Martin Pengelly
@martinpengelly
Writer and editor, Zeteo and Guardian US. Will talk politics, history, books and rugby, author of Brotherhood: When West Point Rugby Went To War (Godine) and The National Maul on Substack.
New at The National Maul, on MLR's future and Anthem RC's past. Writing and reporting on US rugby, free in your inbox every Friday unless you'd like to support… thenationalmaul.substack.com
Leeds mini rugby defenses of the mid to late 80s simply stood no chance.
Anything Rock Creek can do, Roundhay Park can do too. Except bald eagles, turkey vultures and RFK Jr bathing in liquid shit. Except those.
Roundhay Park Reflecting Pool in Rampant Algae Scandal - No Bid Contract Sought. • Duck indicted on vandalism charge after seen touching pool bottom in pursuit of bread lobbed by toddler. • Jeanine Pirro seen enjoying cup of tea at Tropical World Cafe. • More coverage, Pages 2-176.
Proper rugby morning, Ellicott City, MD. U7 to U16, games and rugby families everywhere.
Happy Fourth from The National Maul, where I've tried to write about the meaning of America & American rugby, with help from Scott Lawrence, Georgie Perris-Redding & the Mighty Maryland Exiles… thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/strength-o...
Belated Father’s Day book goodness from @politicsprose.bsky.social, aka Heaven on Connecticut…
New at The National Maul, on the end of the MLR season, the start of the US Eagles summer schedule, the heartbreaking Quinnipiac Women's Rugby lawsuit, and whether Jonathan Swan of the NYT and Regime Change fame is a league fan. Which he is. thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/a-13-match...
The great Matt McCarthy, of Rugby Wrap Up fame, is this week's American rugby lifer on The National Maul… … new writing or reporting on rugby in America, in your inbox weekly, free unless you'd like to support. substack.com/home/post/p-...
And you shall know me by the trail of pieces about books, politics, history, and rugby, and sometimes all four. Today, an interview with Andrew @weissmann.substack.com about Trump, lies and how to confront them, via his new book Liar's Kingdom: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Lots of my old rugby playing shirts have gone to Kid#1, who is 13 and likes the chunky stripes. VAN MILDERT and UN Fijian Peacekeepers in the Sinai (Away, 2001) going nowhere. Some things matter.
Ascent of Whale by Keith Harpooning. Pandemic home art class with kids. Best art thing I’ve ever done. Wish I’d kept it.
New at the National Maul, Chris Mattina's American Rugby Life from Xavier HS to Major League Rugby, the US Eagles and leading the pro players union. The National Maul: new writing on rugby in the US, every Friday, free unless you'd like to support… thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/work-toget...
‘Don’t you dare count us out’: KC women’s sports mogul hails US rugby double-header … a pleasure to interview Angie Long of KC Current about life, rugby and the business of women's sports, before USA v Australia at CPKC Stadium tonight… www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...
NCR All-Star Rugby at Silverbacks Park, Atlanta, GA. More fun than DC politics… if cold…
New at the National Maul… thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/iron-ovari...
The National Maul – subscribe. It's free. Shane Young on Urban Rugby: thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/share-the-... Mark Cuban on his love for rugby: thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/im-definit... Adam Hughes, “skinny ass rugger” poet of Lynchburg, VA: thenationalmaul.substack.com/p/adam-hughe...
Zac Miller – West Point rugby player (and Rhodes Scholar): 19 June 1980 – 1 July 2002.
Area Dad confirms slacking off no longer possible on basement Peloton thanks to poster.