Beijing Devils Rugby Club

Profile

Like most of the older Devils members I had retired from playing rugby for many years prior to arriving in Beijing. There is something about playing in Asia, and definitely playing for the Devils, however, that keeps me bringing the boots to games and then foolishly agreeing to play. My five years on the Devils executive committee (with stints in the rolls of secretary, treasurer & now Chairman) have been made easy with great predecessors like Drakeford and Edwards to learn from, and great accompaniment from current and past committee members. The highlights of Devils rugby is definitely the opportunity to tour all over Asia but also the hosting of travelling teams. You get a buzz out of showing off your great city but also taking your opposition out on a 5am bender the night before the game.

Quote of the season

“Look at this c*#t, he’s walk’n all over me back”. (Anthony Von Stanke, whilst getting a post match rub down after our YSC game in Seoul. Turns out the guy spoke English but was OK with AVS calling him what he did)

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I Played rugby for 7 years in Luxembourg. My strengths are that I like tackling and I jump in touch, a, my main weakness is that I lack physical impact, but I’m working on it. When there is an opportunity to have a beer and a good pizza I’m often at the Den.

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Position on the rugby field: 20 meters behind the rest of the pack and trying to catch up. As well as prop. I'm slow on the field and I sometimes have sloppy hands.  I also lack the ability to pass well, so I most often run straight ahead when I get the ball.  Off the pitch I enjoy sipping dry gin martinis while wearing my silk smoking jacket.

Quote of the season

"He punched me in the face!" "Who punched you in the face?" "The old tattooed c**t over there."

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I started playing in university in the States and became hooked. Just after graduating in 1991, I came to Asia and have been playing here ever since. I have played for the Seoul Survivors, Kowloon Rugby Club, Singapore Cricket Club, the Beijing Devils and Hong Kong Pot Belly Pigs. I have played in games and tournaments in nearly every country in East Asia including Mongolia, Vietnam, Cambodia and Guam to name a few. In the beginning of my career I played in the back mostly in the Centers or on the Wing. As time crept up, I crept down into the pack playing both second row, and in the last few seasons, front row. My 6 years with the Devils have been some of the most enjoyable and rewarding of my whole career. I will be hanging up my boots, but have no fear, I will be picking up a whistle (and a beer). Like my rugby, I was never a star in the bar, but I certainly can hold my own and positively contribute to the cause. When I am not playing rugby, I enjoy time with by wife and two young daughters. My strengths are running with ball in hand and competently chugging an beer or two when needed. My weaknesses are kicking and pretty girls in short skirts.

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Having started my rugby as a youngster playing at 2^nd row in Bristol, England; it wasn’t long before my talents were ‘spotted’ and the wing position came calling.  As the years passed and my love of cider grew, so did my waistline, thus it is in the centre where I now find my home.  I would describe my rugby as agricultural and uncomplicated; everyone knows the quickest point between A and B is through the bloke in front of you! In the bar, my penchant for 5s always starts well but ends terribly.  A dangerous love of Jaegerbombs usually ends in my ‘stroke’ whereby facial palsy ensues and memory evaporates.  The night will invariably end with me being upside down in a bin somewhere.

Quote of the season

"I got squirted in the face last night" ('Fat' Jack Bembridge)

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Man of few words...

Quote of the season

“If you work all week and then also work the weekend but get the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off then it’s a three day holiday."

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My strengths as a rugby player are mainly ball handling skills and ticker. However I am not a very experienced player in comparison to the elderly boys. I have been rugbying for 2 years.

Quote of the season

“If ignorance is bliss, then I am a happy man”

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I started rugby at an early age in the youth section at Fordingbridge RFC, in Hampshire. Flirted briefly with the back row, but found my calling up in the front. Played on throughout school in Bristol and University in Edinburgh, before moving to Beijing. Worst downer of a pint in the club, bar Ker but pretty good at putting away a LIIT or two. Best party trick: passing out off the top of the Den bar (God bless Jackson’s strong arms and cat like reactions!). Favourite Devils moments include: Bledisloe Cup in HK ’08; Tour to Seoul ’09; Xiamen 10’s ’10, George Waite’s boundless enthusiasm (and innovation) for Father Abrahams, Alun Richards’ bedtime stories  and Dafs Woodward’s downing a pint out of some blokes prosthetic leg. Very weird.

Quote of the season

"I can’t think why we broke up…Nope. No idea." (Graeme Ker)

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I played football for about 15 years in Sweden, not much rugby there so I discovered the joy of playing in China for the Devils. Work keeps me pretty busy and I miss a lot of the season, but I love playing the game, just a terrible catcher. Being a lightweight I can probably drink about two beers before I’m out.

Quote of the season

"Straight ahead of oneself, one cannot get very far." Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

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I started rugby when I was 13 years old, and since then I love it. I played centre for 3 years, but I found it too boring, that’s when I decided to try flanker, and after a few games of hitting my head I decided that was my position. I played In San Martin (Argentina), DeA Tigers (Hong Kong), Shekou (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Dragons(Shenzhen) and now the honourables Beijing Devils. My weakness is downing pints, I will have to work that with the master Pauly!!

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I have been playing rugby since I was about 17 years old, but went on a 2 year break to "consider-my-options” whilst in London from ’06-’08, which translates as 'I couldn’t be arsed to travel to a club outside of London'. I'm a strong runner with the ball in hand. I definitely need to improve awareness in open play, and looking to offload the ball quickly when the game line has been broken.  Good at winding up the Frenchies and no lightweight at the bar, but necking two pints back to back leaves me struggling. Cannot find any comrades yet in the team to embrace ‘buca with me. Is there anyone out there?

Quote of the season

“You ******* French ****, why the **** did you ******* try to ******* do that. ****." (Graeme Ker, to Paul Vivet’s attempt at drop goal (and missing) whilst ignoring an overlap of 3 players)

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When Marko is not busy saving the world one contractual review at a time, he enjoys long walks on the beach, silk sheets and drowning owls. On the rugby pitch he is a player of wrist-breaking ability and never fails to give at least two thirds of a hundredth of a percent at training.At the bar Marko is known to be one of the most enthusiastic participants. This consistency is matched only by the sure fire fact that he will be taken home in a sorry state by his better half at approximately 10.30.

Quote of the season

“How do you circumcise a Redneck? Kick his sister in the chin.”

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I've been playing rugby since I was nineteen: always the first in the boat race, a good jumper in the line out, endurance runner and support player. My weakness is, as with most of the frenchies in the team, I just can't play with the hands if you give me the ball, don't expect me to pass it! My tackles has to be worked harder in training in order to increase their efficiency. What do I like to do when I am not rucking and mauling????? Eat a good chicken curry at The Den waiting for someone to be able to chug a pint as fast as me.

Quote of the season

"On n'est pas venus jusqu'ici déguisés en feuille de choux pour se faire brouter le cul par des lapins"

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Solid defence and many years experience, not so fast to be as winger, as one player of rugby around eleven years including two years in university (I've been with the Devils for a record nine years). I like to travel around in China and other countries, reading books and listen classic music.

Quote of the season

"Beat Shanghai Crabs inside and outside pitch"