MARFU Are Champs

Most of you reading this blog probably already know that MARFU (we) won the 2013 Women’s 7s NASC. We beat the Pacific Coast 17-15 in the finals to take home the championship. MARFU are the 2013 Women’s 7s National All-Star Champions.

I consistently said, throughout the tournament, that our vibe was amazing, and that we were the most cohesive unit there. I also said, quite a few times, that we were the “baddest mother effers” there, and I’ll be damned if we didn’t prove me right.

I’m sure you, my few and mighty readers, can sense my elation. The moment that final whistle sounded, a blast of emotion hit me. It was like when you get tackled so hard you pee a little. The emotion hit me so hard that I cried a little. And let me tell ya, Sam Pankey is not a crier. It was, for lack of a better cliché, a magical moment.

From there it only got better. Amanda Street—one of the hardest workers, if not the hardest worker, in women’s rugby—earned MVP honors. I, and I’m sure you, can’t think of a more deserving player. She is the baddest of the bad.

And then, we all got to celebrate not only a big win for MARFU, but a great event. We all convened with our fellow rugby freaks and badasses to celebrate each other and the commitment we all put in to the sport. I’ve always said that rugby players are a rare breed. We beat the crap out of each other day in and day out, but we have this innate sense of respect for each other. It is such a great culture.

SHARKS!!

The MARFU Sharks are off to a great start in the 2013 Women’s NASC. Day 1 saw them (us) edge out So. Cal, then blaze by the South, and finally rally to squeak by NRU. At 3-0, we are sitting atop Pool B and will play the 4^th seed in Pool A, the West.

In the first match, FU put up two quick tries in the first half. Those 14 points proved to be enough for the match, as our defense held So. Cal to only 5 points. Against the South, we scored immediately on a weak-side kick off that we stole and then ran in for a try. With momentum on our side, we rolled to a 29-5 victory. NRU did to us, in the final match, just what we did to the South, jumping up to a quick 14-0 lead. However, we knew we were the baddest m.effers on the field and buckled down on defense while picking up our offensive productivity and coming back for a 17-14 win.

Day 1 didn’t end with the final match. All rugby players know that a tournament can be won or lost in the preparation and recovery stages. Not only are we badasses on the pitch, we recover like champs. Ice baths with foreign accents and Bonnie Tyler cover concerts, film sessions with a healthy dinner and back-handed compliments, and team bonding sessions that leave little to the imagination were all a part of our badass recovery. We also had a little fun with our “steety” rookies and their shark buddies. Let’s just say there was a bit of debauchery and a walk of shame involved.

Overall, the vibe is great, awesome, full of positive energy in the MARFU camp, and we are ready for Day 2 of the NASC. The game plan is simple—be the baddest m.effers on the field—and we all are feeling great about our ability to kick ass tomorrow. Go FU!

Day 1 Standings

Pool A
1 Pacific Coast 3-0
2 Midwest 2-1
3 Stars and Stripes 1-2
4 West 0-3

Pool B
1 Mid-Atlantic 3-0
2 Northeast 2-1
3 Southern California 1-2
4 South 1-2 

MARFU's Last Stand

Since my last blog, the USA WNT has competed in a three test series with France, winning one of those three matches, and finished third in the Nations Cup with a 3-1 record. There has been an entire summer of 7s. The Berkley All Blues won the Women’s National Club title, with NOVA finishing second. And now, the 7s NASC are upon us.

This year, there will be no Men’s tournament. With the elimination of the Men’s side of the 7s NASC and the Women’s 15s NASC, this event is the last of its kind. I’m not sure what the rugby higher powers have in mind for the future of the Women’s 7s NASC or any other all-star tournaments and events, but at this moment, this event is the only senior all-star championship series in USA rugby. What’s more is that with the reshuffling of the territory unions, this will be the last year MARFU (Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union) will field a team as MARFU (next year, the territory will be known as the Capital-something-something-Union).

What this means is that we (MARFU) have an opportunity to be the all-time champions of the Women’s 7s NASC (as we know it), just like the Midwest won the last Women’s 15s NASC and so are the reigning champs…pretty much forever. This is the last tournament we will wear MARFU jerseys and possibly the last time Bonita Betty the Shark makes an appearance (who knows what the mascot for the Capital-something-something-Union will be). Our goal is a National Championship, as it would be under any other circumstances. However, this National Championship will be a special one. We would like to retire the MARFU jerseys as champs—send Bonita riding off into the sunset (or I guess swimming into the depths of a murky sea).

MARFU’s last hurrah starts in the morning against So Cal. Then it’s on to a match against the South and finally NRU to wrap up day one of the 2013 NASC. Go Sharks! 

Stripes Take Round Two

It didn’t take long for the Stripes to get on the board against the Stars in the second match of the Top 60 camp. The Stripes scored first and often taking a 48-5 victory in a match that saw the Stars scrambling to find defensive solutions and offensive harmony.

Though the tale of the numbers would tell that the Stripes had an easy time with the Stars, any of the players, on either side, would attest to a different story. Both teams barraged the other on either side of the ball, as was expected, and the Stars were not short of opportunities. In fact, they threatened the Stripes’ defensive wall quite a few times, but couldn’t capitalize until the waning minutes of the match when their offense, firing on all cylinders, strung together some quick ball and offloads to put five points on the board.

The Stars will try to build on this offensive unity during their sessions over the next couple of days. The Stripes’ plan is to stay focused and keep the momentum on their side. The teams will meet for the final time on Saturday at 2pm.

Box Score:

Stars (5)

Tries: Denham

Stripes (48)

Tries: Pankey (2), Lundstrum (2), O’Malley, Zier, White

Conversions: Bizer (2/7)

Penalties: Bizer (3)

Stars v. Stripes Round 1

In a match that pitted the top 60 15s players in the country against each other, the Stripes team beat the Stars team 34-3 in a physical match. Play was fairly even in the first part of the match with the Stars controlling the ball and field position. However, the Stripes got on the board first with a try.

The Stars countered quickly and made it a 5-3 game, and that's where the score stayed for most of the first half. That first half was one full of smashing runs and hard tackles. Both teams grappled to implement their new offensive scheme, and so for the most part, the defenses controlled the action in the opening half.

The waning minutes of the first half and the second half saw more scoring, and it was the Stripes who poured it on. Scoring two tries in the final minutes of the first and then matching those 17 first half points in the second, the Striped rolled to a 34-3 victory.

Despite the dominating performance by the Stripes later in the match, the Stars showed tenacity and moments of fluidity in their offense. Both teams were not content with their performances and intend to make the second round of Stars v. Stripes a much more competitive and technically sound match.

Box Score:

Stars (3)

Penalties: Gleason

Stripes (34)

Tries: Kmiecik, Bizer (2), Blaney, Turley, Kingzett

Conversions: Bizer (2)

Top 60 Camp

This week the USA Women’s National Team is holding its Top 60 camp at the University of Northern Colorado, in Greely Colorado. The camp is the selection vehicle for the upcoming tests against France, in June, and the Nation’s Cup, in August. Players have been divided into two teams and will compete in three scrimmages during the weeklong camp. Coach Pete Steinberg expects this camp to not only be a means for implementing the Eagles’ game plan, but to showcase the “highest level of domestic competition ever on US soil.”

Check out upcoming blogs to get match recaps and highlights, and visit my Rugby Journal to get my own take on the camp.

Friday Night Rugby: James River v. VCU

In the curtain raiser to the annual Friday Night Lights match between James River and Richmond, the lady ruggers of James River took on VCU in an abbreviated match. Despite the shortened playing time, there was plenty of action for the fans, who lined the River sidelines in great numbers. That action was primarily controlled by River, who gave VCU a sound 70-0 beating.

River initiated the scoring in the first couple of minutes of the match and never let off the gas from there. The JR back line put up the first few tries, and then the forwards got in on the scoring, tallying a total of 37 points in the first half. VCU was able to drive the ball deep into River territory in the first half, but the River lines kept VCU out of the try zone.

The River defense proved to be superb when it was needed, however it was seldom needed as the River Women dominated possession and field position. JR’s backs riddled the VCU defenses with holes with their ball movement and kicking and the forwards consistently won VCU’s ball in breakdowns and set pieces. This command of the pitch resulted in another 33 points in the second half.

Though the match was lopsided on the scoreboard, the green VCU players never wavered in their aggression. Without fail, they continued to throw their bodies against those of a stronger River squad. This play is the type River relishes in ruggers who could potentially be part of their own squad.  

Overdue Blog (March ETC)

Our last ETC was one awesome weekend full of rugby, fitness, nutrition, mental skills, and a bit of silliness. Though it is a bit overdue, check out the Rugby Journal tab for my take on the March ETC.

Also, since my new favorite contraption is my head lamp, I think the head lamp companies should start putting out USA Rugby lamps. I'm sure they could find quite a few USA ruggers to endorse their products...like that nerd with the books in the pic to the right.

New Journal Entry

Check out my newest journal entry about my first weekend back with James River under the "Rugby Journal" tab.

James River v. Raleigh Match Recap (3/16/13)

Disclaimer: For all who are unfamiliar with my match recaps, they don’t usually fall into the objective news article category. I play for James River, and so tend to write as a River player.

With only two weeks of practice behind them and a scant number of players, the James River Women kitted up to face the 2011 Women’s Rugby DII National Champions, Raleigh. Raleigh brought a squad of scarce numbers as well, and the two teams fought to a draw on the pitch.

James River controlled the action in the opening minutes of the match, keeping the ball in Raleigh’s end, but couldn’t find their way to the try zone. After a minor defensive breakdown, Raleigh drove into River territory and broke through the River lines to score first. That first score would be the only one of the first half, though River threatened with a few good runs into Raleigh territory.

The James River Women opened the scoring in the second half, when Sam Pankey broke through the Raleigh defense, and ran 50 meters with her teammates in support. The Raleigh fullback brought Pankey down around the 5-meter line, but two phases later, Rachael Muir finished the drive with a score. Lizzy Scerbo’s kick brought the score to an even ­7-7.

With momentum on their side, River again pushed into Raleigh territory. The River forwards drove Raleigh back with a few punches and a powerful run by Margie Baker. Scerbo followed Baker’s lead, broke through the Raleigh defense and wrestled her way to within feet of the try line. Pankey was there in support to finish the try. The subsequent kick put River ahead 14-7.

After the River try, Raleigh was able to turn the tide and put a try of their own in, tying the score at 14. Both teams threatened in the waning minutes of the match, but the defense on both sides prevailed, and the match ended in a tie.

Though the River backs did the scoring, the forwards worked hard to pressure the Raleigh offense and set pieces. With plenty of talent in their pack and back line, James River will be a solid squad to contend with this Spring. 

USA Women's ETCs

Last weekend, USA Women’s Rugby held their monthly Eagle Training Center camps. Women ruggers convened at locations across the US for rugby, fitness, nutrition sessions, lifting sessions, and mental skills sessions. There were eight camps (UMass, Penn State, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Seattle, Stanford, and San Diego). Check out the Rugby Journal section for the run down on the Penn State camp. 

New Videos of Fall Tour in The Fun Section

Check out the new videos in the Fun section. Some quality moments from the night tour of Rome.

Coaching USF

Since moving to Florida, I have been coaching the USF Women's rugby team with Jeff Alexander. Jeff is a forwards guy and I, of course, am a back, so it works really well. The USF ladies were without a coach for a few seasons before we took the role, so they were a bit unorganized and lacking in discipline. Since the fall they have established a base of committed players, who are working hard on their development as players.

This past fall, they scored for the first time in a couple of seasons, and though they didn't get a win, they didn't lose every match (they tied one). Saturday, they played their first matrix match in a year and lost a close one. Despite losing, I was very proud of them. They surprised me, especially with their aggression. I just wanted to give them a "virtual shoutout" and say that I am excited about being a part of this team's development.

Revamped Blog

Since I’ve been blogging for the USA Women’s Rugby National team, I’ve neglected this blog. Actually, I’ve neglected all of my personal blogs—the eccentric one, in which I ramble and rant about big and small issues that strike my fancy, the JR News one that was supposed to be a supplement for River Weekly (James River Rugby’s weekly newsletter), and this one, in which I tell all about my rugby life. I’ve decided to revamp this blog and merge it with the JR News blog.

A lot of posts in the JR News blog can be found in the Workouts and Fun sections. These are older posts, and most are derived from articles I wrote in River Weekly. I may post a few of those articles, in the future, and refer back to older blog posts. The posts in the original Rugby Sidelines can be found in the Rugby Journal section. I hope you, my small group of readers, enjoy the new format and future and former posts. Cheers.