Amoskeag Warm Up Added
Well, the headline pretty much says it all. The first warm up game has been added to the schedule for August 23rd, away at Amoskeag. You probably could have figured that out from looking at the schedule over on the right, but it never hurts to beat you over the head with this kind of information.[...Read More]
TomFall training begins to take shape...
For those of you who have been so far avoiding our Thursday night run-arounds because Tuesday is the only day you're allowed out of the house, mark down August 19th as the official start of Fall training for you. Having said that though, Thursday seem destined to pick up in their intensity from now on, if the rumblings from the coach's corner are anything to be believed. But anyway, I digress. [...Read More]
TomSummer Venue Announced
As promised, the club has been able to come up with a venue for Summer training, which will definitely have a familiar feel for some of our longer term inmates. Yes, it's a oldie but a goodie, as training recommences at Fox Street Field on Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8 pm (starting this Thursday, 6/5). While some of us owe our degenerative arthritis to the many years on the "old" Fox Street, it[...Read More]
TomSummer Training Schedule Begins
After a tough weekend, in which Portland came up a little short in the NERFU Final against Burlington, the management has blessed us all with a couple of weeks off. After that training moves to a slightly more relaxed once-a-week schedule for the summer. That once-a-week is more than likely to be Thursday, but the exact venue and time have yet to be determined, so keep an eye open here or on the[...Read More]
TomPractice Moves Outside
Tired of all that fake green stuff we've been training (and rubbing our skin off) on? In which case you can now look forward to kicking your heels up on some of the real stuff. Or rather, some frozen remnants of the real stuff that have recently emerged from the retreating ice shelf. Beginning this Tuesday (April 8th), practice will be held at Payson Park from 6pm, until it gets dark, or [...Read More]
Tom40th Anniversary Tour Announced, San Diego exodus begins
Yes Indeed, Portland Rugby Club has defied the odds and made it (or looks set to make it) to the ripe old age of 40. And just like your typical aging hipster it's having a mid-life crisis and taking itself out West to go find itself amidst the palms and sea breezes of San Diego. And guess what? You're invited. Yep, if you've ever played for Portland (or wished you could), clear your diary from [...Read More]
TomHome Opener
Portland kick's off their Spring season tomorrow with a game against Amoskeag at Fitzpatrick Stadium. Given the heavy demand for artificial fields at this time of year the kick off is a little earlier than normal, with the start set for 11am. Be there early to get a good seat. Directions below: View Larger Map[...Read More]
TomTuesday training will now be on Wednesday
There's not too much more to add. It's all still at Howard Sports, at the same time, but now with added Wednesday. Thursday practice remains the same, on Thursday.[...Read More]
TomTraining at Gorham Sports this Saturday (3/15)
After weeks of bouncing around in the confines of Howard Sports, the wide-open greenery of Gorham Sports Center beckons tomorrow, where a pitch has been laid on for you from 2:30 to 4pm so you can stretch your legs. Because I know you're going to ask, I've already provided you with a nice map below so you know how to get there. So that's one less excuse you can use. I'm sure your overactive [...Read More]
TomDr. Phil says your couch and your fat arse should see less of each other
Yes, that's right, even Oprah's heavy-handed head shrinker can see that the relationship you've developed with your couch has become unhealthy. I hate to be the one to break this to you, but your couch wants to start seeing other people. Other, erm...slimmer people. Sure, I understand that this is all probably a lot to take in right now. Take your time with it. Breath. I know that you though [...Read More]
Tom"Spring" Training
If you've just been growing wider on the couch it's time to have someone pry you off it and push you out the door in the direction of Howard Sports. Yes, that's right, what we jokingly refer to as "Spring Training" is starting up next week (2/5), despite the fact that a green blade of grass may not appear in the state for several more months. In one of his first acts as President, Jerry has [...Read More]
TomNew Management
At the second time of asking the club managed to muster up enough of the faithful to stage a passable AGM and determine just who is going to be running the show for the next 12 months. Business both old and new was kept to a minimum in order to focus on the elections before the elusive majority that had assembled should disappear for fear of getting elected to something. As usual however some [...Read More]
TomClear the Decks - Banquet Date, Location, Price Set
That's right. If getting humilitated on the message board isn't giving you the same thrill as having your shortcomings exposed in public, then your torment is over. That end-of-year folly we we loosely call a banquet has been scheduled, so all you have to do is dust off your date and learn some table manners, and you can be actin' all civilized-like. Saturday, December 1st has been set aside [...Read More]
TomPortland stumbles, then stumbles some more
After a promising start to the season the bye week seemed to have interfered with Portland's mo-jo as first one wheel, then another has come off their playoff campaign. With one week left to go, post-season play is still a mathematical possibility, but our destiny lies as much in the hands of others as our own. Having been previously indefatigable at home, Portland took their first misstep by [...Read More]
TomRiver Crossed, Gold Pwned
Sorry, but things just got backed up and before you know it there are two games in the books and no match report to show for either. I'll blame the Jaeger. Well, the good news is that they were both wins for the good guys, so you can sit back off the edge of your seat. Going back two weeks Portland turned over Charles River at home to the tune of 35-15, with four tries to secure the bonus point[...Read More]
TomSouth Shore Stalemate
Portland and South Shore went toe to toe this past weekend but all either side had to show for it was a 7-7 draw after 80 minutes of spirited play. Morning rain gave way to afternoon showers, yielding some slippery conditions, but that didn't deter the powerful South Shore backs from running the ball at most opportunities. After repeated forays into the Portland half this pressure eventually [...Read More]
TomPortland tops Providence
Given the early state of the season, we're playing our cards close to our chests this week with a slightly more tight-lipped match report than usual. Hopefully by revealing just the bare facts, our plans for a lazer-death ray can remain a secret, and we can reserve any editorial comment for the weather or the after match activities. One inescapable fact however is that Portland came out winners [...Read More]
TomLooking for the Providence game?
...well look no further than the maps below for the locations of both the on-field and post match festivities. It's leauge season for reals now, so come see if all the hard work will pay off. Game on! Here's where the game will be played, otherwise known as Dougherty Field: View Larger Map Top food, top beer and above all topless waitresses. View Larger Map[...Read More]
TomTraining moves (again)
In case you haven't clocked it yet, training has moved again, this time back to Payson Park. We should remain here until the clocks go back, at which time we'll move back to Riverton and take advantage of their floodlights and wonderful drainage. If you can't find Payson Park by now, shame on you, but if you've just moved here or like to color-in, here's another map.[...Read More]
TomGet thee to the Seacoast game
Saturday brings our first home fixture of the Fall season with a warm up game against our neighbors from down the road, Seacoast. This would be a make-up match for the game-that-never-was in the Spring, when they were too "nicked up" from winning the D3 cup at NERFU. I then said some things about them, they said some more things, and much hilarity ensued. But that's all behind us now, and we're [...Read More]
TomWeymouth Warm Up
Portland made its first attempt to gather the faithful this weekend for a warm up game at South Shore, and yea verily, Coleridge was right, summer has indeed set in with its usual severity. Nothing more to say about the numbers that hasn't already been said behind closed doors. It was what it was. Thirteen and later fourteen players were able to inconvenience themselves long enough to take the [...Read More]
TomTraining moves to Riverton, Tuesday added
As a herald of the impending league season our training routine gets a little more formal next week with the addition of a Tuesday session and a move to the (slightly) less lumpy venue of Riverton School. Noobs can find some directions to the Riverton venue here. Just go down to the end of the school parking lot and we should be hard to miss. Tuesday and Thursday sessions kick-off at 6pm as [...Read More]
TomActon (damp)Fireworks
Sorry for the delay in getting this to you, but given that the news is less than scintillating it just hasn't seemed that important. No disrespect to those who participated, but clearly summer isn't a big rugby time for a lot of you, so what's the rush, eh? Anyway, this was my first time at the annual "New England 10's Championship" put on by Old Gold in Acton, although I'd heard plenty about [...Read More]
TomIrish festival now less authentic
Yeah, that's right, apparently the logistics of putting on one game of rugby proved too much for the organizers of the Irish festival and our game for the weekend has been cancelled. Please go about your business of honing yourself into perfect shape for the Fall season. Dine hearty Spartans![...Read More]
TomSummer Doings
While many of you have scattered to the four winds for the summer there's still a core of players meeting every week for a run around and to try and keep in shape. Unlike previous years this is actually a workout rather than the usual game of grab-ass with the women's team. We have coaches Diesel and McCluskey making the effort to make it out and make it productive, so why aren't you? Acton 10'[...Read More]
Tom
