Photograph by Jacqueline Ramseyer
More than Football: Players of the King's Head Marauders Rugby team pair up to stretch out before a Sunday morning practice session at John Morgan Park.
Rugby players from all over bring sport to the Bay Area
Players say goal is socializing as much as winning
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.
Willow Glen resident Martin Dunn, who moved here from Scotland three years ago, has been playing rugby since age 10. He also played with the San Jose Seahawks--a Northern California First Division Team--for two years and he says, "[Playing rugby] is so much better than going to the gym and training, because afterwards we all get together for food and drink."
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.
It is a sport that brings a wealth of player diversity, and, no matter what the skill level, anyone interested is welcome, team manager John Doyle, 29, says.
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.
Doyle 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.
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."
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 back-ups for injuries and special positions.
Curran, who learned the game while a student at Kent State University in Ohio, says the team is anxious to play other pub teams, and although Jan. 13 was the Marauders best turnout ever, with 17 players, Curran says a team of 25 to 30 players would be ideal.
"We've had some requests from other clubs to play, and we'd love to, but we are not in the position at the moment [until we have more players,]" says Doyle. The rugby players consider their teammates part of a brotherhood.
For more information about playing with the King's Head Marauders, contact Daniel Curran at 408.439.2181 or visit their website at www.sanjoserugby.com. The group also meets every Wednesday night at the King's Head Pub and Restaurant, 201 Orchard City Dr.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
