Weber, 14. Austin Marck ,15. Jamie Farell, 16. Bob Mavro, 17. TJ. Cole ((45 min), 18. Sam MGee (40 min) . 

Game: Niagara started out well with two tries in the first twelve minutes but Grimsby strikes back at 15 minutes with a nice break by Jake who then off loads to Derrick who scores under the posts.  Derrick also converts. At about 22 minutes, Derrick hits a penalty but Niagara responds with their penalty very quickly after.  However at about 32 minutes something happens (should pay more attendion) and Jake scores with Derrick converting to have us take the lead by two.  Derrick extends the lead with a penalty kick just before the interval.

Half time score:  Grimsby Gentlemen 20: Niagara Wasps 15

Niagara came out strong to push us back into our end and score at about 6 minutes to tie the game and at about 28 minutes score and convert to push their lead to seven.  Here's where things go a little foggy (actually a lot foggy) and the next thing I remember is getting wheeled into an ambulance to spend the next 5 hours at the new Niagara Hospital in St. Catharines.  Seems like as I was standing near the field and I attempted to cushion Vic from a nasty fall and was knocked out.  I am fine thanks but I did miss an exciting final (they played around me).  From a ruck Eric picked up and fed to Nick Lemieux who scored to bring us to within two points with three minutes left.  Unfortunately, the convert bounced off the post.  But is was a very good game overall as we came back a couple of times.   

still standing

The instructions from the hospital was that I was to be aroused every two hours, well Beth tried valiantly but at my age there is no way I am going to be aroused that often in one night. 

This was the last league game of the season and we end the champagne with a 1 - 9 record (although with the power invested in me as club president I invalidate the score of the first game against St. Kitts as they did not really have enough players and declare a default by them to give us another win). 

We played another friendly in Burlington and although we needed to borrow several players still managed to be competitive in the first half until they loaded up with more experienced players in the second. 

The flag rugby program (the Grubbers) ended their season on the same day as the Niagara game and I did not get many pictures (I was refereeing) but here is a picture of all of the players that day in Grimsby.

 Grimsby is in white.

The flag team had their year end party on Monday 17th (forgot camera) but we had a parents- kids flag game, a slip and slide (designed by Brian Blake) and bottle rockets also by Brian.  

Great season Grubbers and thanks to all the coaches. 

Twenty-six days, three hours, fifteen minutes until the world cup. 

Sixteen days, twenty-two hours, fifteen minutes until the kids go back to school. 

This is the last regular post for awhile (season is over) and the blog has been hit 29, 907 times since it started (93 more times and we will have 5, 000 hits since April).  Thanks for reading.   

Windsor at home

Grimsby Gentlemen First IV 15: Windsor Rouges 31

Venue: Alway Park - a little greener but more foliage on the sides.Kick off at 1:00 (one half hour later in GGT: the Grimsby Gentlemen Time Zone) The last time we played Windsor at home was May 29th 2010 and we won 22 - 10 with Scott Flemming (Flipper) refereeing.

Sponsors: 

Referee: Ian Stewart (not Flipper)

Weather: 24 degrees lightly cloudy, light wind (oh maybe that was today)

Attendance: Lots of chatter about the game in Grimsby, lots of interest, lots of casual walk ups, lots of people with dogs

.

Team:  1. Ross Matheson, 2. Brandan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington, 4.Jeremy Young, 5. Bob Mavro, 6.  Dirk Reichow , 7.  Martin Van Der Hurk,  8. Duncan Earl,  9. Derrick Weber, 10. Jamie Farell, 11. Sam MGee  12. Vic Blaney  13.  Heri Lewssoh, 21. James Vinneau, 15. Austin Marck, 16. T.J. Cole 

Thanks to T.J. for registering this late in the season. 

T.J.

Team huddle showing Duncan's new rugby league socks

 Game:

At 9 min ball lost in bushes, at 10 min ball lost in bushes, at 15 min ball lost in bushes but first ball found. The game basically goes like that we put a lot of pressure in the first couple of minutes with a lineout deep in Windsor territory but we were not able to score.  Windsor takes the ball down and at 11 mins scores their first try with a nice block of the conversion by James.  At 16 min the Rogues score again   and this time do convert.  The next minutes are a good game with Windsor playing the more kicking and attacking game.  We hold them out until near the end of the first half until Windsor scores in the corner after a penalty and some missed tackles.  

Half time score: Grimsby Gentlemen 0: Windsor Rogues 17

Then about 5 min after half time Windsor scores again to put them way ahead and it looks like the rout is on.  However at 10 min Duncan bowls himself over to put us on the board but Windsor replies about 5 min later to score again.  However back we come and a good drive from a lineout leads to another try by Webs at 60 min and again at 70 min we score a push over try with Webs touching down.   However at 65 min after an errant kick down the middle of the field, Windsor's fullback slots a dropkick from almost half way.  We don't see many drop kicks attempted let alone scored in our league.  

Final score: Grimsby Gentlemen 15: Windsor Rouges 31.

It was a good game for us after a slow start to score three tries to their two in the second half.  

securing

driving

almost through

almost eluding

almost scoring

It looks like their man on the match just edges out our man of the match.
(Vic claims that his glass is coming down and he won)

After the game an enjoyable first adult  flag rugby evening: (other pictures were a little dark)

From a new video from Evolve Functional Fitness:

"In rugby out strength is in our numbers, not  because they define us but because how we wear them defines the team.  In rugby the game is bigger than us all. "  So true. 

 Just in: Canadian sets beer mile world record:

On Friday, Canadian Lewis Kent set a new world record for the fastest beer mile with a time of four minutes and 55.8 seconds, according to the Telegraph. Kent’s record came less than 24 hours after Australian Josh Harris set a short-lived record of four minutes and 56.2 seconds, according to Sports Illustrated. Both times are awaiting confirmation by BeerMile.com, the governing body that sets the official rules for the beer mile.

A beer mile involves drinking a 12-ounce beer of at least 5 percent ABV, running a lap around a 400-meter track, and then repeating the process three more times for a total of four beers in one mile. Competitors who vomit during the race must complete an extra lap to qualify their results. 

Thirty-six days, one hour, fifty two  minutes , thirty-four seconds until the world cup. 

Twenty-five days, twenty hours, fifty- two minutes, thirty seconds  until school starts. 

Qnce again weirdness - fifteen days from the last spike we have 122 hits as of now (and probably more to come today) ; we had 15 hits yesterday. 

Burlington friendly at home

Grimsby Gentlemen First IV(some St. Kitts), 3 tries : Burlington Centaurs III, II and I, 6 tries.

Venue:  Alway Field (a little dry as the irrigation pump plugged with iron deposits - over only a few years- and the field has had no water for the last couple of very warm and dry weeks, they replaced the pump a couple of days ago but there is little water in the cistern).  It was nice to play at home after two long away games. Game time 7:00 on a Thursday.

Sponsors:

Referee:  Our own Bob Mavro who volunteered (sort of) instead of playing: as  there were no other refs available.  Great job , Bob

Here is Bob impersonating a Greek traffic officer. 

Weather: Actually a very nice evening about 28 degrees but a slight cooling wind.  We expected it to feel much warmer.

The sun sets over a scrum

Attendance:  Didn't count (free admission tonight)  but the parking lot was full and we had to park on the lawn and the road. then we usually do that).

Nick's Mom and Dad enjoying the evening

. Team:  1. Ross Matheson, 2. Brandan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington, 4.Jeremy Young, 5. Martin Van Den Hurk, 6.  Dirk Reichow , 7.  Nick Lord,  8. Jake Haynes,  9. Nick Lemieux, 10. Jake D'Achille, 11. Austin Marck,  12. Vic Blaney  13.  Heri Lewssoh, 14. James Vinneau, 15. Jamie Farrell, 16 Sam McGee (traveled from London again: thanks Sam) and a few Tigers (Jeff Innis,  Stephan Johnson, Ryan (first men's rugby game) and Ryan Coons) 

Jeff and his stepson(Ryan)  in their first game together

Game:  Against our usual form,  Grimsby scored early in the game with Vic breaking through and putting down in the corner at about three minutes (shocking our visitors and ourselves).  Burlington came back to score at about 10 min and again at 25 min.  However determined play near the end of the half led to a try by Nick Lemieux and the conversion by Martin.  

Half time score:  Grimsby Gentlemen 2 tries : Burlington Centaurs 2 tries.

About 10 minutes into the second half, Jake makes one of his patented breaks in our half and scores under the posts (without dropping the ball) to put us into the lead.  However soon Burlington begins to tire us out and despite highlight reel plays by our props Milli and Ryan and some aggressive play we get scored upon three more times.  

Final score:  Grimsby Gentlemen 17: Burlington Centaurs 38

Over all it was a very good game for a friendly and a good evening.  Thanks Burlington - it was much better than training. 

Vic putting down in the corner to the shock and awe of the Burlington visitors. 

Martin attempting the convert.

Jake scoring under the posts.

Special thanks to Bob (the ref) who donated his fees to the club (figured Greece did not need it), Ryan's dad who became the water boy, Mason and Drake (who started out being the water boys), Paul who became the beer server, Jennifer for the salads and Vic for his usual excellent pea-meal bacon sandwiches. Vic  actually managed to steal a visiting ball not by our usual way of putting it into bush but by kicking  it so it lodged in a tree, where it remains today.  

close up

Vic also gets a mention as first male to get caught using the women's washroom by a woman.  He was also selected by Burlington as man of the match and another first took place when he and their man of the match (12) tied on the drink off and had to do it again (They again tied but we decided they were doing it on purpose to get  free beer). 

Thank You

 to the Community for voting the 

Grimsby Gentlemen Rugby Football Club

as the Best (Diamond) Men's Rugby Club 

in the region

for the Thirty-Ninth Year in a row.

We are both honoured and humbled. 

Odd :On July 15th we had 135 hits on our blog which I mentioned last post was unusual but exactly two weeks later (July 29th) we had another 135 hits on the blog whereas the day before (July 28th) we had 4. 

Blast from the Past

July 2010

Blast from the past:

I am having trouble with Freddy's picture from a phone so I am adding this.

Last Wednesday we got 135 hits on our blog when we usually only get less than 5 a day. Scary

Chatham Away

Grimsby Gentlemen: 5:  Kent  Havoc 48

Venue:  Victoria Park in Chatham: It was Kent's family day and this was not a pool as hoped but a bouncy place.

Referee: Mark Glendan (again)

Even the ref needed physio help.  . 

Weather:  At 1:30 it was a warmish 33 degrees Celsius and by 3:00 it was 34.4 degrees with 99% humidity. A nice game to remember as being over.

A beard is nice to have (in the winter)

Attendance: Me (with my new camera) and Sam's dad..

Team:  1. Ross Matheson, 2. Brandan Sculland, 3. Jon Millington, 4. Dirk Reichow 5. Bob Mavro, 6. Duncan Earl, 7.  James Vinneau  8. Drew Redmond, 9. Nick Lemieux, 10. Jake D'Achille, 11. Sam McGee (back from a shoulder operation) , 12. Vic Blaney  13.  Heri Lewssoh, 14. Austin Marck, 15. Jamie Farrell, 16 & 17 Brendan and Zach (two players lent to us by Kent as needed subs. 

Brendan and Zach: first games with Grimsby

Sam's back (actually front)

Game: 
After a slow warm up due to the weather the game got going but it was a slog for both sides.  Dent scored at about 7 minutes and again at 14 but we did give some push back and after some good attacks on the Kent line, Jake made a break and was held up near the goal but managed to offload to Brendan for our only score of the game.  

Half time Grimsby Gentlemen 5: Kent Havoc 28. 

Second half was more keeping going that really being able to challenge.  A few came off with heat problems and injuries (and came back on again).  

Jake eluding a couple of Havocs

Brendan on his way to scoring. 

Duncan on a rumble.

Then its Heri's turn. 

Austin tries to find shade wherever he can

Thankfully it eventually ended and back to the excitement of the Saturday afternoon  meat raffle at the Chatham Legion (cheap beer - great fish and chips).  

Kent selected our 10 (Jake) as man of the match - I think we selected their 10. 

Jake showing that a year of university was not wasted. 

Went to the Pan-am sevens tournament last weekend and the Canadian women rocked. The men, although they eventually won the gold, should have not make it out of the quarter finals in the morning against Chili.
Chili played really well and scored with a minute left in the game to go up 7 points.  Canada was trying to score when the hooter sounded and then Chili self-destructed.  Two players went offside on purpose and got yellows and then Canada knocked on.  Should be game over as all Chili needs to do is get some sort of whistle but instead the Chilean player picks up the ball and  runs for the Canadian goal (ref plays advantage), then when challenged he tries to kick down the field. The  ball stops in the Canadian in-goal where Canada picks it up and runs it back (seven against five) to score (two and a half minutes of extra time) , convert and win in overtime.  If it had been soccer they would have had a commission to figure out why that happened. 
I don't know why CBC did not show the finals after all they showed the entire women's beach volleyball quarter final which took more time than 20 minutes (or so someone told me). 

Tats of the team (2015) .
Guess who. 

Blast from the past:

Freddy Sayers who is an Englishman., married to a Grimsby girl, and who works in Yemem or Oman or somewhere over there and bought 5 tickets to the Texas mickey bottle of rum we were raffling to support Erick who was making a trip to train with the Huddersfield Giants Rugby League team in England and  won the bottle. Freddy is seen here visiting the clubhouse last week to accept his bottle and to donate it back to the club (we have been using this bottle for about twenty years).  Thank you very much Freddy for the donation to the cause and the bottle.(Freddy had just gotten back from a trip to Cuba and rum was not his drink of choice at the time). 

F

Freddy Sayers