Club Dinner 2012

Trouble: with a capital  T that rhymes with P and that stands for Pool 

We had difficulty this year in finding a suitable venue for the annual Christmas/Awards dinner this year as places in Grimsby where we have been in the past have either gone out of business, are no longer suitable or in the case of the room for the last three years  finally decided they do not want us back.  Anyway, three years was a good run for us.  Jeremy thought that there was a room in the basement of the local pool hall which was a former Baptist Church that had converted into something useful (no offence).  Just in case they had heard of us, we booked the room under the name of the Grimsby Gentlemen Men's Precision Skating Club and spoke of spirals and spins, Lutz and Salchow jumps and what colour of sequins should be on our next outfits. We rented the place, they arranged the caterers and so with trepidation on Dec 8th we showed up at Different Strokes for 7:00 with dinner at 8:00.

We had 28 present with 20 of our 23 players this year attending (one was working. We had a table of old boys including two life members Bill Stabler (2005) and Paul Rohner (2007) along with Wayne Scobie and Brad Toth who are familiar with the formation of the club in 1977.  We were also graced with our only paid up social member in Elizabeth Blaney.  The rest were designated drivers.

Our awards went well with Nick Lord (a high school student) getting Junior Player of the Year for playing prop almost every game against men in the Niagara League.

Nick Lord - Junior Player of the Year

Most improved player went to Dirk Reichow, who just started the game a year ago.

Dirk Reichow - Most Improved Player

Rookie of the Year went to Pat Brown who really picked up the game at fullback.

Pat Brown - Rookie of the Year

This year the Player of the Year award went to Derrick Weber who also took the honour in 2010 and it was presented by Club Manager Kyle Wilson.

That's Derrick  on the right, Kyle in the middle and somehow Bob got in the picture. 

Clubman of the Year is our highest honour and is given to someone who gives a little extra to make the club better.  This year James Vinneau took on a section of the flag program (u 14s) and worked with them to make them into one of the better teams in the league.  James is also working on setting up an u 12 contact program for the club next year and has taken on the position of junior co-ordinator.

James - Clubman of the Year

We also gave out the Deer's Rear Award to a player who does something outrageous on the field.  This year Nick Lemieux while playing #9 against Hamilton, threw a pass to the #10 Martin Colyn which ended up a little behind Martin.  The ball was knocked backwards and Martin turned to pick it up.  Nick ran over and decided to kick the ball off the ground and it ended up driving it into Martin`s face who dropped to the ground like he was shot.  Big oohs from the Hamilton spectators.  Sometimes picking these things is just so easy We have the whole episode on video and if I can ever figure out how to get it on here I will.  .

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Nick with Deer's Rear Award (the thing around his neck)

This year we have the award with no name or actual award but was essentially given for some outrageous action off the field but with the rugby group.  Up for this award this year were the two plumber brothers who could not find Stratford (even though thousands of people do every summer) even with GPS and phoned instructions.  Or Brendan who falls asleep in a pub and gets the whole group kicked out.  But the best goes to Derrick Weber who in trying to table surf last year broke the table, slapped the bartender with a handful of vaseline and almost killed himself (we have it on a camera phone but don't know how to download it).
Someday it will appear here - wait for it.

Bob and Kyle presenting their own awards - but they can write their own blog

The rest of the evening went well (namely I don't have a letter to write this year to anyone), Bob and Kyle presented their kooky awards, . Vic got undressed and tried on his new underwear as usual. 

To add some culture I read a poem by Les Barker "Dachshunds with Erections Can't Climb Stairs" and a "Rugby Players Guide to Keeping Coaches in Line"

Alex wrote on my card and made me read (he is after all a cop - whom I always obey)  

"Everybody laughed at Grandpa that morning he got up at 6 am to go fishing; however nobody laughed that evening he returned home with the town whore."  

Lauri wrote:  "May God grant you  many years to live for sure he must be knowing, the earth has angels all too few, and heaven is overflowing."  She thinks I'm old and going to die especially when we dance and I have to feint a heart attack to stop. 

By the way Alex and Lauri, our poetry couple, are getting married real soon, like by the time you read this and are on a cruise for their honeymoon.  Everyone at the club wishes them a long and happy life together.

Kids - those are not real cigarettes 

Afterward the younger members went home and probably straight to bed, while many of the others made the traditional trek to the Legion, some to spread Christmas joy amongst the Legionaries and others check out the cougars.  There was an altercation with one of the bouncers but surprisingly none of the rugby club were involved.  A few stayed at the hall and played darts with the bar keep until 3:00 when she finally kicked them out. The Grimsby Men's Precision Skating Club will probably have their 2013 dinner at the same place.  Please attend.

Thanks for the card and the gift.

AGM 2012

On Monday November 7th the Annual General Meeting of the Club took place at the clubhouse.  and we were deluged with 14 members showing up (last year we had 5).  The main purpose was to discuss last year and to elect a new slate of officers for 2013.

Overall we continue to have difficulty with numbers in the club but did manage to win two games in 2012.  We are solvent (we need a new strip) but were missing some membership dues even at that time.

Thanks were given to those members who were not running for office again. They were Martin Van Den Hurk who was junior coordinator for four years; Kyle Wilson  club manager for four years;  Andy Breuls, secretary for one year; and Jon Millington, social secretary for one year.

All positions in the 2012 executive were acclaimed.

Bill Stuart president once again

Dirk Reichow is the new secretary

Jeremy Young continues to be Treasurer

Alex Millar is the new Club Manager

This is Martin Wolff who continues to be a fixture at Fixtures,
but that is my thumb

Vic Blaney takes on Social 

Brendan Sculland continues at Clubhouse Manager

James Vinneau new Junior Coordinator

The rest of the meeting was spent discussing new players and a possible Easter Tour to Philadelphia. 

Thanks to everyone who attended. 

Stratford away (VllI of X) rescheduled

Grimsby Gentlemen 15: Stratford Blackswans 18

Venue:  At Stratford Northwestern High School in Stratford,. We were unable to come up with enough players originally in July so the game was rescheduled by Stratrord for Friday under lights starting at 8:30.

Referee:  ***I missed his name but he does a lot of better club and university games around Waterloo.  He knows a lot and shows it.

Weather: A nice clear summer evening but it did not cool very much.  Probably about twenty five degrees with no wind. A quarter moon waxing.

Attendance:  There was quite a crowd but I guess there is not much to do in Stratford on a Friday night unless you are doing a Shakespeare tour.

I heard a rumour that much of the crowd came out because there was a Justin Bieiber sighting but it was only our Milli. who, from behind, I mistake for Justin all the time.

Team: We had enough players in theory but in practice but Bob came back from Vegas several dollars lighter and with some disease and  the plumbers got lost somewhere around Brantford and never did make it. But some St. Catharines players helped us out including another Nick.

1.  Nick Lord, 2. Brandon Pytschyl  3. Jon Millington, 4. Jeremy Young, 5. Ryan Coens, 6. Jamie Scully, 7. Dean Crozier 8. Kyle Wilson, 9. Nick Lemieux 10. Derrick Weber,  11. Colin Comfort (40 min), 12. Vic Blaney, 13. Martin Colyn, 14. Alex Millar (40 min),15. Pat Brown, 17 Zack Allan (40 min), 19. Nick ?(40 min)

Coach's Report

Stratford came out strong and controlled things at the start with their left winger scoring at 10 min.  They had most of the territory and a lot of the posession but we did get the ball once into their half at about 25 min and were rewarded with a penalty kick by Webs from the 22.    At about 28 min, the same winger scored with a strong run for Stratford.  Then later in the half, we were out flanked and Stratford scored again.

Half time score Grimsby Gentlemen 3: Stratford Blackswans 15

The second half was turn around, we kept much more possession, had more territory and ran at them.  About 15 min in, Jamie took the ball from a drive play in the lineout and ran around the maul for about 10 m and scored (see below) for the second time in two games.  Webs made the conversion.

With 10 minutes to go an attack from a scrum by the 9 (new Nick), to Webs, to Vic who with a looping pass got the ball into Martin's hands who scored to tie the game at 15 each.  The kick was missed so the tie stood until with a couple of minutes to go the Stratford 10, who had missed all conversions and a penalty in front actually made a drop goal to win the game.

It was a good game and as Kyle says we do not lose our first draft choice next year by beating the second from bottom team.  We did get a bonus point.

President's Report: 

Stratford did us a favour by rearranging the game  and it turned into a good,  fun evening and different from the rest of the season to be playing on a Friday at night.  Afterward Stratford took us back to The Poor House and treated us very well.  Even Scully was full.  Thanks to those players who came up from the farm team. It was a good season with us introducing a number of new players to the team.  It would have been nice to win a few more but generally we played well.  It shows we need more than 22 on the roster.  Thanks to all those who made an effort to make all the games and practices.  Out of the ten games we only held the other team to less that 5 tries twice, so we need more work in the defence department. Our under 14 flag team came second in their tournament last weekend, congratulations and hurry to grow up.

Man of the match:  Derrick Weber who kept us from going farther behind in the first half by his tackling and played an important link in the second half.  He also had just stepped off the plane at 4:00 that afternoon.

The following are pictures of Martin's decorated car that will be smashed in the Smithville Fair Demo Derby Labour Day Weekend.

Our shirts are finally going as Webs (10) got ripped during the game.

We have nothing much organized for the fall but hopefully the Steamwhistle brewery  tour happens on Sept 8th and we can at least get to the Waterloo Oktoberfest Tens at Thanksgiving.

I will be coaching the Mohawk Men's team and you can check them out at Mohawk College Rugby.

This blog has 89 entries since started in December of 2008 and  right now has 9,739 hits and will hit at least 10,000 before the 4 year anniversary. The most hits was Wilmot on Sept 12 2010 with 251 and Waterloo Renegades on July 26 2011 with 182.

Knaves away (in Brantford) Week X of X

Grimsby Gentlemen 36: Waterloo Knaves 34

(Two in a row and the last time we did that was June 11 and June 19 of last year against Niagara and Burlington and the game against Burlington was the last time we scored 6 tries)

Venue: Grorge Jones Park in Brantford because Waterloo's first and seconds were playing there and the thirds and fourths were having and end of season party in Paris so Waterloo wanted to play in Brantford.  (Or something like that)

Referee: Eric Cizar *** actually one of their coaches but kept the game going long enough for us to win in the last minute or two.

Weather:  Nice day at about twenty five degrees with no wind but a high UV index. So it turns out we can also win in sunny weather.

Attendance: These were the supporters on one side of the field and many more in the shade on the north side (I think). 

 I don't think the kid is actually one of ours.












Team:  We were short players for the first time this year. So The Knaves graciously lent us a couple of theirs.  These players did not seem to be slugs and played well. 

1.  Nick Lord, 2. Brandon Pytschyl (came back again with black socks), 3. Jon Millington, 4. Dan Wolfrath, 5. Jeremy Young, 6. Dean Crozier, 7. Jamie Scully 8. Kyle Wilson, 9. Derrick Weber, 10. Martin Colyn, 11. A. Nother, 12. Vic Blaney, 13. Colin Comfort, 14. Also A. Nother ,15. Pat Brown

We had two injured, two working and three on holidays and the game's afoot for Alex. 

Coach's Report:

The coach was in Niagara On the Lake in the morning with the flag kids and was passing through St. Catharines on the QEW when the kick off took place.  So I only got to the game with about twenty minutes to go and it is a good thing because my heart might not have taken it.  I saw 6 tries altogether in the final 20 min with the lead changing four times and us coming out ahead with a last minute try.  The following were the try scorers in the game with four scoring their first try for Grimsby. (It's a good thing we banned Zulus because we would have used up all their toilet paper).

Colin, Pat, Nick, Jamie, Dan with Martin on the ground. were the try scorers
You can't take a picture anywhere without getting Vic in it half naked.

Colin, Dan and Nick scored before I got there but as I arrived the oppositiojn scored to tie it, then scored again to go ahead and again to go aheader (up 10).  However Jamie ran under a weakly kicked penalty that did not find touch and out jumped the opposition in goal  and fell on the ball.  Then Martin on the burst slipped a tackle, went around the fullback with a side step and managed to get the ball down on the line while being tackled.  Webs converted to put us up by 2.  However A bad lineout on our 22 gave the ball to their 8 who scored in the corner to put them 3 up with 4 minutes to go (injury and water break time).  

The winning try should go down in history (or as long as we can remember) because it was a classic All Black like series of plays that lasted 56 sec and had 10 players handle the ball, with Webs touching the ball 4 times, Dean twice, and Martin twice.  Even one of the players  loaned to us took the ball into a ruck and set it up.  Also during this series Jamie made a dummy run allowing Kyle to get the ball and Milli took on three of their tacklers.  At the start, the ball was thrown to the same place in the lineout that was disastrous  the last time when Waterloo scored off the bad throw in.  Dean was lifted well by Jeremy and Nick and the ball was then given back to the thrower, Brendan, who took on the eight and got it to Webs (we practiced this on Thursday).  Most of the team was involved in the five rucks that took place until finally Pat picked up and ran 10 m to score and put us ahead for good.  The only person not involved was the right winger (a player loaned to use from Waterloo). 

We still have defensive problems, and it should not have come down to a last minute try like that.  We have let the other team score at least 5 tries in every game this year but one.  Better tackling and keeping our shape in defence is required to make sure we win. 

President's Report

Well done Gentlemen,  it is unfortunate we had to borrow players and it was the first time in a couple of years we did not have a full team.  Thanks to Brendan who hooked again this week for us. Thanks to Waterloo for lending us a few, they could have played with us down two until the score was run up or they could have given us players who did not try.  It shows we need more numbers on the roster, even if some people get less playing time. Waterloo also took care of us with a beer and food so thanks to them.  Waterloo lost the Marshall game 29 to 28 and now the Creek are on the bottom since they lost.  However Creek have the easier schedule in September and should manage to stay up with either Brantford or Waterloo (who just came up this year) being relegated (or Markam Irish).  

Man of the Match

I did not see much of the game but Pat scored the winning try and played very well in the full back position.  Vic's imitation of a soccer player gets an honourable mention. 

Here is a picture of Webs in action.

This is a picture of Waterloo in action, showing a great lift in the lineout. 

Looking at the picture below, I was just wondering what regular young men do on a Saturday afternoon. 

Here are our young men, who just earned a bonus point. 

One more league game left. Friday night in Stratford. 

Burlington away (Week lX of X)

Grimsby Gentlemen 12: Burlington Centaurs III 7
 (Jamie says: "There goes our perfect season")

Vemue:  Sherwood Forest Park

Referee:  Gareth R. Holloway**** very good game, handled all the nonsense very well. He actually said he liked refereeing  third division NRU games (but he might have been making fun of us).

Sorry Ref, here`s a better picture. 

Weather:  The weather has been so hot and dry this year that you could have sex in the middle of our field and not leave a  wet spot.

See, no wet spot

However, today the weather was wet and rainy and a bit cool.  Perfect (at least it is now).

Attendance:  The rain kept the fans low.

Team:
1. Jeremy Young. 2. Brandon Pytschyl (first game), 3. Jon Millington, 4. Dan Wolfrath, 5. Bob Mavro, 6. Dean Crozier, 7. Jamie Scully(40 min), 8. Kyle Wilson, 9. Nick Lemieux, 10. Derrick Weber, 11. Colin Comfort, 12. Vic Blaney, 13. Martin Colyn, 14. Alex Millar (40 min), 15. Pat Brown, 16. Dirk Reichow (40 min), 17. James Vinneau (40 min)

We missed three expected players and got Brandon in for his first game with Grimsby (and as hooker).   Thanks to Dirk and James for driving quickly from Niagara Falls after coaching the flag players.

Coach`s Report:

Three weeks off and not a lot of training done during that time, but we did come up big in the first minute or two with Dean scoring a try (Burlington complaining that their scrum half and captain was taking a dump and not on the field, I missed it all (the dump and the try)).  Webs converted.  We seemed to play harder with better flat line defense although we still ball watch.  Burlington played well and probably had the edge in territory and possession.  A nice feed by Webs, a great run by Vic led to him scoring with about 5 minutes to go in the half.  Here is Vic`s run.

Half time: Grimsby Gentlemen 12: Burlington Centaurs 0

Things continued in the same vain in the second half except Burlington scored at about the 65 min mark and converted to make the final minutes exciting.  However we did hold on with some determined tackling for our first win this season.

Full time: Grimsby Gentlemen 12: Burlington Centaurs 7

President`s Report:

It is always nice to beat Burlington and it was more of a struggle that it should have been. The score was too close considering most of our players would be playing for the firsts or seconds if they played in Burlington.
The flat line was better and we were more aggressive putting more pressure on them.  Our body position going into offensive and defensive rucks was poor and we lost control when we go into contact with the ball too often.  Lineouts were spotty and scrums were good at the start but deteriorated in the second half. However they are second in the league and were challenging for first, so it was a good win.  Man of the match went to Dean Crozier seen here with the offside centaur,  ref.  Honourable mention to Webs.

Thanks to all who voted us Best Senior Rugby Club in Grimsby!!

St Catharines at home (Week VII of X)

Grimsby Gentlemen 5: St Catharines Tigers 28

Venue: Alway Field

Referee: Ian Stewart ** (Made a call for one of their trys too quickly - before it was knocked on - I wish refs would take their time in calling trys) Some one should enlighten me if it is tries or trys.  Just two yellows called one on us for interference and one on them at the end for arguing (or something like that) .

Weather: 25 - 26 degrees (warmish): the grass is getting pretty dry

Attendance: Was down a bit, with a few more on the other side I would estimate maybe 300.  The rest might have been vacationing in Cuba.

Pat was actually playing. 

Team:  (just 15 available - they had maybe 18)

1. Nick Lord, 2. Brandon Sculland 3. Jon Millington (80 min), 4 Dirk Reichow , 5. Jeremy Young, 6. Jamie Scully 7. Dean Crozier, 8. Vic Blaney, 9. Derrick Weber* (C), 10. Martin Colyn , 11. Colin Comfort, 12. Alex Millar, 13 Nick Lemieux 14.(wearing 22) James Vinneau,  15. Pat Brown


Coach's Report:

We did well especially after last week for the first fifteen minutes or so and managed to keep them in their end until Webs blocked a clearing kick and fell on it in the end zone. The conversion was missed. St. Catharines came back to tie the game fairly quickly and went ahead on a scrum half pick near our end.
Near the end of the half, we took a yellow for interference and the Tigers scored from a running penalty.

Half time Grimsby Gentlemen 5: St. Catharines Tigers 15.

The second half was played generally pretty even in the middle of the field, we never really got close and they scored twice. (actually once).  A little bit of argue at the end and game over.  We will have to win out first game on the road.

This is Vic putting a perfect stop on their big man.

Congratulations to Martin Colyn picked as man of the match.

President's Report:

Well done, we played better on the field this week and this was against the top team in the division.  We just need to be more organized and know what to do in situations.  We are still tackling poorly which needs to improve for us to be successful. We also need to hang onto the ball in contact more, we are getting little continunity. Thanks to Frank who came around and was persuaded by me to run touch since I had two cameras and the touch flag and a bad knee.  Frank got to grouse at the ref and tease the other team.  Two others who have not been around in a long time were Eddy and  Evi. 

If the clubhouse smelled better this week it is because Alex Millar went into the washrooms and cleaned them up.  The smell of pine was different from the usual smell.  Thanks Alex.  I did not have Andy my camera man to take the videos this week and the ones I took are not very good and I cannot seem to download (or upload) them to the blog, but someday.  So I do not have many pictures so here are some from the flag tournament in Fort Erie in the morning.

The top is the u 14 with James and Dirk coaching and the bottom is the u 8, which I coach (sort of).

Thanks to Jennifer for making salads even though I forgot to ask, the Tigers were impressed.

You may wish you were playing for other teams, but Niagara firsts got beat 95 to 10 on Saturday by Barrie and the Muddy York were defeated 142 to 0 a few weeks ago. The ball on the field was like a bar of soap in the showers.

Hamilton II away (Week VI of X)

Grimsby Gentlemen 5: Hamilton Hornets II  a whole bunch

I DO NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT!