After having an unexpected weekend off last week (4/18/09), the Saratoga Mustang Boy U19's headed to Rutland, VT for an 11:00 am kickoff on Saturday, April 25th. The travel, though, was a little more lean than the coaching staff expected as only 19 boys made the commute. Of those 19, one Mustang, Connor Young (BHBL, 11th), was simply going up to support his team when the coaching staff requested he be ready for game play based emergent needs (special thanks to Connor's dad for 'speeding' through Burnt Hills and Glenville to get his kit to the carpool!).
The match started with the boys seeking retribution for last year's VYRA playoff beating. This focus took over the Mustangs from the outset of the match as they received the initial kick-off and played solid rugby from the start. At the 13th minute, ingenius play by the Mustang scrummie (Matt Bynon, BHBL, 11th) yielded the first points of the day as he dove across the try line for a 5-0 lead. After Rutland fought back and pushed the wing, the Mustangs corrected issues with the back line cheating in and finally started playing smart defensive back line play.
This change allowed the Mustangs to stop the fighting Roosters and turn the ball back into Mustang hands. At the 25th minute, good back play yielded field captain and outside center Greg Manning (BHBL, 11th) the opportunity to over power the opposite line and touch the ball down beyond the try line again. 8-man and forwards' captain Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, 12th) then converted the try for a 12-0 lead.
Using momentum, the Mustangs received the kick-off and marched right back down the field and at the 29th minute, Bynon scored again for Mustangs. Then, right before the whistle for halftime, fly-half, Ryan Jones (Saratoga, 11th) chipped the ball to the wing and charging wing, Mike Gonzalez (Saratoga, 11th) caught the ball on the bounce and scored the fourth try of match on what was most likely the best offensive play of the young season.
During halftime, Manning warned his team to keep their composure and ensure pressure is applied, as Rutland will come out firing. Manning was right as Rutland scored and converted within the first five minutes of the second half. Shortly after, though, Matrazzo scored and converted and Bynon scored again, yielding the Mustangs a 34-7 lead. After flanker Chris Heckman (Ballston Spa, 10th) came out of the game due to injury, the Roosters pushed through and scored another try in their comeback attempt.
This was thwarted, though, by solid play by the remaining starters and reserve Young, who was thriving at flanker, after being proficient really only at second row during training and previous matches. It was in fact, plays like Young's key tackles and hard, short runs, that defined the success of the Saratoga forwards on the day. This success put Matrazzo back into position for another fantastic run late in the match as he capped the scoring with his second try of the match and a 39-12 final score.
In the end, the coaching staff identified co-men of the match as Bynon (scrum-half) and second row, Tyler Krupa (BHBL, 11th). Bynon's quick thinking on penalty plays and command as the 'general' on the field gave Saratoga great scoring opportunities through out the match, including three of his own. Krupa's unselfish, blue-collar like play had him at nearly every breakdown and coming up in proper defensive position 'posting' throughout the match. Although the staff has been driving for everyone to play in this way, Krupa exemplified the strategy throughout and was a key element in the team's success on Saturday.
Saratoga hosts Mad River next Saturday, May 2nd, at noon in the Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta, NY.
19 April 2009
Saratoga Stampede Strong in Season Opener
The first match of the Spring 2009 season saw Saratoga returning a veteran core but with new faces at several key positions. As with any season opener, there were many questions to be answered and the Stampede sought to build upon last fall's successes.
From the opening kickoff, Saratoga completely controlled the outmatched Utica Klubs, driving the ball deep into their opponent's end before turning the ball over. This change of possession, however, did little to slow Saratoga's attack as phase after phase Utica was driven backwards ever closer to their goal line. When the Utica fly half received a pass deep in his own try zone, he was harrassed by two Stampede players as he attempted to kick the ball to safety. The resulting kick hit the back of one of his teammates and fell to the ground where Stampede second row Sean Bayliss fell upon it to open the scoring.
From that point on, the floodgates were opened. Inside Center Jamie Merritt repeatedly pounded the Utica line with punishing runs and Fly Half Doug McCluskey knifed through the opposing defense with seeming ease. Rookie wing Larry Chong proved a solid addition to the team's line as he made tackle after tackle, preventing Utica from probing the Stampede's outside. The Stampede flew into ruck after ruck and kept possession deep within the Utica end of the pitch. The pack continually dominated set play in scrums and lineouts, with jumper Adam DeGeorgio throwing the opponents into confusion; and the line remained unstoppable. Saratoga continued to pour it on, with McLuskey adding two tries and Merrit contributing a third. Fullback Vernon Peek converted three kicks and added a penalty kick to give the Stampede a 24-0 halftime lead.
The second half saw more of the same as the Stampede refused to let their foot off of their opponent's throat. Rucks remained a strong point for the Stampede and newcomer Chris Lord added some punishing hits as the Stampede pack were shocked to see a wing in a ruck! A lone Utica drive midway through the half did see Saratoga back on its heals. The Klubs were able to take advantage of a couple Stampede mistakes to drive down within the five meter line. There, the Stampede's defense stiffened and Utica runners were repeatedly repulsed as they attempted to cross the try line. Finally, under constant pressure, the Utica pack knocked the ball on and Saratoga regained possession, shut-out intact.
The goal line stand saw one scary moment for the Stampede as scrum half Nick DeFilippo lay injured beneath the goal posts. Despite team captain Steve "Aussie" Ristau's calls for a stretcher, the fragile DeFilippo finally got to his feet. With their scrummie back in action, the Stampede continued the attack. After a Utica infraction, Peek let go a brilliant free kick that landed just past the Utica pack but well in front of the opposing wing. The placement of the kick caused confusion within the Klubs and DeFilippo, fresh back from death's door, scooped up the loose ball and sprinted fifty meters for a try that seemed to break any remaining spirit that Utica had. Saratoga added a final score as eventual man-of-the-match McCluskey added his third try of the game with Peek adding his fifth conversion of the day.
Final score, Saratoga 43 - Utica 0.
Utica remained unable to stop Saratoga in the teams' B-side match. The highlight of that contest being a fantastic sixty meter scamper by rookie wing Ben "Sticky Fingers" Yamane, who outraced the entire Utica team and sprinted sixty meters into the try zone, where he proceeded to drop the ball as he attempted to place it on the ground. Undeterred, Yamane added his first career score on a similar dash down the right sideline into the try zone. Veteran newcomer to the Stampede Tim Smith added a cagey score on a penalty run.
All in all, it was an excellent start to the spring season and the team looks to build upon this success going into next weekend's tournament in Potsdam, New York.
12 April 2009
Essex HS Too Much for Mustang Boys to Start Season
The Saratoga Mustang Boys U19 RFC - Vermont side - traveled to Essex Junction, VT on Saturday, April 11th to kick off the 2009 season. With high school spring break and family vacations in place, along with some miscommunication between players and the coaching staff, the side traveled lean with only 18 bodies to the match, 1/3 of which were kitting up for game play for the first time.
The game kicked off around 15 minutes later than expected, but Saratoga was ready to go at the first whistle. Play stayed mainly within the 22 meter lines throughout much of the first half with both teams progressing up and then turning the ball over. It was obvious at the beginning that the long off-season had taken away the fluidness that made Saratoga strong late in the 2008 season. Throughout the first 35 minutes, Essex was able to capitalize on overloads on the wing twice to take a 12-0 lead into the half. However, great leadership skills by captain and scrumhalf, Greg Manning (BHBL, 11th) and flyhalf, Ryan Jones (Saratoga, 11th) kept the players aware and re-focused on roles and responsibilities.
No personnel adjustments occurred at the start of the second half, but Jones, Manning and forwards captain and eight-man, Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, 12th) reminded the Mustangs that the deficit was essentially nothing and that the jitters were gone and it was time to play rugby. Five minutes into the second half, though, Essex took that message and put the ball in goal again for a 17-0 lead. Throughout the second half, Essex had a yellow card and red card to give the Mustangs a chance, but it was lack of fitness and inexperience that kept Saratoga from finding the scoreboard.
Matrazzo, flanker Chris Heckman (Ballston Spa, 10th), lock Bryan Harrington (BHBL, 12th) and prop Tony Fusco (BHBL, 11th) all had some monstrous runs throughout the second half, but there was not enough support from ruckers to maintain possession and the balls were lost. When the final whistle blew, Essex won the match 37-0 over the traveling Mustangs.
All in all, though, the head coach stands by the fact that the game was much closer than the posted score. Much of the points given up were on overloads and players caught out of position - these are all attributes that can be trained and corrected. For the first game of the season, the coach was very satisfied with the trouble shooting and decision making that his players were doing on the field. As the coaching staff has stated throughout the young season, its goal is to have 15 decision makers out on the field at any given time and Saturday was definitely a step in the right direction.
The Vermont side heads back towards the Lake Champlain area this weekend (April 18th) to face South Burlington.
The game kicked off around 15 minutes later than expected, but Saratoga was ready to go at the first whistle. Play stayed mainly within the 22 meter lines throughout much of the first half with both teams progressing up and then turning the ball over. It was obvious at the beginning that the long off-season had taken away the fluidness that made Saratoga strong late in the 2008 season. Throughout the first 35 minutes, Essex was able to capitalize on overloads on the wing twice to take a 12-0 lead into the half. However, great leadership skills by captain and scrumhalf, Greg Manning (BHBL, 11th) and flyhalf, Ryan Jones (Saratoga, 11th) kept the players aware and re-focused on roles and responsibilities.
No personnel adjustments occurred at the start of the second half, but Jones, Manning and forwards captain and eight-man, Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, 12th) reminded the Mustangs that the deficit was essentially nothing and that the jitters were gone and it was time to play rugby. Five minutes into the second half, though, Essex took that message and put the ball in goal again for a 17-0 lead. Throughout the second half, Essex had a yellow card and red card to give the Mustangs a chance, but it was lack of fitness and inexperience that kept Saratoga from finding the scoreboard.
Matrazzo, flanker Chris Heckman (Ballston Spa, 10th), lock Bryan Harrington (BHBL, 12th) and prop Tony Fusco (BHBL, 11th) all had some monstrous runs throughout the second half, but there was not enough support from ruckers to maintain possession and the balls were lost. When the final whistle blew, Essex won the match 37-0 over the traveling Mustangs.
All in all, though, the head coach stands by the fact that the game was much closer than the posted score. Much of the points given up were on overloads and players caught out of position - these are all attributes that can be trained and corrected. For the first game of the season, the coach was very satisfied with the trouble shooting and decision making that his players were doing on the field. As the coaching staff has stated throughout the young season, its goal is to have 15 decision makers out on the field at any given time and Saturday was definitely a step in the right direction.
The Vermont side heads back towards the Lake Champlain area this weekend (April 18th) to face South Burlington.
11 December 2008
Fund Raising Clock Winding Down
On Saturday, participants from the Saratoga Rugby Community will be taking the Polar Plunge Challenge to help raise money for the Special Olympics of New York. Over twenty members of Saratoga Rugby have been raising money for this event and with the help of their supportive friends, relatives, and co-workers, are currently ranked second in terms of total team fund raising.
The event consists of people agreeing to jump into Lake George this Saturday, no matter what the temperature, in hopes that the stunt will help generate amusement and donations from people that they know. Students were lining up at Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake High School to put spare change in a coffee can to get rugby coach and German teacher Kelly Canavan deeper and deeper into the water. "It's for a great cause," Canavan said. "I was a diver when I lived in Cleveland, so this should be like a mid summer swim for me. I told kids that I would get deeper in the lake with every $50 that was collected." Many students wanted to see if that was the case and agreed to put their money where her mouth was.
If you have interest, visit the team's Polar Plunge Page and make a donation. Each donation, no matter how small, helps the Special Olympics continue to provide opportunities for the differently-abled athletes their organization serves.
28 October 2008
Saratoga Stampede Control Combined College Side, Win 36-7.
This past Saturday, the Saratoga Stampede completed its fall season. Despite missing out on the New England Rugby Football Union’s Division IV Championship by a few points in the standings, Saratoga replaced a forfeit by the Boston Ironsides (moving their record to 5-1) with a game by a conglomerate of local college teams. Most notable on the opponent’s team included SUNY Oneonta’s Ryan Romano, who played several games with the Stampede this season because his college team is facing sanctions from USA Rugby. Romano’s slashing style and speed was a focus for the Saratoga defense. Stop Romano and Saratoga felt confident that they could control the tempo of the game. Also suiting up was Kevin Mackenzie from Union College, who played with the Stampede this past summer. Ballston Spa Alum and Union College student John Robens was also on hand, but only from the sidelines as he was nursing a leg injury.
The Stampede took the field looking to slow down the tempo of the game as much as possible. Knowing that a side made entirely of college students would mean a team with greater speed, agility, and on some fronts, cardiovascular fitness, it was in the best interests of the team to play a pack control game that featured deliberate rucking. Aggressive college players, often bent on making the hard hit, have a tendency to over commit to rucks and mauls. Hoping to capitalize on this, Saratoga stacked its scrum with size and experience, and put younger, speedier players on the line to take advantage of overloads and positive field position. The strategy worked.
Saratoga was able to control the game for most of the first half, despite having to be on the defensive side of the highest number of scrum downs it had to endure in a single half this season due to a few ill-advised passes that ended up being knocked forward (in rugby, a forward fumble results in loss of possession). Nonetheless, Saratoga’s Guard Dog defense was run very well with players dedicated to running the zone style attack. They were able to shut down “Unieonta” before their back line could get anything going. Strong tackles by eventual Man-of-the-Match winner Jamie Merrit kept the college side in check all afternoon. As time wore on, flankers Pete Mody and Chuck Tempest and eight-man Steve Ristau were able to get Mackenzie’s timing down and anticipate passes to the speedy Romano. This allowed them to stop Romano for a loss several times or force him to make quick passes that allowed Merrit and James Rigney chances to make crushing tackles.
On the offensive side of the ball, it was mostly a day of feasting for the backs. After members of the pack were able to draw in multiple defenders, Doug McCluskey was able to set loose his backline. As a result, tries were scored by Merrit, Rigney, Kevin Dooling, and Tim Hodgins. Also added into the scoring mix were a plunging try by prop Aaron Noble and another score by scrum-half Nick DeFilippo. After adding McCluskey’s three conversions, Saratoga took the game 36-7, with the lone try from the college side being scored by Romano.
The highlight of the day, however, was Dooling’s try. After a high kick to the opposing wing by fullback Tom Northrop, Merrit raced down the field. As the wing caught the ball, Merrit delivered a crushing blow. The ball immediately popped out of his hands and Kevin Dooling, in close pursuit, snagged it mid-air and raced untouched for his score, while the crowd erupted. It was one of the most dazzling plays this season.
What the Future Holds
In Saratoga’s upcoming Annual General Meeting on November 8th, the club will decide whether or not to petition NERFU to move to Division III despite coming in second in the Division Championship. Traditionally, only the top team has been allowed to challenge to move up, but with Saratoga’s strong season and its point differential ending at +200 (points scored minus points allowed), it feels it has done enough to make the petition, should the team decide the move is in the best interest of the club.
One truth is for certain, however. Saratoga, whose record was 1-5 in its first season in the spring of 2006 and currently stands at 6-1, has come a long way.
The Stampede took the field looking to slow down the tempo of the game as much as possible. Knowing that a side made entirely of college students would mean a team with greater speed, agility, and on some fronts, cardiovascular fitness, it was in the best interests of the team to play a pack control game that featured deliberate rucking. Aggressive college players, often bent on making the hard hit, have a tendency to over commit to rucks and mauls. Hoping to capitalize on this, Saratoga stacked its scrum with size and experience, and put younger, speedier players on the line to take advantage of overloads and positive field position. The strategy worked.
Saratoga was able to control the game for most of the first half, despite having to be on the defensive side of the highest number of scrum downs it had to endure in a single half this season due to a few ill-advised passes that ended up being knocked forward (in rugby, a forward fumble results in loss of possession). Nonetheless, Saratoga’s Guard Dog defense was run very well with players dedicated to running the zone style attack. They were able to shut down “Unieonta” before their back line could get anything going. Strong tackles by eventual Man-of-the-Match winner Jamie Merrit kept the college side in check all afternoon. As time wore on, flankers Pete Mody and Chuck Tempest and eight-man Steve Ristau were able to get Mackenzie’s timing down and anticipate passes to the speedy Romano. This allowed them to stop Romano for a loss several times or force him to make quick passes that allowed Merrit and James Rigney chances to make crushing tackles.
On the offensive side of the ball, it was mostly a day of feasting for the backs. After members of the pack were able to draw in multiple defenders, Doug McCluskey was able to set loose his backline. As a result, tries were scored by Merrit, Rigney, Kevin Dooling, and Tim Hodgins. Also added into the scoring mix were a plunging try by prop Aaron Noble and another score by scrum-half Nick DeFilippo. After adding McCluskey’s three conversions, Saratoga took the game 36-7, with the lone try from the college side being scored by Romano.
The highlight of the day, however, was Dooling’s try. After a high kick to the opposing wing by fullback Tom Northrop, Merrit raced down the field. As the wing caught the ball, Merrit delivered a crushing blow. The ball immediately popped out of his hands and Kevin Dooling, in close pursuit, snagged it mid-air and raced untouched for his score, while the crowd erupted. It was one of the most dazzling plays this season.
What the Future Holds
In Saratoga’s upcoming Annual General Meeting on November 8th, the club will decide whether or not to petition NERFU to move to Division III despite coming in second in the Division Championship. Traditionally, only the top team has been allowed to challenge to move up, but with Saratoga’s strong season and its point differential ending at +200 (points scored minus points allowed), it feels it has done enough to make the petition, should the team decide the move is in the best interest of the club.
One truth is for certain, however. Saratoga, whose record was 1-5 in its first season in the spring of 2006 and currently stands at 6-1, has come a long way.
23 October 2008
Saratoga Mustangs Girls Land One Starter, Two Alternates on NRU Girls All-Star Team
A selection camp was held this past Sunday to compile the Northeast Regional Union's Girls U-19 All-Star team for competition in Fort Lauderdale, FL for November 22-23. The NRU All-Stars will play against other regional squads from all over the country. The selection camp featured over sixty players from six states at the high school and college level.The Saratoga Mustangs Girls U-19 Team is proud to announce that it secured a starting spot and two alternates out of the 22 girls and 7 alternates selected. Fullback and Scotia-Glenville's Joya Clark, a junior, was selected as a starter, while flanker Jordan Scacchetti, a senior from Burnt Hills, and senior center Quennah Holt, from Shenendahowa, were selected as alternates for the squad.
All-star selector Jenna Bussman praised the quality of young talent that attended the camp and looked forward to some of the younger players who were not selected trying out again next year as high school seniors or college freshman. In an understandably college heavy selection, collegiate players made up 22 of the 29 total selected as starters and alternates. For the Saratoga Mustangs to have three of the seven high school players selected is quite an accomplishment for the second year club.
Clark, a rookie this past spring, is known for her aggressiveness on the pitch. Gifted with great speed, good hands, a good foot, and passion for crushing tackles, she joins Niskayuna and Mustang alumnae Maddy Cocca, who was a member of the NRU All-Stars in 2007 and who currently plays eight man for the College of Saint Benedict.
22 October 2008
Springfield Manhandles Mad River, Takes Division Crown
Despite doing everything they had the power to do, the one loss this season was enough to keep Saratoga from their first championship. Unlike past years when a playoff system allowed top teams a chance to make amends for missteps, the point system employed by the New England Rugby Football Union kept Springfield in the driver's seat when they dispatched a severely short handed Mad River Club, 60-5. Having to borrow three players from Springfield and still playing one man short, Mad River had little chance of coming through with an upset that Saratoga needed to slip by in the standings so they could capture the title.
Under the scoring guidelines, a team gets four points for a win and an additional point if they score at least four tries. A losing team can still get points, however, if they score four tries (1 point) and/or if they lose by three points or less (1 point). Using this system, Saratoga put itself in a position to tie or win the division with their victory versus Monadnock, had Springfield tied and not scored four tries. Even if Saratoga tied Springfield in the standings, despite the fact that they lost to Springfield head-to-head, Saratoga had a higher point diferential (points scored versus points allowed), and they would have been awarded the championship.
The point became moot quickly, however, and Springfield captured the division crown by outpacing Saratoga by a league standings point total of 24-20. The four point differential comes from Saratoga's lone loss on the season, which was to Springfield.
The team is still in high spirits as it boasts a 5-1 regular season record and a second place finish in only its second year of divisional play. After making the playoffs last year with a 3-3 record and finishing the season in fourth place, the club was happy with its improvement.
Come cheer the club on as it competes in a "friendly" (a game against a non-league opponent) when they challenge some of the top players from three area colleges this Saturday at Shenentaha Creek Park at 1:00 PM.
Chat With The Vets This Saturday
What is Bill McLain's secret to the throw-in? What does Doug McCluskey feel about leading such a youthful backline? How does James Rigney feel about having the team's highest penalty-to-minutes-played ratio? This Saturday brings you a chance to chat with some of the vets on the sidelines! It will largely be a "futures" game for the Stampede, featuring vets for the first 20 minutes and then some of the new faces that have joined the club this season for the remainder of the match. Players will be there to answer all of your questions about the game, the season, and the team. Catch some commentary as well as what the future holds for this growing club!
Under the scoring guidelines, a team gets four points for a win and an additional point if they score at least four tries. A losing team can still get points, however, if they score four tries (1 point) and/or if they lose by three points or less (1 point). Using this system, Saratoga put itself in a position to tie or win the division with their victory versus Monadnock, had Springfield tied and not scored four tries. Even if Saratoga tied Springfield in the standings, despite the fact that they lost to Springfield head-to-head, Saratoga had a higher point diferential (points scored versus points allowed), and they would have been awarded the championship.
The point became moot quickly, however, and Springfield captured the division crown by outpacing Saratoga by a league standings point total of 24-20. The four point differential comes from Saratoga's lone loss on the season, which was to Springfield.
The team is still in high spirits as it boasts a 5-1 regular season record and a second place finish in only its second year of divisional play. After making the playoffs last year with a 3-3 record and finishing the season in fourth place, the club was happy with its improvement.
Come cheer the club on as it competes in a "friendly" (a game against a non-league opponent) when they challenge some of the top players from three area colleges this Saturday at Shenentaha Creek Park at 1:00 PM.
Chat With The Vets This Saturday
What is Bill McLain's secret to the throw-in? What does Doug McCluskey feel about leading such a youthful backline? How does James Rigney feel about having the team's highest penalty-to-minutes-played ratio? This Saturday brings you a chance to chat with some of the vets on the sidelines! It will largely be a "futures" game for the Stampede, featuring vets for the first 20 minutes and then some of the new faces that have joined the club this season for the remainder of the match. Players will be there to answer all of your questions about the game, the season, and the team. Catch some commentary as well as what the future holds for this growing club!
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