Cardinal Rugby
Aspen Ruggerfest
2004


In first photo to left knelling L to R Malakai Delai,Al Caravelli,Matt Whalen,Larry Sweger,Marsh Pennington,Keith Cassidy,Bret Babinaux, Jon Campbell,Steve Rae--standing L to R Siti,Brian Fischer,Burt Hale,John Via,Keith McLean,Gile Tipsword,Skip Yeager. In second photo on the right standing L to R Tony Brooks,Al Dekin,Steve Yeager,Darden Couch,Marty Pearlman,Siti,Burt Hale,John Via,Keith McLean,Tremont,Bill Gardner,Giles Tipsword--kneeling L to R Al Caravelli,Matt Whalen,Brian Fischer,Larry Sweger,Marsh Pennington,Matt Szkotak,Keith Cassidy,Brent,Jon Campbell,Steve Rae,Steve Yeager

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Our assault on the Aspen Ruggerfest 35 division presents a collage of memories so let's plunge in with some acknowledgements. We have to start with Bill Gardner for his fearless and competitive spirit to have the best roster possible. Bill's contacts are vast and he overcame some huge obstacles to see that we had a sparkling roster. Special thanks to Keith McLean and all the Philly Boys that joined us,you are warriors. Thank you to the Yeager Brothers for all their recruiting efforts and suggestions that made our tour successful. To all the wives and entourage that traveled with us,thank you for your understanding and support. To Mr.Pennington,father of Puddin Head and former outstanding track star and footballer at Lafayette,it was a pleasure to have ya onboard this weekend. Most of all,thank you to the players that made the sacrifices with job,family,and money to make it happen. We played hard and with courage. Our style of rugby this weekend was breathtaking, full of flair and attacking enterprise. We were the buzz of the tournament in the 35 division as newcomers to the festivities with speed and many former US Eagles dotting our roster. We did not disappoint as we attacked from everywhere on the pitch. Al Dekin,Prince Hill,and Malakai Delai attacked the width and the depth of the pitch with aplomb and started the ball in hand from anywhere on the pitch. Nobody in our division could or would adapt this attractive style. We started v The Chicago Griffins in a rather even match up. We got our confidence with some nice runs by Mala and our backline settled down after Puddin Head demonstrated his consistent ability to penetrate the gainline. PH will guarantee ya 10 meters just about everytime he gets a touch. Chicago tested our defense,as well. Steve Yeager made some early hits and was everywhere up and down with the hard work. Brian Fischer made some brilliant open field tackles that slowed the confidence of the Chicago Griffs backline. Joe Somerville rang up a deuce. Steve Siano scored a nifty try off his own chip. Marty Pearlman had a nice break with the ball. We prevailed. Our second match v The Denver Barbos was an expansive attack up the middle,wide,and over the top with kicks. Matt Whalen started the match off immediately with a storming try up the left side. Our back three were brilliant. Al Dekin's decision making,running,and skill with the kick was awsome. Denver could not match our backline flair and unpredictable but effective thrusts. We won! Our last match v Aspen was steadfast. We never stopped fighting and trying to impose our open field attack. The ref should have given John Via that try in the right corner. We took chances and risk. Alas,not enough,possession. Aspen was good and deserved the win. Jon Campbell was on fire in the second half as he pulled out every trick to get us back into the game. His courageous moves were worth watching regardless of the score. Jon Campbell set up Bret Babineaux ,guest player from Texas, with our only only try v Aspen Got to mention Steve Siano's epic performance in the finals with KC Blues v Aspen. Steve was a colossus with his inside work. The Aspen Boys were simply exhausted marking Steve. He took many hits and gave out a lot as well. Steve made the cover of Rugby Magazine for his effort,one your right. He ground Mark Williams,the legendary Aspen flyhalf, down. We will accept partial credit for KC Blues fine victory over Aspen since Steve belongs to us and was merely on loan. It is ,also,notworthy to mention that we loaned KC Keith Cassidy and John Via for the final.

The Penningtons known as Puddin Head and Mr.Puddin Head Nick Bell and Al Dekin Captain Keith Mclean Siti,Mala,Al Skip,Siti,Marty,Steve Steve Siano and Brian Fischer Tonk,Burt,Tree Bill,Joe,Keith,Larry Steve Siano crashes into Mark Williams in the finals KC v Aspen. Photo courtesty RUGBY MAGAZINE

VA Cardinals 40 Chicago Griffins 21
VA Cardinals 36 Denver Barbarians 19
Aspen 36 VA 7

More commentary from our steadfast lock,John Via:

I had the privilege of representing several different teams (Texas, Virginia, and the KC Blues) at the Aspen and had a great time with the Cardinals. Hats off to Cary and Bill for assembling a Virginia team filled with athletic talent, rugby smarts, the determination to win, and the will to never quit. What impressed me most about the Cardinals side in Aspen is the ease with which a disparate group of players came together after a short Thursday afternoon practice and shutdown two outstanding club sides - 40-21 over Chicago Griffins and 36-19 over Denver Barbarians - that play together on a regular basis.

I think only seven or eight of us were on the squad in Ft. Lauderdale in January. Yes we had a few lapses from not having played together before but the overall commitment and skill level carried us into the semi-finals against a tough and talented Aspen side. I think the result might have been different given a days rest after the first two matches and with some additional depth on our squad. I will always remember the Griffins players asking "they play rugby in Virginia?" in the bar the night before the match, and then hearing the same players asking "who are these guys" during the match. I can tell you they were shocked by losing since many of the same players played in the Div. I final four in June. I heard similar comments from the Denver Barbarians side which expected to be in the semi's vs. Aspen. I loved watching Mala run 100+ yards up the sideline for a score after the ref awarded about 10 penalties to the Barbo's late in the match trying to give them a consolation try.

What can we say about the Aspen match except we came out too slow but never quit. I apologize that I couldn't get the ball touched down without the double move vs. Aspen (I'm still arguing with the ref - he's from Texas). Special thanks to Tree for fixing my finger during the match. My consolation for the weekend was getting a little payback vs. Aspen in the final with the KC Blues. Virginia can easily be in the final next year.....

I have had the honor of representing the Cardinals in the CanAM, Ft. Lauderdale, and Aspen tournaments. Last questions - where/when are we going next?Answer:Ft.Lauderdale Ruggerfest 26,27,28 Feb,2005-we will be contacting each player individually for their interest--keep your boots close and safe.

Cheers, John Via
A native Virginian living in exile in Texas

Al Dekin pop kicks to Prince Hill for the try
Joe Somerville dots down v Chicago Griffins
Jon Cambell shakes and bakes and passes to Bret for the try v Aspen
Mala chips to himself for the dot down v Chicago Griffins
Mala cruises in v Denver Barbos
Marty Pearlman storms down the pitch v Denver Barbos

Post Match Awards:

Best Hands---------------------------------Keith McLean
Blurr--------------------------------------Mala
Tractor------------------------------------Puddin Head
Thanks for the tractor---------------------Mr.Puddin Head
His moves are classified-------------------Jon Campbell
Could have been a point guard--------------Al Dekin
Could have been a wide receiver------------Prince Hill
Terminator---------------------------------John Via
She's bakin bread--------------------------Jody
The Force is with him----------------------Bill Gardner
Rock---------------------------------------Larry Sweger
Could have been a doctor-------------------Tree
The Body-----------------------------------Nick Bell
When will they stop biting on that move----Steve Siano
Babe magnet--------------------------------Brian Fischer
Tackling magician--------------------------Steve Rae
Best run for a big guy---------------------Marty Pearlman
Solid as the Rockies-----------------------Tonk
Always in twos-----------------------------Joe Somerville
Everywhere---------------------------------Steve Yeager
Best tackler/runner combo in world---------Matt Whalen
Amazing efficiency-------------------------Al Caravelli
Played whole match v Aspen-----------------Burt Hale
Quiet Man----------------------------------Giles Tipsword
Spandex is his secret----------------------Skip Yeager

Bill,Joe,Keith,Larry
Bill,Matt,Fig

Keith,Mala,Giles,Joe,Marty,Prince Bill,Matt,Jon
Joe,Tonk
Keith,Al

Tony Brooks

Roger C. Tremont
Space Leasing Branch Chief
USDI Bureau of Land Management
Denver Federal Ctr, Bldg 50
PO Box 25047
Denver, CO 80225-0047
(303)-236-0505
(303)-236-9470 FAX

Cary, that backline we had in Aspen is as good an over 35 backline as you can have. We were just too thin and Nick got hurt. Next time I'll know better.We need forwards and Dixie. What are the Lauderdale dates?Answer: 26,27,28 Feb 2005

Bill Cary Kennedy wrote:

Bill,

You are the puppet master. Our success in Florida and Aspen would never have happened without your participation. We do these tournaments one at a time,right?

In the meantime, I will be contacting our players individually next week for their serious interest in Ft.Lauderdale and will start posting the names next week.

Best regards,
Cary

Cary, thanks for the kind words on the site ... I'll get you some pictures in the next day or two.

I had a great time!

I think the simple difference between us losing to Aspen and KC beating Aspen is #s and regimented substitutions. Regardless of individual fitness levels, KC consistently ran fresh legs on the field. I played about half the game and played more minutes than most of the guys.

As others have mentioned, we had an extremely talented bunch, but I believe we were about 10 guys short of competing with Aspen on their home pitch.

Next year - more of the same will put us over the top.

-- Stephen Siano 4 x 3 569 Barrett Avenue Haverford, PA 19041 610 527 1664 http://www.4x3.net

Nick Bell

I had a great time with a great bunch of guys.

Cheers,
-Al Dekin