Anyway,  the Spring season concluded May 16th with our newly renamed Tourney.  The S.L.U.T (Spring league ultimate tourney) replaced the TIT this spring to better reflect the membership of Toledo into a local spring league comprised of area teams that were not in the Midwest playoffs.  Six of the ten teams were represented at the Tourney, with Grand Rapids besting Dayton in a hard fought final to secure the inaugural season's championship.  Toledo went 2-0 and won the second tier championship by beating Michigan and southbend.  The most interesting match of the day however was the Detroit Dogs v The Toledo Fossils in a rematch of the two ole boy squads fall competition.  The Fossil's, lead by ultra veteran Mike Fosnaugh, bested the traveling Dogs, and sent them yelping back to the bar where the two sides drank 6 cases of beer waiting for the rest of the tourney participants to join them.  All in all, the Spring league provided good competition for Toledo, (which went 2-2 in the new league) and offered a multitude of much needed experience for the young team which will serve them well in the regular season beginning in September.  Other friendly completed the Celtics season and included wins vs CMU and a drubbing (albeit an educatinal one) by the Tradesmen. 
 
For the summer, practices still continue on Tues and Thursdays at Sterling park at 5:30.  We are actively recruiting new players, especially recent grads from our local highschool programs at Perrysburg, Anthony Wayne and Findlay.  The celtics are also welcoming back some of our collegiate and military players that have been gone for some time.  The summer schedule, while meant for more fun than hard work, is a way to improve the team's overall fitness and preparedness for the tough DII fall season.  While hopes to participate competitively in the midwest Sevens series look to be scrapped,  Toledo will be attending and looking to win the following events
Cleveland Rock and Roll sevens on July 11th, the Ft. Wayne Three Rivers tourney (fifteens) on July 18,  Canton hall of Fame ten's tourney on August 1st, and the deense of our trophy/championship at the Marion/Bucyrus Bratwurst festival August 22nd. 
Also, for those interested, the Midwest Union has reinstated the LAU or "select side".  This means that our Michigan Union will be holding Tryouts on SUNDAY JULY 26th in Elkart to create a competitive team to enter.  It is suggested that anyone on our team with an interest should make an effort to go.  Not only will it give you an opportunity to play at a higher level and get noticed by National team coaches, but offers an opportunity to play with the area's most highly skilled players.  Toledo has alot of talent, and it would do us well to be represented properly on the select side.  For more info please ask Mantei.  The issues of politics and disorganization from years past seem to have been addressed and corrected.  This is a great opportunity to play some competitive rugby and learn more, as well as guage fitness and readiness for the fall.  In short, don't take the entire summer off, as it will put us behind the eightball  in terms of fall season readiness.  Summer tourneys are fun, cheap and can break up the monotany of a tiresome routine.  GET TO PRACTICE AND GET TO A TOURNEY.  GET FITTTT.
Socially this summer, there are several team events.  The first is jerry Brown's party/band jam atmanos Greek restaurant/the Attic, downtown (off of Adams) on Sunday June14th at 4pm.  There will be plenty of live music from local bands including Jerry's own, as well as food and spirits, good comraderie.  The team should have good participation there.  It starts at 4pm and goes until you get your ass home.  The second event is mantei's bachelor party on July 18th.  It is at tremainsville Hall beginning at 7.  Details will be posted on the website.  the plan, according to Mantei (assuming the blood clots have left the body) is to stay the night in a nasty, overcrowded, pungent hotel room in Ft. Wayne friday nite (while seeing the best Ft. Wayne has to offer, using the Ft. Wayne ruggers as tourguides/companions) Compete at and win the Three rivers tourneyon Saturday, then return back to Toledo to resume the debauchery at Tremainsville hall.  Again, seek Mantei for details.  All are encouraged, and expected to take part.  We are still aslo meeting at the Lair on Thursday evenings to replenish fluids soaked out in practice.
Lastly, the Fall League Season scheduled has been made.  We have a very favorable schedule as far as travelling goes.  Sept 12  v Lexington, Sept 19th @ pittsburg,  Sept 26th v Scioto, October 3rd @ Southbend, Oct 10th v Chicago Blaze, Oct 17 @ Grand Rapids, Oct 24th Coon n Hound match and on Sat&Sun Oct 31-Nov 1 are the first two rounds of the playoffs.  We are looking to host these playoffs as it makes sense geographicall.  The playoff system is a bit different from years past and will likely require to play both a match on Saturday and Sunday.  We are currently going to pencil in a non-league, preseason match vs Cleveland Eastern Suburbs on Sept 5th, but nothing official yet.
 
See you all at practice/the hospital/jail/lair