Coach Chuck “Conan” O’Neill remains confident that his Quantico Rugby Football Club will someday be the team he envisions.

He thinks the Hooligans will have the critical experience they need to be competitive, they’ll consistently make tackles in the open field and they’ll effectively communicate on defense to prevent big plays. In the meantime, however, there could be a few more days like Saturday’s thumping at the hands of visiting British Intelligence Corps Rugby Team.

The more experienced visitors dominated Saturday’s match from the outset, repeatedly winning scrums and taking advantage of Quantico mistakes to breeze to an easy 106-5 season-opening decision before a handful of friends and family at Butler Stadium.

“We need to be more consistent,” said O’Neill, a retired colonel. “But it’s hard when you have a bunch of guys who have had just two or three practices and you’re playing a team as experienced as the British.”

Hooligans winger Sgt. Ronald Vargas echoed similar thoughts as the match quickly became one-sided, but said he was thrilled with the experience his many novice teammates took away from competing against a British squad that was playing its final match of a nine-day U.S. tour.

“I can’t be mad,” Vargas said. “It’s a learning experience.”

But the day’s memorable experience extended well beyond the field for both teams, who parted amicably before heading off to socialize with one another.

The British squad, which spent its tour in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area, did not play in the 2012-13 season as most of its team members were serving in Afghanistan, often working with U.S. Marines in combat.

The leaders of both teams, Capt, Rob Kelm of the Hooligans and Capt. Alex Menelaou of the British Intelligence Corps Rugby Team , said the rugby match was an extension of that cooperation because of the similar teamwork and communication skills necessary.

“It’s been an honor,” Menelaou said.