8 0 5 . 8 4 5 .1 6 7 3 | 1 3 3 E A S T D E L A G U E R R A S T R E E T | N O.1 8 2 | S A N TA B A R B A R A
N OV E M B E R 8 – 1 6 | 2 0 1 3 |
5
...continued from COVER
MAZZA’S MISSIVE
And that’s the ball bouncing over the head of the player next to me, just before I grabbed hold of the damned thing and ran like hell.
by Matt Mazza
That’s me, Number 14, holding my position on the flank, just before the ball came my way.
“Don’t know much about rugby?” Doug’s a friendly guy and he was still smiling brightly. “It’s a gentleman’s game, filled with sportsmanship and camaraderie. The boys can be a bit ‘tough,’ I suppose, out on the pitch, but it’s all in good fun. After a match, the home squad always takes the visitors out for a pint and meal. It’s quite an experience, rugby.” He went on to regale me with fantastic
stories from faraway lands – Doug traveled extensively as a consultant in the oil and gas business and played everywhere from Scotland to Australia to Hong Kong to New Zealand and beyond – and explain the basics of the game for which he very clearly has a real passion. “No matter where I was in the world, I’d just look up the local rugby club and go out for a run, and it was like I had family
And that’s me in the grey shorts on the bottom of the pile, just after I’d released the ball between my legs and behind me. (Sort of like giving birth, I think.)
wherever I went,” he reminisced. “And that still happens here with the Grunions; a guy comes into town for business, gives us a call, comes out and practices with us, and we go out for a beer. Like I said, it’s quite an experience.” “Sounds amazing,” I said, and I meant it. “Well why don’t you come out for a
run?” he asked, still smiling. Still friendly. “We have an exhibition match coming up in a few weeks, I can get you out on the pitch.” Doug was serious. And then I sensed it. From somewhere underneath that smile and that friendly demeanor, Doug was sizing me up, daring ...continued p.18