Rugby and the Summer Games

Practice. We could all use some in various things, piano, public speaking, driving, etc. Rugby practice is not on my personal list, but for some folks wandering around up here, it is. Here are Ryan (foreground) and Joseph practicing protecting the ball under the watchful eye of Andy.

Andy is a true rugby fan. Born in Wales "more than a few years ago," according to him, he and his family have called Fort McMurray home for more than 30 years. He was up at 5 am on a Saturday to catch a game between Wales and New Zealand. To me that is a bit extreme, but to the other 15 or so players that came later in the morning to set up the field for a game who also got up early to watch the same game, it was a normal act hardly worthy of mentioning. Wales won, just in case you needed to know that.

BTW, setting up the field really means stretching a barrier between the pitch and the stands to keep the fans from storming the field, and setting up an orange construction fence to define the boundaries of the beer garden, within which copious amounts of hopped up beverage are consumed by players, fans, etc. According to the rules, ones does not have to be drunk to play rugby, but I have heard that it helps reduce the awareness of minor injuries and allows grown men to legally maim one another an hour or so every week. The youth team is not allowed to drink, hence the participation of 4 LDS youth on the team.


Joseph learning to protect the ball before downing it.

Samuel downing the ball after driving the blocker back about 3 yards.

Samuel carrying the ball, Gary getting ready to clean the blocker (push him back from the downed ball.)

Samuel cleaning, and Donny getting ready to pick and pass to the Link man.

Joseph downing, Samuel cleaning, Ryan to pick. These 3 actions together are called the ruck. Don't try to figure it out. It does not make sense to me either.

The ruck.

The Summer Games are in 3 weeks in Peace River, Alberta. Good luck boys.

Here we are after mutual. Our friend Bailey is learning to drive a standard transmission. (hence the look on Todd's face. I think we can all relate.

The typical 2 seat table at McDonald's. L to R: Ashlyn, Holly, Breena, Joseph, Samuel, Eli, Jezzy, and Aiden.

to be continued...