Rugby wins

The Old Methodist Rugby Football Club finished their final two matches of season 1-1, defeating Connecticut College at home on April 23 but falling on the road to Trinity Saturday.

In their final home match, the club dominated the Camels of Connecticut College 17-0, refusing to allow any points from the opposition. In soggy conditions at the Long Lane Field, the team jumped out to an early lead as Dave “Sexy” Delcourt ’05 ran the ball in for a score. Ed O’Brien ’05 and Andrew Stuerzel ’05 quickly followed Delcourt, putting points on the board for Old Methodist. In addition, Delcourt connected on two out of three conversions following the scores. Despite being defensive players, Stuerzel and O’Brien contributed to the offense, gathering points on their first scoring attempts of the year. In accordance with rugby tradition, these seniors were privileged to run a “zulu” post match, otherwise known as a naked lap. For the seniors, this final home game capped successful careers as Old Methodist ruggers.

“It was a perfect match for us seniors to end our careers,” said co-captain Obhi Hazarika ’05. “The conditions were soggy and sloppy. The ref was a funny-looking balding bowling ball of a man. My hair was matted and soul-glowesque in the gentle drizzle, and our opponents were a good bunch of gentleman.”

With momentum behind them, the club journeyed to Hartford to close the season against the Trinity Bantams. Despite lacking the resources and coaches of Trinity, Old Methodist drew first blood, jumping out to a 10-0 lead on a spin move from Hazarika and a conversion from Delcourt. Delcourt also added three points with a penalty kick. However, the weather worsened and Trinity started to challenge Old Methodist in the second half. In the end, the club fell 28-10, but the team was optimistic and grateful for its success.

“This was the last charge for Old Meth’s seniors,” Delcourt Hoyer said. He added that four year veterans, “Obhi ‘Leader of 1000’ Hazarika, Tom Facelle, ‘Hangry’ Ben Newman, Julian ‘Putamadre’ Villar, and vets Vinnie ‘The Fire hydrant’ Benevento, Lee ‘Gentle’ Jacobsen, ‘Big’ Ed O’Brien, Dr. Moody Jameson, and Murdo McGrath played their hearts out today.”

In four years the rugby team has grown from being in shambles with only five to eight players regularly attending practice. Hazarika has led the team to become one of the most respected programs in New England, with repeat successful finishes at the Beast of the East Tournament. This year the team finished the season with a 4-2 record, the seniors leaving behind a legacy for the young guns on the squad. In addition, none of the ruggers decided to try out for the Connecticut Collegiate Select team this year, allowing the team to finish the season with solidarity against Trinity.

“It has been an honor to play with every member of the Old Methodist Rugby Football Club during my four years here,” Hazarika said.

These seniors will certainly be missed, but never forgotten.