The 1970's - struggles into growth and success

The early 70's were tough years as the young James River RFC struggled to establish itself. Terry Curtler move to Baltimore in the Spring of 1971 leaving the future of the club very much in doubt.

The club struggled on till the Fall of 1973 when John Mellish became the first official coach of the club, and 'River began a gradual uphill climb to respectability.

Breakthrough in 1974

That Fall was the first time any player from James River made the VRU Select Side. Those in that first class included Herbie Condrey, Ken Byrd, and Bubba Green. While they were the first to be selected, they certainly wouldn't be the last.

1974 also saw another first for the club when James River won it's first title by winning the Norfolk Neptune Ruggerfest when they defeated the Norfolk Irish in the championship game. 'River followed up that two weeks later with a successful run in the Le High Valley Rugby Tournament where they defeated Beacon Hill RFC, Whitemarsh RFC, and host Allentown in route to another tournament championship.

First defeat of Richmond

James River closed out the season with a match against cross-town rival Richmond RFC. Having been a doormat for Richmond for so many seasons and having been considered "the other club" in the city, River had much to prove in this most important match. When the final whistle blew, James River became the top club in the city by merit of their 21 - 12 victory.

The success enjoyed in the Fall of 1974 was a result of a number of factors. Good coaching by John Mellish, leadership by team captain Al Martin, a total dedication by all the players, and last but not least the tremendous support we received from the wives, girlfriends, and friends of the James River Rugby Club lead to the campaign the club enjoyed. As time goes on, some seasons are hard to remember, the Fall of 1974 never will be for those who lived it.

Coach Mellish returned in the Spring of 1975 along with high expectations for another successful run. James River received it's first invitation to play in UVA's Commonwealth Cup then considered to be one of the best tournaments on the East Coast. 'River lost in the opening round to Washington RFC, but went on to beat Vail RFC, and the Atlanta Old White to finish at 2-1. A milestone because the level of competition and experience such a young club to face.

Following the 1975 Fall season, coach John Mellish left James River to become a full time referee. Without a coach, the club struggled throughout the Spring of 1976.

Owen McGuill takes role of player/coach

In the Fall of 1976, Owen McGuill took over as James River's new player/coach. That first season under McGuill was somewhat up and down, but did include two victories over Richmond RFC, and 'River's second Norfolk Neptune Tournament championship. At the Ed Lee tournament that year, James River lost to Roanoke in the semi-finals.

For the balance of the decade, James River held it's own, making its way to the finals of the Ed Lee cup in 1977, 1978, and 1979. Unfortunately, they were unable to get over the hump and lost in the championships in each of those years

The 2000's - a decade of transformation

James River entered the new millennium having qualified for Division II MARFU playoff from their performance in the fall of 1999.

Thief in the Night

Unfortunately, age and retirements struck the roster hard and the side to take the field against Media that spring looked nothing like the James River that had done so well the prior fall.

Among the players who had either retired or moved were 1st side players; hooker Mike Toney, prop Andy Kestner, lock Bob Zeile, Number 8 Mark Griffith, Scrumhalf Shade Wilson, Flyhalf Mark Fowler, Center Mark, and Wing Paul Townsend. Also a blow to the side was to not only lose Mark Fowler as their flyhalf, but also as their coach. His soccer coaching commitments had grown, and made it difficult for him to continue to put in time with the rugby club.

Such a large turnover in players & coach didn't help James River's fortunes, and the boys in blue in green were clearly outclassed by Media lossing 7 - 64 in the MARFU Division II playoff match.

South African, Kevin Fruin took over as coach shortly after Mark Fowler stepped down. Still, the 2000 - 2001 season was not much better with 'River struggling to compete in Division II with a very inexperienced side. In league play James River lost every match to finish one of the worst campaigns in recent memory. The final blow came in the form of a relegation match played against Roanoke at the end of the fall. Despite the return of a few veterans in Todd Edwards, Shade Wilson and Mark Fowler, James River just didn't have a enough to pull out the win.

In the end, age was the great thief in the night turning a team which only one year before challenged for the Division II title into a shell of it's former standard.

Regroup & Redevelop - Division III

Following the loss of the Relegation Match, James River moved back to Division III. 'River also, lost the services of it's coach Kevin Fruin as he returned to his native South Africa.

The spring of 2001 saw Tom Gardner take over as coach, and former scrumhalf Shade Wilson come back on board as an assistant coach. Play began to rebound, but the team was still relying on players too long in the tooth.

At the start of the 2001 - 2002 season, Shade Wilson took over head coaching duties, while taking on the role of player/coach. That fall, back in Division III, James River was able to return to winning ways, and finished at the top of the VRU Division III and qualify for the MARFU playoffs in the spring.

The side was a mixture of young players including Matt "the younger", Jim Weaver, Jeb Tate, Greg Wood, and older veterans with the likes of Todd Edwards, Ted Dinch, Pete Russell, Mike Tait, Ned Theakston & Will Thornton.

The boys in blue and green managed to make it to the quarter finals at MARFU where they lost to Reading RFC in quite possibly the closest manner possible. At the end of the match down, 28 - 31, James River was awarded a penalty kick. Back out of retirement, flyhalf Mark Fowler with a smooth stroke, kicked the ball towards the posts. His aim was true, but the distance was literally one inch short as the ball bounced off the center of the cross bar - game over.

New Guard takes the Lead

That season was the last hurrah of the old guard, and the following 2002 - 2003 season the full transition to younger players took hold. Coming into the club were players like Aubry Ellis, Paul Pace, Mike Wood, Jason "Flake" Smith, and Travis Hearn. The 2002 - 2003 season proved to be a learning experience as so many players were so new to the game. 'River finished a respectable mid-table 3-3 in the VRU Division III league play, but more importantly, the process had begun.

In 2003 - 2004, James River had more young blood coming into the fold as Matt Balazik, Billy Wallace, Adam Floyd, Ryan Kennedy, Luke Quinlan all stepping onto the rugby pitch for the first time. Also coming over from Richmond United was savvy veteran Jonathan Leach. Again, the name of the game was learning. The players made great strides, but weren't able to deliver the final results just yet in the fall league matches. At the Ed Lee Cup that fall the club preformed well, and finished with a decisive victory over Roanoke in sweet revenge for its loss to that club back in 2000. The fall of 2003 also marked the end of Shade Wilson's tenure as Player/Coach as he hung up the Player half of the title to concentrate full time on the Coaching half. Throughout this rebuilding phase for James River, old boy Kevin Kilgore was instrumental in keeping things moving in a positive direction.

However, the biggest event of 2003 - 2004 may have been the return of the Ed Lee Cup to Richmond, with James River as the host. 'River has now hosted the last three Ed Lee Cup's.

Things, started to really come together in the spring of 2004. The club added a top performers in Jason Foresman from Division I power Charlotte, and long time Blacksburg RFC standout Jon Delong when each moved to Richmond.

More importantly, things started to click for the young players, and the standard of play of the club continued to grow. In a foreshadowing of what was to come in the next fall, James River closed out the spring with a decisive 50 point victory over Virginia Beach as 'River showed the full team expansive style of rugby that would become it's trademark.

Phoenix Rising

In the 2004 - 2005, James River enjoyed it's most successful season ever finishing with a record of 20 wins and only 4 losses. Along the way, James River went undefeated in the VRU Division III, and finished as one of the top 16 Division III teams in the country by means of it's 2nd place finish in the MARFU Division III finals.

'River was able to reach this by continuing to add young talent through players like John Pulli, Diego Saralegui, Nick McCauley, and James Nick. They also were able to add veterans when Thomas Goro, John Garofolo, and Bob Sottile all joined the mix.

The following season saw James River improved on it's league performance despite losing some quality players to moves, injury and work commitments.

Promising young flanker James Nick was unable to return from a collar bone injury suffered in the summer. Also falling injured was key finisher Jason Foresman with a separated shoulder in a September match. Sadly, just as Jason was rounding back into health, he accepted a new job in Charlotte, NC. Jason, time with James River was short, but his impact was great helping the club get over the hump and onto winning ways. James River did have some quality pickup including Patrick Benner, formerly of Newport News RFC.

In the end, the story of the fall of 2005 was the depth that was beginning to develop in the club. Despite numerous top line players missing matches, the team was able to play with depth and finished the fall Division III schedule undefeated for the second season in a row.

Not only were they able to win, but did so with style, ending up with a points differential of 237 points over it's six division opponents. The club scored more points (265), but it also gave up fewer (28) than the prior year. Next up, MARFU playoffs in the spring and hopefully a run at National Division III title.

Return to Division II

Following the 2005 - 2006 Division III league success, James River was offered promotion back to Division II. After careful consideration, the club elected to take the promotion and began competing in the MARFU Division II South in the 2006 - 2007 season. The first year back in Division II proved to be a learning experience. The team lost more time than they were used to, but the team did manage to finish above the Richmond Lions who came in at the bottom of the league table again.

Following the merit table matches in the fall, Shade Wilson stepped down as head coach after five years in charge. Citing work and family commitments Shade need to give up the workload that goes with the head coach position.

Patrick Benner takes over

After careful consideration, the executive committee found the best option for the next coach was within, and named Patrick Benner to take over as head coach. Patrick brought an enthusiasm and experience that the club was lucky to find. The challenge now is to continue to build on what was started.