Morris Masters: Coronavirus Continuum

by Ralph Scoville

Thanks to that C word, it has been nearly 18 months since the last official Tri-State Rugby Palooza was held. But with vaccinations now starting to kick some Coronavirus coccyx, we were able to take the pitch once again.

Although our esteemed President could not be there, he ASSURED us that the weather would be perfect for rugby….and it was. The Pocono Fields, home to the tallest goal posts in North America, were plush, green and smooth….much like a frog’s behind. No, I am not a batrachophile (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but I have it on good authority… (ribbit)

Morris would host the Greys, with members of other clubs filling in the gaps to round out 2 very robust sides, both literally and figuratively. Players would travel from far and wide to join the Masters. Sakeman came from Nihon no machi and the CT Greys, with Sebastian travelling from a ville en France. Originally from a stad i Sverige, Alistair crossed the Taylor Ham/Pork Roll divide and came from the state of South Jersey. Other new players included graduates from the successful Masters-in-Training program, Greg Markowitz, Steve Saba and Dave Rebels.

Prior to the match, all players would circle at the center of the pitch for a tribute to those lost during this game stoppage. Big Toe remembered Dick Mahaffey, who whilst touring Texas with his English club, struck up a friendship that lasted until recently, when Dick became a Covid victim. We also remembered CT Grey Lou Petruzzello, loved by teammates and opponents alike. We held a moment of silence and saluted them, and others lost, with some pre-match anti-inflammatories.

As per noted rugby historian, Craig Chapman, this was the 20th anniversary of Morris playing the CT Greys in Heritage Rugby. The Greys would kick off and the match was on. For such a long layoff, they play was surprisingly skilled. It wasn’t until 5 minutes in that a penalty was called and 8 minutes before our first scrum. (also not surprisingly, this burst of skilled play also disappeared as the day wore on). It was a back-and-forth affair between the 22’s, as the Greys and Morris would use some multi-phase play to advance, only to be repelled by some stout defense.

Morris would jump to an early lead. Koach Karl showed some silky moves to sprint to the corner and induce the Greys to take a penalty. Off a quick tap at the 5M mark, Rebels would dive in for the games first try.

The lead would be short-lived. One quick score, followed by a midfield scrum, the Greys would swing the ball to the right edge and sprint down the sideline for the score. The Greys would win the first match 10-5.

The 2nd match would commence. Noting that players were getting hot, Mother Nature provided some sprinkling to cool everyone down. The overall play continued to degrade. Both teams traded aggressive running to reach deep into the offensive zone, only to be repulsed. CT would score first and add the conversion for a 7-0 lead. Off the backside of a midfield ruck, Village Lion Drew gave a long run to the Grey 10. After multiple turnovers, a blocked kick found Seamus near the try-line. Reimagining his Castleisland days, he scooped the ball up and dove in for the try. The conversion missed and CT would go on to win the 2nd match 7-5.

The 3rd match was more of the same. Play was spirited, rain fell and the Greys would emerge victorious 5-0.

Finally, in the 4th game, Morris would enact some revenge. Mud Turtle Ryan would dive from the goal-line to down the ball in the back of the try zone. The try was CLEARLY evident from this unbiased observer’s viewpoint 60M away. How the referee could miss the score from only 10M away was simply incomprehensible. Instead, the Greys were awarded a 22M restart and would drive the length of the field. A well place kick nestled nicely in the Morris try zone. Before a Grey player could come in for an easy score, M.T. Ryan (not the Mayor) would come in to kick the ball harmlessly away. Morris would drive the field, rampaging deep into Grey territory. The Greys kicked the ball to midfield to temporarily relieve the pressure. Alistair took one for the team. He fielded the kick and deftly passed to Saba before being planted into the ground. From his prone vantage point, he saw Saba deftly and sublimely maneuver his way through the Grey defense and in for the try. Morris would hold on a win 5-0.

Considering it was our first match in nearly a year and a half, we played well. It is not uncommon to lose to the Greys by twenty or more. Although we lost, we were in all the games. I don’t think there was ANY correlation to my not playing and Morris playing better. Merely coincidence, I am sure.

After the match, we retired to the Dover Moose for some of Big Al’s much demanded and anticipated Jambalaya. We returned to our homes looking forward to our next match. Be that in June or in September, some sense of normalcy is returning.