Special report on the Can-Am Torunament from our correspondent Tom Kilburn.

Well, we were certainly humbled. It was the hardest rugby we've played in a long time. A caliber of play equal to a Club side, maybe a little slower but with guys definitely heavier. And every single one of those bloody Americans wears that body armour (shoulder padding), even the freakin' backs. We didn't win any games and we were finished on Saturday night but in true "Men O Paws" fashion we never gave up and came back hard right to the end of each game. We could walk away with our heads held high, although the rumour around the hot tub after the games was "body armour" was on everyone’s Christmas wish list for our return next year. All the boys, and women, behaved themselves except for a certain Keith "Spanky" Mclaughlin who had to be disciplined in the Pub by a couple of female white water rafting guides. Dan "Clone" travelled the farthest to play the least but did have his 15 minutes of fame and was an excellent dinner conversationalist thanks in part to Tropicana lemonade and Capt. Morgan. Thanks to Karen (Beth), not so good at getting bar maids attention "Flash Flash" but a great anchor on the Bobsled managing to get some beads, if you know what I mean. Lots of thanks to the Niagara Boys, Jim, Joe, John, Ray, and Shawn who added much needed girth and power to the side. Thanks also to Nick, who kept us together on the field and to Don who enjoyed himself so much that he was speechless, or was it that we couldn't understand a single thing he was saying at dinner Saturday night. Don't worry Don, Keith found your credit card at the restaurant, I think it was right before he picked up the tab. A great reunion was held while BBQing lakeside with Phil Gray and family and there was a rumour that the Grays maybe returning to the Great White North in the coming year, or so. We my have a "Clone II" in Brent's "younger" brother Dave who appeared to show a spooky mirror image of "older" brother Brent's style of play. However, Dave is nothing like Brent off the pitch, he's much nicer. Mike T. had a slow start having to turn around at Oshawa because while packing for a Rugby Tour he neglected to pack his Rugby kit. He more than made up for it after being relegated to the wing by putting on a clinic of pounding the ball up the wing, nearly putting it in the corner, until his opposite, from our team, came across the field to step on his hand. Bernie, direct from Owen Sound, looking quite fit (so the women on tour tell me) rambled hard until taking a knee on knee in the last minutes of the last game. After some therapeutic rehab (drinking game in the hot tub) with some young lads on Tour from England he was "good to go" for Saturday night’s festivities. Thanks must also go out to our new friends from Mont. Claire, New Jersey, who with their support on the field and on the sidelines allowed the Lions to put forth valiant efforts. Finally a special thanks to Brent, who’s commitment to bring our team down to the tournament, and stellar play for ours and the New Jersey’s sides, earned him a shot at the finals with New Jersey on Sunday.

In conclusion, this was a magic weekend for the "Men O Paws", families, and guests. It is a rare occasion that one can enjoy excellent quality rugby, great social activities, and the wives, girlfriends and kids leave on such a high that they ALL want to return next year. In fact the consensus is to go down mid-week to enjoy more of what the Lake Placid area has to offer.

Plans are already in the making to tour with a combo 40/ 45 plus team from the Lions and other Toronto teams. Keep it in mind when the time comes. You won’t be disappointed.


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