Mustang Boys Move to State Championship for the First Time in Club History

On Saturday, May 30th, the Saratoga Mustang VT boys hosted its first round playoff match in VYRA play. The opponent was Rutland U19 RFC. Similar to the 2009 Stanley Cup Finals, this match up was a rematch from the year before. Last year, the Mustang boys traveled to Rutland midweek for the VYRA first round playoff match and were sent packing.

After the playoff seedings were announced, during this past week's practice, captains Greg Manning (11th, BHBL) and Ryan Jones (11th, Saratoga Springs) reminded their team of the burning feeling they experienced from last year's loss and how they did not want to nor would allow that to happen again. As the week grew on, the intensity picked up, as did the nerves of the young squad. After all, the team is just three years old, and they were hosting the first round playoff match of the Vermont State Championship. It should also be noted, though, that the boys counterparts, led by Coach Mody, were slated to host the first round playoff match for the second straight year - congratulations girls!

Kickoff was the earliest of the season for the boys; the first whistle blew at 10:00 am. Just minutes before, the coaching staff had some last second roster changes as some players were injured from the NY game held the night before (Saratoga victory over Berkshire!). Once they got everything worked out, Manning (wing) and Jones (fly-half) took control of their team. It was not long before their team took control of the game.

Eight man and forwards leader, Mike Matrazzo (12th, BHBL) used his typical I-am-going-to-run-and-not-let-you-tackle-me technique and fought in for the score at the 10th minute. Unfortunately, it was his hard running that stood him out and caused some foul play to occur at the 15th minute. Matrazzo, although defending himself, lost his cool and ended up with a yellow card and ten minutes to cool off, as did the infracting Rutland player. Playing 14 a side did not hurt Saratoga as they kept the ball in the Rutland half and five minutes later were up 10-0 on an Alex Pulling (inside center, 12th, Ballston Spa) try. The Saratoga backs, led by Jones, played very well throughout the first half. At the 27th minute, Jones kept the ball on a pass from squirrelly and unorthodox scrum half, Matt Bynon (11th, BHBL) and scored his own try. Just before half time, though, Rutland got on the board and started to steal the momentum away.

Coach Tempest was concerned about the momentum shift, especially with the loss of hard hitting and the sure tackling flanker Chris Heckman (10th, Ballston Spa) to a shoulder injury. The captains refocused the team and got them mentally ready again.

At the kickoff for the second half, Saratoga started out like they did in the first half. Hard hits, solid rucking, sure handed passing and proper tackling, along with plain old fundamental play, put Saratoga in the driver's seat as they began to run away with the match. At the 45th minute, outside center and rising star Mike Gonzalez (11th, Saratoga Springs) jaunted in on the far side and then took care of his kicked by sprinting to the middle before touching the ball down. Just two minutes later, Pulling sprinted down the near side before being taken down just shy of the try line. Great support was given by wing Ryan Bobbitt (11th, Saratoga Springs) as he picked the ball and dove in for a 25-5 lead. With the Jones conversion, Saratoga was confident at a 27-5 edge. They did not let up, though, as Pulling continued running like a tank and scored at the 53rd minute. The Jones conversion capped off the scoring at 34-5.

Although no more points were scored, Rutland fought hard and was still pressing Saratoga. The Mustangs were relentless in keeping the ball in the Rutland end. On a kick into Mustang territory, wing Travis Bradley (12th, BHBL) used some fantastic foot work to march a good 20 meters back into Rutland territory. Late into the second half, wing Justin Sarsick (12th, BHBL) used some of his own dance moves to advance the ball deep in the Rutland zone. Impact plays like this, advancing position, kept Rutland off the scoreboard and kept Saratoga churning hard. The final score was Saratoga 34 and Rutland 5.

Looking back at the game, no Saratoga individual stuck out as the game changer. Matrazzo had several big runs and poached the ball like a champ. Bynon played his territory and did not give an inch. Flankers Chris Card (11th, Saratoga Springs) and Cory Baird (11th, BHBL) carried the ball north-south spectacularly and the backs performed very well with key tactical kicks by Jones and fullback Dylan Gandy (12th, Waldorf). All in all, every player that donned the black and red Kooga this weekend was an impact player and a game changer. As atypical as it may be, the game ball went to Saratoga numbers 1 thru 22 for this match.

The Mustang boys will be joining the girls in traveling to the Vermont State Championships this upcoming weekend. Details are still being finalized, but signs are pointing towards a Saturday late afternoon match in Rutland against Essex high school rugby. If possible, please show your support for these young ruggers!