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BOSTON, MA – The University of Maine at Farmington men’s rugby team got to Logan Airport Thursday morning prepared for almost anything. Except an Icelandic volcano that was just beginning to bring European air travel to nearly a complete standstill.
By Thursday evening, the 18 UMF players were supposed to be meeting their tour bus and driver at London’s Heathrow Airport. Instead, with all flights canceled, they were checking into Boston’s posh Omni Parker House Hotel, courtesy of British Airways. Friday morning the team tried again to fly out to begin a planned 10-day rugby tour that had been over a year in the making, but England was still a no-fly zone and the team had to make due with a complimentary brunch that included sampling of Parker House rolls and Boston cream pie, two original Parker House creations.
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There was rugby on Friday’s docket as well, as the team decided to play its Edinburgh Cup match in the fair city of Boston instead. The intrasquad touch rugby match featured team photos under the chandelier in the Parker House lobby followed by a jog through the Boston streets punctuated by a Dan MacGlashing-led rendition of the classic song “One Saturday Night.” The match itself was a hard-fought encounter, with the green squad, led by green captain and Man-of-the Match Tom Danylik, taking home the Edinburgh Cup bragging rights for the next ten years.
Following the rugby, the team enjoyed a meal together and then the chance to see the sights of Boston. Most good things do come to an end though, and come Saturday morning, with air travel to England still snarled and Boston marthoners arriving in the city in droves, the UMF men’s two-day Parker House stay came to an end, and the players headed off in several directions until they will regroup on Wednesday morning, April 21, to try once more to cross the pond and begin the international part of their tour.
None of the UMF men were happy that an Icelandic volcano put the kibosh on getting to England last Thursday, but with a little adaptability and thanks especially to the generosity of British Airways, they did have a two-day rugby tour of Boston that they will all long remember.
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Thanks for the update , I hope the events will start to turn in UMF favor.
Way to look on the bright side of things. This volcano in Iceland has certainly wrecked havoc. I’m sure you’ll keep us posted on the team’s second attempt to cross the Atlantic. A UMF sports team going to Europe to compete…that is certainly not an every day occurrence, and the rugby team can be sure that UMF alumni, staff, faculty, and students are cheering them on!
Hi there
On behalf of everybody at Border Park rugby club I would just like to say how frustrating it is that you guys are stuck on the wrong side of the pond through no fault of your own. Who would have thought a volcano in Iceland could have caused so many problems ! It seems like you guys made the best of things in Boston. Hopefully you can get a midweek flight over here and have an all action , condensed tour, we will make sure it is worth your while !, if anybody can sort it Woody can.
We are all rooting for you guys, hope it works out , we want to see the H. Bomb !!
Best wishes
Billy Robson
p.s. Chip where was the shirt and tie!!
All at Holmes Chapel Rugby club are keeping our fingers crossed that you finally get over to the UK. We will make sure sure you will enjoy your time with us in Chapel. At least Boston is a fantastic city so I’m sure you have all been making the most of your time.
Lets hope for good fortune & we will see you soon. Be prepared for plenty of fun & beer.
Mike