standing L to R Nick Bell,Steve Laake,Mike Symanski,Ed Gafney,Dave Hatwell,Tim Evans,Al Lucas,Rob Christian,Greg Robinette,John Via,Eric Brand,Andy Mattocks,Keith Mclean--knelling L to R Steve Yeager,Brian Fischer,Perry Fri,David Dean,Howard Graham,Malakai,Skip Yeager,Keith Cassidy,Joe Somerville,Adrian Stock,Tony Brooks,Bill Gardner
 Cardinal 50s |
 Cardinal 45s |
Mike Puopolo and Bill Gardner seek and recognize the best in all of us. Their organization,planning, and stalwart desire to be the best is reflected in all our sides. Thank you Mike and Bill.
Special thanks for background help from Mike Herron,Ed Gafney,John Via,Steve Yeager,and Skip Yeager. Our success is trully collaborative.
 Nick Bell |
 Steve,Keith,David,Mala,Cass |
Rob,Al,Bill |
Skip and Mala
45's Mike Old/Sully/Tim Spruill
Keith Mclean scores off pass from Mala from sissor with Skip
Mala scores off his own kick
Nick Bell cruises in
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The 35s cruised through their division with breathtaking backline speed. Howard Graham,our Captain, slotted at fly most of the day but put in duty at center and wing. Howard's pace and playmaking acumen made our backline virtually untouchable. Power flowed from Nick Bell and Steve Laake. David Dean,Vince Granger,and Mala poured on the speed and deadly striking ability. Brian Fischer was there with the hits and passes. Keith Mclean was a titan in the lineouts. Andy Mattocks was the hardest working player out there with the runs and defense. Ed Gafney rocked them. Raoul Socher supports and made great decisions under pressure. John Via drove the ball and the forwards up the pitch. Eric Brand,new for us at lock, was a comfort. Nobody scored a try while Somerville was on the pitch. It was gratifying to see Rob Christian get his run in on sunday and contributed a try after calf injury on friday prevented Rob from playing. I could go on gushing.
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 Via,Robinette,Hatwell,Mclean,Brand drive the maul,Yeagers on the back
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The 45s made it to the finals with hard work despite injuries to key players like former Eagle Terry Whelan,Puddin Head,and Mike Puopolo. Chico got nicked up early. We really were the best 45 side in Fort Lauderdale because our opponent in the finals not only used none roster players but had a few active Div I players from Boca Rotan clearly in their thirties out pacing our crafty and dedicated 45 players.
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 Entourage Eric and Howard's Babe |
First, a big THANK YOU! to Bill Gardner and Cary Kennedy for their outstanding job of assembling this diverse and talented group to win a third consecutive 35s Championship in Ft. Lauderdale. Also, thank you and welcome to Raoul Socher, Adrian Stock, and Eric Brand who joined us for the first time and played very well.
For those who care, the scores were 43-5 over the "Rugby Hores", 27-12 over Ft. Lauderdale, an unplayed forfeit by Palmer (wankers!), and 63-10 over the Pelidactyls in the final. Only Ft. Lauderdale made it interesting when we lost our focus and over-substituted late in the first half. But a refocused and determined group put up 3 quick tries on the board in the second half to break their spirit. 133-27....not bad at all.
Although our competition was not as good as in previous years, we did a much better job of playing as a team. The forwards played as a cohesive pack and dominated the set pieces - scrums and line outs. The forwards also played well in the loose with a relentless, go-forward, focused attack which recycled the ball quickly and opened up space and opportunities for the backs. The backs dominated their opposition and scored from everywhere. I can't think of any other group I would rather chase around on a given Saturday. The core of this group has now played together over 2-3 years and it is starting to show. Well played boys, a pleasure as always.
Anybody ready for Aspen???
Cheers,
John Via
"We won because we had no useless Milwalkee guys."
"Jamie,we won easily because you and knucklehead were not there. How much can I pay you to stay away from Aspen?"
"Cary,for the third and final time,you will never run the substitution pattern ever ever ever again."
"Andy, your performance in FTL was pedestrian. You are invited to Aspen as our 9th flanker."
"Tree,And by not playing in Florida, you have to ride the pine in Aspen while we look for someone with a pulse to take your spot."
Thank you all for letting me be apart of Va. Cards Fla. edition 2006. To Mgt, thanks for not playing me at SH/#9...... To the skipper,nice to meet ya,and thanks for the words of wisdom and the playing time.......... To the rest of you , thanks for everything else,comraderie.....spirit......the speed in the backs...the push from the back 5.....and the push in the final minutes of the Sunday final to get 2,count'em 2 tightsheads at the end of the game to shut those Peli*&&%$#@ 's mouthes................ Aspen 2006 .......if you'll have me ,I'm in sweet Cardinal rugby dreams..........Dr. Tony Brooks(Brooksy).
 Chico and Mike |
 Keith shoots the Boot |
 Tonk and Mike |
 Mike and Lex |
 Mike,Jerry,Lance,Terry |
 Thick Rick and Marc |
 David,Skip,Nick |
 Cary and Steve |
 Keith and Tim |
 Cary and Tom |