Uticuse was well-represented at the Rugby World Cup in London this year. Four players, Dy, Carly, Holly and Glod, as well as Coach Frank, traveled to the UK as members of the Nuts And Jugs touring side, which featured players from PA, NY and Eastern Canada. A total of 83 ruggers made the trip, which was a whirlwind week long and included the USA games against South Africa and Japan, a training at the London Irish facility, and the opportunity to play in a friendly match with the Worthing Women’s Rugby Club. Dy was coming off a shoulder injury, but Carly, Glod and Holly played the full game for the Juggernauts (the touring side’s name for the women’s squads). During the game, Holly represented the Juggernauts as the speaking captain for the squad. Afterward, Glod participated in the traditional trading of the jerseys with Worthing, and was also named Man of the Match for their squad. All the Uticuse women garnered good feelings amongst the squads with their socializing and friendliness, rubbing elbows and doing activities with the locals until the wee hours of the morning in the clubhouse bar.
Coach Frank played in the men’s friendly match on Saturday, and acquitted himself well despite the fact that Glod forgot to bring his cleats to the pitch in time. Overall, the Nuts and Jugs Rugby Tour was a smashing success – each Uticuse member who went built solid friendships with other American ruggers both near and not, and now can claim international playing experience amongst their career accomplishments.
