Terry McGuoirk, 52, one of three captains of the MOB team, relaxed with a cigarette after a tough loss to Lockport Lardass earlier Friday afternoon. He started playing rugby with the Mountaineers 36 years ago at the age of 16.

In that time, he’s noticed an improvement in the game, particularly among the older age groups — a sentiment shared by other teammates.

“The competition is just so good,” McGuoirk said.

McGuoirk explained that the newfound quality derives from the fitness of the elderly players. This allows for larger teams of old boys — a term for teams of players 45 years of age and older — as well as more teams of old boys.

Doug Ferris of the Mountaineers Old Boys sends the ball downfield during Friday’s Can-Am Rugby Tournament over-50 division game at Petrova Middle School. (Photo — Kevin Shea)

“We now have an over-55 division. We have an over-65 division,” McGuoirk said. “That was unheard of 20 years ago.”

The MOB has a 67 year old who plays the prop position.

The level of competitiveness also increased when greater preparation started to be put in before the tournament, according to Michael Johnson. Johnson, 53, joined the team in 1990, and explained that practice was not always necessary before playing.

“It used to be a bunch of guys that would go out, drink beer afterwards and have a good time,” Johnson said. “Now it’s competitive. People actually train.”

The continued healthiness of the players can partially be attributed to a few of the rule changes. One such rule is the elimination of limited substitutions. Previously, each team could only sub three players, according to McGuoirk. At the old boys level, teams can substitute freely

This change gives more players a chance for a breather.

The second rule change McGuoirk explained as beneficial was making illegal a move called “raking.” Raking is the act of stomping or scraping at the ball being held by a tackled player who isn’t letting go.

Previously, the referee would only stop play for incredibly vicious raking, and even then that player would still earn the ball. Now, raking earns the player an ejection, according to McGuoirk.

According to McGuoirk, there are have also been other changes in the game to make it safer, and “because it’s safer, you’re having less injuries.”