Schedule Shaping Up for Winter and Spring

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As the start of the new year approaches, it is time to look forward to the future. Here’s a list of what the Green Horde has on its social and competitive schedules so far:

• Jan. 20 – Visit to Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital 1:00pm – 3:00pm (Thank you Dom and JV for stepping up to volunteer to help distribute the toys first. We need two more.)
• Mar. 16 and 17 – Savannah Tournament
• Mar. 31 – High School Rugby Festival at SPIRE
• Apr. 7- TBA (Erie or South Pitt) at Home
• Apr. 14 – Scioto Valley at Home
• Apr. 21- BG Away
• Apr. 28 and 29 – Playoffs
• May 5 – Canton Away
• May 12 and 13 – Nationals
• May 19 – TBA (Pitt of day off)
• May 26 – TBA (Cleveland Cup)
• Jun 2 and 3 – Final Four or Cleveland Cup

It is a busy schedule so far but there is more to come. Be on the look out for more hospital visit dates, toy collection events, another high school skills clinic and other social events.

It’s shaping up to be a big year and a busy year for the Green Horde. Be on the look out for new developments, updates and maybe a new Web site.

 

Eastern Suburbs Found Lacking in Akron Opener

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When the dust settled in Akron on Sept. 10, 2011 the Cleveland Eastern Suburbs Rugby Football Club was on top of Akron 33 – 27. While this result puts an early win in the scorecard of the Green Horde, the victory was far from a clean one and a far cry from the kind of wins the East Side team has put together in recent competitions.

In recent meetings between the two clubs, Cleveland had trounced Akron by incredible margins. Last week’s close score could be credited to a number of factors. Speculators will suggest whether Akron have gotten that good or if Cleveland is on the down swing. What si for sure, though, is that the Green Horde seemed somewhat unprepared and undisciplined for a tough team and an imperfect referee.

Akron pushed the physical pace of the game as they always did, bringing hard hits at every breakdown and phase of the match. This aggression allowed Akron to do something that few teams had even been able to do: challenge, and in some cases, shut down the Green Horde at the set pieces. Mike Belanich did his best in the line-outs and did what he does best, making getting the ball difficult for Akron. It was not the easy dominating job that is usually was, though. Rather than merely foiling their plans in the air, many times it came down to doing the hard dirty work on the ground to ensure that Akron did not score. Akron also made times difficult for the ESRFC in the scrums. Though the Green Horde’s big men wheeled and pushed Akron’s pack at will, it was Akron’s scrumhalf that made life difficult for the Green Horde on the offensive side of the ball. His tenacity made sure that getting the ball from srumhalf John Bowens to flyhalf Billy Regan would not be an easy task. On a number of occasions 8 man Justin Rutledge had to make get the ball to his no. 9 so he could make a clear pass. The story was much the same in the rucks, except for the fact that Akron was able to contest and turnover ball. Needless to say, this wore down the ESRFC’s men a great deal.

The trouble with Akron’s aggression came when the southern side’s flyhalf continually performed illegal and dangerous tackles. The dangerous play coupled with the Cleveland side’s fatigue led to unnecessary penalties and scoring opportunities for the opposition. Two of these penalties were compounded when members of the Cleveland side yelled at the referee for his decision-making and his apparent inability to make proper penalizing calls against the home team. The Green Horde was also assessed a penalty, which could have easily been a card,  for stamping late in the game. This came after the team had fought their way deep into Akron’s territory and been awarded two penalty advantages. The decision to step on the opposing player killing the ball cost the Green Horde at least five points and could have put a man in the bin.

The good guys – the ESRFC - came out on top, though; and they left Akron with a victory and the knowledge that this season is not going to go as easily as past seasons. Aside from the more physical aspects of the game, the ESRFC realized they needed work on fitness and discipline as well. They take on South Pitt on Sept. 17. Video highlights of that game will be available along with the match coverage.

The B side put on a good showing against Akron, though their hosts came up trumps against them on this occasion. The meeting between the two sides was still a positive one for the Green Horde, though. It got rookies Ted Kozlov, a former Marine and absolute newcomer to rugby, and Sebastian DiRienzo, who has played for a year and is being looked at by national coaches, a chance to get some touches on the ball. Both men ran straight and true breaking tackles, securing scrums and demolishing rucks. Thanks go out to Mark Derrickson, Mike Ciccolini, Goerge Jeney, Rich Day and the other players who took the field with the B side and our rookies to show Akron the toughness they will have to deal with in the future.

The score so far:

The Score So Far - Week One of 2011 Fall

 

Fall’s Schedule for 2011

2011 Fall Schedule

 

 

The English are coming: club braces for Wooten-Basset team’s arrival

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It’s not every day that a club from overseas visits the United States to play rugby and stay to experience a bit of what the country has to offer. All too often, the visiting nation sends their side to spank the Eagles and get out of dodge. This will not be the case the week of May 15. That’s when the Wootton-Bassett RFC land in Chicago to begin their tour of the US. The visit has been put together with the help of the ESRFC’s resident English Ambassador Frank “It’s not cheating when I do it” Black.

The touring club is scheduled to play matches against Chicago’s Condors on May 21. The teams have invited Cleveland players to come and fill out the sides. Players who decide to make the drive will spend the weekend in Chicago after the game and travel to Cleveland with the visitors and show them around the city.

Schedule for the week: Itenerary for Wootton Bassett team’s visit

The team is planning a slew of events, including – but not limited to – pub crawls, meet-and-greets and Indians games. The week’s events are highlighted by a training session on Tuesday May 24 and a special midweek test match on Thursday May 26. Kick-off for the match is at 6:30pm and will take place at the team’s home pitch at the Cuyahoga County Airport.

A social and closing ceremonies will commence after the game. The English side departs for friendlier shores that Friday.

This visit from the Wootton-Bassett club is a great honor and opportunity for the Green Horde. The visiting English players will provide a test the likes of which probably have not been seen before; not to mention, that adding an international victory would be an impressive notch on the ESRFC’s belt.

A full weather report for the week will be coming soon.

 

A new look for the Green Horde

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Thanks to support from one of our sponsors – Claddagh Irish Pub in Legacy Village – and some wheeling and dealing by our President Mike Ciccolini, the Green Horde will be donning two new sets of jerseys for the Spring season.

These jerseys have been designed specifically for the team and are a tighter fit than the older sets. Also, the team will have an alternate set should the opposing team have similar colors, or in case it’s 90 degrees out – no one wants to get heat stroke.

ESRFC Main Jersey 2011

ESRFC Alternate Jersey 2011

 

The Cleveland rugby social calendar

The snow is starting to melt and all the dormant rugger are starting to peek

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their heads out of their holes. The ESRFC is prepared for the seasonal thaw with a number of fun events and fundraisers to bring the team together for a good cause: raising beers while raising money.

The earliest scheduled event is the next Happy Hour special at Roc Bar. The event is planned for Saturday Feb. 19 Located on Old River Rd. on the East bank of the Flats,  Roc Bar hosts bands on an almost nightly basis and caters to a variety of tastes.

The Deal:

• $10 at the door
• Free drafts from 6:30pm – 9:00pm
• Admission into the night’s shwo following Happy Hour

There are convenient parking options in front of the bar on the street and around the area. Tere is also a lot directly next to the building. Though parking on the street is free, those coming for the event get discounted parking in the bar’s lot.

It’s that time of the season again. It’s Six Nations season. Claddagh, in Beachwood, is showing the games. Like the Roc Bar event, cover is $10. Claddagh will be providing food and drink specials for all those in attendance, including $6.99 Irish Breakfasts.

The schedule of remaining games:

• 2/26 – Italy v. Wales, 9:30am; England v. France 12:00pm
• 2/27 – Scotland v. Ireland, 10:00am
• 3/12 – Italy v. France, 9:30am; Wales v. Ireland, 12:00pm
• 3/13 – England v. Scotland, 11:00am
• 3/19 – Scotland v. Italy, 10:30am; Ireland v. England, 12:00pm; France v. Wales 3:45pm

There will also be a Big Ticket raffle at the Saturday showings. Tickets are $10 a piece and the grand prize is a 50″ flat screen TV. Those interested in purchasing at least one ticket should come to the events or contact Mikc Ciccolini via the main site.

Future events and fundraisers involving Happy Hour specials, raffles and World Cup viewing are in the works. The team hopes to raise enough money to pay for trips to Midwest, Nationals and other places, while still having a slush fund for future endeavors.

 

Cleveland Rugby Calendar: February 2011

Are you suffering from rugby withdrawal? Sick of there being a lack of rugby to play and watch during these cold winter months? Well the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Football Club intends to fix all that. There are a number of events

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coming down the pipe to wet every player and fan’s whistle.

First, for those who are desperate to throw on some cleats and get a ball in their hands, there will be an official practice Feb. 8, 2011. The practice will be at the GaReat Sports Complex in Geneva. Carpools from several locations will be provided to those who find driving to Geneva to be too much of a burden on their lives.

• Directions to GaReat Sports Complex

The first rugby-centric events for the month are kicking into full gear as well. The annual Six Nations tournament is going to be broadcast at the Claddagh in Legacy Village. The event starts Friday Feb. 4, 2011 and runs the entirety of the tournament. Specials during the event include $6.99 Irish Breakfasts during all the games. There is a $10 cover for those in attendance.

• Six Nations 2011 Tournament Info

For those who don’t necessarily want to run and jump around with rugby players or watch funny-talkers on TV, there are a few small fundraisers set for Feb. 12 and Feb 19. The events are at Roc Bar in Cleveland. The cover is #10 dollars and those in attendance get free drafts from 6:30pm until 9:00pm. Those who come to the fundraiser will also get free admission to the shows taking place the nights of the events.

Information regarding the upcoming season and more events will be posted soon. Also, check the main site and Facebook page for further updates.

 

Outlook on the Spring for the ESRFC

The Annual General Meeting for the Eastern Suburbs Rugby Football Club took place Saturday Jan. 29, 2011. Old officers stepped down and new faces changed the Exec. Board landscape. Some old faces remained and some issues were left unresolved.

The new Exec. Board consists of, President, Mike Ciccolini; Vice President, Frank Black; Treasurer, Drew Roberts; Secretary, Justin Rutledge and Match Secretary, Mark Viviani.

Elections were a long drawn out process, with everyone in attendance lobbying for their respective choice for each position. Ciccolini was eventually picked due to his past success in re0building the University of Dayton rugby squad and his experience in leading the Iron Maidens. Black was a close second choice for the presidency, but was elected Vice President based on his tenure with the team as well as his drive and forward thinking. Drew Roberts retained his position as Treasurer because of the good work he had done in the past. Rutledge was tapped as Secretary because of his recent experience with the position as well as his knowledge of social media and traditional media outlets. Viviani was elected to his position due to the fact that the team is looking to face higher levels of competition in the near future. Those in attendance felt his connections with other teams and experience at higher levels of rugby were what was needed to secure such competition. John Hummel regained his position in the Board of Directors as well.

Most of the “old guards” will still be active in the behind-the-scenes actions of the club. Dominic Matteo, the former president, will still help with fundraisers and managing relationships with sponsors, while former Match Secretary Mark Derrickson will most likely work alongside Viviani in putting together future schedules.

 

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Prior to the election of new members, Derrickson announced the schedule for the Spring, which is filled with an exception of two dates. Highlights of the season include Midwest and games against Bowling Green, Rochester and Scioto Valley’s DI squad. Possible additions to the schedule include the Savannah, Mad Anthony and Teapot Dome Scandal tournaments.

 

The largest issue still up in the air is that of a venue for Winter practices. Fields on the CSU campus, the Field House at Mayfield High School and GaReat are being followed up on.

A final copy of the team’s handbook was also circulated. The document will be distributed to the team as a whole soon.

 

Winter months hardly “off” season for Cleveland rugby

 

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The fall season ended with what was rugby’s version attrition warfare – both teams were dug in with solid defense, making slow advances on the offensive. Due to the muddy and wet conditions, both teams opted to keep the ball with the forwards. For 80 minutes the big boys threw themselves at one another. Eventually, the Green Horde’s opponents, the Cleveland Rovers, broke.  This allowed the ESRFC to secure the final victory of the season by a score of 40 – 7. This leaves the Green Horde in line to face the Cincinnati Kelts on April 30. Some would think, as of now, all there is to do is wait. They would be wrong.

 

Now, it is November approaching December and the weather has become too frigid for short shorts and the ground is too hard to tackle or run on. The lines of the field will be covered by leaves and snow soon. That  doesn’t mean that the season has stopped. The tireless efforts of the ESRFC merely switch indoors for a while. During these cold months the brain trust behind the players will be making moves to ensure the future of the team is full of rugby, though at this time nothing is set in stone.

The most immediate issue the Green Horde is setting up practices for the winter. They need a venue and a schedule. So far, there has been talk about moving practices to a facility of Cleveland State‘s campus, but places in Mentor and other area have been mentioned as possible locations as well. What has been pretty well established, though, is that practices will begin in February and likely run from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. These practices won’t just be for the veterans of the squad. Rather, the focus of many of the indoor sessions will be to help the newer players learn the basics of the game.

Looking at one of CSU’s fields as a practice option isn’t a random inclusion, nor is it because the brain trust really likes the cut of the turf. It is was thrown in the mix, however, as a part of an effort to build up some numbers. One way the location could help do this is be accessible. For those who may not be able to make it to the usual haunts of the Cleveland squad, the downtown field should be easier to reach for everybody. Also, a group of ruggers at CSU are trying to form a team and are in need of some help and leadership. Joint practices with them have been discussed. During these practices, the Green Horde would mix the CSU players in with their ranks and help them as best they can. Should everything go according to plan, a partnership should form that benefits both teams in the future.

The inclusion effort doesn’t stop with the young bloods, though. The current incarnation of the team is going to be looking to its roots a bit more this season than they had in the past. Representatives from the Old Boys will be brought into the decision-making fold in the near future. More importantly, they will be recognized for the contributions they have made in the past that have gone relatively unnoticed.

The fact that the club us reaching out to other local ruggers and their older members is part of an overall change going on within the organization. This includes the establishment and distribution of a club handbook. This handbook will have laws governing eligibility of players, getting CIPPed, paying dues, etc. The overhaul in the team’s attitude is also an effort to make the team more inviting to new members, which will hopefully bring in more bodies and keep them around. The friendlier attitude should make the team closer as well.

As always, a main concern for the Winter is the Spring season. While no games have been set in stone yet – apparently it’s too early to start scheduling games for some teams – the goal of the Spring is clear: Get good competition to prepare for playoffs. A rough mock-up of what the schedule could look like had the team traveling most Saturdays to play teams like Dayton and Scioto Valley. While nobody like driving almost three hours to play, it is something that has to be done and something the team will have to get used to when preparing for playoffs. Every installation of the playoff process is set a long distance away from the Green Horde’s home.

Though nothing is set in stone for the upcoming season, there are a few things that are certain. First, there will be a Cleveland Cup and an Old Boys game. The elderly Cleveland side still needs competition. Serious talks about going to Savannah and Nash Bash have been tossed around as well. Finally, May is going to be a big rugby month this year. Not only will there be the final leg of the Midwest tournament, but a touring side from the UK will be making its way to Cleveland. The Basset Rugby Club will be touring Chicago and Cleveland during the final days of May. During the time they will be on American soil, the English side will practice, scrimmage, play and socialize with the Green Horde. The dates they are scheduled to be in Cleveland are May 20 – 26.

Like all teams, the ESRFC will be chasing the ever-elusive dollar bill as well. Findraisers will be planned and put into action. So far, big-ticket raffles and events surrounding the Six Nations tournament have been in talks amongst the big wigs. There has also been talks about doing at least one fundraiser at Claddagh in Legacy Village. Chasing down outstanding debts are going to be a large part of padding the bank account. Sales of team sweatsuits and obtaining sponsors are also attractive options for the Green Horde. Details on all of the financial fronts will be forthcoming.

 

Playoff scene set

The stage is set for the 2010 DIII playoffs to begin. Following the round-

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robin play that took place Oct. 30, the final teams that will compete for the top spot are the Cleveland Rovers, Flint Rogues, the Cincinnati Kelts and Cleveland Eastern Suburbs Rugby Football Club.

Each team put up impressive numbers this season. According to the Midwest Rugby Union Web site, the teams raked in a total of about 115 points throughout the season, which averages out to about 29 points per team. What does this mean? The top teams’ point average is higher than all the other teams in the conference, showing just how dominant these teams have been. Each team has secured at least four bonus points this season as well.

With the way the season pad panned out up until recently, the spot occupied by the Rovers was up for grabs. The team from Cleveland’s West side competed against Louisville and Kalamazoo to determine who would rise to the top of the heap. Playing in games with 25-minute halves, the Rovers put up 45 points on Louisville and 21 on Kalamazoo. Putting up such large scores, relative to the time they were given to play, showed without a doubt that they belonged in the playoff picture.

2010 DIII Playoff Teams

On Nov. 6 it will be a turf war as the ESRFC hosts the Rovers, a rematch of an earlier match in which the Green Horde were the victors by a score of 48 to 12. While the score shows the East side team dominating their West side counter-parts, this time the game has larger implications. Both teams will be stepping up their game for this playoff match so the outcome is anybody’s guess at this point. The Kelts will be hosting the Rogues as well.

These four teams have proven themselves as the best in their conference. Once all is said and done this weekend, there will be two left standing to compete for top honors.