Spring Home Opener
As usual Spring is proving to be a fickle mistress, but like lusty suitors we're prepared to press our advances undaunted, and consumate the season with merry abandon.So Saturday night we'll be getting things underway with two (and a half) matches, first in an extended game (3 x 30's) against Amoskeag and then another full game against UMF.It all kicks off around 6pm at Memorial Field (Deering [...Read More]
TomBanquet This Saturday! (12/5)
In case you hadn't heard Portland is holding its end-of year wrap up this Saturday at the Eastland Park Hotel, from 5pm until 9'ish.There's still plenty of room left. Tickets are $25 if you've paid your dues, and $30 for the rest of you. Since we've upped the ante on the venue this year, formal dress is required. Food is supplied, along with a cash bar with pre-negotiated low rates on selected [...Read More]
TomSeason Wrap Up
It turns out a few people were still waiting to find out how the season ended up for us, so here's a quick recap of how the last couple of weeks went.Well, first off, that Friday-night rugby thing lived down to the expectations, as Portland fell at the final hurdle to Middlesex. A frenetically paced game remained close until the 2nd half, by which time the pace and endless supply of fresh legs [...Read More]
TomFriday Rugby Not All That Bad
For those of you thinking that playing rugby on a Friday night has to be the first sign that the Apocalypse is upon us, take a closer look, since the end of civilization as we know it may come with a few added perks.For those not familiar with the Amesbury, MA facility where we'll be playing, you should know that it is merely an hour south of Portland (the first exit off 495), and offers a fully [...Read More]
TomPortland rolls on
Portland kept their win streak going in miserable conditions this past Saturday as they came from behind to beat Newport 12 - 5.Newport opened the scoring first after a sloppy first quarter, both in terms of the weather and the handling. Portland struck back quickly however with Mike Milliken finishing off an Alan Gibbon break to touch down under the post. Evan Harding made the conversion to give[...Read More]
Tom10/24 - Portland vs. Newport @ Fox Street, 1pm
Portland took care of Providence a few weeks back and have been enjoying a much needed break during their bye week. After that last win Portland's record improved to 4-2, and they now find themselves firmly in the playoff hunt, although with two big games ahead.Firstly, this weekend, Newport comes to town sporting a similar record to Portland, and are no doubt happy to be setting the record [...Read More]
Tom10/10 - Portland hosts Providence at Fox Street
Whoa! The website is back up!I don't know what happened there, but things seem to back to normal now.So, you may not have heard but your Portland heroes have managed to claw their way back from a rocky 1-2 start to a more respectable 3-2 record. They're currently on a 2-0 win streak and hoping to add that tomorrow when Providence makes the trip up here.I could add that Portland currently lies [...Read More]
TomHome Opener - 9/26 vs. Charles River
Portland kick off a 3-game home stand today with a match against Charles River, from Boston.The game kicks off at 1pm, and will be played at Fox Street, so please come on out and support our lads.Here's a map, just in case you never been to Fox Street before:View Larger Map[...Read More]
TomMaine College Rugby Championship
This Saturday, Portland Rugby Club will be hosting the annual Maine College Rugby Championship, which pits some of Maine's finest college rugby stars against each other for bragging rights, and a spot on the coveted 2009 Collegiate All Star Team.All this will take place at Cumberland County Fairgrounds, and kicks off at 9 a.m., with both a men's and women's division for your viewing pleasure, not[...Read More]
TomHome Game vs. Worcester 4/18
Portland's Spring form continues to improve, as a a strong second half performance last week saw the home side pull away from Amoskeag and end up with a 30-14 win.The stretch of home games continues this weekend, as Portland hosts Worcester, another new addition to D2. The venue has moved again, back to the familiar stomping grounds of Fox Street, with a A side kick-off at 1pm and B side [...Read More]
TomAmoskeag @ Home 4/11
Portland took care of Seacoast in fine style this past weekend, with a 67-7 victory and plenty of tries for all.This coming weekend, the ante gets upped more than a little when we leapfrog leagues to host D1 side Amoskeag.This weekend's game will be held at Douglass Street (see below), with a kick off at 1:30pm. If you get there early, no worries, you'll get take in some of the women's game that [...Read More]
TomPortland squeaks past Middlesex
Portland showed plenty of rust this past weekend as they opened their Spring season against a talented and committed Middlesex side.We can thank the weather for keeping us off our usual Fox Street haunt, and thank the numerous fringe sports that seem to be clogging up the City's fields for the late hour of the kick off. So, as a result, it was in the waning twilight that the match kicked off at [...Read More]
TomSpring Season Kick Off, Saturday Night (3/28)
Portland Rugby Club's 40th Spring Season will get under way this Saturday evening, at 7:00pm on Memorial Field (Deering High School). The visitors will be newly promoted Middlesex RFC. There will be two games, so bring your kit and you can enjoy some rugby into the wee small hours.Directions below:View Larger Map[...Read More]
TomIndoor Training
If the lack of sunlight and sub-zero temperatures has you falling helplessly into a spiral of depression, don't lose hope. Help is at hand.All you lack is endorphins. As nothing more than a walking, talking meat-sack, your delicate chemical balance has been upset by your Winter torpor. While you might think you what you feel is emotion, it is nothing more than the release and reception of tiny [...Read More]
TomNew Officers for 2009
The AGM has done its work, and coughed up a new(ish) batch of officers to steer the club on its unwavering course for the next 12 months. We've got something old, something new...well, mostly something old. But that just means more wisdom, right?So here they are:President - Jerry AlvesTreasurer - Ryan FaceySecretary - Tom LoveringFixtures - Derik HammondCaptain - Steve StewartVice Captain - Alan [...Read More]
TomThe Banquet Is Upon Us
Rounding out the year like a well place exclamation point, the Annual Banquet has been scheduled for Saturday, November 22nd, at the Eagles Club in Portland.Unlike last years premature gathering, this year's event has been scheduled at a more traditional hour, beginning at 6, and running through until 10. At which time you'll be free to continue the revelry as you see fit.I've been informed that,[...Read More]
TomAmoskeag 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. The [...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 starts [...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 the[...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]
Tom
