By: Pete Freeman

  On the weekend of March 7, 2020, the Severn Old Salts invaded New Orleans, LA. This was to be a single match against NOLA RFC old boys’ team Les Vieux Garcons. The one-off match was set up by Chris Posko with assistance from Severn and NOLA alums Gerry Gallion and Craig Kohler.

Most of the gang arrived Friday and dispersed throughout New Orleans to sample her goodness. Stacey and I wandered through the French Quarter, the French Market, the Marginy and many other places sampling Oyster Houses, crayfish, and mannnnnnyyyy drinks. We ended the night meeting up with Jeannie and Gerry Gallion, Anne and Wayne Patterson and Marty O’Neill at one of Gerry’s fav restaurants.

During Chris Posko’s negotiations with our opponents, the match changed from being a game at their pitch in conjunction with their club team to our match becoming the curtain raiser for the NOLA Gold MLR team in their stadium, The Shrine on Airline.

Game day arrived and our players started wandering into the stadium. The shrine was an old baseball stadium that was converted to a rugby stadium for the NOLA Gold. The seating wraps the field down one sideline and one end with normal stadium seating and suites above. The other sideline area is open for various pre and post game activities. The pitch itself is beautiful and big. Perfect for a bunch of old guys huffing and puffing its entire length.

  We arrived into the stadium through the “Party Shack” which was opened for us to pre-game and allowed us to mingle with the NOLA old boys. Meeting us there was NOLA Gold owner and old boy player Tim Falcon. Tim pretty much opened the whole stadium up to us and his hospitality was unmatched.

Game time..Severn Old Salts had a pretty good lineup with a mix of crafty veterans, studs of yesteryear and a few “younger” old boys’ players. We started the game matched up well against their squad but as the match went on it was obvious that our hosts weren’t going to let us best them in their stadium, in front of their fans before their MLR team took the field. As hard as we played they kicked up their intensity and we were held scoreless, but a good game was had by all with only a few injuries. Mark Slifer’s torn bicep may have been the worst. It was fun seeing our team on the field with the likes of Dunbar, Frampton and Scotty B creating mayhem, the three Poskos on the field together, and centers Tom Smith and Scuba Steve Palmer stout defense and bruising running. Bart Begley and Brian Frampton came from parts unknown to help bolster our squad. Ed Deming once again was sporting Anne Marie’s underwear. Gerry Gallion split time with both teams since he played with both in the past. Marty O’Neill’s bone crunching defense stopping many a break away, which earned him ‘Man of the Match’ for Severn.

Following the match, we all reconvened at the “Party Shack” for the post-match drink-up. Awards were handed out, friendships were rekindled or made anew, and stories were told. Tim Falcon and his mates once again made sure we were well taken care of with food, drinks, souvenirs, and a brass band.

Soon the MLR pre-game activities started which included youth rugby games with some of the pro players and a second line that ushered us and others to the stadium seating. A second line is a New Orleans custom whereby the Brass band marches onto the field with the fans following waving NOLA Gold towels. Quite a spectacle.

Tim had arranged for us to watch the match up in the owner’s suite complete with food and beverages. NOLA Gold and their superstar #8, Cam Dolan seemed to have control over their opponent, the New England Free Jacks on their way to a 31-22 win.  Following the game, we were invited to the pro players post game drink-up where we were able to mix and mingle with the pros. Pretty sweet.

Following the game and for the rest of the weekend the Old Salts spread throughout New Orleans enjoying the French Quarter, Bourbon Street and the Maginy section of town where we watched many bands, ate, and had many drinks. Craig Kohler got some of us into a local second line. New Orleans was our oyster and we slurped gladly.

My personal thanks to all who ventured down to play or watch. We love you all!!

  You can check out game photos at www.craigboudreaux.com  Look under “Portfolio” then “Sports” then ”Rugby” the “Club/College Rugby” then “ NOLA Vieux Garcons V Severn River 07 MAR 2020.

  Postscript: Several of our peeps came home with an unknown illness. Might have been pre-quarantine COVID but everyone is doing fine.