Cleveland, Cleveland Rovers Rugby Football Club Cleveland, OH Archived News

ROVERS BATTLE KALAMAZOO FOR MIDWEST EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS BID

Burke drives through three Dogs defenders.

By Scott Liechty, The Cleveland Rovers

KALAMAZOO, Michigan -- The Cleveland Rovers traveled to Kalamazoo, Michigan to take on the Kalamazoo Dogs in the Midwest Eastern Conference semifinals. A trip to the Midwest Final Four in the spring hung in the balance. The Kalamazoo Dogs, on paper, looked to be a formidable opponent. They amassed a 6-1 league record during their regular season to win the Northern League. The previous week the Dogs downed the Cincinatti Wolfhounds’ Division 3 side by a final score of 28-15. They were also a team that the Rovers ousted a year ago in the first round of the playoffs, 21-7.

The Rovers put the pressure on almost immediately, as three minutes into the game fullback Dave Murray hit a kick down to the Louisville ten. A few set pieces later, the Rovers won a scrum at the 5-meter, and after a ruck was set, lock Thom Gilbert took a pick and busted his way into the try zone for the game’s first score. Flyhalf Tyler Best notched the conversion to give the Rovers a 7-0 lead.

The Rovers hit hard throughout the entire game, with a number of notable big hits throughout the game. The first big one was noted at the 14-minute mark. After a Rovers penalty, Louisville was threatening deep near the try zone. Prop Brian Majoy made a huge hit, forcing the knock on and the Rovers were able to get the ball out of their own half. Four minutes later, with Louisville attacking again, wing Tony Spooner made another huge hit on the sideline to force a lineout and get the Rovers’ sideline going.

Twenty-five minutes into the first half, the Rovers and Dogs met for a scrum near midfield. The Rovers stole the scrum, and eighth-man Tony Brown took the ball and dished it to scrumhalf Steve Burke, who went the distance for the second Rovers score of the ballgame. The score stood at Cleveland 12, Louisville 0 with fifteen minutes to go in the first half.

Five minutes later, the Dogs were able to narrow the gap with a try of their own. After a missed Louisville conversion, the Rovers held a one score lead at 12-5. With two minutes to go in the half, though, Tony Brown took a pick out of a scrum and went twenty-two meters untouched for the score. The Best conversion gave the Rovers a 19-5 lead.

The Dogs were able to end the half on a high note, however, as a Louisville try and conversion ended the first stanza. The halftime score was a narrow 19-12 lead for the Rovers.

The second half of play started a lot like the first half, as four minutes in, winger Cory Wisniewski took advantage of a massive overload, and got the ball to looping scrumhalf Steve Burke in the corner for the try. Tyler Best hit good on the ensuing conversion from the sideline to give the Rovers a 24-12 advantage.

Six minutes later, with the ball at midfield, prop Brian Majoy created another overload by getting the ball out in the backline, which led directly to a Tony Spooner try. Tyler Best hit good on another conversion for a 31-12 Rovers lead. At the fourteen-minute mark, Cory Wisniewski scored his first try of the fall campaign to stretch the lead to 36-12.

With just twelve minutes to go, Tony Spooner scored on his second try of the game. The try put the scoreline at 41-12, and would prove to be the final try of the Rovers’ fall campaign. Louisville scored a try and conversion as the final whistle blew, but the damage had been done. The Rovers were 41-19 victors.

The win puts the Rovers in the Midwest Eastern Conference Championship game, as well as the Midwest Final Four this spring. It also set the Rovers’ final record at 8-2 for the year. As fate would have it, the Rovers will face off against bitter rival Eastern Suburbs Green Horde in the Midwest Eastern Conference Championship game. A trip to the Midwest Finals, the National Tournament, and Division II next fall are all up for grabs. Needless to say, it will be one of, if not the biggest Rovers-Suburbs games of all time.

ROVERS WIN WILD PLAYOFF GAME TO ADVANCE TO MIDWEST ROUND TWO

It has been a wild month of up and downs for your Cleveland Rovers, to say the least. A short month ago, the Rovers were sitting pretty, unbeaten and atop the Eastern League. Two consecutive disappointing losses to the Suburbs and Akron by a combined eight points left the Rovers on the outside looking in of the Midwest Playoffs. Or so it would seem.

The clubs final game of the season was to be against Westmoreland. However, the Hooligans elected to not travel to take on the Rovers, and forfeited the game. Instead, the Rovers held an intrasquad scrimmage to end the season on a fun note. The guys were left to look forward to a spring campaign with no playoffs, and look back on a fall campaign that could have been. But just over 24 hours later, an email and a phone call changed all that.

President Terry Kilbane was contacted by a Midwest representative on Sunday, notifying him that eight teams, as opposed to last year’s six, would be qualifying for the playoffs. The Rovers had picked up the eighth and final seed, and would be going on to play top seed Louisville the following week in Kentucky.

After a week of practices getting, the Rovers were back in the rugby mindset and headed down to take on Louisville in the opening round of the playoffs. After a slight delay in start time, thanks to a couple wrong turns by some Rovers higher-ups, the game was underway.

The teams could not have asked for a better day for rugby, as it was sunny and 60 degrees for the match. The two sides did not disappoint, as the ensuing match was a clean, hard hitting, well executed affair that saw multiple lead and momentum changes over the course of 80 minutes.

The Cleveland side were the first to strike, as lock Russ Barnhart took a pick and go for the try. Fullback Cory Wisniewski hit the conversion to give the Rovers a 7-0 lead in the early going.

Seven minutes later, Louisville was awarded a scrum after a Rovers knock on at the 30 meter line. Louisville won the scrum, and their backline struck quick and raced into the try zone to cut the Rovers lead to 7-5.

Just a few moments later, Louisville’s backline busted another huge run, running 50 meters before flyhalf Dave Murray made a try saving tackle just short on the try zone. The Rovers were then able to stave off Louisville and get some breathing room as they kicked out of their own 22 meter.

Twenty-five minutes into the half, wing Tony Spooner got the ball week from the Rovers’ own 40 meter line, and won a footrace the remaining 60 meters for the try to give the Rovers a 12-5 lead with 15 minutes to go in the opening half.

Over the final ten minutes of the first half, Louisville was able to score a try and also hit good on a penalty kick to put the Rovers down 12-13 going in to the break.

The Rovers kicked to start the second half, and after a short stop in play to scrum down as the Rovers knocked the kick on, the Rovers were awarded a penalty after Louisville did not roll away. Cleveland then won their own lineout, and eighth man Tony Brown took the ball almost all the way in. An opportune offload landed right in the hands of flanker Zack Stryffeler who finished it off and scored the try that put the Rovers back on top 17-13.

Five minutes later, a broken play and tackle off the ball gave Louisville a penalty try, and the lead back, as they were on top of the Rovers 17-20 with 30 minutes still remaining in the game.

Just a few short minutes later, inside center Joe Nauman picked up a yellow card for stomping, leaving the Rovers down a man with 28 minutes to go. This did not hold the Rovers back, as scrum half Steve Burke broke a few tackles and scampered down the sideline, giving the lead back to the Rovers at 22-20 with 27 minutes left.

However, the lead was short lived, as four minutes after Burke’s score, the Louisville kicker knocked over his second penalty kick of the match after a Cleveland diving over call to make the match score 22-23, Louisville, with 23 minutes to go in the match.

The next ten minutes of the match was back and forth, as both sides continued to hit and play hard. But with 13 minutes left Louisville scored another try to extend their lead to six points. At this point, the Rovers could have chosen to fold, but they refused to make the six hour drive back home disappointed.

With ten minutes to play in the game, outside center Scott Wallace received a long skip pass from Zack Stryffeler to pull the Rovers within one point of the lead. A missed conversion kept the game at 27-28, Louisville, in the game’s waning moments.

Ten minutes later, a Rovers scrum from the 22 was awarded, and the referee notified that captains of each side that the next stoppage would be the end of the game. No less than ten phases and five minutes later, the Rovers were still in control of the ball, and had been steadily marching towards the try zone. The majority of the pack touched the ball, and on a couple occassions the Rovers even lost possession, only to win the ball back in the rucks. Then the Rovers finally hit. Eighth man Tony Brown received the ball weak and forced his way through a host of Louisville defenders to touch the ball down in the try zone. The referee’s arm went up, signalling the score, and then he sounded the final whistle, giving the Rovers a thrilling 32-28 victory in Kentucky.

The Rovers were excited, to say the least, with the great game. The focus now shifts to the second round of the playoffs, where Cleveland travels to Michigan to take on Northern League champion Kalamazoo. A spot in the Midwest Final Four this spring will be up for grabs. And the Rovers will be ready to take it.

MATCH REPORT - EASTERN SUBURBS AND AKRON

The first half of the month was not nearly as kind to the Rovers as this the second half of October. The Rovers lost two consecutive games against Eastern Suburbs and Akron.

The first of which was the Suburbs game. The first half saw the Rovers down 3-12. The Suburbs scored two tries and a conversion. The Rovers first half points were thanks to a penalty kick from flyhalf Tyler Best.

The Rovers opened up the second half against the Suburbs with 14 unanswered points. Steve Burke scored a try, as did Drew Evatt. Tyler Best hit both conversions. The Suburbs answered back with a try to tie the game at 17. Then with ten minutes to go the Suburbs hit a penalty kick to give them a 17-20 lead. Penalties plagued the Rovers all day, as did an Evatt try in the waning moments that the out of position referee called as held up. The final score stood at 17-20, Suburbs.

The following week, the Rovers played host to Akron, needing a win to stay in the top two of the league. The Rovers got off to a slow start, giving up a try, conversion, and penalty kick for a 10-0 Akron lead. Twenty minutes into the half Tony Brown scored a try and Tyler Best converted to cut Akron’s lead to 7-10. Akron scored and converted another try. Then Steve Burke ended the half with a try to make the halftime score 12-17, Akron.

The Akron side scored a try and conversion to extend their lead to 12-24 over the Rovers. Steve Burke then scored another try, which Best converted to put the score at 19-24 with just over 20 minutes to go in the game. However, knock ons hindered the Rovers attack, and they were unable to capitalize on a number of scoring opportunities. It appeared as if Terry Kilbane scored the game-tying try with no time remaining, but upon conferring with the touch judge on the Akron sideline, the referee ruled that Kilbane stepped out and the game was over.

IN A BATTLE FOR RUGBY SUPREMACY, IT'S CLEVELAND OVER PITTSBURGH

By James Ewinger, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Saturday was a perfect day for savoring a Cleveland victory over Pittsburgh on a football field -- even if it was on the mud and grass of Impett Park and not in Cleveland Browns Stadium.

The game was rugby, and the Cleveland Rovers topped the South Pittsburgh Hooligans, 25-10.

The sport is everything football used to be: two 40-minute halves that are exactly that, with nonstop running, pummeling, more running, lateral or backward passing, and then more running.
READ MORE...

MATCH REPORT V. SOUTH PITTSBURGH

The Rovers were back at home at Impett this past Saturday to kick off the month of October. They played host to the visiting South Pittsburgh Hooligans. The undefeated Cleveland side could not afford to look past the 1-2 Hooligans, who had been reasonably competitive in losses to Akron and Eastern Suburbs in the previous two weeks. A healthy dose of Cleveland-style weather left the field nice and sloppy for the contest, and it turned out to be a tough one at the beginning.

The Rovers and Hooligans were both muddied very early on, and it was the Rover’s wing Anthony Spooner who crossed the tryline first. Flyhalf Tyler Best was good on the conversion to give the Rovers a 7-0 lead early on.

Midway through the first half, the Hooligans got on the board, scoring a try of their own moments after another had been held up in the tryzone. The rest of the half was back and forth, with the Hooligans pounding the ball off of the fringes, only to be repeatedly turned away by the Rovers’ staunch defense. The halftime score sat at 7-5 for the Rovers.

At halftime, the Rovers coaching staff and captain Steve Burke were all adamant in stressing that the team was in a fight. They prompted the Rovers to get even lower tackling around the ruck, as it was apparent that it was all the Hooligans had to offer.

Burke, at inside center, scored a try of his own to extend the lead to 12-5 for Cleveland. A few minutes later, Best notched a penalty kick to give the Rovers a ten point advantage. It took the Hooligans just a few minutes to answer back, scoring a try to make in a one score lead, putting the score at 15-10 for the Rovers.

From there on out, it was all Rovers. The Hooligans could not move the ball against the Cleveland defense. Scrumhalf Dan LeMoine was the next Rover to score, pushing the lead back to two scores. The game was capped off with Spooner’s second try of the game, and the final stood at 25-10 for the Rovers. This moves the Rovers to 4-0 in the league (5-0 overall), and sets up a showdown next weekend on the east side against the also undefeated Eastern Suburbs squad.

The B-side match was also hotly contested (ask current Rover Mo Pahulu, former Rover Mike Higgins, and President Terry Kilbane, who was reffing the game). It ended in a 15-15 stalemate.

MATCH REPORT V. ERIE, PA

The Rovers headed out of the state two Saturdays ago when they headed to Pennsylvania to take on Erie. The Rovers expected the game to be their toughest of the season, and it turned out to be. Both teams were trying to stay unbeaten in the league.

From early on, it was evident that the Rovers were going to be in for a slugfest. For the duration of the game, it was a chippy affair, and the Rovers did not get any favors from the short-tempered referee.

It was Erie who struck first, as their lock made his way into the tryzone for the score fifteen minutes into the game. The Rovers found themselves down 0-7 after the conversion. The game continued to go back and forth, with the Rovers right on Erie’s doorstep. A missed penalty, and Erie was streaking down the sideline. After another Rovers penalty, the Erie eight-man took a long run for a 0-12 lead over the Cleveland side with ten minutes to play in the first half.

The Rovers were finally able to get on the board in the waning moments of the half, as flyhalf Tyler Best put a penalty kick through the uprights to cut the Rovers’ deficit to 3-12 at the half.

It was gut check time for the Rovers and their offense, who were being truly tested for the first time in the season. The narrow width of the pitch was not enough to keep the Rovers out of the try zone for long, as hooker Brandon Croley made his way in for the score, and Best knocked over the conversion at the 47-minute mark to get the Rovers within a score, at 10-12 Erie.

Ten minutes later, Best hit true on his second penalty kick of the day to give the Rovers a 13-12 lead. But the game was far from over. At the 64-minute marker, Kevin McNamara and Tommy Moran put a ton of pressure on the Erie flyhalf out of a scrum, creating a cluster in which scrumhalf Dan LeMoine scored his first try of the season to give the Rovers an 18-12 edge over Erie.

Erie, however, did not go away, as they made their way down the field and scored a try to bring Erie back within a point of Cleveland after the shanked conversion. With thirteen minutes to go, it was anyones game. Captain Steve Burke, at inside center, extended the Rovers lead to 23-17 with six minutes left in the game, and effectively deflated the Erie side. The Rovers held on to the lead, and remained unbeaten in the league at 3-0 (4-0 overall), keeping their Midwest hopes alive.

The B-side was more convincing in their effort, taking out Erie 38-0 in the second game. This coming Saturday, the Rovers return home to take on South Pittsburgh at Impett Park.

MATCH REPORT V. STEEL VALLEY YOUNGSTOWN

The Rovers’ first home contest of the Fall 2011 campaign was this past weekend, as Cleveland played host to league newcomers Steel Valley out of Youngstown. The Rovers dealt Steel Valley a bitter welcome to the league, hitting the century mark in victory.

Steve Burke, at inside center, opened the game’s scoring with his first try of the day. Flyhalf Tyler Best hit good, as he was attempting the team’s conversions for the contest. Next up was the outside center, Scott Wallace, scoring a try of his own that was converted. 14-0, Rovers.

The forwards then got their first strike, as lock Tony Brown pick up a try. Best converted. Next on deck was wing Dave Murray, who picked up a try of his own. Shortly after, Wallace scored his second try of the day, and Best hit true again to push the score to 35-0 for the Rovers.

Brian Majoy, starting at lock, which was his third position started at in as many games, crossed the try line next for the Rovers on a penalty play. The next score was Tony Brown’s second of the day. After that try was converted, Burke scored his second try of the half. Wing Tony Spooner then threw his hat into the mix with a try of his own. Best converted on the score for his ninth straight conversion. The half ended with Scott Liechty scoring a try near the sideline. The halftime line stood at Rovers 68, Steel Valley 0.

The second half was ran as a running clock, but that did not stop the Rovers from pushing the score even more. Tony Spooner scored back to back tries to begin the half, stretching the score to 78-0. Hooker Brandon Croley then scored between the posts, and Best converted yet again. The Rovers’ next score came from Dave Murray, which gave the Rovers 90 points.

Zack Stryffeler, moving from the backline to flanker, scored the Rovers’ next try, after which Best converted on his 11th and final conversion of the day. However, the scoring wasn’t done as Scott Wallace crossed the try line for the third try of the day, pushing the Rovers over the century mark. The final Rovers try of the day went, yet again, to Tony Spooner. Steel Valley ended the game with a close try, but it was just to avoid the goose egg, as the Rovers won 107-5, upping their league record to 2-0.

All in all, it was 17 tries for the Rovers on the day. Five different Rovers had multiple tries. Tony Spooner (4), Scott Wallace (3), Tony Brown (2), Steve Burke (2), and Dave Murray (2) all crossed the try line more than once. The other tries went to Brandon Croley, Scott Liechty, Brian Majoy, and Zack Stryffeler.

The Rovers B-side then picked up a win of their own, taking a hard fought 29-17 win from the Canton Mad Dogs.

ROVERS LEAVE PITT CITY IN RUINS

The Rovers took to the road for their first league matchup of the season, heading down to Pittsburgh to take on Pitt City RFC. Last season was Pitt’s first fielding a team in the league, and the Rovers won last year’s matchup. They were looking to do the same Saturday.

The Rovers attacked early, but were unable to get the ball over the tryline early in the game. For the first fifteen minutes of the game, Cleveland spent the majority on the Pittsburgh side of the field, and were finally able to get the ball over as prop newcomer Brian Majoy was able to beat the Pitt defenders on the outside and score the first try of the game, to give the Rovers a 5-0 lead.

Yet another new Rover, and former Pitt player, Zach Stryffler, playing inside center, scored the second try of the game for Cleveland, and fullback Cory Wisniewski converted to stretch the Rovers’ lead to 12-0.

On the ensuing kickoff return, lock Terry Kilbane took a pass down the sideline, waiting until the opportune moment, and passed the ball back inside to supporting eightman Tony Brown, who took the ball the rest of the way for the team’s third try of the day. Wisniewski once again converted for a 19-0 Rovers lead.

The final Rovers try of the half came from wing Tony Spooner, who missed the entire fall campaign a year ago. The score at half was 24-0, Rovers.

After a slow start to the second half, it was Spooner who struck again for his second try of the day. This stretched the Rover lead to 29-0. Pittsburgh was finally able to get on the board after, as the Pitt inside center found a hole to cut the Rovers lead to 29-7.

As the game wore on, the Rovers continued to attack constantly. Flyhalf Dave Murray was able to score, as he hit a long kick over the Pittsburgh defense, and outraced everyone for the long try.

The Rovers defense continued to play strong, barely giving their opposition an inch, and getting the ball back quickly when it wasn’t in their possession. In the waning moments of the game, Tommy Moran capitalized on a Pittsburgh penalty with a quick tap to score and end the game. The final stood at Rovers 39, Pittsburgh 7. Cleveland now moves to 2-0 on the year, winning their first league contest. This Saturday, the Rovers return home to Impett Park to take on upstart Steel Valley out of Youngstown for their second league contest.

FIXTURES UPDATE

May 1, 2011

RESULTS
March 12 | Savannah Tournament - Golden Isles | 29-21 W

March 12 | Savannah Tournament - Dayton | 7-38 L

March 13 | Savannah Tournament - Delingaf | 7-24 L

SCORING LEADERS

Points

1. Steve Burke (25)

2. Tyler Best (21)

3. Dave Murray (11)

Tries

1. Steve Burke (5)

2. Batkiewicz, Pirret, Norman (2)

Conversions

1. Tyler Best (5)

2. Dave Murray (3)

3. Allred, Avallone (1)

Penalty Kicks

1. Tyler Best (2)

CAPPED GAMES are Home. All games are played on Saturdays at 1:00 PM EST. Please come watch a game, learn about the sport, and support a great local team and tradition! All Home games are followed by a Post-match Social at PJ McIntyre's Irish Pub. Our Home Pitch is Impett Park in Cleveland's Westpark Neighborhood - Click Here for Directions.

ROVERS & RUGBY EXHIBITION AT THE IRISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL!
July 21, 2010

THIS WEEKEND! The Cleveland Rovers are proud to be representing the great sport of Rugby in this weekend's Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival at the Berea Fairgrounds. The Rovers will be featured in the new Sports Hall on Saturday 7/24 and Sunday 7/25 from 1-8 PM. Come to the booth and say hello to a selection of our studly ruggers. While you're there, pick up some Rovers gear to help out your favorite team and look great at the same time!

The Rovers will also be featured in an exhibition in the main stadium at the fairgrounds! The 7s and 10s exhibition matches are scheduled to take place on Sunday at approximately 5 PM. Come support your boys!

The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds can be found at:
164 Eastland Rd, Berea, OH 44017

DIVIDE AND CONQUER. SELECT ROVERS TO REPRESENT IN GEORGIA
July 21, 2010

Also this weekend, a select Sevens side of Rovers and Celtic players will be traveling to Lafayette, Georgia where the Chattanooga Rugby Club is hosting their Annual Pitch-A-Tent Sevens Tournament. The tournament will offer both a men’s and women’s social division with trophies and prizes to the placers as well as for team and personal efforts. Free beverages will be available Friday through Sunday, a welcome social Friday night, the main social Saturday night, camping, showers, swimming, whitewater rafting and all of the fun you have come to expect from previous years. If you have never made it, this is the one tournament you don’t want to miss.

Spring Update & Fixtures Change
May 10, 2010

The Cleveland Rovers are set to finish off their Spring 2010 Friendlies schedule with a final adjustment to the fixtures. The May 15th weekend, originally scheduled against Queen City, is now host to the Cleveland Cup taking place in Richmond Heights. The Queen City match will then take place the following Saturday, May 22nd in Cincinnati. The Rovers who currently own a record of 3 wins and 3 losses have shown tremendous improvement this Spring and look to end the season in style; with two wins and the return of the Cleveland Cup to its rightful owners.

Rovers Run for Charity at the 30th Annual St. Malachi Run
March 26, 2010

Grey, rainy skies were no deterrent for the group of Rovers and supporters that ran in this year’s 30^th Annual St. Malachi Run in Cleveland. The course, a 5-mile scenic stretch of road that begins at St. Malachi in historic Ohio City and weaves through the Flats to end back at the church, was just what the doctor ordered for an early Saturday morning workout. With the help of our Rovers, the 30th Annual St. Malachi Run was the largest in history with over 4000 runners and walkers. Proceeds from the 2010 St. Malachi Run will help St. Malachi's Outreach Services. After finishing the race at swift pace, the Rovers joined the other racers at the Post Race Party at McCarthy's Downtown for a pint or two. All had much fun, and this event will surely turn into a yearly Rover’s tradition.

Spring 2010 Fixtures Confirmed
March 18, 2010

The Cleveland Rovers look forward to a fun but challenging Spring 2010 schedule. With three quarters of the matches being Away, the Rovers look to dominate a College-heavy schedule and continue to build upon past success.

Spring Season Practice Information

January 25, 2010

The Rovers are always looking for new members, in all facets. Every season the team gains players, coaches, administrators, sponsors, and last but not least, supporters. Practices are every Tuesday and Thursday at Impett Park in Westpark, Cleveland, Ohio from 6:30 to 8:30 with a few pints afterward. We recommend wearing a Rugby jersey, cleats, and mouth guards, but they are not required. Rovers shorts and socks are available for purchase. You can visit your local Goodwill store, or websites such as WorldRugbyShop.com and RugbyImports.com. All men, aged 18 and older, no matter their level or experience are welcome to come out and play. Those High School graduates and others not yet 18 years of age are welcome and encouraged to come and learn the game, but cannot participate in contact drills until their birthday. Come make your mark on the rich tradition that has lasted the test of time and put a team on the pitch for the last 60 seasons.

Rovers In Vegas

February 18, 2010

Congrats to our three Rovers who competed in the USA Rugby Las Vegas Invitational tournament this past weekend. Derek Imes, Anthony Spooner, and Terrence Kilbane all had impressive showings and represented the Ohio Elite and Rovers squads well. Imes received the Backs Most Valuable Player award for his performance at Fly-Half. The Invitational was set against the backdrop of the City of Sin and the USA 7s International Tournament. Surely, the saying goes "what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," but our three rovers all brought back an impressive experience and a head-start on the Rover's exciting 2010 Spring season.

Spring Practice Update

January 25, 2010

Here are the dates for our spring indoor practices, location, and other info. Spread the word.

Practice Dates

Monday Feb 15 from 8-10pm
Thursday Feb 18 from 8:30-9:30pm

Monday Feb 22 from 8-10pm
Thursday Feb 25 from 8:30-9:30pm

Monday March 1 from 8-10pm
Thursday March 4 from 8:30-9:30pm

Monday March 8 from 8-10pm
Thursday March 11 from 8:30-9:30pm

Monday March 15 from 8-10pm

Location- indoor turf field...running/turf shoes or molded cleats recommended...concrete under

Hits/Ohio Nets Sports

12665 Corporate Drive

Parma, Ohio 44130

(216)265-9300

Super Bowl Fundraiser

February 1, 2010

We are having a Fundraiser this Sunday at the Harry Buffalo in Lakewood from 4 - 6 PM. For a mere $12, you get all-you-can-drink beer and a ticket for a 50/50 raffle. Additional tickets can be purchased 1 for $2 and 3 for $5.

The money will be going towards the plane tickets for for the three Rovers traveling to Las Vegas to represent the Rovers on the Ohio Elite Rugby team. All additional money will go to support club operations.

The Harry Buffalo is covered in flat screen HDTVs, this is a great place to watch some football!

COME ON OUT!
Harry Buffalo
18605 Detroit Rd.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
4-6 PM

Pig Roast a Great Success!

November 25, 2009

The 12th Annual Cleveland Rovers OSU vs. Michigan Pig Roast on November 21st lived up to and the expectations of many of the team's Old Boys and other stakeholders in the event. Just after kickoff, the supply and benchmark of 300 wristbands had been handed out to eager ticket-holding Pig Roasters. Squares were selling like pancakes as the main board and side boards filled up in anticipation of winning cash, a 42" HDTV and other Coors Light and Rovers merchandise. Next year is only looking to be bigger and better. Full report and Pig Roast Photos will be posted soon so be sure to check back! Special thanks to our Pig Roast Committee for all of their hard work organizing the event, PJ McIntyre's Irish Pub and staff, and Coors Light for their generous support.

Mark Your Calendars for the White Elephant Gift Exchange

November 25, 2009

Coming to a TBD December Saturday will be the next exciting Rovers event at PJ McIntyre's Irish Pub; the White Elephant Gift Exchange. Situated on the upstairs stage will be an evening of food, gifts, kegs, comedy and Holiday cheer. All are welcome for complementary pints and food on PJ McIntyre's. Please bring a gift to exchange of a value of at least $20. The gift can essentially be anything, for example, twenty $1 copies of The Matrix, or something idiotic like that. Stay tuned for the exact Saturday in December!