Legends of the Fall 2011

I believe in the tight five,
That unstoppable force that guides us forward
The power that binds them together
Always pushing as hard as they can
towards an unreachable goal

I believe in the back row
Those souls torn between the power and the glory
Those creatures that hunt in packs,
but often punish and bleed alone
Those magnificent bastards that come out of no where
to teach an uninitiated back why people say “heads up”

I believe in the half backs
The ones that are charged with doling out the riches,
Won by the forwards, and given to the backs
to turn them into good fortunes.
The generals who launch there charges into the fray,
Or play the tactical role until the tides have turned.

I believe in the centers
That dangerous tandem that are assigned to
Furiously breach the gap –
Through slight of hand or speed of foot, or sheer determination
Then act as a wall, so that no one shall pass
Or have the will to after they’ve met.

I believe in the back three
The dangerous ones, the speed merchants,
single minded in their madness for the white line
But also acting as the last line of defense
The only thing that stands between our glory or humiliation
They know no fear – they aren’t allowed

I believe in our coach,
The one who shows us the way -
Who is charged with the responsibility to show us the possibilities
Warn us of the hardships and the sacrifice that it will take
who does battle vicariously, never truly knowing
the taste of blood – but still marshals us on.

I believe in the Loyalists, this band of brothers
Bound together in blood, sweat and dedication
Where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,
Where believing in each other is the only thing
standing between what we are
and what we can ultimately be, Truly…………
Legends of the fall.

9 members like this

Comment by Nancy MacAfee on August 18, 2011 at 8:38pm: Scott, Who wrote this? Was it Peter? It is great!

Comment by Scott MacAfee on August 19, 2011 at 8:13am: I think I wrote this in 2001 - Felt like a good way to start the season for the men and to start the second seson for the Women.

Good luck and Hard Work to all three teams this weekend...

Comment by Drew Carleton on August 19, 2011 at 1:49pm: Gives me chills every time I read it Scotty...

Comment by Lori Walls on August 24, 2011 at 12:02pm: It is awesome Scott. Great job.

Comment by Peter Pacey on August 25, 2011 at 2:05pm: I agree Scottie a very good poem! Thanks for mistakenly attributing it it to me Nancy, that in itself is a compliment.

Scott, I think you have really captured the various roles, responsibilities and the very spirit of rugby and our club through this Legendary tribute. Well said! Peter

Comment by Jeff Appleby on August 26, 2011 at 11:26am: Every position is the most important but not important unless part of the whole.

You, Scott are a poet.