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The Barbarians of Valley Happy faced off against the Quantico Marines on Saturday Sept 19 at the friendly confines of West Campus Field at University Park. Quantico always provides a difficult challenge for the Baba’s, providing a fit, well coached and disciplined opponent.

Happy Valley was rusty at the start of the game, with Quantico controlling the ruck’s and poaching some loose ball due to insufficient support by the scrummers of Happy Valley. Luckily off a winning scrum the backline moved the ball downfield with good support and Deerhunter scored his first try of the day, and smartly centering the ball for the conversion by Mike Green. Baba’s 7, Quantico 0. Quantico came right back and after winning a ruck, kicked the ball deep downfield, but were impeded on the kick and a penalty was awarded to Quantico, who converted. 7-3.

The rucking cleared up, with better support by the Baba scrum and Quantico was on their heels for most of the first half, with another try by Deerhunter and another conversion by Mike. 14-3. Shortly before half, the Baba’s scored again, this time Tony Monaco scoring with a driving run into the try zone, and Mike Green was 3 for 3, now 21-3.

Quantico came out strong at half, which the Baba’s were anticipating. On the first kickoff, Happy Valley dropped the ball, and Quantico won the ensuing scrum, and through multi phases and tough defense, scored to get the score to 21-10. But the Baba’s fought back, with some good phase ball, winning rucks and controlling set play at the lineout. Jack Ambler stole (one of his many for the day) a Quantico lineout, and through several phase play, Drew Funk set the ball down for another try, which was not converted. Score is now 26-10. But again, on the kickoff the Baba’s dropped the ball and again Quantico stole the ball at the scrum, and scored yet again, score is now 26-17. Some strategic changes were made with Jud coming in at 2nd row for Steve, who moved to flank, Big Buddy in for Brett at prop. The Baba’s continue to play well, with good rucking by Brett, Andy and Hank, the Baba’s worked the ball out to Deerhunter who scrambled through 3 tacklers and scored his third try of the day, score was converted so now we are ahead 33-17. The Baba’s continued to play better, winning their scrum’s, winning both side lineout’s and kept Quantico out of the try zone. Late in the game, Deerhunter recovered a Quantico kick, and ran the 110 m to score his last try, final score 38-17. Man of the Match was Tulip.

Starting side was Brett (Buddy), Hank, Andy(Boner), Jack, Steve T, Flude (Jud), Ricketts (Andrew), Schweppe

Mike, DH, Tony (Neil), Tulip, Wes (Crap), Drew, Jeremy

B side featured a mix of PSU, Baba’s and Quantico playing 10 on 10. Forgive me for those that I missed, but I had Boner, Buddy, Neil, Hank, Joey, Joey, Crapplegate, Freddy, Thatcher Holding, whose Dad and Mom are the coolest fan’s we have, and has two brothers playing for us, scored multiple try’s, and was by my definition, the B side man of the match.

Barbarisms- condolences to Josh Patt for the passing of his Mom. Congrats to Henry and Becky for providing yet another future Baba Boy. Flude and Neil hosted the after party which I understand featured several costume changes by Mr. Flude, until the last one put him face down passed out. Jack thanked Andy for his lineout success with his new lifting shorts. Crapplegate was our tour guide for the Marines on Saturday night, bet that was interesting.

Next game is at Pax River, Saturday 9/26 2 pm KO