Important Announcements

PITS vs. Hayward Griffins RFC

• Saturday, March 13, 2010
• Varsity Match 12:00 noon
• Oliver Sports Park
• 2580 Eden Park Place, Hayward CA

Possible Frosh/Soph Match after Varsity Match, tbd

GO PITS!

Directions to Oliver Sports Park (Pepsi Field):

1. Take I-580 EAST toward STOCKTON.

2. Take the CA-238 exit toward HAYWARD.

3. Merge onto I-880 SOUTH toward SAN JOSE.

4. Take the INDUSTRIAL PARKWAY exit.

5. Turn right onto INDUSTRIAL PARKWAY.

6. Turn left onto HESPERIAN BLVD.

7. Turn right onto EDEN PARK PLACE.

8. Arrive at 2580 EDEN PARK PLACE, on the left.

Google Maps Directions

More great PITS action shots by John Cooper are available on this link:

Kick Off Tournament and Berkeley Match Photos

Gary Affonso’s video masterpiece is now available.  To get your copy of this great commemoration of your fabulous 2009 season:

Get a $15 check payable to PITS Rugby to Keith Milne, 225 Hillside Avenue, Piedmont 94611

Pick up your copy at that address

If you cannot pick up your copy:  request that your copy be mailed, in which case make your check out for $20

Congratulations PITS on your two victories over the Berkeley Rhinos, Saturday February 6th!

Varsity: PITS 37, Berkeley 0

Frosh/Soph: PITS 29, Berkeley 5

Click Here to see photos of the match by Berkeley’s photographer.

Here is the referee’s report on the Varsity match from pelicanrefs.com:

PIEDMONT 37 - Berkeley Rhinos 0 Referee: Bryant Byrnes
ARs: Roberto Santiago, Rob Hendrickson
A much improved Berkeley side met a very good Piedmont side. (Writer’s disclosure-my son played with both teams back in the day. He went to London with the PITS and also later captained the Rhinos.)

Last year this would have been 75-0. Berkeley plays with much more skill-it needs a bit more pace. Piedmont’s backline-especially its centers- was excellent and scored most of the tries on long runs. Thanks to my ARs Roberto and Rob.

(But let’s not forget the forwards, who stopped Berkeley cold on their two threats early in each half.  -scrumcap)

Dante’s mom Nance Affonso passed away last week.   Services will be Friday, February 12 at 7pm at the Church of the Assumption in San Leandro. 

The hearts of the entire PITS family go out to Dante, Gary and their family at this very sad time. 

Gary has suggested that it would be appreciated if PITS players who attend wear their jerseys, as PITS was such a part of her life.

If you would like to leave a word of remembrance of this wonderful lady, please click on her name above.

We and so many others will miss you, Nance.

A lot can be learned by watching great Rugby, and the 6 Nations Cup is some of the best that can be seen.  Scotland, Ireland, England, Wales, Italy and France tee it up this weekend.  If your cable or satellite company carries BBC America or Setanta Sport, you will be able to enjoy every match.  Click Here for the BBC schedule.

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Great shots by John Cooper from the tournament.

Click Here for photos of the Diablo match by their photographer.

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Congratulatations PITS Varsity on reaching and very nearly beating Hayward for the KOT Varsity Gold championship.  You and your Bay Conference rivals went 1-2-3 in Varsity Gold, demonstrating that you are capable of the highest level of high school rugby in Northern California.

Congratulations PITS Frosh/Sophs for showing in spades that you are PITS.   Get ready for the rematch with the Rhinos this Saturday!

Please Click Here to access the PITS Rucking Outline.  This is mandatory reading as the coaches will be reviewing this at practice next week.

First Half: PITS 26, Marin Highlanders 12

PITS Scoring: Tries by Inch, Justin Mendoza, Milne, Hendrickson.  3 Conversions by Hanafee.

Final: PITS 33, Marin Highlanders 19

PITS Scoring: Try by T. Moscone.  Conversion by Hanafee.

Men of the Match selected by Marin Highlanders: Forwards: Hendrickson;  Backs: Milne

 Frosh/Soph Match:  PITS 12, Marin Highlanders 7

Congratulations PITS on a successful start to 2010!

Here is the referee’s report from pelicanrefs.com:

PIEDMONT 33, MARIN HIGHLANDERS 19  Referee: John Coppinger
Rugby stars aligned last Saturday, as I was able to handle the Piedmont/Marin Highlander U19 match on the field turf of Redwood High in Larkspur at 11 in the morning and the Humboldt/Marin club match in Marin City at 1:30 that afternoon.
 
Piedmont traveled to Marin for a pre-season friendly.  Both sides bloodied (probably a poor choice of a word given that a Piedmont player in the Frosh/Soph match split his head open and required a number of stitches before I arrived) a lot of new and younger players and the 33-19 score in favor of Piedmont probably shouldn’t be taken as an indication of anything.  It was 26-12 in favor of Piedmont at the half.  Piedmont has a number of impressive players, including Jesse Milne at flyhalf, Captain Travis Moscone at hooker, and Captain/#8 Carl Hendrickson.  Milne is a junior and Moscone and Hendrickson I am told are Cal bound.  Marin was smaller than Piedmont, but more aggressive in the loose and were ably led by their impressive captain/hooker, Jeff Calzeretta.  Both teams showed discipline and accepted direction well and I wish them good luck in the upcoming season.

The Northern California Rugby Football Union (NCRFU) has adopted a Protocol to Enhance Safety at Rugby Matches.  All PITS Players, Staff and Parents must print out, read and initial each page of the Protocol, and sign this Agreement that he or she understands and will abide by the Protocol.

Key aspects of the Protocol are:

1. Sideline Barriers at least 5 meters from the touch lines must be set up.

2. Only 2 registered coaches and a trainers may stand inside the Sideline Barriers.

3. Replacement Players are NOT permitted inside the barrier until entering the match. 

4. Each team will assign 1 or 2 Field Monitors to ensure compliance and respectful conduct of its Spectators, Coaches and Players.  Field Monitors will wear distinctive apparel, e.g. a florescent vest 

Please deliver the initaled Protocal and signed Acknowledgement to PITS Registrar Cathy Farmer or the Captains prior to attending or participating in a 2010 match.

Travis Moscone and Jesse Milne helped USA Rugby’s High School All Americans defeat Canada’s Under-17 national team twice over New Year’s weekend.  In the New Year’s Day match, the US prevailed 40-10, while in the match on Sunday, January 3rd the All Americans blew open a 7-5 halftime lead into a 32-5 win.

Click on the photo from the match at www.usarugby.org for the full article on the January 3rd match.

PITS is fortunate to have retained Jed Elley to coach PITS in 2010.  A native of the Republic of South Africa, Jed has played and coached at high levels there, in England, Ireland and the U.S, most recently playing for the Olympic Club’s Division I side and as an assistant coach of PITS and the Marin Reds.  Jed has earned International Rugby Board (IRB) and South African Rugby Union Level 1 & 2 coaching certification, and a degree in Sports Management from Cape Peninsula University.  Jed brings a wealth of modern international rugby training, coaching, and player development methods to PITS.  Check out the experience and success that Jed has brought to his teams by clicking here.  Jed Elley Rugby Resume

The select Pacific Coast Rugby Football Union Grizzlies swept all-star teams from Maui, Oahu and the Big Island in three matches on three islands the week before Christmas.  PITS’ Travis Moscone and Jesse Milne played key roles in the wins over Mana O Maui 47-0, Oahu All-Stars 51-0 and Big Island Select 54-5.  Hooker Moscone was forwards captain throughout and Milne was backs Man of the Match in two of the contests.

Click here for the americanrugbynews.com report.  Click here for a trip report from a referee and a PCRFU official

Travis pulls away from a De La Salle tackler. (Photo by Bianca Gorman)

PITS hooker Travis Moscone and inside center Jesse Milne were named 1st Team All Americans by USA Rugby, following their achievements in the Pacific Coast Rugby Union All-Star Tournament last May, the PCRFU Elite Development Camp and the High School All American Camp in Denver in July.

PITS was one of only two clubs in all of the U.S. to have two players named to the team.  (The other being PITS rival Diablo Youth Rugby, with brothers Sione and Mate Hausia also 1st teamers.)

Jesse departs would-be DLS defenders

Congratulations Travis and Jesse!

Click here for the full report from americanrugbynews.com