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On a warm, overcast day at the Queidersbach Sportplatz, the Ramstein Rogues, our very own Anglo-American Military Rugby Union team, kicked off the final stage of their pre-season preparations with a practice match against Darmstadt.
Following intense practice sessions during the close season, during which many new players were introduced to the team and the sport of Rugby Union for the first time, the Rogues finally got to put their training into practice in a full 15-a-side game.
***image1***The practice sessions paid off, as the team showed good signs for the coming season. Set moves were successful, with individual skills and commitment on display for the spectators.
In order to allow both teams to continually assess their off-season progress, the game was played over four 20-minute quarters, instead of the usual two 40-minute halves. Rolling replacements also figured to allow players of all ages and experience levels to be broken in gently.
The game was played with a great sporting spirit, but with plenty of hard tackling and hits from both sides. The Ramstein Rogues were captained on field for this match by 2nd Lt. Tom Smith, 86th Maintenance Squadron, and won, 53–7.
Ramstein crossed the Darmstadt line to score a total of nine tries; four of these were converted for extra points by Capt. Rico Colon, 693rd Intell-igence Group, who also displayed powerful running from his position of No. 8 at the back of the scrum throughout the game.
The Rogues dominated the game with a powerful all-round performance that set a high standard for the season ahead in the Rheinland-Pfalz league, where ambitions and expec-tations are both extremely high following the disappointment of losing out to German side Worms in the last match of last season.
The Darmstadt team was no pushover though, providing strong opposition with hard tackling and determined defense. Their performance was rewarded when they crossed the Rogues line late in the game to score a try, which was successfully converted to put a total of seven points on the board.
***image2***The Rogues were inspired to victory by two outstanding performances – one by a forward and one by a back. Close runner-up for “Man of the Match” was Staff Sgt. ‘Goose’ Guzman, A Company, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, who put in a powerhouse display from the position of Lock forward in the second row of the Rogues pack.
His performance was just beaten by the Rogues eventual “Man of the Match,” Tech. Sgt. Mike McCarty, of 603rd Air Operations Center, who put in a great display from Fly Half (No. 10) in the back. Sergeant McCarty has been playing the sport of Rugby Union for about nine years and it showed as he broke tackles and breached the Darmstadt defense repeatedly.
This was a satisfying victory for the Rogues in their first 15-a-side run out this season. Although a little rusty in places, the signs are good for the season ahead.
The Rogues are always looking for new players, regardless of experience. Rugby is a physical, technical, thinking man’s (and woman’s) sport, so if you are just looking for a workout, or you have sports experience that you think would benefit our game, then come and show us what you’re made of.
The Rogues are also a social team, with many functions and outings arranged for all to attend.
Practice sessions are held at the Vogelweh/Pulaski Barracks practice field (next to the baseball diamond, shoppette and Autoskills Center) from 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Anyone interested in joining the Rogues should e-mail ramsteinrogues@hotmail.com or contact Flying Officer Dave Bell at 06371-401-450 or
Corporal Will Burndred at 06371-401-416.
