Mother Nature did her part by providing sunny skies with a small sprinkling of fluffy clouds. Temps were in the low 70’s by kickoff time of the A side/Division I game. Our Pitch at Columbia Park in Northeast Minneapolis was in the best shape that I have seen it in this, my third year involved with the Metropolis Rugby Football Club.
The day offically started at 10 AM. There was a 5k run/walk to raise money for the Metropolis Foundation. There were about 95 runners and walkers, not huge numbers, but more than last year. We were able to give a check for two thousand dollars to a foundation that gives money to the families of Mineapolis Firemen and Policemen who are killed in the line of duty.
The A squad game against the Chicago Lions was a really well-played affair. The pristine weather conditions and dry pitch made for few handling errors. Metropolis won 25-22. One of the big difference makers is a new wing we have, who also did the conversions and the attempts at goal. He just missed a 40 meter attempt-pushed it just right, but the kick had enough on it, where it would have been good from 50. As it was he scored a couple of conversions from tough angles, and scored a penalty-in a tight game, our newly found kicking game was the deciding edge.
The “Killer B’s”, playing a Division III schedule beat Lakehead, a Canadian team from Thunder Bay, Ontario 32-17. Lakehead was a really young team, most of them college age. Our B side was a mix of young playes and some older former A squad players who now play with the B side. We had a full 22 man roster for this game. After the B squad game, we played a “third half” composed of old boys, B squad players who did not make the roster or wanted to have more of a run around. a couple of Lakehead players joined the fun, too. I was able to play prop in this mini game.
The game was a blast. We played green jerseys vs. blue jerseys. I came the closest to scoring as I ever have in any game, we had a breakdown at their 5 meter area, I ended up playing scrum half, and instead of passing strong side, I kept the ball and went blind side, when two players converged on me, I was able to flip the ball to the left wing for Willie, a young diamond in the rough, to score the second of his 3 tries of the game. I had my embarrassing moment when a few minutes later, a former A squad number 8 named Krebs, took the ball at about 15 meters from the try line, and in spite of my best efforts to tackle him, just ran over me and left me for road kill on his way to scoring. In spite of my best impersonation of a road killed racoon or deer, the green side took the game that saw some great play including some crunching tackles and great skills.
I had a chance to speak with Canadians from Lakehead at Legends Bar last night, a really nice group of guys. Interestingly enough, I was talking to the girlfriend of one of the Lakehead players, and when I was telling her about how I got involved in rugby, she said “OH! YOU”RE the one I heard about!”(proncounced a-boot by our Canadian neighbors) She told me that some Metropolis people had told her about my story of getting involved with the sport in my mid 40’s. That made me feel pretty good. All of these really accomplished players on the club, and somebody actually was telling the tourists about my story. Go figure.
My right knee is throbbing this morning after, as I write this. It should be fun trying to get up a ladder onto the roof to do some chores later today.
I am hoping to be able to make it to Thursday practice so I can play next week in Faribault. I might go watch practice on Tuesday, but I think having a run is out at this point. We have so many players now, there is no guarrantee that I will be able to play at Faribault next Saturday. Worst case scenario, I can go down and be medic for injured players.
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