practice has started! 6:30-8:30 t-th blackford high school

The
Notes from the Vice Prez...
Tom has been out of town so I am covering for him in this issue.
Practice
Official practice for the season has started and everyone should be out
there getting ready. There is a good chance our first pre-season game
will be November 6, and the first league game is in about two months so
we do not have much time to get ready.
Litter pick-up without jail
The Seahawks have joined the Adopt-A-Highway litter removal program. We have a 3-mile stretch on southbound 101 from Mathilda to
Great America Parkway. This is a busy stretch of freeway so we should
get lots of recognition from it (the sign will be up in about six weeks).
We will need volunteers throughout the year to meet our commitments;
however, with all of the Seahawks’experience in this line of work, I am
sure that there will be no problem.
High School coaching
Volunteers are needed to coach high school teams. Two or three coaches
from last year will not be able to coach this year so now we have willing
players but no coaches. All coaching requires is attending two days of
practice and games each week. Games are typically on Fridays.
Seasquawk
I still need help on the Seasquawk. Participation is growing, which is
great, but I am missing news from a few key areas. In particular, I need
articles about the high school teams, about the Silverhawks, and I can
always use more advertisements.
Coming Up
10/12
10/23
11/06
11/20
11/27
12/04
12/11
01/08
01/15
01/22
01/29
02/05
02/12
03/05
03/12
03/19
03/26
04/02
04/09
04/23
04/30
05/14
Practice officially starts
6:30-8:15 Tuesdays & Thursdays
Modesto Harlot Tournament
L.A. Rugby Club
South Bay Tournament
Thanksgiving weekend
Stanford 10’s
Belmont Shore
San Francisco
O Club
Golden Gate
BATS
Old Blues
Sacramento
San Francisco
O Club
Golden Gate
BATS
Old Blues
Sacramento
Nor Cal Playoffs for 2nd seed
Pacific Coast Playoffs (Arizona)
National Championships (Chicago)
Norm
What’s Inside...
PRACTICE HAS STARTED!
6:30-8:30 T-TH
BLACKFORD HIGH SCHOOL
From the Past........................................ 3
Coach Floyd Speaks ............................. 4
Santa Barbara Sidewinders .................. 5
Player Profile........................................ 6
About the Seahawks...
The Seahawks were formed in August of 1970 by six disenchanted members of the Peninsula Ramblers. From the
beginning, they fielded a first and second side team and
entered all available tournaments. By 1974, the club
expanded to three teams and for the first time was accepted
into the Monterey tournament.
The Seahawks went on their first tour in 1977, to Australia and New Zealand. Since then, there have been tours to Ireland, England, Canada, and other countries.
In 1978, the club grew to include a women’s team, the
Shehawks, and an over-35 team, the Silverhawks. The Shehawks have since formed their own club, but the Silverhawks
have stayed affiliated and help to sponsor a high school program, the Skyhawks conference.
Executive Committee Members
President
Tom Phillips
Vice President Norman Boccone
Treasurer
John Kieffer
Scheduling Sec. H. Lloyd Jones
Public RelationsGary Townsend
Social Secretary Pete Smith
Transportation Steve Davies
Club Secretary Bill Marks
Club Captain Paul Bretz
(408) 252-2485
(408) 379-2118
(408) 265-3817
(408) 227-4647
(408) 379-3908
(408) 272-2453
(408) 739-9150
(408) 356-6974
(408) 996-8845
Coaches
Head coach
Asst. Coach
(408) 292-4135
(408) 379-3908
Floyd McGaughy
Gary Townsend
About The Seasquawk...
The Seasquawk, the official newsletter of the San Jose
Seahawks Rugby Club, comes out as monthly as possible.
Letters to the editor, articles, pictures, or anything else is welcome. Send them to:
Norman Boccone
288 Radford Drive
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 379-2118
This month’s contributors
Norman Boccone
Victoria Igel
Norm Krebill
Floyd McGaughy
Karl Laucher
Real Estate Sales - Mangement - Rentals
GARY TOWNSEND, REALTOR
San Jose Real Estate Board Member
(408) 379-3908
Editor/Layout
Editor
Reporter/Artist
Reporter
Reporter
Advertisements
We will publish just about anything for money, and not even
very much money. Help support the club, and perhaps get
new business by placing an ad in this newsletter. Contact:
(408) 688-6549
Gary Townsend
(408) 379-3908
2
The SeasquawkOctober 1993
F r o m t h e pa s t . . . S a n J o s e M e r c u r y M a y, 1 9 8 2
Seahawks survive two close ones, gain rugby final
PEBBLE BEACH-- The San Jose
Seahawks did not tread lightly into the
final of the Monterey National Invitational Rugby Tournament.
Facing the Bay Area Touring Side
(BATS) for the 24th tournament championship today (1:20 p.m.) at the Pebble
Beach Polo Fields is but another big step
forward for a club that has been making
a major impact on rugby in the last three
years.
The Hawks’ four victories Saturday
included a 9-7 decision over the California Bears, the two-time defending
national collegiate champion, and a 10-9
win over the Old Blues of Berkeley, the
three-time defending national club
champion, in the semifinals.
The BATS, a perennial national
power and winner of the Monterey title
in 1973, did not give up a point in winning four games Saturday, including a
16-0 triumph over the Capitols of Sacramento in the semifinals.
“It was a long time coming for the
Seahawks,” said Old Blues captain Whit
Everett ”their enthusiasm and club spirit
is incredible- it’s the core of their club.”
“The guys in their stands are going
nuts, and that keeps the Seahawks up. I
thought after we scored a try (touchdown) in the second half, it would break
their spirit, but it’s a credit to the
Seahawks that they came back.”
A try by Bill Armstrong and a conversion by Ken Myersiek midway through
the second half put the Old Blues up 9-6.
But with two minutes remaining, the
Seahawks exploded from 50 yards out
down the right sideline, with scrum half
Floyd McGaughy passing to playercoach Ken Bousfield. The transplanted
New Zealander penetrated deep behind
the Old Blues forwards and, when at last
continued on page 4
Seahawks’ Gary Townsend confronts two Cal players in San Jose’s 9-7 win
October 1993
The Seasquawk
3
From the Past, from page 3
surrounded, passed to winger Bill
Christopher on the full run. Christopher,
veering inside the last man on the Old
Blues defense, slipped the ball outside to
fullback Gary Townsend for the try. That
dramatic, come-from-behind victory,
however, was no more scintillating than
the one scored by the Seahawks against
Cal.
After falling behind 7-0 in the second
half, the Hawks rallied with a penalty
kick by Townsend and a try by winger
Pat Kohlman in the final seconds of play.
Kohlman, who doubles as an all-conference fullback for the San Jose Tigers
football -team, scored near the left sideline for a 7-7 tie. Townsend’s conversion
from an acute left-side angle was immediately followed by the final whistle.
The Seahawks defeated the BATS in
the final of the Stanford 10-A-Side Tournament and 18-14 last month in a Northern California Rugby Union game.
“The Seahawks are friends,” said
BATS hooker Dave Yancey. “But we
owe them one, so we’re going to lay the
lumber to ‘em.” They have a lot of spirit,
but we have cuter groupies.”
A former BAT in the Seahawk lineup,
Ken Hudson, figures the Hawks will win
the final with “straight-up” rugby.
Hudson, 40, will be looking for his
Monterey championship after being frustrated three times as a member of the
Peninsula Ramblers (‘70, ‘71 and ‘72).
“When I was with the Ramblers,
nobody wanted us to win,” Hudson said.
“But it’s different with the Seahawks,
who have the largest fan support at Monterey. The Ramblers were booed from
the time they took the field to the time
they left They played brutal rugby. They
were stronger and bigger than anybody
in the tournament now but would not fare
well in today’s standard of rugby.”
The Seahawks, ironically, were a spinoff club from the Ramblers in 1970. At
one time in the early ‘70s, the Hawks
could not qualify for a Monterey invitation. And in 1975, they placed 31st in a
field of 32.
But last year, the Seahawks won the
Golden Gate Tournament for the second
time, the Canadian-American Tournament at Calgary and finished fifth at
Monterey.
The first of today’s 16 games gets
under way at 8:30 a.m. Also bidding for
their best showing ever in the tournament are the Santa Cruz Rebels, who
play against Fresno for 11th place at 2
p.m.
The Mission Rugby Club of Mountain View faces the Calgary Hornets for
21st place, and eight-time Monterey
champion Stanford meets the Portland
Rugby Club for 23rd place in 9:40 a.m.
games.
Coach Floyd Speaks...
It’s that time of year again: the 1993-94 rugby season is about to begin. The club is in a transition period both on the field
and off. There are many new young faces on the team and it is time for us to make our move.
On the field, the new young presence was felt at September’s Aspen Tournament. The Seahawks won the consolation
bracket after losing the opening game to Dallas Harlequins, 17-10. Dallas were the western representatives in 1992 at the
National Championships. The Hawks won the final in the consolation bracket against Golden Gate by a decisive 29-15 score,
with some wide open running including a goal line to goal line try started by Tommy Phillips and finished by Mick Corbett.
Definitely the try of the weekend!
The presence of young players like Tim Crossland, Jose Cong, Pat Anderson, Brad Crudo, Jim Azevedo, Tory Golino,
Rohan, James Hinkin, Tetsyu, and Lance Crannel added speed and attacking ability to our backline. This new insurgence of
young blood will only make our team stronger. I hope that many of the players we talked to during the summer materialize.
Every one should go out of their way to encourage these players and make them feel welcome.
The beginning of a new season is an exciting time. We have a lot to look forward to. Practice begins Tuesday, October,
12th at Blackford High School, 6:30 sharp! A winning season all begins with commitment at practice. Our first games will be
the weekend of November 6th. This doesn’t give us much time to develop as a team, so let’s all be there.
The old guys are a very important part of the equation. You might ask yourself, “What can I do? I don’t even know any of
the players.” You can only make something happen if you come around. This doesn’t mean you must commit all your time.
Just take the time every now and then to stop by and pass on all that experience, and educate the kids on how the club was in
the old days. We used to have a lot of fun. You can also help by paying your social dues. It helps the club and it entitles you to
continue receiving the SeasquawkK. The SeasquawkK keeps you abreast of what’s going on, and we even print an oldie but
goodie article for those that can still read or remember back that far.
Remember Catalina! It’s the place you oughta be! Let’s get together. Call Paul Bannister about the Presidents’ Weekend at
(408) 997-7305.
Enough with the old and on with the new. Let’s get to practice and get a jump on the season. November and December will
be full of games and the League starts immediately after the first of the year. Call me if you have prior commitments and let me
know when you intend to start. My number is (408) 292-4135 See you at practice!
Floyd
4
The SeasquawkOctober 1993
Santa Barbara Sidewinders, Part III
By Norm Krebill
In the last episode of Santa Barbara Sidewinders, Storm and Skywalker were in Santa Barbara to capture a dangerous criminal,
Pete Smith, and get in a weekend of rugby with the Seahawks.
The drunken duo figured to breeze into town, round up Smith that evening with a well executed plan, and then rugget the weekend away. Little did they realize how far astray their plans would take them.
After a hot day of surfing Storm and Skywalker joined special agents Ralph and Brian to meet Pete Smith at his warehouseThe plan was to get Smith and the weapons together and then activate the olfactory inhibitors with their wrist communicators.
This would release an odorless gas that would render everyone unconscious--except of course for the secret agents who were
wearing nose filters. Then it would be a simple matter of slapping the cuffs on. The plan was working perfectly until Storm
noticed one of Pete’s henchman holding an unactivated gas ball. Storm checked his wrist communicator and discovered the salt
water dripping from the inside.
Pete Smith chuckled as his entourage pulled their pistols and surrounded the four hapless agents. Storm and Skywalker stared
at their wrist communicators as water dripped from them. Omar, Pete’s right hand man was holding one of the gas balls that
were supposed to have split open and filled the room with an oderless fume. Agents Brian and Ralph were quickly subdued.
Storm and Skywalker found themselves facing the barrel of large-caliber handguns. Pete Smith was laughing. Things did not
look good. “Is this the best that the CBI can send. I had expected Amos to be able to train agents better than you two.” He spotted
one of the balls in the shadows and went to pick it up. He held it close to his face. “Amazing.” Pete marveled at the plasma
circuitry inlaid on the balls’ surface. “If I could get some of this technology, I’d be a trillionaire.” He then laughed at some private joke he had just told. His henchman laughed too.
Suddenly three of the henchmen grabbed the back of their necks gasping, and fell to the ground. Just as suddenly three more
followed suit. Big Omar almost crushed Skywalker when he fell. Pete was left standing by himself. From the rafters swung
down a squad of CBI special commandos led by R.F. Amos. Two of the agents grabbed Smith, who seemed surprisingly complacent, the other agents secured the downed henchmen. The well-oiled machine operated by Amos secured the area in a matter
of seconds. Amos walked past Storm and Sky, unconcerned with the heroes, and went straight to Smith. “Still making
continued on page 6
October 1993
The Seasquawk
5
Player Profile
Scotty Rees
Vitals:
DOB: 04-13-69
Height: 5’ 11” (with long studs on)
Weight: 220
Occupation: “Make me an offer”
Rugby Experience:
Years played: 6
Clubs played for: San Jose State, San Jose Seahawks
Most memorable game: Crushing the Old Blues second side last year
in the driving rain
Most Disappointing Game: Losing to the Old Blues first side in the last
50 seconds two years ago
Scott was a highly sought after recruit when he graduated from State
two years ago. Scott chose to play with the Seahawks because of our
deep tradition and “...to have the opportunity to be coached by Floyd
McGaughy,” in spite of the fact that his older brother played for us.
Scott has been establishing himself at eight-man these last two years.
Presently Scott is living a bachelors dream: cheap rent; blonde-haired,
blue-eyed sweetheart; weekend trips to Aspen; job offers flowing in
for a young man with a Bachelors in Recreation. So, wish him luck this
season and make him a job-offer.
Santa Barbara, from page 5
the same mistakes as always,” said Amos, “aren’t you, Pete.” “Not the same mistakes Mr. Amos. Not the same.” Amos’ sneer
relaxed in reaction to Pete’s casual attitude and cryptic retort. But he quickly returned to his hardened stare. His body twitched
with anger, barely containing his rage. Skywalker could sense the fire in Amos. He knew the feeling. “Give him the Boots.”
Sky yelled.
R.F. Amos -- former USA Eagles captain, capped over fifty times at hooker, current international record holder of open side
hooks in a career, retired major of the United Defense League, flyer of over two hundred combat missions, and presently a high
level field operator for the CBI with medals too numerous to mention - called up all his experience and discipline and stiffened
himself. “Take these maggots away.” He snarled. Skywalker groaned. He had wanted to see some serious cleat marks running
down Smith’s back.
Two agent commandos secured Smith, who was staring down Amos. Amos and he held the stare until Pete was dumped into a
prisoner mover. Other agents in the warehouse were moving the still slumbering henchmen into their movers and depositing
them into the back of the armoured transport that had backed through the freight loading door. Storm and Skywalker approached
the still seething Amos. “Mr. Amos?” Storm said. “Why did he call you Mister Amos?” “His father and I flew together in the
war and we both played together with the Hawks. He was a lawyer until he was killed in a tragic surfing accident five years ago
when his mustache got caught on some kelp and he drowned. I watched Pete grow up, coached him in rugby and trained him
to be an agent. I was his field operator for his first mission when he was only fourteen. He was in the field for the CBI for ten
years before his dad died. Soon after that, he turned to his life of crime. He calls me Mr. Amos because that’s all he can call me,
that’s all he has ever called me.”
One of the commandos reported to Amos, disturbing the conference the three of them were having. “Sir, the prisoners are
continued on page 7
6
The SeasquawkOctober 1993
Santa Barbara, from page 6
loaded into the transport and are ready to be taken to the security tube to be shipped to CBI central prison in Nebraska. Sir.”
“Well done soldier.” Amos said, dismissing the squad leader. “And a good job by all.” He continued as he turned toward the
disaster duo and agents Ralph and Brian, who had joined them none too happy with the near screw up. “It was a little dicey there
for a while, but we did manage to capture all the criminals intact with minimum agent damage, and all before 21:00. Impressive.
Most impressive. You guys deserve a vacation. Kick ass in the tournament tomorrow. I wish I could see it but I’ll be interrogating the criminals for the next week at CBI headquarters.” With that he dismissed himself, turned, and left to go give the commandos last second instructions for the transportation of the prisoners. Storm and Skywalker congratulated themselves on a job
well done. They thanked Brian and Ralph for their help. Brian and Ralph were still not too pleased with the Storm and Sky.
Storm offered to take them to the camping station by the airport. It was full of rugby players staying there during the rugby
tournament this weekend. “You won’t believe the carnage that goes on there,” said Storm. “Dudes, it’s more awesome then sex
in your rugby boots,” Sky added. “Will there be any Bettys,” said Ralph. Sky smiled. “A man after my own underwear.” he said.
“We just captured the biggest thorn in CBI’s side!” Storm exclaimed, psyching the other agents up. The four of them celebrated
their successful mission out the door and all the way to camp station. Amos watched them go. “Double the security on this shipment,” he said to the squad leader as they left the warehouse. “Something is wrong, Smith was too easy to capture.” Amos rode
in the rear car of the small stealthy convoy to the local CBI station. There, the prisoners were loaded into the security transport
tube system and shot to CBI headquarters. The National Security Transport Tube Network had been an extremely successful
addition to the CBI’s crime fighting arsenal for the past three years. The alarm system surrounding the tube was impeccable and
the speed of the plugs made a breech near impossible. Amos followed in his own cushy tube. He tried to enjoy the luxuries , but
couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was seriously wrong. Whatever it was, he told himself, he would find it out
during the interrogation. He cracked a beer and settled back for the short ride to headquarters.
After getting cleaned up at the hotel, Storm, Sky, Ralph, and Brian rode the tram to the camping station near the airport. As
they got near the campground the commotion penetrated the humming machinery. The tram stopped and the four of them exited
onto the raised platform. From there they had a clear view of the campground, the setting sun provided a dynamic backdrop.
Bonfires were sprouting up between the teflon shelters as the recent heroes walked through the grounds looking for any excuse
to join someone’s party. There were teams gathered around their fires singing songs and coaxing women into their group. Some
people had brought large magna-lift recreation vehicles, some teams had multiple magna-recs trained together. Amongst all the
revelers sat a lone camper. He was hunkered over his fire in front of his improperly assembled shelter. Storm and Sky recognized
the large ogre: it was Bill Marks. Marks was the wandering bard of the rugby circuit. He always had a story to tell and a fish to
cook. When Sky and the others approached they saw that Bill was boiling a potato over his cook stove. He stared methodically
at the single spud as it rolled on the rising bubbles in the clear saucepan. Steam rose and enveloped Bill, giving him an ethereal
image. Still, he continued to stare intently at the potato, reading some message from the brown root. “Tell us our fortune, Bill.”
Sky said mockingly. The other three agents chuckled to themselves. The big grim man just stared menacingly at them. “I’ve got
a fortune for you.” He said, taunting them. “Word’s out that you two are set to be terminated tomorrow afternoon. The order
was given by Peter Smith himself.” He laughed. “I don’t expect to see you at this time tomorrow.” “That’s where you’re wrong
you troll.” Sky blurted. “We just put Pete Smith behind bars an hour ago, I don’t think he is going to be terminating anyone from
deep inside CBI headquarters.” The four agents laughed, reflecting on their major triumph this evening. Bill just smiled. “As
far as I know the job is still on. And I know everything,” he said glaring. Storm and Sky just shrugged off this latest threat and
left with Brian and Ralph to enjoy the raging festivities. Still there was an uneasy feeling running through the death threatened
duo.
The agents managed to get a beer from every campsite that evening at least three times. Ralph managed to find a warm
shelter with a women’s rugby team. Storm and Sky ended up sleeping in their camping suits in the middle of the main field.
Brian saw the morning sun from the top of a magna-rec vehicle, his face plastered to the roof with dried spittle. Despite the long
evening Storm and Sky were still able to make it for the 8 am kickoff. The fact that they were sleeping on the field helped.
The day’s games went well. Storm and Sky helped lead the Seahawks to a perfect record in their pool. Brian and Ralph were
even able to play their first game of rugby. The last game of the day found the Hawks competing in a semi-final match with the
tournament host Santa Barbara. The Grunions were geared to upset the nationally ranked San Jose team. The game was close
and rough like Lloyd Jones, and Storm and Sky found themselves at the bottom of a ruck. The ball was passed out but the pile
was slow to rise. Storm was pinned by the opposing props another one of the Grunions was standing over him. The Grunion
raised his foot above Storm’s face. Storm watched as the studs spiraled out to become two inch spikes. Sky was staring at his
own set of spikes hovering menacingly above his neck, ready to slash it open.
Will Storm and Skywalker escape their latest deadly predicament? Or, will they now be referred to as the decapitatedduo?
Find out in the next episode of Santa Barbara Sidewinders...
October 1993
The Seasquawk
7
California Harlots RugbyFest II
Saturday October 23, 1993 -- Modesto, California
Entry by Individuals only (no teams) -- Blind draw for selections
Rugby Jersey -- 3 games guaranteed -- 15-A-Side
For Those Who Would Play with Anyone
Pre-Tournament Party, Tournament, Jersey, Post-Tournament Feed and Party, Awards
Play and jerseys are guaranteed to the first 240 persons paying, so enter early
The pre-tournament party on Friday, October 22nd is at Gilligan’s Beach House, 1640 Princeton Ave. Modesto (corner
of 9th St. and Carver Rd.) Free admission and beer to all rugby players from 7:00 to 9:00. Selections take place at
7:30AM on Saturday, 0ctober 23at Beyer High School, 1717 Sylvan Ave., Modesto (Sylvan and Coffee Rd.). The first
games start at 8:00AM. The games will take place on three pitches. Showers will be available at the school. The posttournament feed and awards presentation will take place at Beyer Community Park adjacent to the pitches. The posttournament party will take place at the Tiki Lounge at 932 McHenry Ave., Modesto (McHenry and Fairmont)
1993 California Harlots RugbyFest II Entry Form
Name__________________________________
Mailing Address__________________________
_______________________________________
Phone # _______________________________
Circle appropriate answers
I will be attending the Pre-Tournament Party:
YES NO
I will be attending the Post-Tournament Party: YES NO
I will need Lodging on:
FRIDAY SATURDAY BOTH
I wish to be selected as a:
BACK FORWARD
N. Boccone
288 Radford Drive
Campbell, CA 95008
Fees:$50
Make checks payable to Stanislaus RFC
Bring this form to the tournament
Scott MacDonald
Tournament Director
Rugby Hotline 209-525-9996