Towson State Old Boys Repeats Cup Win @ 2005 Slug Sevens & Wins the Slug Sevens Bowl

Saturday, July 23, 2005

Columbia, MD -- In front of capacity crowds, the Towson State Old Boys, Est. 1995, won both the Cup and the Bowl in the "Social Division" bracket of the Slug Sevens tournament. Current Towson University player John Drury was also named Most Valuable Player in the "Social Division".

As is the tradition with this alumni organized event, two sides were entered: Old Boys I and Old Boys II. Old Boys I featured many current University side players in combination with recent alumni. In a pre-dawn strategy meeting, Old Boys I unanimously selected Sean Donnmoyer as their captain. Donnmoyer had the unique experience of facing his dad and defeating his dad's team, Patuxent River RFC.

Old Boys I went undefeated on the day, defeating Rocky Gorge I, Western Suburbs II, Patuxent River I, and Purple Haze. Their combination of speed, kicking and sound tackling proved deadly for their opponents. Scrumhalf Felipe Tobar, proved to be a strong catalyst for success, as he frequently found himself setting upteam-mates John Drury, Chad Dammers and Billy Trench for big plays.

Drury's outstanding efforts on both sides of the ball resulted in his being named the Division's MVP.

In the Cup Final, Old Boys I handily spanked Purple Haze, the Gonzaga High School alumni side.

Old Boys I featured:

• Sean Donnmoyer
• John Drury
• Chad Dammers
• Tom Helm
• Matt Chiaramonte
• Felipe Tobar
• Chris Eckert
• Evan Cameron
• Finbar Scully
• CJ as the Beaver

When Old Boys II first took the pitch, they faced Gorge Old Dudes. Falling behind early in the first half, Old Boys II rallied in the second half to tie the Gorge Old Dudes. Standouts Gary Tichenor and Sean Heegan were mounting a two-on-one breakaway as time expired.

In their second match of the day, Old Boys II faced a youthful Suburbs A-side, who were sandbagging in the Social Division. Though outscored four to one in the first half, Old Boys II rallied in the second half scoring three try's. Two of these try's were dotted by Chris Eckert's twin brother Sirhc Eckert. Unfortunately, Old Boys II allowed a Suburbs try late in the second half, and fell to Western Suburbs. This was to be the last loss of the day for either Towson State Old Boys side.

In the semi-finals, Old Boys II defeated PAC II, in a match featuring "Far too many scrummages," said team consultant Jack Mealey. Playing with two dinged ribs and a severe craving for nicotine, subway alumnus Thomas Digby linked repeatedly with a late arriving Tom Pierce, who scored after breakaways of 75 and 55 meters. Who knew a guy that old could be so fast?

In an effort to end his scoring drought (on the pitch), Chris Swensen converted one try with a difficult drop kick into the stiffening headwind. His efforts were met by much applause from his wife who he called on his cell phone. His children could not be reached for comment.

Gorge Old Dudes and the Towson State Old Boys met one last time during the final match of the day for the illustrious Slug Sevens Bowl. This was to be the Cadillac of grudge matches. No fewer than 15 scrummages were endured in the first half of this match. Worse still, in the second scrumdown of the first half, a mere 45 seconds into the match, both front rows were horrified to learn that the referee had many "pet peeves," one of which was the hooker having his leg up in the scrum. (The Gorge Old Dudes' scrum half was later penalized for wearing, "two non-matching socks which clashed way badly)."

Near the end of the first half, Tim O'Donnell blocked a Gorge wing's kick which in turn resulted in a Mike Hoitimk try for Old Boys II. The Bowl final's first half ended on this positive note.

Solid tackling by Finbar Scully's twin Rabnif Scully fired up his team mates to start the second half. When Sean Heegan was substituted into the Old Boys II line up, it seemed the coffin lid on the Gorge side closed. Heegan proved to be too much for them on defense and on offense.

When the final whistle sounded, grizzled veteran Tom Burbridge was overheard to say, "It is as it was." This marks the second consecutive year that the Towson State Old Boys, Est. 1995, have won the Slug Sevens Cup. The alumni side won their first Slug Sevens Cup in 1997. Before this year, the Towson State Old Boys, Est 1995, had never won the Slug Sevens Bowl.

Old Boys II:

• Chris Swensen
• Gary Tichenor
• Tim O'Donnell
• Sean Heegan
• Tom Pierce
• Thomas Digby
• Mike Hoitimk
• Tom Pierce
• Rabnif Scully (Twin 1)
• Sirhc Eckert (Twin 2)
• Epilef Tobar
• JC as the Revaeb

Host side Rocky Gorge RFC relocated their prestigious tournament to Columbia, Maryland this year after nearly a decade at their Laurel, Maryland tournament site. In a radical departure from years past, this year's fields featured green grass. Swensen's children could not be reached for comment.