Before I go any further, I think it is important to acknowledge some of the hard work done by my fellow coaches these past months. Peter, who runs the operation, is the best coach I have ever worked with or played under, and his commitment to the team is stupendous. Luke who does everything under the stars to make sure everything goes right, and in 3 years basically everything has gone right. Gary, who's knowledge and experience have been invaluable to a young group of athletes. And Benny and John, new/old additions this season who have been invaluable helping develop and assessing our younger players. Fantastic year gentlemen. OK, now that that is out of the way...
Who ever said winning isn't everything, hasn't lost a few times and then won again. Let me tell you something: even if winning isn't everything, it sure feels really good when you do win.
The Queen's Gaels Men's Varsity Rugby team, of which I am an assistant coach, beat the Western Mustangs in the OUA final last weekend. The game was awesome, as Queen's erased a second-half deficit of 9 points to win 23-19. Even more impressive was the final 5 minutes, played almost entirely within the 5m before the Queen's tryline and Western being denied on the last play of the game. The final series involved 13 consecutive phases, and a 23 second ruck before the whistle was blown. Pretty fantastic stuff. For Peter Hugenbois, our head coach, the victory represents something extra special. It is his first championship in his 6 years as head coach, and he played on the last Queen's team to win the championship in 2001. He got mobbed as the final whistle blew, and almost lost his glasses as a result.
Queen's allowed an early try off a handling mistake by Mike Wong Jr. (no actual relation to me... hence why we call him Jr.), who otherwise played a stellar game. A score by semi-import winger Scottie Kyle made it 5-7 a few minutes later. Western then responded with another try and convert to make the score 5-14. On the last play of the half, Graeme Dibden cross-kicked into the corner and after a fortunate bounce, Zack Pancer ran the ball in for another score. We missed the convert and went into half time down 10-14. Western scored at the 50 minute mark of the second half, and things looked momentarily grim for Queen's. However, Scottie Kyle, Mike Wong Jr., and in particular Chris Barrett were able to find multiple gaps and decimate the Western backline, with Barrett making 3 huge gains, 2 of which resulted in tries. With Queen's now up 23-10 (an early second half penalty was also slotted by Ryan Kryune) the name of the game was defence, highlighted by the final stand in the dying minutes of the game.
Basically it was a fantastic day with many supporters in the stands, including many current and past players, as well as other alumni, family and friends. Donna even made the trip down, and despite her lack of enthusiasm for most rugby games, could also be found on the field celebrating with everyone else. She commented on the excitement of the game. Almost too exciting for me.
For all those people who say winning isn't everything, here's what I think. Try working exceptionally hard for something. Devoting hours each and every day for months, competing against other people who have done the same thing. Then, at the very end, when you know that despite a perfect season, the quality of the group of people you have been working with, and the colossal amount of support you have received from dozens of people, that you have still have to work extra hard in order to be successful, you try telling me it wasn't worth it or that winning isn't important.
I gotta tell you. I felt pretty good this week.
Stay Frosty.
Showing posts with label Rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rugby. Show all posts
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Too Much Food
Since I've been back in Vancouver it feels like I have done nothing but eat. Here is a rundown of activities that have kept me fat so far this holiday:
I had some left-over Christmas breakfast when I got in on Christmas Day. Then there was turkey dinner at my Aunts place that night. I consumed way too much turkey, and as a result of time differences and tryptophan, I spent the evening napping and eating.
Boxing day was awesome. I went down to the rugby club and surprised a bunch of guys by showing up ready to play in the annual John Latham Over-Under Game. I had a great time and the Unders continued their winning streak by pounding the overs 25-10. We had a few snacks after the game, a few bevies after the game, and the Unders even won the boat-race. It was great to see everyone and a really good day. Then we went out for dinner with my parents. It was good to get my Chinese food fix in early, so there is time to have it again.
On Thursday we finally got to see Jen and baby Jayden. He is the cutest Asian baby ever, despite the fact that he does not have Chinese-Baby hair. He is a bundle of energy, already twitchy and trying his best to be mobile. His legs actually never stop. I on the underhand was tired and sore after rugby and had a little a nap while at Jen's. I don't feel too bad because Carlton was also sleeping. Then more delicious turkey at the Lee's. Can you eat too much turkey? I think not.
Yesterday was pretty quite for most of the day. The lack of a vehicle was
not really a problem, since moving to Kingston Donna and I have learned to walk everywhere anyway, I took the SkyTrain to Dinner with Donna's Family. Donna's Uncle was treating. Too many older people who didn't eat much, and many courses later, I was very, very full. Jeff even took a few pictures.
We started with somewhat traditional appetizer platter. Mixed meats, jellyfish, but it also came with honey garlic ribs and spicy prawns. Sweet.
Then came this hug plate (30 or 40) of massive prawns, down with candied walnuts and mayonnaise. Not sure about the mayonnaise, but I ate 4 anyway. We also had a huge plate of sugar peas with geoduck and scallops. Then came the soup, crab and fish maw.
Next we had this masterpiece of crab and lobster. A couple of lobsters and at least 1 crab. It was ridiculous. But also very delicious.
Next came the Drunken Chicken. Really good with the garlic and ginger and green onion dipping sauce.
At this point I lost track of what we actually ate, but I know we had a broccoli dish with mushrooms and crab sauce. I had never had it before and it was tasty.
We also had this fish and gai lan dish... very tasty as well.
The meal finished with sticky rice, I remember that because Jeff spent as much time picking out the little dried shrimp as he did actually eating it. and what meal would be complete without the less than scrumptious red-bean soup? We were served that as well, but I took a pass.
Like I said at the beginning, too much food.
I had some left-over Christmas breakfast when I got in on Christmas Day. Then there was turkey dinner at my Aunts place that night. I consumed way too much turkey, and as a result of time differences and tryptophan, I spent the evening napping and eating.
Boxing day was awesome. I went down to the rugby club and surprised a bunch of guys by showing up ready to play in the annual John Latham Over-Under Game. I had a great time and the Unders continued their winning streak by pounding the overs 25-10. We had a few snacks after the game, a few bevies after the game, and the Unders even won the boat-race. It was great to see everyone and a really good day. Then we went out for dinner with my parents. It was good to get my Chinese food fix in early, so there is time to have it again.
On Thursday we finally got to see Jen and baby Jayden. He is the cutest Asian baby ever, despite the fact that he does not have Chinese-Baby hair. He is a bundle of energy, already twitchy and trying his best to be mobile. His legs actually never stop. I on the underhand was tired and sore after rugby and had a little a nap while at Jen's. I don't feel too bad because Carlton was also sleeping. Then more delicious turkey at the Lee's. Can you eat too much turkey? I think not.
Yesterday was pretty quite for most of the day. The lack of a vehicle was
not really a problem, since moving to Kingston Donna and I have learned to walk everywhere anyway, I took the SkyTrain to Dinner with Donna's Family. Donna's Uncle was treating. Too many older people who didn't eat much, and many courses later, I was very, very full. Jeff even took a few pictures.
We started with somewhat traditional appetizer platter. Mixed meats, jellyfish, but it also came with honey garlic ribs and spicy prawns. Sweet.Then came this hug plate (30 or 40) of massive prawns, down with candied walnuts and mayonnaise. Not sure about the mayonnaise, but I ate 4 anyway. We also had a huge plate of sugar peas with geoduck and scallops. Then came the soup, crab and fish maw.
Next we had this masterpiece of crab and lobster. A couple of lobsters and at least 1 crab. It was ridiculous. But also very delicious.
Next came the Drunken Chicken. Really good with the garlic and ginger and green onion dipping sauce.
At this point I lost track of what we actually ate, but I know we had a broccoli dish with mushrooms and crab sauce. I had never had it before and it was tasty.
We also had this fish and gai lan dish... very tasty as well.
The meal finished with sticky rice, I remember that because Jeff spent as much time picking out the little dried shrimp as he did actually eating it. and what meal would be complete without the less than scrumptious red-bean soup? We were served that as well, but I took a pass.
Like I said at the beginning, too much food.
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Wooohooo!!! Back on the air!!!
Hey Everybody!! So its been 2 months since my last confession, er, post. Many things have happened, some of which actually did affect my ability to use the Internet and keep you all posted on how Donna and I are doing. I am probably going to forget a whole bunch of things, but I will try and remember the most important, interesting, funny, and useless things. I am not actually sure where to begin, so here it is, chronologically.
Thanksgiving.
Donna knew that I was feeling a little crumby at my lack of work, so she said she was going to make me Thanksgiving Dinner. I got really excited. We were going to have people over. Donna was going to make turkey and all the trimmings. I was going to eat much, much more than was good for me. Then we found out that Jason and Flora were going to the states for the weekend and needed someone to dog sit for them. Sounded like fun and we could dirty their kitchen instead of ours. Plus we could do a bit of laundry since the washers and dyers at our place were broken. Then we also found out that Donna's friend Tanya was coming up for Sunday morning brunch. Needless to say this put a damper on our turkey dinner plans. Oh well, not a big deal, I will just have to consume more turkey at Christmas.
I made the Wife-Saver Breakfast for the first time when Tanya and Wilson (her fiance) came for brunch,and despite a few missteps, it turned out really well. The dog sitting was not as successful. Lai-Fu, Jason and Flora's Sheba Inu, is a handful. Let's just say that Donna is thinking that a cat might be better for us. It ate her scarf, several of our socks (we stayed the weekend at their place) and her brand-new shoe's (which she had just bought with birthday money from her Mom and had only worn once).
And I did get poultry for Thanksgiving Dinner. I had a delicious 1/4 chicken dinner at Swiss Chalet. I kid you not... I actually cried a little bit inside afterwards.
Camping.
One of the attendings Donna works with was nice enough to invite us up to his property for some camping one October weekend. Donna wasn't sure she wanted to go as it was getting late in the season, nights were getting a little cold, and she was the only female going. I talked her into it, since it was the last chance to get away for the weekend for awhile. It was a little cold, but it was totally worth it.
We had a great time. 4 other Dr.'s came up at various times for various lengths of time, so there was always company around. Lots of very marginally healthy food and drink as well. Turns out Dan's wife Angela came up the next day, so Donna was happy at the injection of estrogen to the campsite. Their property is amazing to say the least. Apparently it is impossible in Canada to actually own water, such as a lake. However, Dan and Angela have purchased 120 acres of land that completely surrounds a lake, essentially giving them the lake as well, for a total of 180 acres of relatively private bliss. They are in the process of developing it, and when they do it will be one heck of a property. We canoed the lake and hiked the area, and best of all, Donna didn't freeze.
Birthdays.
So Donna and I each had birthdays in October. We went out for dinner with her friends to the best of the local Chinese restaurants. It's not bad, for white-bread Chinese. Yes, there is a buffet at lunch for $6.50, but does that necessarily mean that it's a bad place to eat? In this case no, particularly since there is not really anything better Chinese-wise in the downtown area. It was pretty good, and since we hadn't had Chinese for awhile, it was pretty good. For my birthday, some of us went to one of the better local pizza places, Woodenhead's. Slippy, if your reading this, (probably not since this is way to lowbrow for your self-proclaimed towering intellect) we did not have the famous Coconut Shrimp, but we did dine on some delicious wood-oven pizza and fresh salads. I got Donna some new flannel sheets to help ward-off the now present winter chill, and Donna got me the new Halo 3 video game, perfect for an out of work bum with nothing else to fill his days.
Rugby.
For the months of September, October, and the first part of November, rugby was pretty much all consuming. I didn't have much else to do, so it was actually pretty good. We ended up getting through the regular season in first place. We thumped Trent in the first round of the playoffs 99-0. That's right, 99-0. We actually had chances to get to triple digits, but missed several kicks that would have put us over the century mark. The following week, we beat heated rivals 18-13 in front of a great home crowd. The bleachers were packed, and they even put up a beer garden and food tent for the game. It was a very hard game, with several close plays that truly tested the Queens Players. The guys played very hard and were both technically sound and mentally tough against Western. This confirmed a spot for us against Brock in the finals at Fletcher's Field in Toronto.
The weekend of Nov. 10 we travelled to Toronto, getting there on Friday evening so we would have time to get a run in before it got too dark. Along the way we stopped at Luke Follwell's parent's farm for lunch, that's right, the whole bus load of rugby players were fed by two of the nicest people ever. I am not sure I would want to open my house to 40 hungry rugby players, coaches, and trainers. That's a lot of food. It was delicious, and a nice team bonding activity.
The eating didn't stop there. A Queen's alum, Rick Powers (great guy), took the team out to dinner. Pasta, salad, and bread... lots of carbs for the guys. Then he took the coaches and trainers out for "real dinner." So after eating a healthy portion of pasta, a few hours later I was treated to ribs a fries. Let's just say I ate way too much that day, especially since I got up the next morning and ate at the breakfast buffet.
All that eating didn't get us a win though. It was a close game, and Queens had several chances to put the ball over the try-line, but we couldn't capitalize on our attempts. We lead at two points early in the game, thanks to Bryn Davie's kicking, but it was not enough. It was a great season, and the guys should really be proud of themselves. I had a great time working with them and I can't wait to get back to it next year.
Toronto.
Donna drove down after the game and we spent the night in Toronto, doing all the good Toronto things that Kingston doesn't offer. We ate and bought a car load full of Asian groceries and socialized with several friends of Donna's doing rotations in Toronto at the time. It was a nice time. Thanks again to Donna's cousins for letting us stay with them.
Employment.
So I was beginning to get a little depressed with the lack of work. September went by without a sniff, although I applied to a few jobs. I managed to get an interview for an occasional teaching position (TOC or substitute for all you Vancouverites) at the beginning ofOctober, and I thought it went pretty well (I also thought my interview at Alpha 3 years ago went well, but I found out later that it wasn't my best effort). Later in October, on my birthday no less, I got a call telling me I had a job, and that I needed to go to an orientation meeting on 5th of November. At that meeting I found out that I could expect to be getting calls starting November 19th. I actually got a call before that because they were extra short people, but I worked only 3 days in those first 3 weeks. 3 days of work in over 4.5 months. How's that for unemployment?
Anyway, I got a really good break the other day. I actually have semi-permanent work for the next few weeks, which will see me through to the Christmas break. It isn't quite full time, but they are really good about trying to get my workload topped up when other people are way from the school. It's in Odessa, which is just a 25 minute drive from Kingston. Its a great school and the staff is really nice.
To get back and forth from school, I decided after much deliberation to get snow tires. Good thing. I had them put on and the next day in dumped a whole pile of snow. How do these Ontario people put up with this? It also dropped to -20 today, turning much of the roadways into skating rinks. Nice eh?
Computer.
Almost done...just a little more patience required. So I haven't been able to post because my computer packed it in. I hate computers. After some research and a little bit of luck, I have secured myself a new computer that is working just fine. But I do hate Windows Vista. It is not total crap, but it is definitely not a drastic improvement over XP. My biggest itch right now is that I can't get Windows Live Messenger to work. I like using messenger. I want this fixed. Somebody help me.
OK. That's it. Regular up dates and hopefully some more photos will come soon. If I don't freeze first.
Thanksgiving.
Donna knew that I was feeling a little crumby at my lack of work, so she said she was going to make me Thanksgiving Dinner. I got really excited. We were going to have people over. Donna was going to make turkey and all the trimmings. I was going to eat much, much more than was good for me. Then we found out that Jason and Flora were going to the states for the weekend and needed someone to dog sit for them. Sounded like fun and we could dirty their kitchen instead of ours. Plus we could do a bit of laundry since the washers and dyers at our place were broken. Then we also found out that Donna's friend Tanya was coming up for Sunday morning brunch. Needless to say this put a damper on our turkey dinner plans. Oh well, not a big deal, I will just have to consume more turkey at Christmas.
I made the Wife-Saver Breakfast for the first time when Tanya and Wilson (her fiance) came for brunch,and despite a few missteps, it turned out really well. The dog sitting was not as successful. Lai-Fu, Jason and Flora's Sheba Inu, is a handful. Let's just say that Donna is thinking that a cat might be better for us. It ate her scarf, several of our socks (we stayed the weekend at their place) and her brand-new shoe's (which she had just bought with birthday money from her Mom and had only worn once).
And I did get poultry for Thanksgiving Dinner. I had a delicious 1/4 chicken dinner at Swiss Chalet. I kid you not... I actually cried a little bit inside afterwards.
Camping.
One of the attendings Donna works with was nice enough to invite us up to his property for some camping one October weekend. Donna wasn't sure she wanted to go as it was getting late in the season, nights were getting a little cold, and she was the only female going. I talked her into it, since it was the last chance to get away for the weekend for awhile. It was a little cold, but it was totally worth it.
We had a great time. 4 other Dr.'s came up at various times for various lengths of time, so there was always company around. Lots of very marginally healthy food and drink as well. Turns out Dan's wife Angela came up the next day, so Donna was happy at the injection of estrogen to the campsite. Their property is amazing to say the least. Apparently it is impossible in Canada to actually own water, such as a lake. However, Dan and Angela have purchased 120 acres of land that completely surrounds a lake, essentially giving them the lake as well, for a total of 180 acres of relatively private bliss. They are in the process of developing it, and when they do it will be one heck of a property. We canoed the lake and hiked the area, and best of all, Donna didn't freeze.
Birthdays.
So Donna and I each had birthdays in October. We went out for dinner with her friends to the best of the local Chinese restaurants. It's not bad, for white-bread Chinese. Yes, there is a buffet at lunch for $6.50, but does that necessarily mean that it's a bad place to eat? In this case no, particularly since there is not really anything better Chinese-wise in the downtown area. It was pretty good, and since we hadn't had Chinese for awhile, it was pretty good. For my birthday, some of us went to one of the better local pizza places, Woodenhead's. Slippy, if your reading this, (probably not since this is way to lowbrow for your self-proclaimed towering intellect) we did not have the famous Coconut Shrimp, but we did dine on some delicious wood-oven pizza and fresh salads. I got Donna some new flannel sheets to help ward-off the now present winter chill, and Donna got me the new Halo 3 video game, perfect for an out of work bum with nothing else to fill his days.
Rugby.
For the months of September, October, and the first part of November, rugby was pretty much all consuming. I didn't have much else to do, so it was actually pretty good. We ended up getting through the regular season in first place. We thumped Trent in the first round of the playoffs 99-0. That's right, 99-0. We actually had chances to get to triple digits, but missed several kicks that would have put us over the century mark. The following week, we beat heated rivals 18-13 in front of a great home crowd. The bleachers were packed, and they even put up a beer garden and food tent for the game. It was a very hard game, with several close plays that truly tested the Queens Players. The guys played very hard and were both technically sound and mentally tough against Western. This confirmed a spot for us against Brock in the finals at Fletcher's Field in Toronto.
The weekend of Nov. 10 we travelled to Toronto, getting there on Friday evening so we would have time to get a run in before it got too dark. Along the way we stopped at Luke Follwell's parent's farm for lunch, that's right, the whole bus load of rugby players were fed by two of the nicest people ever. I am not sure I would want to open my house to 40 hungry rugby players, coaches, and trainers. That's a lot of food. It was delicious, and a nice team bonding activity.
The eating didn't stop there. A Queen's alum, Rick Powers (great guy), took the team out to dinner. Pasta, salad, and bread... lots of carbs for the guys. Then he took the coaches and trainers out for "real dinner." So after eating a healthy portion of pasta, a few hours later I was treated to ribs a fries. Let's just say I ate way too much that day, especially since I got up the next morning and ate at the breakfast buffet.
All that eating didn't get us a win though. It was a close game, and Queens had several chances to put the ball over the try-line, but we couldn't capitalize on our attempts. We lead at two points early in the game, thanks to Bryn Davie's kicking, but it was not enough. It was a great season, and the guys should really be proud of themselves. I had a great time working with them and I can't wait to get back to it next year.
Toronto.
Donna drove down after the game and we spent the night in Toronto, doing all the good Toronto things that Kingston doesn't offer. We ate and bought a car load full of Asian groceries and socialized with several friends of Donna's doing rotations in Toronto at the time. It was a nice time. Thanks again to Donna's cousins for letting us stay with them.
Employment.
So I was beginning to get a little depressed with the lack of work. September went by without a sniff, although I applied to a few jobs. I managed to get an interview for an occasional teaching position (TOC or substitute for all you Vancouverites) at the beginning ofOctober, and I thought it went pretty well (I also thought my interview at Alpha 3 years ago went well, but I found out later that it wasn't my best effort). Later in October, on my birthday no less, I got a call telling me I had a job, and that I needed to go to an orientation meeting on 5th of November. At that meeting I found out that I could expect to be getting calls starting November 19th. I actually got a call before that because they were extra short people, but I worked only 3 days in those first 3 weeks. 3 days of work in over 4.5 months. How's that for unemployment?
Anyway, I got a really good break the other day. I actually have semi-permanent work for the next few weeks, which will see me through to the Christmas break. It isn't quite full time, but they are really good about trying to get my workload topped up when other people are way from the school. It's in Odessa, which is just a 25 minute drive from Kingston. Its a great school and the staff is really nice.
To get back and forth from school, I decided after much deliberation to get snow tires. Good thing. I had them put on and the next day in dumped a whole pile of snow. How do these Ontario people put up with this? It also dropped to -20 today, turning much of the roadways into skating rinks. Nice eh?
Computer.
Almost done...just a little more patience required. So I haven't been able to post because my computer packed it in. I hate computers. After some research and a little bit of luck, I have secured myself a new computer that is working just fine. But I do hate Windows Vista. It is not total crap, but it is definitely not a drastic improvement over XP. My biggest itch right now is that I can't get Windows Live Messenger to work. I like using messenger. I want this fixed. Somebody help me.
OK. That's it. Regular up dates and hopefully some more photos will come soon. If I don't freeze first.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
More Queen's Rugby
Last weekend, we had a variety of games against various opponents. I took the 4th XV (actually 30ish guys) to Loyalist College in Belleville for a good, spirited match. We lost 24-12, and although you don't like to blame referees, our was seriously tragic, and he even admitted to me after the game that he made several serious mistakes that all resulted in either us not scoring points or the opposition scoring points. I was pretty angry and points and definitely frustrated because of his mistakes.
Saturday was a very different story however. The 1st XV beat Trent University 78-0... one of the largest wins in recent Queen's history. The seconds followed this up with a similarly convincing 60-10 victory over the visiting 1st XV from Syracuse University. Rounding out the day was another shut-out win by the Queen's 3rd XV against the Syracuse 2nd XV 39-0. Outscoring your opponents 177-10 is pretty impressive. Good for us. This week we have University of Toronto away against our 1st XV and the Ottawa 1st and 2nd XV coming to town to play our 2nd and 3rd XVs. Should be a good weekend.
And as if that wasn't enough rugby, I got up early Sunday to go to the gym and watch part of the Canada vs. Wales game on TV. I am missing the world cup, particularly since we don't have cable.
Saturday was a very different story however. The 1st XV beat Trent University 78-0... one of the largest wins in recent Queen's history. The seconds followed this up with a similarly convincing 60-10 victory over the visiting 1st XV from Syracuse University. Rounding out the day was another shut-out win by the Queen's 3rd XV against the Syracuse 2nd XV 39-0. Outscoring your opponents 177-10 is pretty impressive. Good for us. This week we have University of Toronto away against our 1st XV and the Ottawa 1st and 2nd XV coming to town to play our 2nd and 3rd XVs. Should be a good weekend.
And as if that wasn't enough rugby, I got up early Sunday to go to the gym and watch part of the Canada vs. Wales game on TV. I am missing the world cup, particularly since we don't have cable.
Thursday, September 6, 2007
143 - 12... are you kiddin' me?
I am now in my second week of coaching at Queen's University, and so far everything is going peachy. We have stopped the 2-a-day practises, which is kinda nice because I don't feel like I am living at the field anymore, but its kinda bad because they are such a nice team to coach. They are mostly really hard working and well drilled players who all really like rugby. They are keen to learn and don't ask too many dumb questions. The other coaches are really excellent, and it has been a blast getting to know them.
Actually, it was nice to get to know a lot of the players as well after this last weekend. The top forty players from Queen's, plus 4 coaches, 2 trainers, and a video guy all went down to Hanover, NH for the Labour Day long weekend for a series of games against Dartmouth (Ivy League rich kids) and the US Military Academy (West Point Army bullies). McGill (mostly Frenchies from Montreal) also came down, but we didn't play them.
Getting ready for Dartmouth.
Pete "The Boss" Huigenbos
Manager and Assistant Coach Luke "Budso" Follwell helping Boss tell time.Team Building the night before.
Let me start off by saying that Hanover is just one of those places that smells, or rather stinks, of money. Just by looking around you can tell that people who live there or go to school there have a lot of wealth. People who work in gas stations and such must get bussed in from out of town, because I don't think there is any way they could afford to live there. We left early Friday morning and after a 6 hour drive arrived without incident.
Saturday morning we left the motel (probably the seediest looking building in town, and it wasn't really that bad) after eating them out of house and home. I don't think they expected 40 hungry rugby boys for breakfast, or that those kind of guys don't really know the meaning of a continental breakfast, since they all kept eating until they were full. Most had toast, bagel, and muffin, fruit, cereal as well juice and/or coffee. It looked like locusts had gone through the dining area.
The rugby complex was nice. And by nice I mean some of the best fields I have ever seen. The fields were basically manicured lawns and the clubhouse/changing facility would not look out of place if it had been situated on 4 acres of property in the English Countryside as an estate for some rich aristocrat. Must be nice to have dedicated alums who leave tons of money when they pass on.
Even better than the facilities were the scores though. We played Dartmouth on Saturday, whom the 1st XV beat 32-0 and the 2nd XV beat 35-0. Although the games were sloppy and we could have put more points up had we been a little crisper, it was still a good day for us. After our matches we watched Army play McGill. That looked to be a much tougher match, as McGill looked to have more skill, but Army looked to be the bigger, harder working team. Dartmouth was nice enough to host us that night and it was nice to eat outside and enjoy the company. We had some difficulty going out that night to celebrate since there aren't really any cabs in Hanover, which is a little strange for a university town.
Solid rucking and body position against Dartmouth.
Smooth Lineout ball by Will Sorensen
Proper mouth guard usage demonstrated by Colin Alexander.
The 2nd XV against Dartmouth.
Mike Wong Jr., so proud.
Post-match recovery in the ice bath... very friendly if you ask me.
Hosting by the Dartmouth team on Saturday night.
After watching Army push around McGill the previous day, we knew they would be a tougher match. On Sunday morning however, Queen's showed what they were made of, coming out of the gates early and smashing the Army boys with vicious hits and straight ahead running. The Army guys packed it in early and lost 38-0 to the 1st XV after being beat at their own game. The 2nd XV also won by a wide margin, going 38-12. An excellent weekend of rugby all round, all the better since Queens came away undefeated.
Sean Duke about to bosh the Army winger.
Sweet lineout ball.
Jamie Armstrong at pace.
All in all it was a good trip. Sorry it took me so long to get this post done. There were a few bugs.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Last Week the French, This Week the Irish
Well, after beating up on the Frenchies last week, it was the Irish who recently fell to the Kingston Panthers. They looked really good in their warm-up, they came down from Ottawa (the Ottawa Irish... apparently there is enough of them so that they all congregate together) and they brought like 30 guys. 30 minutes before warm-up we only had 17 guys and we were the home team. Anyway, they turned out not to be too good. We smashed their scrum up pretty good, which felt good. We stole about 5 against the head, and actually split them up the middle on 3 different scrums. It was only getting to the point of being dangerous.
A 24-0 half-time lead was more than enough, and the 31-16 final was very satisfying. The win moves Kingston into the Finals this weekend. Our backs looked really good too, and they scored a couple of really pretty tries, as well as dominating on the outside, exploiting outside centre and winger several times. Good win for us.
A 24-0 half-time lead was more than enough, and the 31-16 final was very satisfying. The win moves Kingston into the Finals this weekend. Our backs looked really good too, and they scored a couple of really pretty tries, as well as dominating on the outside, exploiting outside centre and winger several times. Good win for us.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Oh Yeah!!! Kingston Panthers 29 - Whimpy Frenchies 5
Had a great game with Kingston today, as we whupped up on Gatineau 29 - 5. Backs scored tries, forwards scored tries, rucking was magnificent, and the running lines were good. It was funny, before the game I was warned about Gatineau. One guy said he wasn't going to Gatineau (2 hours away) just to get hurt. Turns out, the last time they played each other there was this huge punch-up, now infamous around the league. Pictures even made it onto Facebook. The game wasn't too bad though. They were chippy, and there might have been a few punches thrown, but it was by no means bad. Although no try for me, I made a couple of nice runs and a couple of nice passes to spring guys for a paid of tries.
At the start of the game I was ticked-off because Gatineau go their way and we had to uncontested scrums... apparently they were missing some front row players before the game even started. Total BS, but what are you going to do? Anyway, it made the win that much better. It was a good victory, and gives us a chance to move up significantly in the standing before play-offs start.
At the start of the game I was ticked-off because Gatineau go their way and we had to uncontested scrums... apparently they were missing some front row players before the game even started. Total BS, but what are you going to do? Anyway, it made the win that much better. It was a good victory, and gives us a chance to move up significantly in the standing before play-offs start.
Thursday, August 9, 2007
10's Tourney at Rowers
Hey People, I forgot I had these pictures of the 10-a-side tourney the Rowing Club hosted in June. A select few priceless photos of my favourite club.
Second place.... Not too bad.
Warm up before one of our games.
The "Kiwi Pie Man" Cliff Mytton. He also makes pies as well as he eats them.
Pudgy Mike Wong having a stretch.
I am not even sure I want to know what is going on here between Jeff "Slippy" McKay and Gareth "That feels so good" Morrey-Jones.
Burnaby and Capilanos in the finals.
Second place.... Not too bad.
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Back in Rugby
Yesterday, I made my playing debut for the Kingston Panthers. They are a really goo bunch of guys, and I had a ton of fun yesterday, although I am extremely sore after playing about half the game, my first in 2.5 months. Usually I get a month of training before I have to go out and play, so this was a little shock to my system. I really have to get used to the field. Seems like they may be a bit tougher out here, since they like to lay on fields that are comparable to asphalt. All the fields were so hard... I am used to the nice soft mushy field of Burnaby Lake. I need to go and get a pair of insoles today to protect my baby-like feet. We ended up losing by 2 points. I hate to blame the referee, but I have to say that the refereeing is definetly not better, and could actually be worse than the refereeing in BC. I am almost positive the referee yesterday didn't actualy no all the laws. The indication of this was that he didn't only miss calls, which all referees do so thats no big deal, but he actually made the wrong calls, like he was still using the law book from 1983. Oh well, what can you do? I questioned him a few times, off the field, and he still got all pissed off... and defensive. I also found out they don't actually have evaluators out here all the time. They use evaluation cards. I bet those are read. Useless twit.
After dinner, I was treated to an excellent dinner prepared by the two girls, Donna and one of her friends Tania. Tania is a really fantastic cook, and the steak she made was delcious, along with the potato salad, which I am definetly going to make again. It was nice having the afternoon off from cooking. I just lazed around and rested my battered body.
Off to the bech today, then Donna has to start working night shifts, so I am on my own for the afternon as she sleeps the day away.
After dinner, I was treated to an excellent dinner prepared by the two girls, Donna and one of her friends Tania. Tania is a really fantastic cook, and the steak she made was delcious, along with the potato salad, which I am definetly going to make again. It was nice having the afternoon off from cooking. I just lazed around and rested my battered body.
Off to the bech today, then Donna has to start working night shifts, so I am on my own for the afternon as she sleeps the day away.
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