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.