Catalina Tour May 2010by John Langley This year marked the 16th annual Catalina Island Rugby Festival. I cannot remember when the Snowcaps first started coming down but it must be at least 12 years ago. This time our guys played some excellent rugby and the results were 2 wins in 2 games in the over 40 division and a tie game in the over 50s Can/Am classic.
Caps had excellent backs, the strongest we have ever fielded in Catalina. Quin Kelly, the mighty Quin made his first appearance. He travelled with the Legends a composite side that included his old Gibson Pigs, Evergreens and Legends. Unfortunately he was injured early in the first Legends game and did in his collarbone. We were looking forward to seeing him perform with our backs that included Andy Whitechapel from Nobs, Alla, Mike Johnson, Dedric, Steve Eastman and the rest of our crew. Hopefully he will be back next year and will have better luck. Have a speedy recovery Kelly! Alla was in my humble opinion the most valuable player in the tournament. He made space on the field and his passes were great. As always he tackled well. He didn't score, himself, but chose to set up his teammates for several class scores.
If we needed players to fill in we had plenty of offers. We were a bit light in the second row but a huge lock showed up and fitted in nicely. Also a player named Troy Ralmyr stepped forward and showed his athletic ability finishing off yet another alla rampage. Ken Robinson scored a try and has skinned knees to prove it. The over 50s game was a hardfought scoreless draw with both teams having some excellent scoring chances.
Snow Caps fielded five over 60s in this game those being Dedric, Tom Kirk, Gord Curry, Fernando Grossling, and yours truly. We all played at least a half. Fernando has been pieced back together having had both shoulders operated on in the last few years. He hasn't played for a long time but is threatening a comeback. He made an excellent hit on a US player who had passed the ball quite sometime before the hit.
Fernando says it is because he cannot see very well without his glasses but he is going to get contact lenses before next season. He is dangerous on and off the field!
The off field behaviour was the usual stuff, lots of beer, songs, water fights and that sort of stuff. Having two Canadian teams made even Sunday night, usually quiet in Catalina a party night.
The Legends looked rough on the ferry going back so I'm sure they had a good time also. Having them along gives us more depth in the over 50`s and means we don`t have to borrow from the other side. Court was held on Sunday but we nailed a couple of guys who had to leave early on Saturday at the Sandtrap beerup.
Steve Eastman, Melrose, was charged with unlawful flight to evade prosecution for leaving before the regular court session and attempting to impersonate, Deal or no Deal host, another Canadian, Howie Mandel.
He paid $20 as did Brenden a former Portland player now living in Sacramento. Brendan was chaged with using roundball techniques after the ball hit him in the head and went forward. This brought a huge laugh from the spectators. At court on Sunday, hanging judge Don Dunbar complete with noose and wig used a lot of corporal punishment in the form of bare bum spanking. He was so into this that the fines were much lower than usual but the number of lashes, with a palm branch increased as the night went on. It was obvious where his priorities were! Most everyone except Mike Johnson was on trial, we will have to get him next year. Dedric and Jim Mossop were charged with Pre ma tour ejaculation for starting the tour on Wednesday. Mossop was also hit for buying a big Cadillac, likely, previously owned by a Palm Springs pimp.
I have to be nice to Jim as he is already threatening not to give me a ride to Vegas for next years 7s. Handel is giving Jim a nice pig statue that he was given after singing his pig song. In all the court took in over $200. The snowcaps have previously set aside money from the Christmas fines to buy a big screen TV for the Club. Hopefully the executive will add these monies to that fund so we can watch sports in HD. The leading party animals this weekend were, Tom Kirk always a star, Dedric, who is old enough to know better, Ala, who just wants to have fun and Welshman, Greg Jones. I don't think the last 3 got more than 7 or 8 hours sleep the whole weekend.
Nick Broad was up there also. Jonesy, lost his voice somewhere along the way but continued trying to sing. He is difficult to understand at the best of times but with a crackly voice it was damned near impossible to comprehend what he was saying. Sunday was a fun day with most of us at the floating bar helping the entertainer to please the crowd. The water and suntan lotion fight was wonderful and a black fellow from West Virginia who was there last year also was so entertained he bought beers for everyone!
Martin the bobby was back again a bit quieter than usual but it is always great to see him. He did a excellent job keeping larry in line after his threats and verbal assaults against the prosecutor, ME!!!
Larry does understand fear and the threat of pain though, thanks Martin. He also took a liking to an Alaskan rugby shirt given to me by our Alaskan friend Cam. Martin told me it looked terrible on me as it was far too large. I told him I would try to grow into it. Martin just had to have this shirt. He took me to his room and we negotiated. I ended up with a very smart Cayman Island 70s jersey and Cam said he would try and find me another Alaska jersey.
It was a win win situation. Unfortunately Martin couldn't play this year but the tournament wouldn't be the same without him. Thanks are due to Pete Scott for handling the jerseys and water etc. Another great year on the magic island of Catalina. Seeing the porpoises on the way back to Long Beach was an added bonus.
Those Caps that are of oldboy age should not miss this happening it is always great and this year was maybe the best yet!
John Langley
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