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Results
W 39 - 9 New Haven A vs New York-Manhattan A
L 5 - 12 New Haven B vs New York-Manhattan B
A-Side Report
The top seeded Old Black overcame a tough first half to post a 39-9 victory over New York/Manhattan (NYM) in a NERFU/Met NY crossover playoff game. The win puts New Haven into the NRU Championships in the spring with the #1 seed. First up is NYCONN, winners Saturday over the CT Yankees, and then depending on results either Old Blue or the Wolfhounds.
Photo credit: Michael J. Fischer
#8 Pete Pereira takes on two NYM defenders as he heads towards the try zone.
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On a cool day at East Shore Park, the #4 seeded visitors from New York exhibited neither nerves or signs of intimidation, taking the opening kickoff and converting that possession into a successful penalty kick just 2 minutes into the game from just outside New Haven's 22. New Haven would even the score 3-3 shortly thereafter on a penalty kick from wing Dave Fischer at the 5 minute mark.
Penalty kicks represented the most effective offense for both clubs in the first half as neither side could crack the opposition's defense. NYM converted 2 more penalty attempts (1 at the 15 minute mark and 1 at 35 minutes) while New Haven's only other attempt at goal in the half went wide.
Defensively, NYM was keeping their fullback up close and stymieing New Haven's attack. While this alignment meant they could be susceptible to deep kicks, New Haven failed to exploit this opportunity. Also to their credit, NYM's first half tackling was sure and did not yield any long runs to the Old Black. Also hampering the home squad's efforts were 7 knock ons.
On the positive side, New Haven's forwards were able to move the larger NYM pack in the scrums, stealing 7 NYM putins while losing only one of their own over the course of the game. NYM's height advantage led to some difficulties in the lineouts, but adjustments were made to ensure that New Haven could secure their own throws.
Defensively, the whole side played well and held up against pressure from the opposition. Still, halftime presented a 9-3 deficit for the Old Black. Coach Frank Heaven's exhortations to his charges could be heard on the sideline.
However, the second half did not begin well for New Haven as the kickoff from NYM was fumbled away. The Old Black overcame this miscue and momentum began to swing towards the home team. A chip kick by flanker Pete Pereira was fielded by wing Leo Connors who sprinted in for a try in the right corner. Fullback Jacko Ah Hoy slotted the tough conversion and New Haven had it's first lead of the day, 10-9, 5 minutes into the half.
New Haven would quickly build on this success as a penalty against NYM set up a lineout deep in their territory. An effective driving maul put the defense on their back foot and allowed inside center Jason Smith to knife in for a try at the 47th minute. Dave Fischer would add the conversion for a 17-9 lead.
Contributing to the sudden offensive success was better ball security by New Haven, as the knock on issues from the first half were greatly reduced. Also NYM's tackling, which was so sure in the first half, now began to exhibit occasional lapses.
Following a penalty kick by Jacko Ah Hoy to put the score at 20-9, New Haven withstood an offensive surge from NYM. The Old Black defense held the visitors at bay until a clearing kick from flyhalf Brendan Leahy relieved the pressure.
Free from the shadow of their own goal posts, New Haven worked the ball into NYM territory for an unconverted try from Jacko Ah Hoy at the 65th minute. #8 Ewan Robinson would add a try for the forwards on a pick up from a scrum deep inside NYM territory. His score and Fischer's subsequent conversion extended the lead to 32-9 with 8 minutes remaining.
The Old Black closed out the scoring with a second try from Jacko Ah Hoy in the 79th minute. Jason Smith set up the score by kicking from his own 40 meter line over the drawn up NYM defense. Ah Hoy fielded the loose ball, evaded a defender and headed for the try zone. The conversion was good and New Haven secured a 39-9 victory.
B-Side Report
New Haven's second side was unfortunately able to capitalize on the success of the first, falling to the NYM B-side 12-5.
Early in the first half, NYM was able to put in a converted try for a 7-0 lead. NYM went right back into New Haven territory, but an extended period of strong defense prevented the visitors from adding to their lead.
Eventually, New Haven was able to gain possession and threatened to reply with a score of their own. An infraction against NYM set a shot at goal from scrumhalf Mike Longo.
The kick was no good, but fortune swung right back in the Old Black's direction as the 22 from NYM went directly to touch. New Haven was awarded a scrum and Mike Longo unloaded to a charging Jay Rubino, who's try closed the gap to 7-5.
The second half saw more back and forth action from both teams, but the score remained unchanged. An unusual chain of events led to NYM extending their lead. New Haven was penalized inside of their 22 right in front of the posts. The NYM flyhalf set the ball up for a penalty kick attempt and referee Bart Messina signaled that a shot at goal was forthcoming.
Instead of attempting a kick, the NYM player tapped the ball and swung it out to his teammates. The initial surge brought NYM close to the New Haven try line. After recycling the ball a few times, NYM was able to power over for a try and 12-5 lead.
Late in the game, New Haven had one more opportunity with a penalty 10 meters out from the NYM try line. The NYM defense met the challenge and didn't yield any points. The game ended a couple of minutes early by referee's decision. Throughout the second half, the level of chippiness from both sides had escalated. Following an unpleasant episode from a New Haven player after a penalty was called on the Old Black, Bart made the prudent decision and ended the game.
Notes
Coach Frank Heaven is now 10-1 as Head Coach including three preseason
wins...Chris Serjak (formerly of Santa Monica) played well in the last match
of a brief stint with New Haven before heading off to Iraq...after the end
of the B-side match it was clear that Crazy Dave has officially relinquished
his position as craziest New Haven player...Bart Messina refereed the B-side
match in a very snappy blue-green Newport Rugby warmup suit...NYM left the
post-match function early, apparently rattled that their bus driver had
managed to hit Rugger's truck (and become the first ever bus driver to win
the Cock award)...Jason Smith nearly netted the Cock himself for a
self-nomination as Man of the Match...the post-match celebration blended
into an early Halloween party at Anna Liffey's...Jarod Morrison followed his
brilliant Hulk costume from last year with a costume to philthy to mention
on a family website, while RGT's take on Shirley Vader (Darth's 2nd wife)
won Scariest Costume.
Man of the Match
A - Jason Smith
B -
Rugger
A-side Scoring
Tries (5) - Connors, Smith, Ah Hoy (2), Robinson
Penalties - Ah Hoy 1/1, Fischer 1/2
Conversions - Ah Hoy 1/2, Fischer 3/3
B-side Scoring
Tries (1) - Rubino
Penalties - NA
Conversions - NA
A-side Lineup
1 Tim Kearns
2 Matt Piccirillo
3 Burt Hale
4 Ed Piekarski
5 Sean Sierra
6 Sau Ah Loi
7 Victor Milani
8 Ewan Robinson
9 Jarod Morrison
10 Benny Boutaugh
11 Leo Connors
12 Jason Smith (Captain)
13 Andrew "Tui" Osborne
14 David Fischer
15 Jacko Ah Hoy
A-side Reserves
16 Tony Sollima - 30' for Kearns
17 Pete Pereira - 35' for Ah Loi
18 Brendan Leahy - 50' for Boutaugh
19 Chris Serjak - 50' for Hale |
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Match Results
