Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
Competitive Spirits: Campbell resident Dennis Doyle (left) practices a rugby scrimmage run with Santa Cruz resident Paul Ryerson during rugby practice of the King's Head Marauders at John Morgan Park.
Rugby players bring a popular British sport to Campbell parks
Players say it's all about possession and position when playing the game
By Moryt Milo
Rugby's origins may be debatable--with the British claiming credit and others placing it during the time of the Roman Empire--but everyone who plays the sport agrees it is a very social game.
In Campbell, on Sunday mornings, the King's Head Marauders Rugby Team can be found at John D. Morgan Park, at the corners of Budd Avenue and San Tomas Expressway, practicing and playing the game.
The team, barely a year old, is international in its makeup, including players from the United States, Britain, Scotland, South Africa, India, Ireland and Poland, all playing for the love of the game.
One of the players, Campbell resident Chris Morse, 34, says, "I played at university [in England] and happened to be talking to a player at the pub, who played rugby with the [Marauders], and that's how I started with the team."
Chris' discovery of the team is how many of the players from Campbell, Willow Glen, San Jose and Santa Clara found out a local rugby team was forming.
Team manager John Doyle, 29, says, "Originally there were four of us throwing the ball around in the driveway [of the King's Head Pub and Restaurant] and wondered where we should go from here."
The group decided to put up some flyers at the pub, and team player Daniel Curran, 32, created a website. Doyle also asked Ian Meikle if he would consider coaching the team.
Meikle, in his mid-50s, started playing serious rugby in the British Army. After leaving the army, he became a rugby coach in Scotland. As a coach, his team won numerous tournaments in Europe.
Hightech brought Meikle to Silicon Valley, where he also coached the San Jose Seahawks--a Northern California First Division Team--and assisted the team in reaching the cup championships.
Now Meikle is coaching the Marauders and working with experienced and rookie team players.
Experienced players, like Willow Glen resident Martin Dunn, who moved here from Scotland at 3 years of age, has been playing rugby since age 10. He also played with the San Jose Seahawks for two years and he says, "Playing rugby is so much better than going to the gym and training, because afterward we all get together for food and drink."
Doyle says one of the best things about playing rugby is the camaraderie that comes with the game.
"Our players are from all over," Doyle says. "I think it's quite fun to learn about different nationalities. It's much more interesting than having everyone from the same place."
It is a sport that brings a wealth of player diversity, and, no matter what the skill level, anyone interested is welcome, Doyle says.
Four of the players on the Marauders also play for Santa Clara University's Rugby Team. They saw a posting at the pub and joined the team's Sunday practices.
Santa Clara University senior Chris Muldoon, 21, says, "It is 100 times better than football. There are no pads, anyone can play and the game is faster."
In fact, the American game of football morphed out of English rugby. There are similarities, like kicking the ball for a conversion--in football it's one point; in rugby it's two points. And reaching the opponent's goal posts--in football it's six points; in rugby it's five. But there are many differences.
Rugby is played with a team of 15 players. Doyle says to play a friendly game against another "pub" team, there needs to be a minimum of 20 players, as backups for injuries and special positions.
The game has two 40-minute halves, with a halftime break; otherwise play is continuous. In rugby the ball has to go over the "try line," which is equivalent to the end zone in football. But unlike football, in which the ball only has to break the plane of the goal line, in rugby the ball carrier has to physically touch the ground with the ball.
There are other differences, but Doyle says, "We are always looking to attract new players, even lads who have never played the game."
Muldoon says that most people in the United States don't play the game until they are in college, and because they are a club "we don't have the exclusivity like football. The big aspect of rugby is the social factor."
Curran, who learned the game while a student at Kent State University in Ohio, says the team is anxious to play other pub teams.
For more information about playing with the King's Head Marauders contact Daniel Curran, 408.439.2181, or visit www.sanjoserugby.com.
Campbell, California
