Not all Men are Pigs, Only the Lucky Ones
In honor of our teammate Michael “Buca” Lundberg , 51 people signed up on the bone marrow donor registry. On top of that we have raised $4,870.00! What an amazing turnout and generousity from everyone! If you’d like to learn more about the cause or would like to give some additional money, please go to the Be the Match Foundation website in honor of Michael below.
The Pigs next match will versus Winona State at Winona. Game time is at 2:30pm. There will be a Bombers match to follow. We have hotels booked for those who plan on staying overnight. Click here for directions to the pitch.
It was the first game of the Spring. There were a few snow patches still cluttered on the field, but for the most part, the grass was ready for some ball. The Pigs took the field for the first time under new Head Coach Pietila. Excitement grew as they drew one of their largest draw of fans in quite some time.
The game was back to back through the first half. The Sioux Falls team having won their first birth in the West Championships was showing they belonged at a higher level of competition. The Pigs battled back throughout the day. Sioux Falls found the tri zone first with a push from their pack over the middle. They took a second score to go into the half with a 12-0 lead.
The Pigs were confident in their skills with their off season work showing in their level of fitness. The controlled the second half. The mud slowed play considerably not allowing the Pigs backs to show some of their speed. Thus the pack had to carry a heavier load. The Pigs first score came from a break through by Ben Mattox. He gave an off load to Ben Hanson, who then passed it over to new Pig Greg Parsons.
The Pigs needed a few more minutes to continue their push, but time expired as they were ready to take the lead. Final score 12-7.
Thanks to Macalaster Rugby for bringing a team out to play the Bombers. The muddy conditions keep this score low, but it was a great learning experience for the younger Pigs.
Tries: Greg Parsons (1)
Conversions: Paul Staats (1-1)
Penalties: Paul Staats (0-1)
Pigs Man of the Match: Ben Mattox
Pigs Big Hitter: Erik Gustaf
Bombers Best Back: Zac Chamberlin
Bombers Best Pack: Tyler Moe-Slepica
Thanks to everyone who came out for the match on Saturday. It was a great day, with a great social to follow. Although the Pigs did not come out victorious, we started bonding as a team, and fully expect to be the team to beat the rest of the Spring season. Click here for the full match report.
Practice will be back at Como Park starting the 31st and will run Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6pm – 8pm through the rest of the Spring.
Practice begins on March 24th at McMurray Field. Practice will run from 8pm – 10pm on the far side of the fields under the lights. The Saint Paul Rugby High School team will be practicing in the same location from 6pm – 8pm. Feel free to come out early to check out the new club and offer a hand to Shane Sargent as he teaches the young men the sport of rugby.
When: Saturday, March 5, 2011 – 10:00am until ???
Where: River Falls, WI Hoffman Park
What: All-Comers tournament.
Names are drawn from a hat to to determine the teams. The number of entrants will determine the format. (7s,10s,15s) There will be a post-tourney social with food and beer for allparticipants. Entry fee includes t-shirt, and food and beverage. MEN AND WOMEN RUGGERSARE ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND.
Since 2004, the Mike Lundberg Benefit Tournament has provided a fun opportunity to play winter rugby for men and women of all skill levels while donating 100% of the proceeds to help defray the costs of Mikes treatments. Sadly, Mike lost his long battle with Leukemia in June of 2008. At the request of his family, we are continuing the tournament to celebrate his life and will donate the proceeds to a member or members of the Minnesota Rugby Community in need of assistance.
This year’s beneficiary will be a local wheelchair rugby team. 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the team to help defray participation costs.Please RSVP to Ben Hanson at LHPROP1@ gmail.comor call 651-329-7166 by Friday, February5 so shirts and food can be purcahsed. Entry fee is to be paid the morning of the tourney.
Click here for directions to Hoffman Park.
The 8th Annual Mike Lundberg Memorial Tournament was a great success. Thanks to eveyone who attended and to the sponsors for the event. We were able to raise over $2,000 for the Courage Center!
This spring there will be fitness requirements. You can begin by working on the following.
100 Burpee Challange. When practice begins in the Spring you will be required to perform 100 burpees (up downs) in five minutes. This drill will be performed as the season moves along with the time going down each time.
Shane’s Filthy 50. The Filthy 50, as the players coming out for summer rugby can attest to, is a very challenging test. The Filthy 50 is a group of the following exercises preformed in succession:
– 50 walking lunges
– 50 push ups
– 50 body weight squats
– 50 situps
– 50 star jumps
You must complete this in 8 minutes. As the season progresses, there will be a sprint included.
For additional workouts, click here to check out what Mr. Kramer has put together for us as well