NOVA 7's

Cancelled

NOVA loses 2 of 3 in the MARFU Championships, but there is hope for next year. New talent, young players may spark a revival in the NOVA 7s program. Stay tuned...

NOVA finished the season with an honorable 28 wins and 10 loses, 2 tournament wins (Norfolk and Summer 7s), but a healthy respect for the competition. Cheers to it all!

After an initial loss to Philly in the 2nd game of the tournament, NOVA regrouped to take the tournament by a score of 14-10. NOVA is ranked #1 in MARFU with two qualifying wins this summer, but will have to play PAC, Washington, and MD Exiles II in the opening pool at the MARFU Championships in Maryland this weekend for a National title birth.

(NOVA I and II at Summer 7s 2004)

(NOVA I)

(NOVA I Scrum vs. PW I)

(NOVA I Defense Saves the Day)

(NOVA II Line-Out)

(Bill Gardner Pontificates)

(NOVA II's Dave Lett Seeking Holes in the Defense)

(NOVA II Ruck)

(Phillipe on the Move w/ Prince in Support)

(NOVA I Line-Out)

(Bacon Makes a Saving Tackle on End)

(Foot-Race for Finish)

Congratulations also to NOVA II for a spirited tournament and a semi-final appearance. NOVA II always finds a way to inspire - and continues to give new players an opportunity to play rugby at the highest level.

NOVA started off the day strong, beating out Wilmington I and MD II, but eventually lost to PAC in the semi-final. PAC and Washington were both fighting hard for a Qualifier win - since both MD and NOVA have won the previous two Qualifiers. PAC would go on to win the Qualifier.

Playing with only 8 (1 substitute) throughout the tournament, NOVA found that heart hath more strength than numbers! NOVA started out the day against a quick Richmond 7 side. Showing eagerness to strike early, NOVA was able to put points on the board right away and take control for the rest of the game.

One of NOVAs truest tests came next against MD Exiles II. Without warming up, NOVA took the field expecting an easy game against the second side. How wrong they were! MD II struck first, and struck hard. Out hustling the NOVA I side, MD was able to get ahead by two tries. Thanks finally to some hard play and game winning finese by Prince Hill, NOVA was able to pull it out in the end to win the game.

Games against Washington and Maryland Exiles I would follow. Defense would be the key to NOVAs ability to overtake the two Eastern All-Star studed squads.

On a quick side-note, NOVA would like to send condolences to Tom Sanders, Maryland Exiles outstanding 7s hooker. Tom suffered a severely fractured ankle during his second match, and we wish him a healthy and fast recovery.

NOVAs final match of the day would require more heart than all game that had gone before. NOVA would play PAC in the finals, and the game would be extended from 14 minutes to 20 minutes. PAC, knowing that NOVA had only 1 sub, would try to take advantage of the situation and win the tournament. How wrong they were. With heart and grit, the NOVA I side, captained and championed by Prince Hill, put everything on the line for the win. With mulitiple players cramping or otherwise injured, NOVA was able to come away with the victory and the hardware.

(NOVA I)

(NOVA VIII)

Congratulations to the entire side. Thanks to Bill Gardner for managing the squad, and to Joanne Furney for providing physical therapy and team support.

Just like Old Faithful, we can always count on Fear to provide us with an interesting experience.

(Camp Oy-Oy-Oy)

(Squirrel Bastes Himself in the Pool)

(Camp Fig)


(Hong Kong 7s Women)

(Hong Kong's Team Mascot)

(Shane and Chico Rucking)

(Give-n-Go from Nate to Charlie)

(Nate in the open vs. Cape Fear Blue)

(Charlie takes on OMBAC winger)

(Nate gallops to the Try Zone vs. Kenyan Exiles)

(Dan Daus scoops off the ruck)

(Nate receives a wide pass)

(Future NOVA player on Atkins)

(National Anthem before Final)

(Figley presents ball vs. Gladiators)

NOVA I and II each played well at this years PAC 7s tournament in Manassas, VA. NOVA I went on to the finals, and NOVA II finished at a respectable 3-1.

(NOVA II defends against PAC II)

(Bill Eckhart takes the ball forward)

(Andy H. gets the ball back)

(NOVA I defends in the scrum)

(Jon Vula looks to pass to Andy Hosier)

(NOVA I line-out)

Maryland Exiles Under Armor 7s
June 5, 2004

Lacking key players in the forwards and back, NOVA went 2-2 in the 1st annual Maryland Exiles Under Armor 7s tournament. After losing to Washington by a single try, NOVA was able to capture a win against Maryland Gold (MD's III side). Upon learning that a few of Washington's players had left the tournament, NOVA and Washington combined forces to win yet a second game against Maryland Gold. NOVA went on to play Maryland I in the quarter-final, but couldn't hold back a strong MD offense.

NOVA II 3-1 in Richmond
May 29, 2004

NOVA II began the day with three quick wins, but loses in the semi-finals to a quality United side. The lesson of the day...FITNESS! The final loss was a result of three errors:

- A mis-tackle in the center allowed the United prop to gallop 60 yards for the try.
- An empty spot at corner-flag allowed United to kick over for a try.
- A simple run between our defenses center and wing gave United their final try.

All-in-all, a painful finish to a good day. The lesson: Easy games are easily won with little or no fitness; but to win tough games, we need to be FIT!

Practices have begun
May 8, 2004

The key now is to prepare for Lehigh Valley, 2nd week in June. We should be in top physical condition by the 1st week in June, and ready to maintain that state throughout the summer.

* Denotes 1st Place in Tournament

Practice Time and Location

Practice will be at Oakton High School Tuesday and Thursday nights at 6:45. To get to practice:

• From I-66, take the Nutley Street exit towards Vienna.
• Once on Nutley Street, make a left at the first light: Virginia Center Rd.
• Virginia Center Rd turns into Country Creek Road - Road will dead-end, Oakton is in front of you.
• Fields will be on the right as you head into the parking lots (behind the main stadium).
• Use only the designated parking lots.

Practice Schedule

- Fitness (30 mins)

- Drills (20-30 mins)

- Play 7-on-7 touch (1-1.5 hours)

NOTE: Bring running shoes for fitness.