Erie Rugby Club after winning the 13th Annual Mad Anthony's Ale Rugby Tournament.

(Back Row L-R: Jeff Bagnoni, Dan Wingerter, Josh Jaeger, Dave Banta, Kevin Jackson, Adam Mook, Kevin McCaslin, Keith Featsent, Mike McKenzie, Matt Verga, Mike McNamara, Mike Vulgar, Dale Bokshan, Jack Jaeger, Curtis LeSuer, Jim Shippling, John Humphrey -- Front Row L-R: Phil Sciaretta, Pete Barry, Len Weidner, John Lesniewski, Austin White, Tom Tredway, Rob Parsons, Rob Kelley, Steve Hogan, Jason Deitzel, Joe Perenic -- Foreground: Bob Nelson)
**Not Pictured: Jeremy Jaeger, Adam Kessler, JJ Brown, Shane Hoyne, Sean Asp, Casey Jones

This weekend was a very special one for the Erie Rugby Club. Saturday was Erie's 13th Annual Mad Anthony's Ale Rugby Tournament...which is held on the Edinboro University campus, in conjunction with the Scottish Highlands Festival.

This year, we hosted the South Pittsburgh Hooligans, South Buffalo RFC, Westmoreland Highlanders, and the Rochester Aardvarks...winners of the 11th & 12th Annual Mad Anthony's Tournament. After questionable weather up front, we were still able to host a competitive and fun rugby tournament.

Erie started out against Westmoreland at 11am, and had obvious trouble holding on to the rain-soaked ball. Erie was still able to pull out the "W" with a final score of 10-0. Erie's second game was against a friendly division rival, South Pitt. With a dry ball and everyone on the same page...we sailed comfortably into the finals with our 2nd shutout of the day.

The final match was deja vu of epic proportions, with Rochester edging out South Buffalo to face Erie in the finals for the 3rd straight year. This time, however, the Erie boys were ready. With this ultimately being the last game in an Erie uniform for #5 Keith Featsent, #14 Jason Dietzel, and #15 Rob "Z" Parsons (3 of our key players), everyone had a common goal in mind.

Erie struck first in the opening 10 minutes with a try by flyhalf Adam Mook. After holding them scoreless for most of the rest of the game, Rochester was on the doorstep of punching it in when Rob "Z" Parsons kicked the ball down the sideline and gave chase. As the defense reached down for the ball, Rob kicked it past and into the end zone...and touched it down to lift Erie to the score of 10-0. Game Over.

Adam Mook was voted "Man of the Tournament" for his outstanding effort on the day. Runners' up were Keith Featsent, Downtown Joe, and Rob Parsons.

It was said earlier in the season by team captain Matt Verga, that we "will win Mad Anthony's this year...".

Aaaaand win it we did!

Thanks again for your effort and hard work this season...