News

Toys for Tots Tournamnet 2011

Details: Category: 2011 Fall News; Published Date; Written by President; Hits: 335

The Cougars kicked off their season finale with a bang, winning the Toys for Tots Tournament with big victories over crosstown rivals the Citadel and, more impressively, Division I UNC Chapel Hill. No one could have asked for better weather, it was sunny and in the sixties with no wind when the Cougars creamed the Citadel in their first game, establishing a dominant four-try lead in only 25 minutes. In fact, the cadets would not even see their side of the field for more than a couple seconds in the first half, the Cougars maintained total control of the game.The blood-letting began earlier, when Senior Flanker Joey Ingham scored the first try as the forwards trampled over the Citadel with little help from the backs from the opening kick-off. The second try happened thanks to a great line break by the flanker who thinks he is a back, D.J. Tippins, who then made a brilliant pass to Fullback Sam Oyeno for his fourth try of the season. Not long afterwards, the Citadel committed a penalty about ten meters out from the try zone, and Center Ian Mueller took a quick-tap and ran it in for the Cougars third try. Then, in less than a minute, the Cougars ran quickly down field, and this time D.J. didn't need to pass it off as he flew past Citadel defenders and into the try zone for the Cougars' final try of the game. Prop George Woolston converted three of four kicks and the Cougars were up 26 nil going into the second half. The big lead enabled the entire b-side to play in the second half, and they performed admirably, even though they did allow one try to the beleaguered cadets. Fly-half Brendan DeLuke also merits attention for his overall outstanding play, especially his crushing defense, which was seen in both games.

The second game was a hard-hitting battle between UNC and CofC, and the Cougars were eager to overcome their disappointing close defeats against other Division I schools earlier in the season. This time, they were successful, as the pack played their hearts out against the gigantic UNC forwards, and the backline stymied UNC's talented offensive threats. The Cougars set the tone for the game, laying big hits and taking no prisoners, in his last game with the Cougars Senior Joey Ingham played inside center in order to shut down UNC's best player, a very quick and strong number 12. He did so quite effectively, you could see the pain on his face when Joey crushed him on a hospital pass from his flyhalf. Also, Senior scumhalf Jazzy Jeff gave a fantastic final performance for the final game of his college career, his passing was spot-on and his defense made the opposing scrummy's life miserable.. The Cougars took the lead about ten minutes in, when Prop Christian "the Moose" pounded through to give a 5-0 advantage. UNC responded quickly though, recovering their kickoff and that inside center made the whole backline look bad as he broke three tackles to score for the Tarheels. As the first half came to a close, it was winger Kenny Evans who gave the Cougars a needed boost off a timely interception he returned for a try, giving him an unmatched eight tries awarded for the season. Chapel Hill responded twice more in the second half, and took the lead with about ten minutes to go, 15 to 12. Then, a free-kick was awarded to the Cougars, and they wisely gave the ball to Christian again, who made it clear he has speed and size as he ran thirty meters down field for the go ahead score. Despite a valiant effort by the Tarheels in the closing minutes of the game, the Cougars held fast and earned a huge upset over Chapel Hill, 17 to 15.

Dicks of the Day: Felix Butler for letting a kicked ball hit him in the face and John Sussingham for getting sin binned for hands in the ruck

Men of the Match: D.J.Tippins for his impressive play all day, especially in the Citadel game, Brendan DeLuke for his iron defense and solid flyhalf work, and for the third week in a row, Christian "the Moose" for scoring the game winning try and being an all-around beast.

Lander vs. CofC 2011

Details: Category: 2011 Fall News; Published Date; Written by President; Hits: 338

The Cougars set out in the final full length exhibition match of the fall season against new division rivals Lander University, who they had not played in two years. The temperature was in the mid sixties with clear skies and no wind, perfect playing conditions for a match which would finish closer than expected. The Cougars jumped out quick against Lander, driving the ball down field and gaining ground on penalties conceded by Lander. On one such penalty, Center Ian Mueller caught Lander off guard with a quick tap, and exploited an overload by passing to Winger Kenny Evans for the game's first try. Kenny then scored a second try off a brilliant pass from Captain George Woolston, who suffered a nasty hit in the process, but managed to get the ball off fine. The Cougars continued to outplay Lander, as Flyhalf Brendan DeLuke kicked a ball deep downfield, which was retrieved and then scored by Wing Tate Smith for the Cougars third try, which gave them a 17-0 lead. Lander would not be denied however, as they mounted a surprising comeback, scoring at the end of the first half, bring the score to 17-5. They would then proceed to score two more tries, in the beginning of the second half due to uncharacteristically poor defense on behalf of the Cougars. With twenty minutes left, the Cougars were down 17-19, but they composed themselves and kept Lander in their half of the field for the rest of the game. The pressure paid off, and eventually Prop Christian "The Moose" hit a Lander forward like a Mac Truck in a head on collision with a Mini Cooper, which allowed him to score the game winning try and the first of his career. In the closing minutes, Center Ian Mueller recovered a botched pass to break through the Lander line and score the try that would have finished Lander for good, but the ref made a terrible call from much to far away, claiming that Mueller knocked the ball on in the try zone. In the end the final score was 22-19, a nail biter for CofC that shows just how competitive the coming Spring will be.

Man Of the Match: Zulu Warrior Christian "The Moose" for crushing skulls, breaking backs and scoring the game winning try in the process.

Dicks of the Day: Lock London Penland for getting a yellow card and then remaining in the game when he should of been in the sin bin.

Center Ian Mueller for ALLEGEDLY knocking the ball on in the try zone.

UNCC vs. CofC

Details: Category: 2011 Fall News; Published Date; Written by President; Hits: 438

College of Charleston earned their first win of the season today in a big way, overwhelming UNC Charlotte. The pack rucked brilliantly and efficiently, allowing the backs to really develop their game while including loose forwards in the backline to devastating effect. As usual, the defense was rock solid, backs and forwards alike laid crushing hits on a big UNCC side. With everything clicking, it wasn't long before the first try was scored by freshman fullback Sam Uyeno off a good pass from winger Tate Smith. Then again Tate chased down a kick from inside center Ed "Fletch" Fletcher, making an easy score in between the posts. Not ten minutes later, rookie flanker D.J. Tippins received a ball off the lighting quick hands of the back line and CofC scored again. At the end of the half UNCC was able to force a ball through for their first score, but their momentum would be quickly stifled at the beginning of the second half. Fletch broke through the UNCC backline, passed it to blazing fast prop George Woolston, who took it far up field before passing to flyhalf Brendan DeLuke, who then finished the play off with the fourth try of the game. The Cougars continued their relentless assault on the UNCC backline, as the centers repeatedly broke through, setting up the second try for Sam Uyeno off a pass from scrummy Brian Abplanalp. UNCC was finally able to respond later in the second half with their second try also forced through by their forwards. By then it was too late, and some clever back and forth passing between outside center Ian Mueller and Tate Smith ended in Mueller scoring CofC's final try. In the end, the final score was 34 to 12, with CofC gaining a much deserved and satisfying win. More good things are certain to come.

Man of the Match: Zulu Warrior Sam Uyeno for scoring two great tries and playing solid fullback all game

Dick of the Day: Scrumhalf Brian Abplanalp for his "accidental" knee to the face of a UNCC player which earned him a booking.

2011 Annual Alumni Match

Details: Category: 2011 Fall News; Published Date; Written by President; Hits: 374

On a windy fall day, the Cougars took on their former teammates in the annual Alumni game, and while the CofC put up a strong fight, they didn't play their best and were defeated. They faced a formidable squad with years of experience who desired no more than to crush their younger opponents. The game started off well for the college side, when scrumhalf Brien Abplanalp caught the alumni off guard and scored off a penalty quick tap. It was not long before the alumni responded with tries of their own, an overload enabled former captain Austin Coon to take off down the sideline and score a try in the middle of the posts. Then the alumni's rather large pack forced the college into their own try zone to score their second. The Cougars had several strong drives far into alumni's territory that ended in disappointment due to knock-ons or penalties, and despite all the trash talked by the alumni the game was much closer than they expected. At the very end of the first half, a poorly chased kick allowed flyhalf Brendan DeLuke return it far down field, before passing it off to Captain George Woolston who again demonstrated that he is the fastest prop in the land as he scored another try to close the gap with alumni. Into the second half, the alumni used their size and experience to pull away, as they put up three more tries. However, at least two were preventable had the Cougars made better decisions and played to their full potential. They did manage to score once more, as some solid hammers advanced the ball down field and George scored another try.

Final Score: Alumni 27 Cougars 15

Man of the Match: New Prop Christian for playing a great first full match

Dicks of the Day: Sean Dwyer for half way putting up the flag as touch judge and confusing everybody while the alumni ran down field and scored. Fullback Sam Uyeno for kicking the ball into his own tryzone, then not chasing it down, giving Coti Phillips an easy score.

Dr. Joe Markovich 1954-2011

Details: Category: 2011 Fall News; Published Date; Written by Super User; Hits: 1104

It is a heavy heart and great sadness that I announce the passing of Dr. Joe. Joseph Patrick Markovich passed away on Friday, September 30, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. (Obituary)

Dr. Joe

I remember his first day on the rugby practice pitch. He was excited about getting involved with the team and it's players. At 54 years of age, he displayed the attitude and dedication seen in a quality prospective player; something I never forgot.

Over the next 2 years, I got to know Joe pretty well. His participation with the team increased and he convinced me to come in for a chiropractic once over; for those who don't know, this man was an incredible chiropractor. And of all those visits, those hours of conversation, I can't say that I knew him as well as I would have liked. But, I can tell you some things that I learned about the man. I know that he is a loving father and husband. I know that he was absolutely devoted to his family. I can tell you (again) that he is an amazing chiropractor. I can tell you that when I lost my job and my insurance, he saw and treated my busted-bones for free. I can also tell you this was a man whose charity reached more people than I could mention. I suppose that sometimes I am not the man I should be; there were times when I overheard the quiet whispers of 'thanks' which were only meant for his ears.

More important to this posting, I can tell you he loved to play sports. He played football and wrestled as a young man. Spent time with all his children encouraging their athletic aspirations. And interestingly, I can tell you this, he never played rugby. That is, he never played rugby until his son became a rugby player. This is a man who, in an effort to form a greater bond with his son, decided to play rugby,... at 54. I have played since '89. This is not a kind sport. It is a hard sport, with hard players with little time for folly or pretense. Joe fit right in. I always thought he had played for years.

As to his relationship with his son and their new sport; I never came that close to him. But in his efforts to draw closer to his son, he invited a new family into his life. The Outlaw family. We were fortunate enough to spend time with Joe. And as I write this, I don't think I can quite articulate what he meant to us as a family. So I will pass on a sad, but genuine anecdote. This past Saturday after Joe's passing, the team traveled up to Raleigh, NC for difficult match. My trip was a long 5 hour trip with 4 veteran players; our conversations filled with inanity and sophomoric quips. When there was a lull in the inane chatter, I cut in with the sad news of Joe's passing. I had not expected what came next. It was the first time in my life I had experienced deafening silence. 30 minutes. Not a word.

God's speed Dr. Joe! Your family, and all of your families miss you! Heaven's rugby team just got better.

Thanks for fixing me up buddy...

---Clark--- (Coach and Member of the Outlaws)

Dan Markovich, Dr. Joe's son, played four years with the College side and was a great contributor to the team. Both he and his father are some of the best people I have ever had the priviledge to know. Thanks for everything.

---Sam Cook--- (C of C RFC Alumni)