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For Immediate Release The Washington Rugby Football Club hosted Pittsburgh Harlequinns on Saturday, September 9, 2006. Thanks to Drew Freeman Middle School in Suitland, MD for allowing us to use their facility. WRFC Season Opener started with a early try from Flyhalf Simon Bowyer who touched down a kick that he blocked from the opposite 10. Conversion was good by Toga Fauneli. After WRFC suffered an injury to our loose head prop, WRFC Head Coach Gerry McDonald strapped on the boots and brought strength to the scrum. It gave the players not a chance to be coached up close but to learn by example how a WRFC Legend wears the badge. WRFC kept to a basic game plan spinning the ball through the hands with a strong defense that kept the opposition behind the gain line. A second try by Simon Bowyer put the blue and white ahead while Toga slotted a couple penalty kicks. However Pittsburgh didn't let up their drive to score touching one down off a rolling maul from a 5 meter lineout that was well defended by WRFC knocking them back. However, the opposition was able to roll in for the try. WRFC recovered strong from this later stopping a second attempt at a rolling maul by knocking them towards the sideline and managed to steal the ball to stop them. The second half saw WRFC Winger Curtis Marshall score on wide play around the defense for the score. Curtis is new to the club after working in Kuwait for the past few years but is dialed in as WRFC's leading try scorer on the season. As the team gets used to getting him more clean ball, we look for big things from him. On the day, the positives were noted in defense as WRFC continues to deliver big hits that stop forward momentum and lead to many turnovers by the opposition. Lineouts were strong as WRFC looks to improve the set pieces with much attention given to them at training by Head Coach Gerry McDonald. "The team played some good rugby. They worked hard and show a lot of potential. WRFC is full of raw talent at the moment." Gerry feels confident that with a steady training regime will only improve the team. On another positive note, WRFC EC Members were able to meet with DC Parks & Recreation Officials at the groundbreaking of a new synthetic turf field that is scheduled to be open in 6 to 8 months with more coming online in the future. DC Parks Director was impressed with the WRFC update of our strong community efforts with the Youth Program and that of Hyde's Rugby Team. He committed to working with the club to help us remain a cornerstone of the city. Stay tuned to the hotline at 1-800-686-WRFC (9732), the egroups and the website for training details as yesterday the active players voted to take a slot at Wakefield High School which has served as the club's winter training facility for Tuesday Trainings starting at 8:30pm. Thursday training will be announced and club gathering post training will remain the Capitol Lounge at 223 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE starting at 8:30pm for all. WRFC also bid farewell to former Head Coach Bernie Hogan as Bernie, wife Lorie and future WRFC player Jack return to their native Queensland, Australia. Bernie will be taking on the General Manger of a News Limited newspaper. We wish them all the best in their new adventure and appreciate the commitments they have given to the club over the past years. During his tenure, Bernie not only coached WRFC, but University of Marlyand, the MARFU All-Stars and most recently the NA4 USA Tomahawks. 3 WRFC Players made it to the USA Eagles under his tenure including Francois Viljoen, Owen Lentz and Tui Osbourne. Washington travels to Philadelphia this Saturday to take on Schyukil River RFC. All members are encouraged to get to training and make themselves available as WRFC rebuilds and competes in the MARFU this Fall.WRFC Players: 1. Anthony Harley (Gerry McDonald, Joe Boswell), 2. Steve Studley 3. Ian Foley 4. Ed Trelinski 5. Ben Derweth (Brian Mihelic) 6. Mike Merschat 7. Christian Britton 8. Kevin Gilligan (Captain) 9. Vinny Higgs 10. Simon Bowyer 11. JJ Valez 12. Tai Vakatale 13. Toga Fanueli (Christian Britton) 14. Curtis Marshall 15. Alex Dunoye Contact: Vince Higgs, Washington RFC Treasurer, washingtonrfc@aol.com |
About the Washington Rugby Football Club
Founded in 1963 the Washington Rugby Football Club has a long tradition of excellence by competing at the top level of USA Rugby. Washington Rugby Football Club, a non-profit 501(c)3, is based in Washington, DC. WRFC is a founding member in the USA Rugby Super League which is a national competition every Spring Season. In addition to our men's club, we support the Hyde Charter High School Rugby Team as well as the DC Youth Rugby Program. Every Spring, we host the Cherry Blossom Tournament, a showcase rugby event featuring 40 rugby teams from the US including high school and collegiate teams. The Cherry Blossom Tournament is the official rugby event of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and the tournament is held on the US National Mall.
