Meet the Coaches

John Pithey and Tim Cutress, despite their better judgment I suppose, have applied and been accepted to be assistant coaches in the forwards and the backs respectively. Having assistants will allow our team to grow in new and exciting ways. It will take coaching out of the hands of players and let players play and coaches coach. By expanding our coaching staff, Pasadena will have people that are committed to learning and teaching, not only to the team as a whole, but also in unit specifics skills, on a more consistent basis. Lastly, it will allow lineups to be selected by people intimately aware of players strengths, weaknesses and overall play as it relates to team chemistry. As Chair of the Coaching Search Committee, it was relayed that those were the areas the Team wanted to see addressed for the upcoming year. We all know and respect Doc Bryant. He performed better than expected last year…his ROOKIE freaking year...and led us to a DIII Championship! But in part of his self-assessment, he recognized that in moving to DII he could not do it all and would require more help. Well, help is on the way…

John Pithey grew up in Durban, South Africa. As a youth, John played rugby of course, but also enjoyed fishing from the beach near his home. John has played many of the forward positions, but he specialized in the front row. At the age of 19, John suffered a neck injury in a car accident and was forced to quit rugby. As South Africa doesn’t force its damaged and decrepit athletes to degrade themselves playing softball (hey Tim), John studied, became a lawyer, married, learned how to make nuclear weapons, became a real-estate agent, had kids and learned to play the glockenspiel (the instrument not the clock). OK, some of those things may not be true. He did, in fact, grow up idolizing the play of the Natal flyhalf Keith Oxlee. John pointed out that if Pasadena is to succeed this year we would need to emulate Oxlee’s unselfish play. As many of you have seen (or will see) John is not a big man, so it is no surprise that he counts the play of Ian (Mighty Mouse) McLaughlan as a favorite. Ian never was the biggest man on the field, but routinely destroyed his opponent (reminding me of Rooney and Frazier!) John has been charged with developing a dominant pack that will tear through the DII ranks. He has his work cut out for him. He says he "looks forward to ripping the heart out of the opposition." However, he reportedly is "not looking forward to coaching in the rain." Someone drop him a note explaining the Southern California winters to him…ok? In the meantime, we hope his wife and kids don't mind him hanging around us, we can't wait to officialy meet them.

Tim Cutress grew up in the suburb of Karori in Wellington New Zealand. Known for their Haka, innovative rugby and piss poor beer, the Kiwi’s are a social people that enjoy stories, parties and beating the snot out of the opposition! I am told Tim liked to camp and hike as a youth. I am also told that it was called tramping, so I guess that is why he doesn’t really talk about it. Tim has played almost every position in the back line, including hairdryer holder, gel applier and fullback. OK, so fullback and wing were his preferred positions, but he is more than adept at the finer points of the other positions. During our search for coaches, Tim’s name was one of the first to be whispered as “do you think he would help coach?” Tim’s easy demeanor and quick wit made him a natural leader in his first year playing with Pasadena in the 2007 season. However, he had taken a long and winding road to get him here. After leaving Wellington he stopped playing rugby for several years and bounced around, but then get involved with the sport again (at age 24) when he played for Blackheath Rugby Club. I am told this is the oldest club in the world, possibly founded by Joe Wilson. Six years later, Tim left for the US where he went from one coast to another never stoping long enough top find a team. He stopped playing rugby all together until he arrived in Pasadena last year and his wife made him play. Tim is recently married (July of 2006…so Happy Anniversary!!) They apparently had a good time on the honeymoon as thier son Tristan was born some 9 months later…hmmmm. Tim’s goals for the team were very nearly the same as last year’s…fitness, possession and smartness. However, he is “keen” on improving ball handling, defensive strategy and kicking skills. His rugby heroes include Christian Cullen and, of course…Dan Carter. Isn’t that like a yank saying they thought Michael Jordon was their favorite basketball player? No originality!

Anyway, send your hello’s, congratulations and “why aren’t I starting” to Tim (timcutress@hotmail.com) and John (johnpithey@yahoo.com). By the way, I asked them who their favorite USA Rugby player was; neither of them gave the correct answer. John asked if there was a USA rugby team? Tim thought it might have been Dan Lyle, but then added he “no...because he was Canadian.” Correct answer is, obviously, Aaron Tanner’s Hair!


Oops,
Tanner

World Cup Predictions

When the dust settles and a world cup champion is crowned, it will be interesting to see if the top team prevailed or if an upstart was able to take the crown. Sure, the All Blacks may run away with it all, but since when do they give trophies to the team that looks best on paper? Just because Back Bay was in DI last year and the Aztecs went to nationals doesn't mean WE can't be THAT upstart team. No one expected France to win it all in 1998 (French WWII Rifle for sale, never fired... only dropped once!)

So here are the predictions... let's see if we can work hard enough to be the team that is written about, not before the game is played...but after.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2949136&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos2

Oops,
Tanner

Jump on into the Marrige pond...the water is great

Congratulations go out to our own Matt “Cheeseburger” Arnold. He proposed to the future Mrs. Cheese on June 27th. Amazingly, Mindy said yes. I am sure all of us, well with the exception of Judd and Angelica, wish the couple the best of luck…especially getting through registering for gifts, determining which relatives sit with which relatives and figuring out how to pay for a honeymoon.

What is that? How’d he do it you ask? In a true prop fashion! Mindy was busy looking at the LA Arboretum as a possibility for a wedding site. UHHHHHH, aren’t you supposed to propose first, I am so confused? Anyway, Matt told her he was gonna go golfing. He got dressed in his finest “proposal” duds and high tailed it over to the waterfall area. He was supposed to run over there and be waiting for her when she arrived. Unfortunately, Matt is not fast and Mindy had a golf cart. As he was running over to the spot…she turns the corner in a golf cart. Like all good forwards, he rucked the cart, booted the driver (he was NOT releasing the ball) and took Mindy back to the waterfall. He probably went with the standard, “I can’t imagine you not in my life and I want to…yada yada yada.” She said, “Yes” but was wearing an unfortunate shirt that could have sent a mixed message.

I have read in Cosmo…er…I mean Maxim, that proposals often immediately lead to sex…lets hope they waited till they go home.

Again, CONGRATULATIONS Matt and Mindy.

Sunsplash 7's Tournament

I had the pleasure of watching Pasadena play in the last 7’s tournament this past Saturday in Long Beach. Let me start by briefly re-telling a story that was in a previous post. I went to one of the first 7’s practices and it was pretty much as I had suspected. PRFC looked like 5 forwards playing 15’s and 2 backs playing 7’s. Then I saw a practice about a month and a half ago. Despite having a lot more guys, it did look like more of the same. I told Keegan it looked “horrific.” Then I watched them play on Saturday. Obviously I owe Roche, Keegan and every player out there a huge apology. Not only were you not “horrific,” but you looked really damn good. Very impressive, to say the least. That may have been the best Pasadena 7’s squad I have ever seen.

Pasadena has had such impressive numbers, we entered two sides. The Pasadena Scum and the Pasadena Bags. The Scum was entered in the more competitive division and the Bags were in the more social division. Each team started the day off with an unfortunate loss. The Scum played a very fit and athletic CSULB side that used their speed to sneak a win by one unconverted try that would end up haunting Pasadena later. The Bags also lost to our new conference rivals Kern. Their inexperience, not only with rugby, but also with each other, cost them against a more disciplined team.

Pasadena regrouped and made some substitutions. Both sides were eager to avenge their loss. The Scum took the field first, this time against another new conference rivals, Riverside. About 5 years ago, our 15’s team was scheduled to play Riverside’s 2nd-3rd team. Instead we had the privilege of playing their 1st side (that eventually went on to win the national Championships that year.) We lost about 135 – 0. Obviously it was nice to see us play well and beat them pretty handily. Riverside had two or three good players that seemed more interested in seeing if they could run over the Pasadena players than actually playing as a unit. I am sure they will be tuff come January. The Bags took the field shortly after and played the Old Boys of San Diego State. There were about 7 San Diego teams there, so I am not to sure how old they were, or what their majors had been. I do know that despite playing very well and improving upon their first game, the Bags lost.

This was about the time that one of the Celtic (not the basketball team) loving man-witch (not the sandwich) from the Finlanders forced my to have a conversation with him. He explained he didn’t really like my match reports (gee why.) He also doesn’t know if he does or does not have a coach (and I mean ever.) He still believes that biting Garrett was an “OK thing to do.” He informed me that he did, in fact, know that the Fins, as a people, were not Vikings. He tried to explain that the currrent team was formed when a team from Fontana and a team from the Inland Empire merged. He said that Fontana and Inland sounded like Finland. I suggested a more appropriate name could have been the Fondlers! No?

The third game for both teams would be very interesting and had playoff implications for The Pasadena Scum. They played San Diego State’s “A” side. Considering their difficulties with the CSULB side earlier in the AM, it would be interesting to see the outcome. It never was in jeopardy as Pasadena put them away and they finished 2-1. The Bags would face a much tough and a more hated opponent in the form of Eagle Rock….dah dah dah duuuuuummm. Despite it being ERAC, Keegan did not sharpen his elbows at the chance of playing them one last time (did I mention they were in a lower social bracket?) It doesn’t matter if you are watching an ERAC vs. Pasadena Semifinal match or two guys playing Ping Pong. As a Pasadena fan, you want to beat Eagle Rock. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the job done and the Bags ended the day 0-3 . Nonetheless, each game was a better game than the previous one. Each player improved defensively and offensively. As a team, they improved 10 fold. Whether you play for Pasadena or AP or APU next year, you all played very well and made us proud.

Despite playing very good, traditional 7’s rugby, Pasadena did not make the playoffs. Apparently 3 teams had the same record and we missed leaving pool play by one unconverted try! The roster for each team is below. I wish I could remember the name of a few of the AP kids that played. You all did very well. There was one who played prop against the San Diego side who, despite playing against men 4-5 years older than him, held his own. Matt (from Arroyo) and Tim were awarded Men of the Match and were given jerseys from Roche. PJ and Greg were named Scum Men of the Match and also given jerseys. Well done to all of you.

Pasadena Scum:

Brian
David
Keegan
Greg Smith
PJ
James
Hans

Subs: Sloan at Wing and Ian at Prop.

Pasadena Bags:

Peter
Dru (Arroyo)
Dan
Matt (Arroyo)
Stephen B.
Tim
Skippy

Subs: Mattt Hettermann, Garrett and a bunch of Arroyo kids. There were a lot of Arroyo guys that subbed in and played great.

Special Note: Martin is young Arroyo kid who has been to every practice and his game has come WAY up. Unfortunately, his nose was broken during practice and he was unable to play this past weekend. Martin has been playing very well and improving in all areas. It was a shame that he couldn't play. He still showed up to support his team and even did a little touch-judging.

Oops,
Tanner

Player of the Month: July

Keegan Hornbeck is a complicated person. His tattoos, prison slippers and bulging dip filled lower lip makes Chuck Norris want to cross the street when they meet at night. However, to know him better is to understand why he is my July Player of the Month for July.

Keegan began playing rugby at his alma matter, Arizona State University. He played flanker for the first side team and then, for reasons taht can only be understoond by the craziez, played lock for the second game. Keegan jsut wnated to play rugby, some things never change, eh? Before playing rugby and before some life decisions took him down a “different” path, Keegan had a very good shot at becoming a professional skate boarder. At ASU, his fellow flanker, Aaron Halfpenny, mentored Keegan in the ways of the lose forward. His previous hatred of all living things was slowly refined to hatred of any player in an opponent’s jersey.

In late 2004, Keegan ended up living in the Pasadena area looking to get back into rugby. He started practicing with the team during our “pre-season” runs around the Rose Bowl. His first season as a player (2005), Keegan was voted Best Forward. He was again voted Best Forward in 2006, along with the team MVP. And, ho hum, voted Best Forward again in 2007. Best Forward three years running...A feat that only Allen Rooney has accomplished in recent memory. Keegan, in some respects, orchestrated the successful 2007 season from his bathroom, well actually my bathroom (but that is another post). How does he do it? Lets jsut say, he has “a way” to get things he wants. He will either threaten to burn you alive in your car or he will tell you, “you are a great influence on the team and people respect you” to get you to practice and games. He could mean both, but you never know…so you show up not wanting to find out. Keegan’s ultimate goal is to win the National Championships in DII…and DI.

At the end of the 2007 season, Keegan dedicated his intense-white-sun-like-hatred towards organizing our summer 7’s team knowing it will only help us for our upcoming 15’s season. My first observations of these practices were exactly what I would have expected. Five forwards playing like it was 15’s and two backs playing like it is 7’s. A month or so later, things didn’t look that much better. I told keegan, “That looked horrific.” He was devastated. He is a competitor at everything he does. He, along with Roche Sanchez, has done an amazing job over the past few months, but mostly since July started. Players actually look like they know what they are doing. What made them turn around? No offense Roche, but the positive change in play seems to revolve around when Keegan began wearing his ultra tight rugby jersey. Honestly, Keegan puts 100% effort into any endeavor he decides to do and I think his desire to make our team a competitor really made the difference. He is a natural leader...he makes people want to be better and to put in the extra effort to be better. The best part is, they often think it was their idea.

Initially, Keegan didn’t really like 7’s. In fact, he wasn’t even sure if 7’s was “actual” rugby. He tolerated 7’s as a way to stay in shape, be competitive in the off season and not be forced to spend Saturday’s at Ikea looking for a JOKK table. So it is amazing that he puts as much effort into 7’s as he does. Not only has he been given a promotion at his job, he is in the middle of Casey’s workouts that in Keegan words are, “the most brutal thing I have ever encountered.” Why does he do it? Keegan is THAT guys that will drive 20 miles to help you change a flat tire…. or beat the hell out of a mob of Emo Kids. He knows that by being a better 7's team, we will be a better 15's team.

Saturday the 21st will be Pasadena’s last 7’s tournament before hibernating till 15’s starts. It will be in Long Beach. I am hoping that by writing this, four things will happen.

1. Keegan will be motivated to be the best damn rugby player on the pitch each and every day.
2. It buys me some time till I hear, “yo, Tanner…you ever gonna get your boots on or what.”
3. Keegan will get his hands on one more promising rookie and use some sort of Jedi mind trick to get him to buy into the "Rugby Life".
4. There is no point four.

I look forward to watching Keegan intimidate others into giving up their lives, girlfriends and jobs to fulfill his dream of playing for a kick ass team. Until then, keep up the good work Keegan.

Oops,Tanner

Legends never go away...

Michael Aston has long been a fixture with Pasadena Rugby (no not this Michael Aston). Recruited to the team in 1994, Mike quickly established himself as a dominating presence on the pitch. A graduate of Alhambra High School, Aston was THE defensive football player in Southern California. Teams developed offenses schemes to avoid running the ball on his side of the field. Had it not been for Aaron Tanner’s alma matter, Hart High School, Mike would no doubt be showing off his CIF Championship rings to the teams young guns. (Sorry Mike, I had to do it.)

In 1996, Mike was elected treasure of the club. He held this office until the end of the 2006 season when he stepped down. After the 2007 season ended and Mike realized how much he missed participating in the club at the EC level, he again was elected treasurer. Mike has been given the Coach’s award twice, once in 1994 and again in the 1995 season. In 2006, I had the distinct pleasure of notifying the team that our annual 15’s Tournament would now be named Mike Aston’s Rugby Tournament. Mike has always enjoyed (even if he tells you he doesn’t…cause it is my busiest time of the year) setting up brackets, communicating with team captains and referees, as well as making sure our tournament goes off without a hitch.

Big Mike, as the team calls him, has primarily played lock. However at 6’-4” he has also played prop, and yes… wing. Looking at Mike, one might not guess that he is incredibly fast and agile. In high school, not only was he the team captain, playing tight end and defensive end. He was also the track and field captain where he threw the shot, long jumped and ran the 440. After leaving high school, Mike “cut his teeth” in the business world, as well as bartending and bouncing at the legendary Pasadena bar, the John Bull. Here, Mike recruited countless Pasadena Rugby players to the team. He now owns his own sports memorabilia company, the Hall-of-Fame Group.

Anyway, Mike says his best years were his early years with Pasadena and I do not doubt him. I have heard veterans tell stories…nay…tales of his play in his early years. However, I contest that his best year was in 1999. Pasadena was still in DII at the time and not the “strongest” team, nor did we have much depth. Mike routinely played 2nd row in the first side game and then played prop in the second side game. Mentored by Joe Lunnon and Gary Patterson, his playing style is typical forward crash and support rugby. While he may not brag about it, his play is what legends are made of. The original “Cheeseburger” play was named Hall of Fame and the plan was, give it to Mike and let him drag the opposition into the try zone for a score. During practices, he is adept at teaching rookies the finer points of mauling and defending a maul. His teaching style is easy and direct, honed from years of coaching football and track at his alma matter, Alhambra High School. Mike has even played 7’s. The most memorable game I had seen him play was against, and I am not making this up, an all-Asian team named Godzilla. He literally carried 4 defenders on various body parts to help our team score a try. Mothra was in the sin-bin. There are countless stories of Mike at Maggot Fest that can only be told over a pint of beer, but be prepared to be awed.

Mikes greatest rugby accomplishment is not anything he has done on the pitch, nor is it his work in the EC. He has a unique ability to make every person feel welcome around the team. In fact, he has an almost father like persona. He has been known to drive players home from bars, loan gas money (and a few bucks for a beer, mate?) and subdue angry bouncers during a pub-crawl. He even makes it a practice to employee teammates at his business. When not at the pitch, or at work, Mike can be found at an Angel game or with his beautiful wife, Giselle… oh…and he is expecting his first child in October. Mike continues to be a driving force behind Pasadena RFC’s success. We hope to see him at practices and games more. When asked if he would like to accomplish anything else on the rugby field, Mike answered… “a comeback!!!”

Oops,Tanner

Who will be the toughest opponent?

Are we commited to winning?

Here is an article about the Cal Rugby program. I know some of our guys are doing off season workouts, while others are playing 7's to stay in shape. I hear some of the same passion from our players that are echoed by Cal players. I have always like the quote, "the will to win is nothing without the will to prepare." Cal has 60 players committed to winning....do we?

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncaa/news/story?id=2930194&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab3pos2

Memories of the past...

I know the purpose of this blog is to chronicle the 2008 season, but you need to know where you have been to get to where you want to go. Anyway, I was cleaning out my saved rugby files that other day and ran across some emails from 2003. One of our players >Tim Riesen (2002 MVP and Best Back) was arranging a kit order from a company called Balls Out Rugby. We ordered roughly 25 bags, warm-ups, shirts (2 each), shorts, socks, and mouthpieces. Sure, it all started off nice enough…until the order was roughly 6 months late… then we were sent items that were defective (Lettering was falling off, the short pockets were sewn together, XXL fit more like mediums, etc.)

Tim spent countless hours dealing with this living hell in silence… then he snapped when she indicated to him that he was over reacting and that it “wasn’t that big of a deal.”

Here is what Followed. >(Click here)

Oops,
Tanner

Pasadena RFC Player of the Year: 2007

Mark Frazier came to Pasadena RFC in 1999, but to hear him tell it, he was just breathing heavy. He began playing rugby while at the Virginia Tech for Blacksburg RFC. Virginia’s loss is California’s gain!

Mark, better known to us as Frazier, started his playing career at PRFC on the wing. Like all good backs, he wanted to get closer to the action. He found his true calling when, in the 2000 season he moved to scrum half. His speed, elusiveness and near rodent like ability to squeeze through the tightest of spots has made him one of Pasadena’s most feared players. Upon review of the PRFC Award Winners of years past, you may wonder why such a revered player who is spoken of at the pub with such admiration hasn’t had more Awards? Easy Answer. He makes everyone else around him better. I would venture to guess that in previous years, if we kept such records, Frazier was probably the runner up in the MVP and Best Back categories. I certainly do not want to downplay the accomplishments (well deserved at that) of any other player. If asked, I am positive every past MVP, Best Back and Best Forward would give a substantial amount of credit for his success to the stellar play of Frazier. Frazier’s play speaks volumes that can only be heard if you pay attention. Much like Roosevelt, he walks softly and carries a big stick (I mean have you sent that thing…he must be working out…is this thing on, hello?).

In 2004, Frazier was voted the teams Best Defender. Typically this award is bestowed upon a player who makes the big “highlight” hits. However, Frazier is a pit bull defender who rarely misses a tackle, even when asked to tackle the biggest of forwards or the fastest back. Frazier is the kinda guy that when a buddy says, “I can’t play rugby, I am too small” you can point to Frazier and say, “That guy is pound for pound the best rugby player on our team.” This year, as with any year, Frazier is much more likely to talk about the stellar play of a teammate, a rookies first try or the efforts of others off the filed than he would talk about his play. He is a true quiet leader.

Before the start of the 2007 season, many would have bet Frazier would not have played. As one player has said many times, “Frazier is held together with duct tape, chewing gum and spit.” Soaking wet, he is 140 (ish) pounds, his wife had just given birth to their first child, mighty Quinn, and he was recuperating from another injury prone season. A betting man would have lost a lot of money. His desire to help our rookie coach, his wife’s insistence that he is “grumpy” when he “isn’t playing rugby” and his Jedi like ability to foresee the potential of a Perfect Storm type season allowed the stars to align just right for his most memorable season to date.

Frazier’s 2007 season saw his first playing time against the odds on favorites for this years title, South Orange County. Substituting in at the halftime for our injured flyhalf, Frazier was able to direct our offense with ruthless efficiency and an almost fanatical devotion to the Pope. Frazier would not return to the scrumhalf position until 3 weeks later when our starting scrumhalf was injured just minutes into the Eagle Rock game. Despite limited practice time at the scrum half position, He, along with Andy Ramirez who replaced Frazier at fly, played to near perfection. ERAC was held scoreless as we walked to an easy victory. Pasadena was now 5 and 0 with two of our three toughest opponents behind us. It would not be until we played the OC Bucks that we would see how devastating a player Frazier is.

Anyone present during the festival style season finale on March 31st 2007 saw Pasadena play, without dispute, the most clinically sound example of rugby all season and possibly all decade. Frazier, from moment one, directed Pasadena with precise passes that decimated the Bucks. I do not have the words to describe just how efficient Frazier was all day. As soon as a player was tackled and a ruck formed, Frazier would, with Copperfield like slight of hand, have the ball in hand and delivered to the next player in the blink of an eye. Because of this, several of our scores were practically walked in for a try. I have played with Frazier for nearly 10 years and have never seen him play better. Come to think of it, I have never seen one player make an entire team play so well. We did not rely on one player to make a 60-yard run to score the winning try in the final seconds. With his guidance, we accomplished two things by seasons end. It gave our team a level of confidence for the playoffs and secured the first perfect season in…well, a long time.

The true test of a leader is when the team has their collective “backs against the wall” and others look to him to respond. The semifinal battle against ERAC was Pasadena first and only test of the 2007 season. Each time we found ourselves against the hard place, Frazier was there to lead us back and reassert ourselves. Scrumhalf, to the casual observer may seem like a glorified ball retriever. After all, they just pick up the ball and give it to someone else who does all the hard work…right? Without a veteran scrumhalf, plays can’t be run, forwards have absolutely no idea what to do and scrums would last…forever. Frazier was able to keep his head while others, on both teams, were losing theirs. His play in the second half showed just how valuable he is as we walked away battered, but winners.

Being named Man of the Match in the So Cal DIII Championship game was just the icing on the cake for Frazier in the 2007 season. In a game that was never really in question, Frazier played the only way Frazier can…with 100% effort. This year, Frazier scored the most try’s for the team, set up the most try’s for the team and lured opponents into penalties that allowed us to score over 400 points for the season. His father saw him play for the first time…as did his son. He led us to the DIII National Championships in South Carolina and, despite our loss, we walked away a better team because of his play.

Frazier’s work was “formally” rewarded at this years Players Banquet. Not only did the team vote him as the Best Offensive Player and Best Back, but also he was voted the Team’s Most Valuable Player. He would not be a bridesmaid this year as his play and leadership (on and off the field) was recognized by all.

Oops,Tanner