Fall Season Opener V Woodsmen

It has been awhile since I have written on this page. I should probably talk about the Rugby World Cup and write a discourse on the victory/loss the U.S. Eagles had versus the Irish or the underdog victory by the Irish over the Australian Wallabies (favored by many to win the Earl Ellis Cup), or the hard-fought victory by the U.S. over Russia. However, Saturday was the start of my third season with the Lake County Gladiators. I should have been adding to this Blog while getting ready for the season. Unfortunately, I have spent more time doing everything but Rugby. Quite honestly, it showed after the first 25 minutes on the pitch.




Playing our cross-town rivals the Schaumburg Woodsmen, we had a lot of new blood on the field; including two new guys from my work, which I worked hard to recruit (We had a total of 5 from my unit, including myself). They, on the other hand, are a proven and experienced team. They also have a number of former Gladiators on their starting squad. This made for aggressive play and hard hitting. For the first 25 minutes of the game we gave them a fight. Although the dominated the possession time our defense held time and time again. We may have bent but we never broke. I had a few bonehead plays like reaching in and playing the ball from the ground but neither had adverse effect on the score.


On the other hand I had a great hit on a guy who was easily 30 lbs heavier than I. He was a large ginger haired dude with a red beard. He looked like his profession could have actually been a “woodsmen”. He thought he could bowl me over with size but I went as low as my 42-year-old body could go and aimed my face cheek to his ass cheek. 185 lbs with momentum impacting below someone’s center of gravity will always have the desired effect. He lifted off the ground and went heels-over-head landing with a thud. I felt like I had made the highlight film of the World Cup. However, moments later, as I was rolling out of the way I caught a knee or a head in my upper back from the forming ruck.


Several minutes after my hit we made our first and only drive into their territory in the first half. Unfortunately they gained the ball back and used their speed and the breakdown of our transition to defense to score their first try with a succession of good passes and inspired runs. This first score opened the flood games to the Woodsmen scoring machine they scored three successive tries before I pulled myself. I was winded and not able to make it to the rucks or back on defense after they broke our gain-line. I also wanted one of my co-workers to get in his first game (His wife and friends came to see him play- I figured the more he played- the more he would love the game and I would have a convert for life).




I wish I could report that the fresh legs and injection of enthusiasm turned the tied but the Woodsmen scored again before the end of the first half. I sat the second half as the Woodsmen scored another two tries. However, it was mid-way through the second half when our offense started to click. After a penalty lineout, the Gladiator front pushed inside our 5 meter-line. Vinny, at the Scrumhalf, took the ball around the ruck an in for our first score. About 15-20 minutes later we scored again on a textbook play. We won a ruck and immediately passed the ball out to the backs. Josh Sanchez (one of my recruits from work) received the ball and proceeded to sprint to the try-line. Only one defender stood between him and 5 points. The defender tried to tackle Josh high (bad idea since Josh had at least 15 lbs on him). Mr. Sanchez lowered his shoulder and sent the defender flying backwards as he strutted across the line for our second and final score.


The play made was a sign that we can compete with the best in our league. As our new players gain experience and the team jells we may just win a few. The older players were happy, for once, and acted as if we had won despite the lopsided score. I was pleased that two of my recruits played all 80 minutes, got a try, and played a heck of a game. My other two recruits played at least 40 minutes, not counting Luis Gonzalez’s time in the sin bin for diving over the pile (which resulted in the final Woodsmen score).

The play of the team in our first contest, against a proven playoff quality Division II team is a lot to be proud about. Especially, since 3 weeks prior we only had 6 guys at practice. Looking towards the future there is much to be hopeful about. I just hope my swollen and sore body stops aching by Thursday’s practice, or at least by Saturday’s game versus the Rockford Ravens.

Not ready for Prime Time Sports Writer

Since the season began I have been in contact with the local paper trying to drum up support for my beloved Rugby club. They have been responsive, even to the extent of sending their Sports Editor and his son to cover the season’s first game. This Saturday I invited them again but they did not show. So I took matters in hand and wrote a short summary of the game and made an appeal to the reader to come and join us on the pitch.



I have been working diligently to recruit players from work. My efforts have given the team 5 starters including myself. You can count a 6th player indirectly as one of the guys I recruited brought one of our former colleagues to play. As a result of my efforts I have been put in charge of the recruiting effort for the fall season. I guess the four intense years as a Marine Corps recruiter in San Antonio, TX will now pay off. I am excited to try my hand at building a team. This especially exciting because it is in a sport that I knew very little about a year ago.




I like to think it is a one of those little life’s motivational truths that armed with a vision and drive you can achieve anything in life. Of course, it is easy to say that now, I haven’t done anything yet other than talk to a few people at work and write one article; but it’s a damn good start if I can say so myself. Who knows, maybe this blog will go from being a personal outlet to viral therapy for the masses? For now I will settle for the satisfaction of the small success of being in the local paper. Heck even Skip Bayless had to start somewhere.

The try that never was; or try and try again.

It was my best game so far, but one of the most physically demanding. We played the Northwest Woodsmen from Schaumburg Illinois, a team we merged with last fall before going our separate ways again this spring. It was obvious from the start that they had the advantage in speed and even size, but we were stronger up front. We used this to our advantage. We used our forwards to pound the ball over and over again. I got into a rhythm of following my locks and props into the ruck and acted as the push for the maul. It seemed that I was on the ground every third touch of the ball. This gave me opportunity after opportunity to either get my hands on the ball or make a play on it.

The Woodsmen benefited from their fleetness as their backs took advantage of missed open-field tackles to speed across the try-line, three times in the first half. However, one of their potential scores became a turnover when the back did not go to ground and was tackled by one scrumhalf and knocked the ball out of the field of play. Our first score came on the heels of the Woodsmen’s second score. For a moment, I thought I had scored the try. A ruck formed at about the 7-meter line. I saw an opportunity to pick-up the ball and slip around the side of the ruck and score. My problem was I thought the 5-meter line was the try line. So I dove in hard and crossed the 5-meter line with a thunderous rush. As soon as I hit the ground and there was a rush to ruck over me I instantly realized what I had done. So I presented the ball as quickly as I could, which then went across the try line the next play. You could say I loosened the defense up for the score.

During the first part of the second half we made a push for the lead. With the Woodsmen maintaining a 10-5 lead, we moved the ball steadily downfield. Our Hooker picked up the ball and rolled over several Woodsmen to advance the ball. As he was being wrapped up I moved in to support the maul. With my assistance and his “never surrender” attitude, He and I barreled through the last 10 meters of his 25-meter run for our second score. We missed the conversion to tie the game. I felt like I had a hand in the score even though my assistance may not have been that big a factor.


My big play of the day came about 70 minutes into the game. We had the ball at the Woodsmen 5-meter line and were set to score, but a small infraction gave the scrum to the Woodsmen. They won the scrum and quickly pitched it back for the punt. Having flashbacks of Lake Forest I sprinted and jumped catching the football style punt right in my sternum. I followed with my momentum toward the blocked punt racing to jump on the free ball for a score. Unfortunately, two Woodsmen were in position to jump on the loose ball and send it through the dead-ball line. Once again I was so close, yet so far away. Had I gotten my hands on the ball I would have been the hero, as we possibly would have won the game. Alas, due to a few injuries we were down to 13 players on the pitch, and the Woodsmen took advantage of it to showcase their speed and scored another try.


To add to the pain of losing I was spiked in my left ankle and hobbled for the last 5 minutes of the game. So far victory on the rugby pitch has been elusive, however, I am playing with more confidence and vision. I think that by this fall we will have gained enough experience to make us truly competitive.

First Game

Ok, so I am no Francois Pienaar or a Lewis Moody, but I had more fun playing Flanker last Saturday than I can remember having in a long time. Although I did not set the Rugby world on fire with my play, I maintain that I had a respectable game and a lot to be proud of. It was a cold raining day in Northern Illinois when we met Lake Forest College for our first match of the spring season. We were almost shorthanded until our 15th man showed up 10 minutes before the match. This meant that I was not only going to get a lot of time playing but that I was also going to get my first start. Although it was by default, a start is a start. I am proud to say I finally earned a cap.

I felt my heart rate shoot up the moment I walked on to the pitch. (Speaking of the pitch, it was a very nice modern artificial turf. Wearing a pair of molded soccer cleats I was able to run and cut like I was 18.) We were playing Lake Forest College, an undefeated team with a 10-0 record. My expectations were low since we had only practiced outside twice but we played very well.

In fact, we dominated the first 20-25 minutes of the game but could not score. I, on the other hand, was manic for the first 3 minutes and then sucked wind for the remaining 37. I knew I should pace myself but I could not help it. The adrenaline flow was too strong and I was engaged in the heat of battle. Throughout the game, I made 3 or 4 strong solo tackles and numerous assisted ones. I attacked the rucks with careless abandon and eager sought a chance to make a play. I even got steamrolled several times when I took on the big boys; but more often than not I brought them down. I was a bit spasmodic on my passes and obviously still need more experience in order to slow the game down enough to play offense like I need to.

It seemed I spent most of my day in a scrum. This is a physically exhausting activity which we must of done 20-30 times. Despite my aggressive play I was caught being a spectator in a scrum which cost us a try. The ball was put in on my side and since it was our put in all I thought to do was push as hard as I could. By this time we had already done a couple a dozen or so scrums so I was focused on winning the scrum despite my fatigued legs. I did not come out of the push to look for the ball or look for the scrumhalf, as I was thinking the ball was going to the other side of the scrum. Instead, it came shooting out of my side like a scared squirrel leaving me in a stunned trance. The ball was quickly recovered up by a Lake Forest back who ran it down to about the ten meter line. Several plays later they scored their second and last try. I had a chance to redeem myself late in the second half by blocking a punt but due to my complete lack of vertical leap I missed it.



We ending losing 14-0 and I was sore and bruised; but the experience made me feel alive and energized. I was ready to do it again. Far from erasing any hopes of being the next David Wallace or Francois Pienaar it has only added fuel to the fire to play harder and better the next time I lace up my boots.

As a small footnote I called the Lake County Sun-Times to see if we could get some press coverage. They braved the cold and rain to write a good article and took a few pictures. So a special thanks for their support. I will post their article in a few days.

New Position

Along with the new season I have been given a chance to play a new position. I am to be one of the Flankers on the Gladiators front five. I am excited about the opportunity to play a skill position and maybe get to hit a little more. Since, I have never considered myself a big guy (I am about 180 lbs) I thought I would never see the Front 5. However, this week in practice they asked me to play the Flanker. It is my style to want to know everything about that which I am doing. So as I researched the position I've impressed and humbled by the responsibility and trust that is given me. The flanker seems to be a very active position, one which gets a lot of action, both offensively and defensively. I have gained a few new Rugby heroes in my pantheon now due to me "research". Guys like Francios Pienaar from the South African Springboks. If you have seen INVICTUS you know who Francios Pienaar is. He is the guy who was played by Matt Damon; the captain of the team that united a Nation.

There are a few other guys that I have gained an appreciation for: Lewis Moody of England and Mike Wallace of Ireland. My first game as a Flanker (and the first game of the season) is tomorrow. I am both excited to play the position, but nervous that I will not be up to the demanding task because of my age and inexperience. Yet I keep reminding myself "not to take counsel of my fears" and that if I give my best effort then things will probably workout because I am surrounded by a team of good guys. So as I strap up my boots tomorrow whatever butterflies are in my stomach at least I will not have the weight of a nation on my shoulders like my hero Francios Pienaar.

Motivation!!- A great Ad.

A New Season!!

The Gladiators (the team I play for) had there first outdoor practice this week. I don't know if it was the trill of getting back on the pitch with the guys after a year or finally being outside after a long Mid-West winter but the experience was almost euphoric. I was surprised by how much I had forgotten because I have spent this winter obsessing about getting a chance to play again. However, I performed well and definitely played with more confidence. It is amazing what a little confidence can do to a person. I think knowing the guys on the team and finally understanding the rules of the game enabled me to be a bit more relaxed and sure of what I was doing. I find it rather funny that after one season and three games played (caps) for the Gladiators that I am considered a veteran, one of the Ole guys. Another dynamic that assists in my new found confidence is the fact that I have personally recruited six members of the team from my job. Since I am their direct boss at work and know their level of experience I am automatically more comfortable with being a leader. In turn I think they are more comfortable to have me to turn to and watch. Having my co-workers beside me creates a team within a team. This is not in a cliquish dynamic, but rather a feeling a familiarity that I did not have last year when I tried to break into the team. After practice we consolidated the old guys with the new guys with a round of beers and some pizza. Yes, it is going to be a good season, win, lose, or draw.