PCOM RFC Established 1973
2013 Surfside 7s recap
Stone Harbor, NJ
FOSSILS took to the pitch on Saturday, July 20, at the 10th Annual Surfside 7s in Stone Harbor, NJ. Our motley crew had a strong showing for a bunch of old guys who play rugby once a year. George Young ’02 and Bill Ward ’90, who were both nursing injuries, came out to support the squad on a perfect day for rugby - overcast with a breeze off the ocean. Of course, Hale T. Peffall, Jr. MML ’80 was a fixture on the sidelines as he has been for the last 40 years.
Barely having enough players to field a side for 7s, our efforts featured the rugby debut of PCOM RFC legacy Tommy (Hale III) Peffall. We also picked up two buggy-driving, barn-raising ruggers from Lancaster – John and Justin. Who knew Amish played rugby?
Our first match was against The Lost Boys featuring several well-known members of Philly-Whitemarsh. We were able to scrap together a side against over 20 active ruggers (including some with Australian accents – WTF, Mate?). The Lost Boys made frequent wholesale substitutions like hockey shift changes. The Fossils proved no match for the constant fresh legs of our opponent.
After a brief rest, our second match against Vecchi Bastardis (Old Bastards) was a more closely fought battle. Action volleyed back and forth and was highlighted by a try from Steve Lewis '97. Mike Langer '97 had a beautiful opportunity for 5 points with nothing but open field ahead, but, alas, could not convert since his legs had not yet recovered from traveling the longest and furthest to Stone Harbor. He was brought down like a wounded gazelle by pack of cheetahs (gazelle is really a stretch - ostrich probably better).
Our third and final match, versus eventual division champ Troop Old Boys, emphasized the scrappy tradition of 40 years of PCOM RFC. Jason Kitchen provided some fresh legs when he showed up just seconds before kickoff after dropping off family following a week of vacation and racing down to the shore. Playing in his third match ever, Tommy Peffall was outrunning the field toward the try zone but pulled up short when he mistakenly thought a bird tweeting was the whistle. He was promptly buried into the dirt infield by the opposition and came up covered in orange – but not quite Flyers orange.
Though the FOSSILS did not lead on the scoreboard or in the standings, we were unsurpassed in enthusiasm and reckless abandon. We made it through relatively unscathed. Mundo Sciullo ’97, after not even seeing a rugby ball since graduation, valiantly pushed through the day after a knee “pop” in the first match (What’s a little MCL sprain among friends?). Chris Davis ’00 suffered the worst looking injury with a swollen, black right eye.
The day on the pitch was exceeded by the festivities off of it. We shared stories in the sun with cold beverages for hours after our last match. Then Chris Davis welcomed the Fossils to his home for a BBQ and soak in the pool. The merriments continued late into the night until we closed the Princeton and stormed into Circle Pizza.
Next year will be bigger and better, so make your plans now for July 19, 2014…….
Joe Ward PCOM 1990, Yardley, PA
Mike Langer PCOM 1997, Avon Grove, OH
Mundo Sciullo PCOM 1997, Grove City, PA
Steve Lewis PCOM 1997, Bloomsburg, PA
Rob McMurtrie PCOM 1998, Phoenixville, PA
Jon Verrecchio PCOM 1999, Mechanicsburg, PA
Chris Davis PCOM 2000, Springfield, PA
Jason Kitchen, Jeff 2002, Glen Mills, PA
Chris Hillman, Trooper, PA
Tommy Peffall, Ambler, PA
George Young, PCOM 2002, Haddonfield, NJ
Bill Ward, PCOM 1990, Blue Bell, PA
Hale T. Peffall, Jr MML 1980, Ambler, PA