(Vallejo, Dec 8,
2007) – For the
second
successive year,
the Cal Maritime
Rugby Alumni
returned to play
against the
current
Keelhauler rugby
team. And play
they did. With
the Alumni
leading for the
majority of the
game, the
Keelhaulers only
earned the 37-12
victory during
the
final 20 minutes
of the game.
The Alumni
opened the
scoring with a
try by Anthony
Burris, scrum
half Phil
Tabyanan
increased the
score to 12-0 at
30 minutes.
During the
second period,
Anthony Burris
opened the
scoring for the
Keelhaulers
which was
converted by
Nate Housman.
David Van der
Hoek then tied
the game with a
try from a
scrum.
The final third
of the game saw
the Alumni legs
become weary as
the current team
ran in five
more tries from
Nate Housman,
Kirk Mueller,
Luis Navarrete
and two from
senior John
Skoda.
“It’s a
difficult
proposition when
you play the
Alumni because
that edge of
competition is
not there. Many
of the current
team played with
many of the
Alumni, so they
were playing
against
their friends."
said coach
Edward Roberts.
"We came back in
the end but the
score flatters
us. The Alumni
controlled the
game early on
and we took a
while to realize
we were in a
real game.”
The festivities
continued after
the game with
the Alumni
hosting the
current team to
dinner in
Fairfield.
Athletic
Director, Marv
Christopher said
“It’s a pleasure
to welcome the
rugby alumni for
this weekend.
We’re proud of
the rugby team
and it is great
to see that
rugby is keeping
that
tradition of
Alumni
involvement
alive.”
The Alumni
involvement was
highlighted by
the announcement
at the Alumni
dinner, by David
Kahm (’03), of
the founding of
The John Machado
Scholarship Fund
honoring a
former team mate
John Machado.
Cal Maritime
next game is at
Santa Clara
University for
the league
opener on
Saturday January
19, 2008 (Kick
off 1pm).
