2019 so far

so far 2019 looks better.

We played in the Monte Heald tournament in early May but we did not win our division (I was not able to make it) but we had some new players (but not sure whom/

If you are interested in details Norfolk Harvesters wanted to play up in the Niagara A division (they had easily won the B division over the last several years) but they did not have enough players for a second team so I said we would be their second team. So when Norfolk plays away we go first against the other team seconds and when Norfolk is at home the visiting team has to send the second team to Grimsby.  Sounds good even though we know when we are playing away we sill get some of the first from the opposing team.  .It seems more interesting than playing the same teams we have been playing the last few years.

Week one ( May 11, very early) : We were to play Hamilton at home but we could not get on our field so it was postponed to August 10th

Week two (25th of May)  : We played in Guelph against the Redcoats (again I was not there so this is just hearsay -  I was singing at a concert near Port Dover and did very well - not hearsay). I also had a nice fish dinner afterward.

Team: (1) Nick Lord, (2) Skylar ? (3) Milli?, (4) S.U.M One (5) Vic Blaney (6) John Fraser (7) Brendan Sculland (8) Myron Jurychuk (9) Daniel Prentice-Chowen (10) Derrick Weber (11) Josh Thompson (12) Will George (13) A. N. Other (14) Joe Sanders (15 Laughlin Hill

We had some fill ins from our new big brother team Norfolk

Grimsby scored first with a long run from Dan bur Guelph countered .  Then Vic scored  but near the end of the half Guelph got another try

Half time Grimsby l0 and Guelph 10

The second half was mostly Guelph (entirely in terms of scoring) - they scored  3 more tries with 4 converts

Final Score Grimsby 10 and Guelph 29.

We are just getting started.

Noteable Happening: Josh Thompson a high school player from Grimsby Secondary School in his first league game (not counting the Monte Heald tournament) got a yellow card which seldom happens in Grimsby to anyone not named James We don't think that it has happened since Skully decided to take on a bunch of players in Windsor back in 2011 in his first game.

Josh Thompson

Laughlin Hill former player at BT. 

All of 2018

2018 generally was not a great year for Grimsby Rugby on the field so I forgot to write about it.

Burlington Tournament (last year)

Burlington Tournament April 28th/2018

We went to the Burlington tournament and while all the important teams were playing at the Burlingon clubhouse we were sent to a high school nearby (Corpus Christie) to play (on a turf field) in a mini tournament with Burlington seconds and Hamilton.

We managed to put together a team with assorted players.
Glenn Butler (scored his first 4 tries for Grimsby and named man of the match), Gehard Swarts scored first try for Grimsby), Thomas Davis from Blessed Trinity High School.  Arthur Willet also came from Blessed Trinity.  Some previous players returned including Jake d'Achilie, Will George, and Martin.  We had a couple of players from Mohawk, Curtis Onaczyszgn (a mouthful) and Theo Machado and another player Luke and a friend of Will's..  We also borrowed a prop who came all the way from Philadelphia. Bob wouldn't play on artificial turf so he did all the refereeing.

Anyway we defeated Burlington in a close game and then played Hamilton to a tie which we won in overtime.  We were a bit lucky in that we ran out of props (not lucky for the props) and the scrums went unopposed which gave us much more ball for the backs and they could run at ease.
A good day.

Crusaders at Home

After a poor season last year the writer of this blog took some time off but is back (we think)  to report obn the goings on of the club..  I will catch up on some things that have happened since last year later. This is the first game of the 42nd season since Grimsby Gentlemen started in 1977.

Grimsby Gentlemen 33: Oakville Crusaders IV 59 (or something like that)

Venue:  the hallowed grounds of Alway School - kick off at 3:00

Referee:  Steve Scott

Weather: Warm 28 degrees (feel like 32) a bit breezey especially when you were playing into it in the second half

Attendance:  we drank one and a half kegs, so whatever that works out to.

Ball sponsored by Wayne Hoskins of Bedwas Wales (I think we used the same ball the whole game - usually we loose one in the undergrowth and we find it next winter)

Team:  At 9:00 in the morning we had 10 players registered but with traditional last minute suspense we managed to field exactly 15 by game time.

1. Nick Lord ,2. Sean Inglis (first game with Grimsby), 3. Chris Atkinson. 4. Martin Van Den Hurk, 5. Thomas Davis (first game with Grimsby men - at Blessed Trinity High School, 6. Brenden Vorstenbosch 7. John Fraser, 8. Evan Brundatge, 9. Daniel Prentice-Chowen (Blessed Trinity high school player), 10. Ben Jeske, 11. Joe Sanders, 12. Glenn Butler (Blessed Trinity player - first game with Grimsby men, 13. Cameron Ruys, 14. James Vienneau, 15. Gehard Swart (first game for Grimsby and from South Africa. (no subs)

Ten of these players did not play for the club two years ago. so it has been a bit of a turnover in the last couple of years..

Gehard (Gerry)Swart

Glenn Butler (18 points)

Thomas Davis (had a couple of nice runs)

Sean Inglis

Game:
We started well with a great kick off by Glenn which was knocked on by Cru and we kept it alive so that Dan could pick and go from a couple of meters out to score the first try at about 3 minutes.  Glenn converted.  Oakville had a stronger pack and pushed us around in the scrums and rucks and they eventually scored at about ten minutes.  Oakville was looking good with timely offloads and although we were making tackles they scored converted tries at 17 min and 25 minutes. We came  back  within one try when Glenn touched down at about 32 minutes but the Cru managed to work the ball into our end and scored another try off a quick tap at about 35 minutes.

 Half time score Grimsby Gentlemtn 14 and Oakville Crusaders 28

We had a couple of injuries (no subs remember) so Oakville eventually gave us a couple of forwards. Oakville scored again at 45 min and 55 min.  Dan picked off an errant pass and ran 60 meters for our third try and Glenn scored again at about 70 min withh Nick touching down at 72 min. Glenn made all the conversions except the last one which was at a difficult angle. Meanwhile the Cru scored at 65min, 67 min and one more at 75 min. Their kicker only missed one convert.

The game ended with some argey-bargey but generally it was a good first game for us against an experienced bunch of players. Glenn Butler was picked by the Cru as man of the match.

Our caped argee-barger (nice 'stach)

We scored 33 points with Glenn getting 18 points and Dan getting 10.  We might have had a couple more except for the slippery ball.

Dan going for a run with Glenn in support

Dan's grandparents checking out his play.

Glenn adding the points after

 We need to get a few more players out to practice as we are not fit nor do we know the systems.

The brain trust

We hung these in the visitor's changeroom for a bit of a psychological edge. 

The infirmary



Next game is a surprise as London does not seem to have a third team and we have been invited by Niagara to play against a Welsh touring side from  Nelson in Wales. They will be good but it will be hot for them and they will be very hungover (not like us)

Burlington tournament April 29th

Aside from being a very wet spring it has not be a good one for numbers with the club. We played in a tournament in Burlington on April 29th and since the playing insurance was paid we retrieved a number of players (because we needed the numbers) for one day and added a few new ones.

                     

Ian played his first game for the club after many years away from the game.

Tom played his first game for Grimsby since High School and got injured (ribs, sternum)on the first play (played for the next three games), but has not been able to play since.  

Ben Jeske played his first game for the club and the first in several years (Ben is from Edmonton and is the brother of former Gentlemen Jon Jeske)

Erick, Sam and Duncan came from London and Mississauga to play.  They played for the club two years ago but now are busy working and playing that other code (rugby league)

Other guest players were Adam who occasionally plays with us and Tom a big prop from the military.  The front row of  Tom (army) Vic and Nick as a sight to behold. We felt this was just for fun and did not keep score but the other teams did and we did not win the tournament. 

Good time overall. 

Club Dinner 2016

This year the 2016 Club Dinner was held in 2017. We get things done - but slowly.

Thirty-five attended and had a good time but not so good we had to carry anyone home (although many were picked up and driven home).

Older players who are smart enough not to play anymore (except Chris)

Katie is a little bored (this is her second year)

\

Vic is wondering why is is standing alone at the bar. 

The annual awards:

Rookie of the Year went to Myron Jurychuk who learned the game quickly and whose claim to fame is that he is the member who lives closest to the club (he also built the new shelves and drawers in the bar).

                         

Most improved went to Will George one of our centers. This was Will's second year with the club with a year with our farm team (Stoney Creek) in between, This award was presented by our club manager Ross Matheson.

Will and Ross

Player of the year went to our Captain Jake D'Achille who took over the 10 position and did very well.  He was away at school in Peterborough so Ross drank his beer. 

Clubman of the year was presented to Chris Atkinson, who after many years away returned at stepped into the Secretary role with the club and worked very hard on the 40th anniversary. 

Thanks Chris.

 Our unanimous selection for Deer's Rear (doing the most silly or awkward thing on the field) was unable to be there but got his award for attempting a pick and go from the base of a ruck on the one meter line but forgetting to check on the opposing forwards.  He went to the side with both their props and the next ruck was five meters back.  Well done Austin.

Kyle and Bob of the famous Bob-Kyle Awards gives James I his Miss Congeniality award (the chain of pink hearts)

James I got the Miss Congeniality award for almost getting a red card (it would have been our first in years) - get got the card and was sent off but the ref (new) found out how much work it was to red card someone and did not report it.  In a sport of roughness James was a little too rough.

The members who "carried" Frank for years

New Year's Touch

 The annoying tradition of playing touch early(?) on New Year's Day continued for 2017.  We had a new record for the turnout with thirty players (eventually), multitudes of fans and seven chili dishes. It was a bit cold (around 3 degrees) with a light dusting of snow at kick off .

spectators on the lower tier (standing room only)

spectators on the upper tier

spectators on the field

Only one in shorts

Milli was out and played (with a severed Achilles tendon (learned later)

A few celebs in action

A record of six chili dishes and a potato soup (Myron's fault).

Chili contest award winner Alex Millar

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