News from the

Texas XXXs Rugby Club

  September 21, 2007

Volume 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXXs in Chicago

 

 

 

The Texas XXXs traveled to the Windy City the weekend of August 25th and 26th to play a match against the Chicago Grey Lions and to watch the USA Eagles play Munster.  This was the first XXXs excursion for a few and it turned out to be a weekend full of great rugby and revelry.

 

On the Friday of our arrival; Chicago was hit with severe weather.  There were a few flight delays, but most everyone arrived in due course.  In the early evening we got into tour-mode at the Hyatt’s “Big Bar” and then some headed out to Chief O’Neill’s Pub.  There, we were welcomed by the Lions and the rest of the XXXs filtered in as the night wore on.  A good time was had by all.

 

 

 

On Saturday the XXXs vs. Grey Lions match was to be the curtain raiser at high noon for the Eagles B vs. the Lions select side.  Due to water on the pitch the match was rescheduled to 3:30.  The pitch was a bit muddy but the XXXs took the field with great anticipation.  Texas scored the first try but the Grey Lions started working together and got the best of the XXXs in the end.  It was good hard rugby and both teams thoroughly enjoyed the runabout.

 

After the match the XXXs met the Grey Lions at their home watering hole “McGinny’s Tap”.  The XXXs swapped accolades and mementos with Grey Lions leader Ray Karenas.  The Texas XXXs Man of the Match was Joe Nelis and for the Grey Lions it was Cully Wahtola.  After McGinny’s some went on to experience the nightlife at Rush and Division Streets.  As with the night before, the later it got, the foggier things became.  There are many tales to be told but let’s just say WGOTSOT http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/What+Goes+On+Tour+Stays+On+Tour.

 

On Sunday, we became the Lonsome Dove rugby fan club and attended the Eagles vs. Munster (Ireland) match at beautiful Toyota Park.  Munster is the defending European champions, and this match was the send-off game for the USA before competing in the World Cup.  The Irish got the best of the Eagles 10-6.

 

Big thanks to the Grey lions and to all who traveled to Chicago.