Cambridge at home: Week Twelve

Grimsby Gentlemen 17: Cambridge Pirates 24

Referee: Jeff Dahl ***, very patient with the other team.

Venue: Alway Field

Weather: nice, 25 degrees, strongish wind to the north (made a difference to the game)

Attendance: Not the 500 expected

Celebs: Donny MacPherson made a surprise visit and intends to play this year. Looks fit as in the photo with a possible new young player, Ryan Henderson, Steve Catagin, Greg Russell and Donny.



Also present was former president Dean Nasby. who was immediately put to work as a line judge which was difficult.



Also in attendance was Frank Schilte, former social member Eddie Vieira, Larry Jaraslawski, Jim Leavens, Adam Wilson and Ben. Also seen around were Alex Easton and Sean Padulo. Andy did not show.

President`s Report: Cambridge is at the top of the table and beat us 66 to 10 in the away game last June. We expected a good set of quick backs and they did score early. They would really have been dangerous if they could have passed the ball well. Strong center work led to a second converted try in the first half but the Gentlemen took over near the end of the half by dominating in the forwards.

Half time score: Grimsby 0: Cambridge 14

Second half, new game. With confidence building with a strong scrum, we came back with a nice run and a try early on in the half touched down by Vic. The convert by Derrick was off the post. Continued forward possession and pressure and a few soccer kicks by the centers led Derrick touching down and which he converted. With less than twenty minutes to go, against the run of play and a scrum we pushed over, Cambridge jumped on the ball when it came out and quickly scored. Convert missed. A nice elusive run set up a try under the posts for Grimsby, but the conversion was missed (down 2). Cambridge scored near the end under the posts and missed the convert.

Final Score: Grimsby 17: Cambridge 14

Team: Nathan Rowbottom, Dylan Kinch, Jon Millington, Jeremy Young, Scotty Walker, Joel Lenard, Bob Mavro, Phil Sullivan, Jon Jeske, Derrick Weber (C), Jamie Scully, Vic Blaney, Alex Millar, Nick Lemieux, A. Nother

Coach`s Report:

It feels good to have a full team to start unlike our past 4 games and with the added bonus, the other team had to play one short. But even with dominance in the scrum and a good lineout and an extra man, we still could not capture the win. We did not have the killer instinct to put away a team that was essentially falling apart, complaining to the ref and trying to delay the game. Our skills and fitness let us down. It looks like Cambridge will forfeit its last two games in September to support their two other teams in the Jones division. This will give wins to Kent and Bruce. It is better we played and lost than not have played but the forfeits by the leading team does not look good for the league. Anyway it was nice to have Joel back for the first time this year and Alex for the first time since June.

Coaches Man of the Match: Vic Blaney for strong running and tackling and a try

Other teams pick: also Vic Blaney



Scotty getting lifted.



Jeremy getting stepped on.



Mystery try scorer.

Grimsby at Bruce: Week Eleven

Grimsby Gentlemen 0: Bruce County Barbarians 28 (Default Score)

Referee: Their coach

Weather: Humid, with a light rain, 25 degrees.

Venue: C.A.W. Park in Port Elgin



My wife selected Inverhuron Park for camping in March (I did not know where the place was), and the league schedule came out in April with us in Bruce in June and them in Grimsby in August. Bruce asked for a change in May as they had all away games at the end of the season and we agreed. I still did not know where we were camping or when, but it turned out that the last day of camping was August 21 about 20 kms from the field. It looks like the gods wanted me at the game, unfortunately they did not want many of the rest of us at the game. It is a good thing some players showed the flag as it is important for us to do that or you would be looking at my vacation pictures instead.

I showed up late about 10 min before game time and it was a forlorn five sitting on the sideline. Then at about game time, the Profast truck showed up four as they took the more scenic route probably gazing at windmills and cornfields. By the way, if you want to listen to a rant, just ask someone from the county about wind turbines. Sometimes you don't have to ask, they just tell you.



Proud players but a lot disheartened as the team did not come through for them:

Jeremy Young, Jon Millington, Phil Sullivan, Scott Walker, Kyle Wilson, Vic Blaney, Derrick Weber (C), Jamie Scully, Andrew Jolly

Andrew was supposed to stay another week but had to go back to Scotland (something about finishing a paper, but maybe to get rid of us) He did say he would be back next year despite the weather, the travelling and the number of players. Thanks Andrew and good luck in Dundee.

Anyway, we borrowed a few players and our guys played a strong game although were a little let down by the tackling of the borrowed players especially in the backs, but whose complaining. Half time score was 4 tries to Bruce to 2 for our side. My man of the match goes to Jon Millington who scored and ran with the ball, always attracting attention from the Bruce tacklers.

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Derrick had a great game and was excited to be at number 9. He had to make a lot of tackles, but scored a try and a conversion. This is actually a picture of the girl in the black dress but Derrick got in the way.



We had a few players hook this game, the ref who got hurt, Phil who got hurt and
Jeremy.



Also special mention to Vic and everyone else who spend a lot of the time tackling.



Derrick says they had a great beer up with lots of corn and he was sorry we couldn't stay later as it looked like to be a great party. Too bad for Bruce about the game but what do they expect when you bring scaffolding to record it.

O what the hell, some holiday pix.

Grimsby Gentlemen vs Kent Havock Week Ten

Nothing to report as Grimsby did not have enough players to make the 3 hour trip to Chatham. We had to default, which I think is the first time for the first team in the modern era. I hope everyone enjoyed their rugby free weekend with a little guilt.

I thought I would update a little on the history of Grimsby Rugby since I have the time. These historical moments are in no particular order and are only published when I think of them ..or I should say research them.

It seems many years ago up at Alway school a few of the boys were kicking around a ball when William Webb sent the ball accidentally onto the road presently known as Ridge Road (then too) where it got run over by a hay wagon with eight work horses, each of whom stepped on the ball with each foot. The others chided William for his incompetence and lack of skill. William defended himself by saying he meant to do it as he now had a ball no longer round but in an oval shape.

He said " There are thirty of us and I will take half and we are going to run this oddly shaped ball down the field and touch it down in the endzone. Try to stop us you scrummers." This was a word that William did not know what it meant but it sounded bad.

The words were barely out of his mouth when he was hit by a number of opposing players and only just managed to offload to a supporter who did a DSP to make a break and with help managed to put the ball down in the endzone in about 10 phases.

A passing school teacher observed what happened and called the boys together. "Gentlemen" (some say this is how we got our name), he said, " You have just invented a new game and I think we will call it Alway after the school."

Unfortunately he was not very bright and lived with his mother and didn't get out much. It was, in fact, 1978 and rugby had been invented some hundred and fifty five years before at Rugby School in England. Its a good thing William Webb Ellis had not gone to school in Penetaguishene. I only mention the whole incident as it was one of the few times Grimsby Gentlemen has had 15 players on the field.

Flag Rugby Celebration Aug 9 2010

We celebrated the almost end of the flag season, with a party mainly organized by Laura and Martin Van Den Hurk. It did not look good at the start as the weather was not cooperating. But about 20 kids, 15 parents and 1 dog showed up.











After a meal the weather improved and it was a full field game of the slower but crafty parents against the faster but with better lung capacity kids





At some point I found a new setting on my camera that had sports on it, so I tried it but without my glasses I could not see what was happening. So I got some interesting pictures, some good and many bad.







And Andy was no help in getting in my way.

Norfolk at home Week Nine

Grimsby Gentlemen 15: Norfolk Harvesters 20

Venue: Alway field

Referee: Steve Scott ****

Weather: nice, 24 degrees, less humidity

Attendance: less than 500 but life members Bill Stabler and Paul Rhoner were noted celebs

President's Report:

Unfortunately short players again, with players arriving late, good thing the game did not start on time. We had the wind in the first half but Norfolk scored first as a result of us playing one down. With our scrum forty meters out from our line, we sent the blind side winger into the scrum but Norfolk wheeled the scrum, we lost the ball at the base and they charged down the blind side and scored after 20 min. We came back and kicked a penalty by Dylan and then a try by Derrick off good forward pressure in the next 20 min. A couple of dust-ups near the end of the half resulted in a warning by the referee about any extracurricular activities. Players would be sent off.

Half time score Grimsby 8: Norfolk 7

Norfolk knocked on the kick off and from the ensuing scrum our center Alex scored a 40 m try and the conversion bounced off the post and in. With the wind now, Norfolk kept the ball in our end and were rewarded with a penalty in front of the posts after about 20 min. With about 10 min to go, Derrick kept the ball up in the end zone, but the push on the ensuing scrum caused their front row to go back and up resulting in a penalty against us. A quick tap gave Norfolk an unconverted try. Tie game. Unfortunately, a quickly taken penalty by Norfolk from about 35 m out resulted in a last minute try.

Full time: Grimsby 15: Norfolk 20


Team: Nathan Rowbottom, Dylan Kinch, Jon Millington, Jeremy Young, Phil Sullivan, Bob Mavro, Kyle Wilson, Jon Jeske, Derrick Weber (C), Andrew Jolly, Alex Stevenson, Vic Blaney, Martin Van Den Hurk, Nick Lemieux.

Coaches Report:

Welcome to Phil Sullivan back with the club and playing his first game in a couple of years. Also welcome to Andrew Jolly who is over from Great Britain for the month of August and plays with Dundee University in Scotland.



Andrew (above) thinks its bloody hot to be playing rugby.

This is the third game in the last four we have lost with a try in the last minute or very near the end of the game. It would probably indicate a lack of fitness. Even with one man down we could have won the game. I know with the lack of players, it is difficult, but we need to get motivated to win and get stronger on defense.

Captains pick for Man of the match for his timely try, strong running and powerful tackling: Alex Stevenson and Norfolk also picked Alex. Well done.



From under the Willow:

Well done Bob for the food celebrating that rugby power: Greece. Next time we think we will have reindeer burgers to recognizing rugby in Norway.

Thanks for taking the lead on the poker tournament Derrick, not as successful as we had hoped, but you came away with a bit more money at night and a few more scars from the day.

When coming to the club, we invite you to be sure to visit our unique gift shoppe, right now specializing in an assortment of products that mask strong odours. All our merchandise is endorsed by every person on the club and especially their families. The shoppe is to be found in the south-east corner of the main room, you cannot miss it (or ask directions from our courteous staff).

Wilmot at home Week Eight

Grimsby Gentlemen a little : Wilmot Warthogs a lot

Record now 5 and 3 with no wins in July. Some one said that more is learnt in defeat than in victory,because often with victory comes arrogance and pride while, loss comes with humility and a need to workhard and smart for better results next time.
We should do great in August.

Venue: Alway Field

Referee:Andrew Nowak **

Weather: Tropical warm, humid, 30 degrees, kind of rainy

Attendance: did not hit the magical 500

Presidents Report: The president was fulfilling family obligations by going to a local wedding (under duress). You think you were hot, you should have been in church in Winona. So this report will be essentially hearsay and mostly made up.

Playing one player short for the full game, we had the ball in Wilmot's end for 80% of the time but three mistakes resulted in three long tries for Wilmot.

Half time score Grimsby 3: Wilmot 19

They scored early in the second half but we came back and had a certain try from a line out drive called back. See below.



In the second half, the heat and the numbers go to us and the score got run up. If something doesn't kill, you it makes you stronger or maims you forever.

It got a little too emotional for Milli and the Wilmot player.



Final Score Grimsby 3: Wilmot 43

Team: Jeremy Young, Dylan Kinch, Jon Millington, Scott Walker, Dean Gibson, Kyle Wilson, Martin Van Den Hurk, Nathan Rowbottom, Jon Jeske, Derrick Weber,Vic Blaney, Alex Stephenson, Jamie Scully, Bob Mavro,

An interesting event took place, I am told, during the beer up, when Greenpeace came along and threw water on this guy and tried to shove him back into the ocean.



Man of the Match as selected by Wilmot: Alex Stevenson. We all know which one Alex is in the picture (the one tackling from behind), but others may not.



From under the Willow:

Someone was having fun. What's with the Burlington shirt, anyway? Ben, tell your dad you won't hang around anyone dressed like that. How embarrassing.

Windsor away 2010 Week Seven

Grimsby Gentlemen 0: Windsor Rogues 20
or
Grimsby Gentlemen 24: Windsor Rogues 31

Venue: AKO Fratmen Club Field

Referee: David Jameson

Weather: 33 degrees but with humidity it
seemed hotter.

Attendance: two injured camp followers (Bob and Mike)and Michelle

Presidents Report: For the first time this year we were short players at the kickoff. Actually we only had 12, which included a guest player Levi Rowbottom who was hi-jacked and forced to come on the trip by his brother. Instead of trying to play with a lopsided team we decided to borrow some players who were not going to get into the game for Windsor. Windsor played well in the first half and scored at the seven minute mark with just good hard running and us missing tackles. They continued to score two more tries in the first half mainly due to our poor execution and tackling. However, at the end of half we took the ball into their end and with a lot of work keeping the ball alive by the forwards, Vic finally scored for us on the outside.

Half Time Score: Grimsby 5: Windsor 19

At the start of the second, they brought the ball down and a miss handle in the endzone led to a 5 m scrum and a score for them. However, We did seem to have had some good moments with the ball and had been able to put some pressure on the other team. This led to a couple of runs and a try by Levi followed quickly by another try, this time by Alex and with 10 minutes to go one of the guest Windsor players scored. The score was now 24 to 24. and we were in a game. However for the second week in a row, the opposition scored in the last few minutes to win the game.

Final Score: Grimsby 24: Windsor 31

Team: Nathan Rowbottom, Dylan Kinch, Jon Millington,Scott Walker, Frank Dela Fortuna, Vic Blaney, Jon Jeske, Derrick Weber (C), Jamie Scully, Levi Rowbottom, Alex Stevenson, Nick Lemieux.

Thanks to those players who made the effort to travel to Windsor even though we knew we would lose the points. Not going would have meant us covering their expenses for liquor license and referee. We would have put the onus on next year's team by causing them to travel twice to Windsor. Also it is good for rugby for us to fulfill our fixtures as well as possible. And it turned into a good game whether or not it was for the league or just an exhibition. You don't get to play in many comeback games like that.

Coaches Report: It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that led us to be down players with a couple of unexpected injuries, car problems and work. But with a small team, each person missing is important. Congratulations to all who went, it would make things much more difficult next year if we did not. Thanks? to Bob, who arranged very reasonable rates for a nice hotel in downtown Windsor. Having a player like Levi in the centers who is actually an eight enabled us to set up some runs later on in the game. We worked on some improvements in our play and they seemed to help.

Coaches Man of the Match: Levi Rowbottom

Their Pick for Man of the Match: Vic Blaney

Thanks to Michelle who actually did wash the kit and used a complete package of dryer freshners.