Domination at Eastwood Park

        The Ohio Rugby Board is considering changing the name of the Annual President’s Cup Tournament, most recently held on 5^th of April 2008, to the First Annual Blood Bath at Dayton. The University of Dayton’s Men’s Rugby Club dominated tournament play for the second year in a row. Conquering first the Wright State men, then vanquishing the boys from Hard Hittin’ Wittin’ in the second round for the Cup. UD’s score for the day: 109 points – to zero, two consecutive shutouts with points in both games exceeding fifty points.

            The day started early at Eastwood Metro Park, shrouded in grey mist and smoky fog. But as the day progressed, the haze burnt off, and the action heated up. Despite slightly greasy play in the first game of the tournament and of UD’s spring season, the players on the pitch maintained their focus with slight variations to the game plan. By the second game, with the Cup on the line, UD had blasted all the cobwebs out and proceeded to systematically and methodically destroy the opposition. The well oiled machine that has become UD rugby dominated every aspect of the game. The pack scrummed with dozer like drive and the backline ran with uncanny precision and timing. Jim Paszczykowski (2), Quinn Macali (3), Dave Koehneman (3), Danny Patek, Kevin Corcoran(2), Jack Brennan, Bob Schuster, Nate Frantz, Steve Pangle, Dave Klug, and Luke McAullife. Some new faces got their first A side time as well. Danny Brennan, Danny Patek, Monty Milburn, Mike Kelly “Kapowski”, Connor “Shark” Sullivan, and Stephen “Firewater” Thoennes all made their first appearances. Last year's Rookie of the Year, Kevin "Nerves" Rice had a strong performance in his first A side start.

            The celebration afterwards was held at Meer Kats Sports Bar Inc. and the UD team spent their time wisely, singing “We are the Champions” and honoring their proud seniors; Tuna, Flags, Walt The Fyda Hollywood and Quinn. David Klug accepted the Trophy for UD from the sponsoring Dayton Pigs. UD senior Adam Friederman was the tournament’s MVP.  An added bonus for this year was that the President's Cup trophy was an actual Cup Trophy made of steel and plastic, not just a Blue Solo cup with a sticker.