I received an email Friday from 'used-to-be' former Philly-Whitemarsh standout prop Jay Kolb. He had received the latest email from the club. He was excited to hear that the team was playing in the area of his home in Bethlehem. I immediately replied, 'Bring your boots.' Then Jay sent back, ''I don't know about that." I was busy tracking down 15 for the match, so we left it at that.

Jay did not arrive at 1:00pm to watch the match but was one of the first to arrive at more like 12:05pm. I gave him a hug - still not thinking he would play - I just hadn't seen my 'used-to-be' former teammate, we figured in maybe seven years. It was at Saranac in 2002 we surmised. Jay played for a PW / Cleveland combined side that won the Over 35's. I think it was the year that Pud and I played every hour on the hour in both Saranac Lake and Lake Placid shuffling back and forth to play for the Brockport Doggies club team in Placid then jump in the car to make the kickoff in Saranac for the over 35s team and back and forth again and again and again. It was insane. The two of us played 5 games before 2:00. I digress.

McLean and I were busy calling cell phones and tallying jersey #s in the parking lot. I convinced Jay to at least 'go get your boots'. Mark Nuttel showed up. I knew Mark Sanders, Lex McCurry and Jeff Schmidt were coming. All I knew at that point was that we had enough for an over-45s 7s team, which I believe is an oxymoron in itself.

The team trickled in - it was touch and go but we gathered our squad and ran out on the field to start the game. Jay said as we were running on the field, "I can give you a half." I said, "Great, I'll talk to you at halftime."

Jay ended up scoring the only two tries for PW of the match, one in the first half and one in the second. I venture to guess that he has never done that before. We appropriately named Jay, Man of the Match. The final score was A-Lot to 12. (Siano conversion for the record.) Lehigh Valley out classed us in the backs and deserved every try that they put on us.

We're eking along. We get a little stronger each week. It isn't easy, but we are moving forward.

Visit EPRU D3 Standings ->

PWRFC v. Lehigh Valley
1. Freddie Koniecki
2. Mark Sanders
3. Jay Kolb
4. Mark Nuttel
5. Pete Lockard
6. Mike Burns
7. Lex McCurry
8. Bob Haller
9. Jeff Schmidt
10. Stephen Siano
11. Ali Moghaddam
12. Justin Boehert
13. Matt Quigg
14/15. Bobby Carroll
Coach: Keith McLean

Next week we play Second City. Bring your boots or your kids, or your boots and your kids. Join us.

This weeks game was played at Monocacy Park, Bethlehem

Next week's game is yet to have a location set.