Old Boys Settle for Third @ 2006 Slug Sevens
Saturday, July 29,2006
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In the July edition of Rugby News and World Report, the Towson State Old Boys, Est. 1995 were said to be “in midst of a rebuilding year.” At the Rocky Gorge Slug Sevens Tournament nothing seemed further from the truth. The Old Boys swept their Men’s Club bracket and returned for a fourth straight year to the tournament playoffs. Though unable to secure the “threepeat” as a hardware winning team, the Towson State Old Boys did finish third overall in a field of sixteen teams.
This year’s Old Boys were again a solid mix of grizzled veterans and undergraduate stallions. This formula succeeded in overwhelming regional clubs such as Rocky Gorge, PAC and Frederick.
The day began slowly against Rocky Gorge II. In the first half of the match, Gorge was spotted two trys to Towson’s one , as a result of breakdowns between the forwards and backs. Winger Billy Trentzsch drew first blood on the day scoring late in the first half after getting clean ball from the pack. Subway alumnus Tom Rigby’s solid tackling prevented the Gorge side to reestablish any momentum going into halftime. For fun, Rigby prosecutes scofflaws for the Fed, so his violent tackling skills came as no surprise. This was his third year with the Old Boys.
Scrumhalf Dave “Shorty” Tobash made the necessary adjustments at half time resulting in the Gorge ruggers finding themselves overmatched by the Old Boys fitness, speed and crisp passing. One example of this speed was evidenced by newcomer Dave “High School” Gerke’s brilliant 50 meter sprint for a try early in the second half. Not to be outdone by Gerke’s flashy try, Shorty Tobash dotted the team’s third and final try of the match after supporting Sean Donmoyer and DeVaughn “Devo” Maddox in a three on two break away.
Match One:
1 - Sean Heegan | 1 - DeVaughn Maddox
2 - Tom Rigby | 2 - Sean Donmoyer
3 - Tim O'Donnell | 2 - Greg Grimsley
4 - Dave Tobash
5 - John Drury
6 - Billy Trentzsch
7 - Dave Gerke
Conversions: Drury, Donmoyer
The day’s second match saw individual trys scored by Greg Grimsley, Shorty Tobash, and two trys dotted by Billy Trentzsch. Though the PAC side was experienced, they were unable to counter the aggressive Towson play. One kick off return saw late eighties players Tim O’Donnell and Gary Tichenor link up two consecutive times which in turn resulted in a quick try by Greg Grimsley. (This try was set up by Tichenor’s grub kick that put the defending PAC side completely off balance).
John Drury was able to single-handedly rundown a PAC winger after a 45 meter pursuit. Drury nailed the PAC runner and drove him out of bounds. The following lineout was followed by a swift movement where virtually all of the Old Boys seven touched the ball before Shorty Tobash sprinted in from the 30 meter line to score.
Shorty’s second try in this match would be his last for the day due to a scheduling conflict which called him away from the tournament. (We hope she was worth it)!
Match Two:
1 - DeVaughn Maddox | 1 - Sean Heegan
2 - Tom Rigby | 2 - Tim O'Donnell
3 - Gary Tichenor
4 - Sean Donmoyer
5 - John Drury
6 - Billy Trentzsch
7 - Greg Grimsley | 7 - Dave Gerke
Conversions: Donmoyer (2) / Trentzsch
In order to sweep the bracket, the Old Boys had to defeat a very accomplished Frederick RFC. Though able to score two quick trys in the first half, the Frederick A-side was unable to contain the Towson offense. Sean Donmoyer was able to capitalize on solid scrummaging and aggressively attacked time and again off the set pieces. His hard driving runs, in turn, set up two scores by Billy Trentzsch,, (again). Not to be outclassed, Greg Grimsley stepped up and also planted two trys. Sean Heegan and Tim O’Donnell joined the action during the second half as forwards. Heegan made several critical tackles and O’Donnell proved effective in his scrummaging and rucking, and surprised many by sidestepping a few would-be tacklers in the open field. O’Donnell entered the game in minute nine only after Tom Digby chased down two separate and unsuccessful Frederick breakaways.
Match Three:
1 - DeVaughn Maddox
2 - Tomy Rigby | 2 - Tim O'Donnell
3 - Gary Tichenor | 3 - Sean Heegan
4 - Sean Donmoyer
5 - John Drury
6 - Billy Trentzsch
7 - Greg Grimsley | 7 - Dave Gerke
Conversions: Trentzsch, Donmoyer (2)
In order to sweep the bracket, the Old Boys had to defeat a very accomplished Frederick RFC. Though able to score two quick trys in the first half, the Frederick A-side was unable to contain the Towson offense. Sean Donmoyer was able to capitalize on solid scrummaging and aggressively attacked time and again off the set pieces. His hard driving runs, in turn, set up two scores by Billy Trentzsch,, (again). Not to be outclassed, Greg Grimsley stepped up and also planted two trys. Sean Heegan and Tim O’Donnell joined the action during the second half as forwards. Heegan made several critical tackles and O’Donnell proved effective in his scrummaging and rucking, and surprised many by sidestepping a few would-be tacklers in the open field. O’Donnell entered the game in minute nine only after Tom Digby chased down two separate and unsuccessful Frederick breakaways.
Plate Semi Final Playoff:
1 - DeVaughn Maddox
2 - Greg Grimsley | 2 - Gary Tichenor
3 - Sean Heegan | 3 - Tim O'Donnell
4 - Sean Donmoyer
5 - John Drury
6 - Billy Trentzsch
7 - Dave Gerke
Throughout the day alumni visitors to the Old Boys courtesy tent included: Eagle Sevens star Vince Granger, banking mogul Chip Giese and the amiable CJ. Other visitors included current Towson University Coach and bon vivant Jan Petraeus, a number of current university side parents and a few friends of the club. Alumnus Gary Tichenor won the Distance Traveled award. (He drove 6 hours from Chapel Hill for the tournament).
If in fact this is a “rebuilding” year for the Towson State Old Boys, it seems the renovations are very close to finished!