Club Dinner 2019 (in 2020)

Club Dinner for 2019 (January 11, 2020)

Future Gentlemen practicing their binds last year

Our generic award for every category 

Once again we were a little late in delivering the club dinner for 2019 but in our fashion it happened. We had about 35 show up for an exciting evening of suspense, self congratulations and  socialization (the non-political kind).. 

We want to thank Vic, Erin, Chris, Isobel, John, Lindsay, Joe, Jake, Dean and everyone else who had a hand in producing the meal.  Martin and Laura of Naked Acres Grain-fed Meats donated much of the meat and it was Vic who cooked it all and delivered it hot.  We had a meal for the Super Bowl from the leftovers.

This year our old boy's table, which passes for royalty here, was made up of Paul Rohner, Wayne Scobie, Bill Stabler, Jim Van Roon (ended up at 566 in Hat Trick Hockey - he was beaten by Frank Shilte (77) who was beaten by his daughter (58).  If you don't know what Hat Trick Hockey is then you don't hang around Grimsby enough. Kirk Stevens made his first appearance at one of our dinners (at least in the last 15 years). Honorary old boys were Adam Meehan who signed for Oakville and Kyle Wilson of Burlington who both played some games with us this year.

Josh Thompson joined the club in the spring after playing for GSS (a former Grimsby flag player) and got his first yellow card in his first game. (Likely not a record but we don't actually keep records) and  Josh gets the Miss Congeniality (since James Vinneau who won it the last four years.did not play any games) .Josh worked on his game all season (which means he came to practice a lot) and he played really well.  Josh earns gets the Junior Player of the Year. award. Sorry for the focus in the picture Josh - you must have had too much to drink.We actually don't lets juniors drink but we give them an empty glass. 

                                       

Laughlin Hill is our 2019 Rookie of the Year. He played at Blessed Trinity and make a trip with the school to play in New Zealand. He was a fullback mainly and played in the fall at Conestoga College.

A rookie not a junior - he can have a drink.

   The ,most improved player of the year went to Ryan Montgomery who developed into an exciting player and gave out a lot of punishment when he ran.   Ryan could not make the dinner but here he is at tight head with his father, Jeff at scrum half.

                    

The awards committee looked at several players for the Player of the Year and of the many considered two stood out as being very deserving and because the awards committee is wishy-washy they decided to name two members for the award. One of those players played gingerly at the start of the season (coming back from injury) but soon got back into his stride and was named as player of the match several times by the other teams because of skill and talent. This was of course Dean Crozier (Kiwi) who came back after two years from an injury.  The other player had a great season for the team as he scored 17 of our 41 tries and with his kicking duties scored 151 of the 277 scored by the team or (55%). In the final game against Hamilton he scored all 24 of our points. Always a threat to score from anywhere Daniel Prentice-Chowen is a repeat winner in this category from last season. 

Shared Players of the Year honours Dan and Dean

Dean was a Master of the Game of Throwins
 (except this one which we will blame on the thrower)

 We wanted a storage ashed built and when we asked around Jake said "I'm Italian and I can build it" and so he did.  Jake came back to the club after four years away (at school in Peterborough) and made a great impression on and off the field.  Jake D'Achille was named Clubman of the Year (and also elected to the committee- that's what happens when you show any sense of responsibility. . 

                                               

His creation

pre-paint

post paint

Traditionally the last official award is the Deer's Rear, which if you have been around the club and paying attention goes to the player that does something not accepted a good rugby on the field. Dan Prentice-Chowen was nominated because one of our games got switched to a Thursday and even though Dan was at the game he could not play.  (We got Glaan Butler to fill in).  Dan went home a got his stuff and played the second half and the reason he did not want to play was because he had gotten a large tattoo on his arm that day and it hurt. It was pointed out that this episode did not really take place on the field of play and therefore did not meet the criteria. So although it was a good attempt Dan was disqualified and we gave the award to Dan Prentice-Chowen who in the Brooker Cup game against Niagara tried to get the ball past the defender by droping the ball to his left side and kicking with his right foot (you had to see it) and it did not work as his left leg was in the way.
                                               

Dan trying to give me a single finger salute. 

We announced that we had added two players to our change-room walls of fame. 

Pete VanRyn was a tight head prop and played for the club from 1883 to 1988.  In later years he helped in the remodeling of the clubhouse. Pete passed in February 2009.

. 

 Dirk Reichow played for the club between 2011 and 2018 at lock and was a member of the executive for 5 years as secretary.  Although often beset with injury problems, Dirk was a very dedicated player and administrator. Dirk and family moved to Nova Scotia last summer. (see next blog)

Thanks Dirk

 Overall we had a good year with many exciting wins (after the first two games) and a number of new and younger players. Hopefully we build on this next season unless something unforeseen comes along.

A great night was had by all with lots of fun.  However sophisticated humour ( like Game of Throw-ins) is lost on rugby players and all they want to do is to drink and get naked.               

Don't ask

                         

Jan 1 2020

                       

We had our annual touch rugby game and chilli contest and set numerous records.  Among them we had the most participants with 35 and the most chillies entered with 9.Thanks to all those who came out and especially the chilliers which made the day a success.

I know if you count them there is only 8 (one was in the kitchen)

 It was a chilly day (weather) and quite cold in the wind.There was a little bit of snow and a bit of a crust but underneath it was muddy.

A few contemplated their attendance in the future.

It was cool so most dressed warmly

like these spectators

and these spectators

some came in shorts (actually only two)

and some in less than that. 

and one dog

                                             

We had to split up into two games.

We only had one female playing

                           

oops that is from 2010

                           

Back in 2010 we had a campaign to get rugby into the winter olympics but it did not work.

This is 2020

Joe brought the best chili (according to the judges)
Jon Millington won in 2010

.

Welcome to 2020 from the New Years's Baby(someone took my camera again)

We have had 58, 394 all time hits with 20,500 from Canada, 9,000 from the U.S. and 8,500 from Russia, I bet we get more from Russia after the above picture. 

Grimsby Grubbers Team Party August 19th

At the annual team party the parents got to play the kids. There were no medals and we did not keep score. It was a pot luck and everyone had a good time

lots of action 

even some good sportsmanship.

                                   
                             

post game

New Executive (well some new) elected November 4th 2019

We had an AGM on November 4th at the clubhouse with a quorum.  We spoke about our last year which was better than the last two seasons especially on the playing field.  We moved to a different division as Norfolk's second team and it seemed to work very well for us and we got a number of good younger players back playing with us. (if you  want the minutes we will send them to you.
We had elections:

President: Bill Stuart (same old) acclaimed
Secretary: Chris Atkinson
Treasurer: Erin Stuart
Club Manager: Derrick Weber (new)
Social Secretary (two persons are doing this file) Nick Lord and Jake D'Achille (new)
Fixtures (and we have added a Social Media responsibility): Will George (new)
Junior Manager: Dean Crozier is going to help out John Fraser
Clubhouse Manager: Myron Jurychuk will help Brendan Vorstenbosch.

New Year's Touch Game and Chilli Challenge.

Grimsby Grubbers Flag Rugby 2019

The flag rugby Grimsby Grubbers had a very good season with 60 participants in three age groups (jkand sk, grades 1 and 2, and grades 3 to 5 (two teams white and red).  (We still do not have a grade 6 to 9 group with enough individuals)They started in mid May and played until mid August with 5 tournaments.  The last tournament was in Grimsby and it was the one where scores were kept and medals handed out.

Its 8:00 am and

the fields are ready

the clubhouse ready

we just need some strategy,

decide on a plan 

and go

make a break and look for support

Try!!!

Grade 1 and 2 (well done)

don't let them know what your thinking

Its 12:00

Grade 3, 4, 5 Grimsby gold medal (white) and silver medal (red)

Well done everyone.

Hamilton at Home

Game left over from May 11th  when the weather and ground was a lot wetter.

Grimsby Gentlemen 24: Hamilton Hornets 17

Venue: Nice dry Alway Park

Weather: about 25 degrees

Referee: Ian Stewart's favourite son Glenn and Assistant Referee Scott

Glenn

Scott

Attendance:  A host of a multitude or maybe a bit less

And this was only one side

James  Vienneau on the sideline for the first time this year; this will be the first time in ten years he and his stash has not received at least a yellow card in a season. 

Dai Rhys Jones and Chris Roden Here to cheer on Grimsby (I think).  Chris has had his picture in the blog even more than some of us

Team:

1) Ryan Montgomery (80 min), (2) Brendan Vorstenbosch  (80 min), (3) Jon Millington (80 min), (4) Martin Van der Hurk (80 min ), (5) Kyle Wilson (80 min) (6) John Frasier (20 min + an hour at the hospital - he was back before the end of the game), (7) Dean Crozier (80 min) , (8) Nick Lord (60 min), (9) Joe Faint (40 min)  10) Derrick Weber (80 min) , (11) Josh Thompson (80 min), (12) Will George (C) (80 min), (13) Dan Prentice-Chowen (40 min and 40 at center), 14) Joe Sanders (80 min) , 15) Laughlin Hill (80 min), 16)  Myron Jurychuck (60 min at flank), 17) Tuan  Vo (40 min at hooker),18) Brendan  (40 min at touch judge and 40 min at center) 19: Tim Sullivan (60 min in chair and 20 min at center.

Tim (out of chair)

The Good, the Bad and the Rugby

I was going to keep track of knock ons and lost balls but I got to one and then I forgot. Both teams did well in the first five minutes until Dan intercepted one of their passes in the center at about the fifty,touched down and converted. At about twenty minutes John caused a player to smack him in the head and get a yellow card.  John went off to get stitches and  was back before the end of the game probably thanks to the new health networks set up by Grimsby the conservative government.  (Every one must think the hospital is closed so no one goes anymore)

Lost count of the stiches

We did what we usually do in situations when the other team is down a player we move the ball quickly from side to side , kick the ball out of bounds and let them score,  When then the player came back on and we let them score again so at the end of the half we had Hamilton exactly where we wanted them.

Half time Grimsby Gentlemen 7: Hamilton Hornets 12

At 45 minutes Dan gets a nice breakaway and run to a touch down and does the conversion..

At 55 minutes Dan kicks a penalty and at 65 minutes Webs makes a partial break, off loads to Will who makes a long run and offloads to Dan for the try under the posts. Being good hosts we let Hamilton score at 80 minutes.

Final Score Daniel Prentice-Chowen 24: Hamilton Hornets 17

Trends:

We have not failed to notice that Dan Prentice-Chowen is a scoring machine (guess who Hamilton picked as man of the match).  We also noticed that we have won the last couple of games without Vic Blaney on the team.  It has been along time since that has happened.  We kicked six balls into the bush and we do not have any yet.

End of the Season after 10 games (9 actually) we have a 6 and 4 record (losses in the first two games (both away) and  two losses to Niagara).  I count that unplayed game against Fergus as a win since it was never played (they did not have a ref) and they call it as a win (their only win of the season) and we beat them in the one game- or at least a tie.  No matter what, we ended up in fourth place in the Niagara A2 division which seems to be a good for a turnaround season.. 

Tats of the Team

We3 are resurrecting a popular feature of the blog:  Tattoos of members of the club.

Drat!

Next week we have a family day with the final flag kids tournament in the morning and we are challenging Burlington to a game of rugby and the winner can say they are the best place in Canada to live) and a pig roast in the evening.