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Small, Fast Scrummers
Open Here With Devils

Very Successful Cavalier Ruggers Seen Here Fighting For Ball In Past Championship Action

Duke's Squad Travels To Charlottesville Sunday For Opening Of Virginia Rugby Club's Fall Slate

"Smaller but in much better
condition and spirit than last year,"
is how Jay Waldron of the Rugby
Club characterized this year's rugby
team.

This is the general air of
optimism that is held by the ruggers
as they prepare for their opener
against Duke this Sunday at Carr's
Hill Field. The backfield is smaller
this year with the loss of Butch
Dietler, who has gone on to Law
School, and Courtney Hoopes, both
of whom tipped the scales over
200. But what they have lost in size
they have gained in speed, between
the talents of Sam Robinson and a
faster scrum.

The ruggers have been stressing
conditioning more this year than in
past seasons, and team spirit as
well. All these assets combined with
the rage host of returning veterans
would be enough to give the
Cavaliers the edge over Duke.

Duke, which is rated as number
two behind Virginia, will be the
ruggers' toughest opponent in the
East. Their biggest asset is perhaps
the talent of back Bob Harvey,
commonly known as "the Grey
Ghost" for his speed in the
backfield. The "A" team will face
Duke's "A" team at 2 p.m., while
UVA's "B" team will face their
counterparts at 3:30. The "C" team
will be facing James River Rugby
Club here at 12:30.

One of Virginia's strong points is
the large number of veterans that
will fill the ranks this season.
Returning to the first row of the
scrum are J.B. Trew, a fourth-year
man in the College, Randy Covington,
a third-year man in the College
who stands 6-2 and weighs 230, and
Ralph Robertson, a second-year
Law student standing 6-0 and
weighing 250.

The second row of the scrum
will see the familiar faces of Jim
Hawkes, standing 6-4 at 215 pound,
Jay Waldron, at 6-3 and 205
pounds, and Ed Maguire. Returning
locks are John Pearson and Mike
Richwine.

Veterans coming back to the
position of wing forward are Terry
Daniel, who is this year's Rugby
Club president, and the ruggers'
field captain, Byron "Train" Shankman.
"Train" was voted the Most
Valuable Player of the Commonwealth
Cup tournament last spring.

Returning to the position of
hooker after a year of absence due
to injury is Carroll Ladt. Veterans
also playing this year are Will
O'Keefe and Steve Bolton.

These are the players that will
form the scrum. Although this
year's players are smaller than last
year's, they have "decided to make
it up in meanness.

The Cavalier ruggers have a
strong veteran backfield as well,
with Wick Williams returning to
scrum half and Dr. Alistair Duckworth
returning to fly half.

Perhaps the strongest positions
in the backfield are the interior and
outside centers. Tom Furniss is a
definite starter at one of the
positions, while the other will be
filled by either Marty Millichap,
Henry Dudley, or Dick Jordan.

According to Jay Waldron, "Our
strongest points are our fast scrum
and Tom Furniss." Tom is rated as
one of the best backs in the East
and earned the Most Valuable
Player Award for the Virginia
ruggers last year. His talents for
scoring from far out have also
earned him the label of "Tom Slick
and his Electric Drop-kick."

Filling the wing position in the
backfield this season will be Sam
Robinson, who has been clocked at
9.6 in the 100-yard dash, Dick
Cross, Ken Harris, fourth-year men,
and Tom Boyd, a fourth-year Law
student.

Perhaps Virginia's biggest question
lies in the position of fullback.
While there are no outstanding
fullbacks, it is likely that either
Mark Storm or David Kratoval will
fill the position.

This is the 1969 lineup as the
ruggers prepare to better last year's
14-6 overall record and runner-up
finish in the Commonwealth Cup.
Their chances look good and their
first real test will come Sunday.

In addition to their games in the
East, the ruggers will be travelling
to England this spring from March
20 to April 5, at a cost of nearly
$10,000. To help raise the necessary
funds the hat will be passed at
this Sunday's game.