It was a rainy night at Butler Stadium aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico on Aug. 21, 2013, when the Quantico Hooligans and the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland, 1st Scotts, played the only scheduled preseason game of the year.

The two teams, who were about as different as they could be, spent the last few minutes before the game running drills.

The Scotts were wearing bright yellow uniforms compared to the dark, mean green of the Quantico team. The first had foreign accents and many years of experience, while the accents of the second rang with motivation, as determination and heart substituted for their lack of experience. The former team members were British soldiers, and the latter group consisted of U.S. Marines, a sailor and eight civilians. Both teams were ready for a fight.

“We served with Marines in Afghanistan,” said Lt. Russell Macleod, coach of the 1st Scotts. “We were looking forward to seeing Marines again and playing them in rugby.”

The game began with 15 members on each team fighting to control the ball, slick with rain and sweat, and trying their hardest to maneuver it downfield to score a “try,” worth five points.

“I believe we hit well and won most of our rucks, said Cpl. John Alfano, hooker, Quantico Hooligans in an e-mail. He was referring to a position a team takes to continue playing the ball after a player has been tackled. It happens often in the game. “One big challenge for us was maintaining a defensive line after the first tackle.”

The Hooligans played hard, as noted by the 1st Scotts, even having a member taken off the field by paramedics within the first 30 minutes of the game. But after two 40-minute halves, the Hooligans found themselves congratulating their competitors who won 54-0. It was then off to share pizza and beer.

“The Scottish played well,” said Alfano. “They used their backs well and saw the temporary holes in our defense. I believe the match was a good way for our new players to learn the sport and get a little experience.”

Hopefully, the experience that the Quantico team gained, playing the foreigners, will help them as they are led by coaches Gordon O’Neill, retired colonel, and Capt. Quincy Pearson, past the preseason. The regular season is comprised of 14 games which stretches from September through early April, with the first regular season game at 1 p.m. on Sept. 7, against West Potomac at Butler Stadium.

“We look forward to having a successful season and making the playoffs,” said Pearson in an e-mail. “Our strategy this season is to utilize our speed, conditioning and athletic abilities to be more competitive against our opponents.”

According to Pearson, the team is currently recruiting players. If interested or for information about how to join the team or details concerning upcoming games, visit the team’s Facebook page at Quantico Hooligans RFC.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil