I played Flanker for the University of Arizona Wildcat's during their 1993-1994 season. I played for the 'C' squad (being too old and feeble to really keep up with the young bucks - they nicknamed me 'Moses'. That was the year that our B squad (affectionately known as 'The Killer Bees') won the Pacific Coast League championship and almost won the National championship against other school's Varsity squads. We had an excellent team of players and with Dave Sitton coaching (along with excellent assistant coaches like Coach Mackenzie) we won a fair number of games. I don't think I've ever enjoyed a sport as much. Unfortunately, that was also the year that we lost Geoffery Barnes, one of our Assistant Coaches and a really excellent back as well. He died in a diving accident while on Spring Break. I've also been fortunate enough to play for the Pima County Pumas (1 game), University of Texas El Paso (they had an injured player and needed one more to keep playing, so I volunteered. My own Wildcats beat the snot out of me!) and Michigan Tech. Which is one of the things I like about the sport - rather than take a forfeit win, teams will lend players so that they can play!
For those of you who don't know what Rugby is, here's brief description:
Rugby is like a mix of American Football and Soccer. There are no pads, no
time-outs and no substitions. It is played in two 80 minute halves with a
five minute half time. The field is 100 m long and 60 m wide.
The ball can be kicked, carried, thrown (like a lateral in football -
you're not allowed to throw the ball forward) or just fallen on. There aren't
many penalites and play only stops when a ball is kicked or carried out of
bounds or points are scored. If it is carried out, it is then put back into play
by a Line-out. Both forward packs line up and the ball is thrown in. The two
teams jump to gain possession of the ball.
Points are scored only when the ball is touched down in the try zone.
(the end zone for those of you used to American Football). This is worth 5
points. If a try is scored, the scoring team may try to kick it across the
goal posts for an additional 2 points.
Points can also be scored by drop-kicking the ball while in play if it
goes between the uprights.
The game re-starts with a kick-off very similar to what Americans are
used to seeing. If play is stopped for a penalty, play restarts with a Scrum.
Yes, a scrum. Both groups of forwards (there are 8 - a Hooker, who's job it
is to hook the ball into his team, two Props who prop up the Hooker, two
Locks who hold the props up, Two Flankers who hunt down and kill opposing
backs and bind up on the outside of the locks, and an 8-Man who gets the ball
out of the scrum and passes it to the backs.) There are 7 backs who are the
ones who usually run with the ball, being defended by the forwards.
Everyone wears a number that corresponds to his position
Here is a pretty good description of Rugby.
If you haven't seen a Rugby game, I strongly recommend going to one of
the Wildcat's games. They 're an excellent club with really great people.
With a little luck, I'll be able to make the team again soon! Have to
lose a little weight and get my running times back down first though!
Tucson Magpies . Unfortunately, the very first game I played, I broke my right ankle on the first ruck I headed into. Just bad luck, but it kept me benched for most of the season - especially since I rebroke it playing paintball right after I finally got it healed again!
Oregon Sports Union Jesters here in Portland, OR. They're a great team and a great bunch of people. I am playing Flanker again (although I've played Lock and 8-Man as well for them) and have just completed our Fall Season. I'm playing B-Side and have managed to get in a little A-Side time as well.
