The Cavalier daily :: Friday, April 30, 1971 :: University of Virginia Library

TONIGHT MARKS THE START of the tenth, annual
Commonwealth Cup Tournament to be staged by the Virginia
Rugby Football Club. Acknowledged as the stellar tourney in the
eastern part of the country, the Cup has seen quite a few
moments of excitement in its short but impressive history.

PEWTER CUPS ARE EASY TO FIND but the
Commonwealth Cup has so much prestige riding with it that
teams go to great pains to take the coveted prize back to their
home grounds. Take for example Brown, the defending
champion, which had to play some of its best pitch time of the
year in order to subdue the pesky nemesis from Notre Dame in
last May's classic. Or the interesting fact that host Virginia
has never gained title to the award which it presents.

INTERNATIONAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN the flavor of the
tournament. Nassau sent teams here for many years. For the past
several years the Toronto Old Boys (known both for a hard brand
of rugby football and a lightheaded approach to partying) have
driven down from Canada. This season they deferred from play,
but recommended the Toronto Welsh; who hope to fill the void.

WHAT ABOUT THE CALIBRE OF RUGBY? It has always
been high. But this year seems to offer the best field in the three
years that I have covered the Cup. Let's examine the teams
individually, and then to attempt to make some predictions for
the outcomes of the matches to be played continuously Saturday
and Sunday at Nameless and Carrs Hill Fields.

BROWN IS A WEAK CHOICE AS A REPEATING
CHAMPION, Placing a dismal fourth in the ruggedly prestigious
Ivy League, the boys from Providence. Rhode Island, would like
to pull a complete about-face in this post season classic, but
almost assuredly won't. Dave Zucconi, a zany 39 year old winger,
paces the club's backline despite his advancement in age. After all
he was the MVP in last year's tourney; yet, will take more than
this to bring the pewter mug back to Brown.

RUNNERUP IN LAST YEAR'S CUP was Notre Dame. It will
take the Midwesterners a concerted effort to reach this height
again. One bonus is a bevy of football players, several who are
large and have the size necessary for a tight scrum. The quality of
the backline is suspect; speed is an unknown variable at this
point.

ANOTHER MIDWEST ENTRANT IS CLEVELAND. The
Blues are a city team, not affiliated with any school. Many club
members donned helmets and pads during their collegiate days as
they played football; two small college All-Americans play at fly
and at a wing forward. Holy Cross, Ohio State, the Pittsburgh
Club, and Old Blue have fed former members to the Blues. If they
can overcome a tiring trip they might have the gas to make some
explosions.

REPRESENTING UNCLE SAM, Army comes to town ranked
eighth in the last national poll affecting them. Playing no fall
season, the Cadets won fifteen in a row last spring. Current tallies
were not made available, but if a team travels down from West
Point similar to the 15 men representing the club at last May's
Schaeffer Cup Tourney which they won, then things could be
tacky for the other seven entries.

MAKING THE SCENE ON THE RECOMMENDATION of the
ever-popular Old Boys, the Toronto Welsh arrive thinking victory.
And why not? They currently hold the number one slot in the
Canadian City-State League. Originally formed to include Welsh
nationals in the Toronto area, the club now encompasses a broad
professional-based spectrum. Scrum-unknown; backs-anybody's
guess. Just wait and see.

OUR OWN VIRGINIANS RANK NEAR THE TOP. A small
scrum is the biggest problem faced by the Cavaliers. Veterans
Waldron, Robertson, Bolton, et al are rugged and determined but
just not quite large enough. The backline is among the fastest in
the east. Courtney Hoopes, veteran of six years, must shake free
to spark the locals.

SECOND PICK GOES TO MANHATTAN. Another city club
made up of doctors and lawyers, Manhattan is ranked in the top
three in the east by the Eastern Rugby Union. Two-thirds of the
club are foreigners, particularly Englishmen. One of their wings
played formerly with an international side from Wales. Their
open style of play is superb for a fleet of fast backs.

CAB DRIVERS AND TRUCKERS make the University of
Chicago an early favorite. Yes, this school-sponsored club has
brought in some locals to complement a fine crop of foreigners.
Fly half Rod Thomas has put in time with a Welsh international
side. Wing forward Ross Watts has been ranked number one at his
position for the past ten years in the Midwest. Up till last
weekend they had not allowed a score in spring competition.

SO THERE WE HAVE IT — COMMONWEALTH CUP 1971.
Come on out to Nameless and Carrs Hill Fields Saturday and
Sunday. Continuous action from 10:30 until 5 on Saturday, 11:30
until 4 Sunday. See you there!!