Player of the Month: November

Suan Tan was born in Singapore and grew up in Southern California where he went to high school at Webb School in Claremont. Suan excelled in school as well as athletics where he played basketball, volleyball, water polo, football, and wrestling. Of course Keegan would tell you that volleyball is not a sport, but if Suan played it…well you know VB must kick ass. In the 9th grade, Suan decide that he wanted to play a new sport and thought rugby would be an interesting choice. He researched the game, but unfortunately didn’t find time to play then. However, the “itch” to play remained buried in the recess of his mind until he graduated.

Suan started playing rugby when he attended Union College in Schenectady (upstate) New York. Here, he finally found rugby and played in the forwards. Arriving home after graduation, he wanted to again play rugby and did what every other Pasadena Rugby player has done…Googled: SoCal Rugby. Suan, in his typical quite, yet direct response as to why he chose Pasadena, answered, “we had better jersey colors than Eagle Rock.” Apparently green flushes him out.

Over the past month, Suan has become more than just a defensive power. Despite his small size, he packs a wallop and has always been one of the best tacklers on our team. However, during the Huntington Beach Tourney, Suan demonstrated what an offensive force he could be. I know we have heard this before, but never about a back…. "it takes two to three players to stop him!” Many players can drag a defender two or three yards, but most end up losing the ball. Suan is become more and more adept at dragging two player 5 yards and then allowing the ball to be recycled, allowing for quick ball and so his other center and wingers the ability to get the ball with less defenders perusing him. Sure, maybe he didn’t score the try…but his tenacity and drive played a huge part in setting up that try for his teammate. His work ethic on the pitch and during practice is exemplar. While he may not deliver hate speeches or scream out insults, he leads by example. I for one am hoping more players pay attention to this silent giant.

When Suan is not on the rugby pitch, he enjoys…oh never mind. Just know that Suan Tan is my Player of the Month for November. Good job and keep on hitting.

Oops,
Tanner

Pasadena's 15's Tournament

First, I think it is appropriate that I thank Tim for all his hard work with the tournament. He kept blaming me for "strong arming him" or "convincing him" that running the Tourney was a good idea, but looking at the final product, I guess I made the right choice.

Second, just a brief note as to why we call it Mike Aston's Tournament. You no doubt saw Big Mike runs the tourney like a Czar with a sharpie pen. When a team dropped out and another left early after a disappointing day (who does that...teams that don't respect rugby...) Mike rearranged a scheduled and made lemon aide out of lemons (gawd that was not even close to being funny). Anyway, Mike sells sports memorabilia and December is the busiest time of the year for him, but he makes time to be at the tournament. He will tell you how hard it is...how busy he is...but truth be told, I think he loves the helping!

I know one of the first thing I think the day after a Tournament is, "What just happened?" I am sure all of you guys just feel like a truck ran over you. Tournaments, while a great way to get a lot of rugby against different opponents in one day, are a test in endurance and mental toughness. There were times where we put 6,7,8 good phases together (both sides!) only to lose possession. There were times, specifically when we were in the red zone, where we lost possession or lost tactical advantage. Whether it was the Pasadena or Warlord side, I believe the lesson we learned on Saturday was that every player…from first team to the last sub ...needs to work on maintaining possession, tackling/rucking/driving low and not making silly mistakes.

This means knowing the rules (especially offsides), how to ruck (forwards and backs), how (and when) to maul. As Keegan pointed out, we have very few practices to “work out the kinks” and in the middle of the holiday season, every practice counts. Just to reiterate…make time to get to practice, work out on your own and make it to fitness practice.

On a different note, Doc successfully delivered an 8lb 7oz baby in between games.

There are many players who could be singled out for their play. Several of them were recognized during the after party and all were well deserved. I am sure the match report will detail the excellent play by them and others. I, personally, was very impressed with the play of three individuals. Dave Pett, Matt Encinas and Joaquin Neira.

Dave did not have the “best game ever” Saturday. I am sure he recognized what he needs to do to improve his play. I was more impressed that he was able to play several positions (with a variety of players next to him), never once complained and always gave it 100% (note: it is physically impossible to give more than 100%). Additionally, he eagerly played in both Pasadena and Warlord games. It can be easy, once on the first side team, to feel “slighted” if asked to play on a second side team. Not for Dave...and that not seen by ANY player Saturday. Dave played every minute on the field in his typical "balls to the wall" fashion. Good Job
(note* there were several players that played on both sides and in different positions.)

Joaquin is another player that played for both the Pasadena and Warlord side, sometimes subbing in at a moments notice. He played well and has shown much improvements in his first year as a back (he played forward all last year.) Joaquin was pulled from the sideline, after just playing in a very tuff game, when the Warlords needed someone who could play flanker. His tenacity on defense and excellent support was just what the young Warlords needed against a tuff, veteran laden OMBAC side. His leadership helped a very young Warlord side progress.

Matt, asked to do the same as Joaquin and Dave, only in reverse. Matt played all day with the Warlords as a starter in the centers. When asked to be a sub for the first side or play in the last game as a winger, he did so with confidence and aggression, despite not having a lot of playing time at some of the positions in “game situations.” He listened to his teammates and improved every minute he was on the field.

These players are definitely not the exceptions. It seems our whole team is singled minded in their desire to help the team win. Remember, it is difficult to know what to do…and then do what you know. Practice will make all this easier.

Lastly, I was asked by a, ref as well as an LA and an OMBAC player at the after, "what PRFC thought of going to DII?" I answered very politically, "we were excited, wanting to see what the new season would bring, and other cliches" I think I used three less clechhes than were heard in our post tourney round "table." The general consensus amongst them was

1. If we kept numbers at practice
2. If we maintain our "hard nose, disciplined play" (there words, not mine)

then we will do very well. The LA player said that was one of the key reasons they did so well last year. OH, the OMBAC player initially said he was "happy" that we came up as it would give them "someone to be more competitive with" as they did not "do very well last year." I asked if he "assumed that we would be in the lower half of the standings?" He answered that, "If you play the way you played against us, then we would have trouble competing against Riverside and the Aztecs." I didn't tell him that he played our SECOND SIDE. He can learn that in a few weeks.

Well, that's it for now

Oops,
Tanner