Marine Corps Base Quantico -- It had been the match Capt. Jean-Scott Dodd, instructor, The Basic School, had circled on his calendar for a while.
As the only active-duty Marine playing for the West Potomac Rugby Football Club, Dodd conceded that he had more than a casual interest in Saturday’s date at Barnett Field with the host Quantico Football Rugby Club.
“It’s special,” Dodd allowed after his Beavers broke open what had been a close contest for a decisive 38-12 victory. “It put a little extra chip on my shoulder. I wanted to show a few colleagues and some co-workers what they were missing.”
The Hooligans had made things interesting after Lance Cpl. Brandon Ashby scored a tri to help pull the hosts within 17-12 early in the second half, only to see things quickly fall apart. Some shaky tackling proved to be Quantico’s undoing as rival West Potomac made the most of the late Hooligan substitutions to pull away down the stretch.
“Our tackling kind of broke down the last 20 minutes,” said Quantico coach Chuck “Conan” O’Neil.
The Beavers, whose team was comprised of a number of retired service members from the different branches, dominated most of the day’s sideline throw-ins. The visitors wasted little time in scoring first for a lead they would never relinquish.
But the mutual respect shared by both teams was readily apparent following the conclusion of what was a very physical match.
“Now that was a great time,” Dodd said. “I can’t wait to do it again [when the two teams play again] on Nov. 8.”
Quantico will first look to rebound on Saturday when it heads to Pennsylvania to play the Happy Valley Football Rugby Club.