The Saratoga Stampede Mens Club traveled light to the Dead Ants tournament this past weekend bringing only 12 of their own players. At the tournament the stampede were able to recruit a hooker, a second row, 2 flankers and an outside center to fill out their side. Saratogasfirst match was at 11 am against the Buffalo A-Side. Because of lack of warm up time saratoga came out cold and quickly found themselves down 7-0. The first half of play was not one of saratogas best as the found themselves down 27-0 as the halftime whistle blew. Saratoga came out ready to play in the second half but could only muster up one try and a missed conversion, but their defense was much better as they only gave up 7 points in the second half to buffalo. Final score- Buffalo 34- Saratoga 5. Saratogas only score was punched in by the recruited outside center.
Saratogas second game started at 1 pm, and was against the Colonials. Now warmed up after their first game, saratoga came out fast in the 2nd half with a sprint the the try zone by outside center Ryan Ramano for the first try of the match (conversion good). Saratoga took an early Lead 7-0. The Colonials did not hesitate to answer right back punching in a try of their own but failing ti make the conversion leaving the score at saratoga 7- Colonials 5 at the half. The 2nd have much like the first half started off fast for the stampede with a few downfield kicks. One of which was scooped up by wing Nick DeFilippo and touched down just over the line for saratogas second try of the match (conversion failed). Saratoga now found themselves up 12-5.Nearing the end of the match and needing a try and a conversion to tie the game, the colonials found themselves with the ball inside Saratogas 22. The colonials wanted to get the ball out to the wing but that didn't happen when fullback Bryan Sawyer swooped in and intercepted the ball between the inside and outside canters and was off 80+ meters for the score (coversion failed) and that was the last play of the game. Final score saratoga 17- The Colonials 5.
After a short break between games, Saratoga went into their third match of the day. Saratoga needed to win this match in order to qualify for the consolation match. Saratoga was matched against the hosts of the tournament, the Genesee Creamers. The Creamers came out ready to play, and to show everyone why this is their tournament with an early score (conversion good), saratoga was down 7-0 early, but they wouldn't let the Creamers off that easy, as the came back with a try of their own by outside center Ryan Ramono his second of the day ( conversion good). After about 17 minutes of play Saratoga found themselves down 22-7, with a penalty inside the Creamers 22, Scrumhalf Mike(Phish) taped the ball and quickly got it out to Flyhalf Doug Mcklusky, who faked the pass to the inside center and took it in for the try himself ( conversion failed). The halftime score was Genesee 22- Saratoga 12. In the Second half Saratoga wasn't able to pull together enough offense to get back in the game with only one more try scored by scrumhalf Mike(phish), and the Creamers adding 2 more tries and one conversion kick to make the final score Genesee 35- Saratoga 17. Saratoga would finish 1-2 on the day and not qualify for the consolation match.
16 June 2008
09 June 2008
Saratoga Mustangs Girls Come Up One Try Short, Lose to Adirondack in State Championship
In a battle that was described as the best match of the day by onlookers and other coaches alike, the Saratoga Mustangs Girls Super A's took on the Adirondack Barkeaters in the Vermont State U-19 Rugby Championship. In a rematch against the only team that beat Saratoga this spring, it was looking to be an excellent game of rugby against two clubs that always play hard hitting and aggressive rugby and whose games have been decided by one score on every occasion during season play.
Saratoga found itself with the early lead, the first time that it has had the position against the more established Adirondack club, after eventual Rugger of the Match (and according to NERFU select side coach, Kevin O'Brien, Rugger of the Tournament), Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville) scooped up a kick and blazed down the sideline for a score. She also nailed the conversion to give Saratoga an early 7-0 lead. Adirondack was able to use its sizable line to pound the ball back at Saratoga, and relied on its size advantage to work its way deep in Saratoga territory and answer with a try of its own. By fifteen minutes into the game, the score was knotted at 7-7. That is where it would remain for the next 45 minutes of back and forth running, tackling, and kicking, with neither team able to convert on opportunities.
Eventually, Adirondack began taking control of lineouts and mounted a serious offensive threat within Saratoga's 22 meter line. For 15 minutes, Saratoga's defense turned Adirondack away and turned them away, with solid tackles by Leah Gerlach (Burnt Hills) Carly Baker (Averill Park), and Sam Coluccio (Burnt Hills). They were able to relatively silence the usual dominance of Adirondack's centers by getting after them quickly. The true spectacle of the day was Clark, however. The sophomore fullback's sweeping defense crushed would be scorers time and time again, as she ran relentlessly wherever the ball was, plugging holes with ferocious hitting and saving three tries at the line by stopping girls cold. Eventually, however, unable to win lineouts after clearance kicks, Adiriondack was able to get a clear overload and get the ball over the line with under ten minutes to play. After a successful conversion, Adirondack lead 14-7.
Saratoga was not done, however. After regaining possession deep in Adirondack territory, Saratoga was able to move the ball down the middle of the field. Despite Adirondack's spitited defense, Saratoga inched closer to the goal line and the tying score with each run. As time was closing, the Mustangs knew that they had to keep the ball in play so the clock would continue (in rugby, once time expires, the game continues until a stoppage in play such as the ball going out of bounds). It was at this point that Saratoga committed an error that cost them the game. After trying to set up a crash run that would open its line for an overload, Saratoga was called for a penalty for diving over the ruck. This handed the ball to Adirondack, who promptly booted the ball out of bounds as time expired. Saratoga found itself just short of the tying score, dropping the game 14-7.
Saratoga was honored after the match at the awards ceremony, bringing home its second piece of hardware in consecutive weekends as it claimed the Runners-Up Cup for the Vermont State Championship, finishing second. Saratoga closed out is season with a 6-1 regular season, 7-2 overall with a +131 point differential, outscoring opponents 176-45.
Saratoga found itself with the early lead, the first time that it has had the position against the more established Adirondack club, after eventual Rugger of the Match (and according to NERFU select side coach, Kevin O'Brien, Rugger of the Tournament), Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville) scooped up a kick and blazed down the sideline for a score. She also nailed the conversion to give Saratoga an early 7-0 lead. Adirondack was able to use its sizable line to pound the ball back at Saratoga, and relied on its size advantage to work its way deep in Saratoga territory and answer with a try of its own. By fifteen minutes into the game, the score was knotted at 7-7. That is where it would remain for the next 45 minutes of back and forth running, tackling, and kicking, with neither team able to convert on opportunities.
Eventually, Adirondack began taking control of lineouts and mounted a serious offensive threat within Saratoga's 22 meter line. For 15 minutes, Saratoga's defense turned Adirondack away and turned them away, with solid tackles by Leah Gerlach (Burnt Hills) Carly Baker (Averill Park), and Sam Coluccio (Burnt Hills). They were able to relatively silence the usual dominance of Adirondack's centers by getting after them quickly. The true spectacle of the day was Clark, however. The sophomore fullback's sweeping defense crushed would be scorers time and time again, as she ran relentlessly wherever the ball was, plugging holes with ferocious hitting and saving three tries at the line by stopping girls cold. Eventually, however, unable to win lineouts after clearance kicks, Adiriondack was able to get a clear overload and get the ball over the line with under ten minutes to play. After a successful conversion, Adirondack lead 14-7.
Saratoga was not done, however. After regaining possession deep in Adirondack territory, Saratoga was able to move the ball down the middle of the field. Despite Adirondack's spitited defense, Saratoga inched closer to the goal line and the tying score with each run. As time was closing, the Mustangs knew that they had to keep the ball in play so the clock would continue (in rugby, once time expires, the game continues until a stoppage in play such as the ball going out of bounds). It was at this point that Saratoga committed an error that cost them the game. After trying to set up a crash run that would open its line for an overload, Saratoga was called for a penalty for diving over the ruck. This handed the ball to Adirondack, who promptly booted the ball out of bounds as time expired. Saratoga found itself just short of the tying score, dropping the game 14-7.
Saratoga was honored after the match at the awards ceremony, bringing home its second piece of hardware in consecutive weekends as it claimed the Runners-Up Cup for the Vermont State Championship, finishing second. Saratoga closed out is season with a 6-1 regular season, 7-2 overall with a +131 point differential, outscoring opponents 176-45.
31 May 2008
Super A's Crush Rutland, Advance to State Championship
The Saratoga Mustangs Girls Super A Team moved on to the State Championship Game with a 37-0 blowout victory over the #3 seed Rutland on Wednesday at SUNY Albany. After completing a 6-1 regular season campaign in which they outscored opponents 115-31, and after mashing its way to a NYMA Cup Championship last weekend with wins over Springfield and a combined team from Springfield and Albany/Schenectady/Rennselaer, Saratoga picked up right where it left off using a combination of smashing runs by the forwards and quick passes to the speedy backs to out pace Rutland. Stout defense also limited Rutland to only two serious scoring threats, both of which were turned away by Saratoga's swarming "Guard Dog" defense.
Saratoga's offense was clicking once again and was run masterfully by senior scrum-half Emily Wexler (Burnt Hills). Through Wexler's distribution of the ball and own ball running ability, Saratoga was able to pound inside runs by forwards Jess Sears (Burnt Hills), Jenny von Rosen (Burnt Hills), Tiffany Neach (Burnt Hills), and Shelby Snyder Scotia-Glenville), forcing Rutland to commit extra bodies to rucks and mauls. From there, Saratoga used its quick line to get to the edges of the pitch, with looping runs by Wexler, countering penetrating running by speedsters Carly Baker (Averil Park), Leah Gerlach (Burnt Hills), Autumn Vanderveer (Burnt Hills), and Sam Coluccio (Burnt Hills). Fly-half Joann Pettis (Burnt Hills) also frustrated Rutland by creating overloads from taking on two or even three defenders at a time before dishing the ball out to her line mates.
Saratoga also took a large step forward with its defense. One of the more difficult aspects of the growing club has been mastering the offense instituted during the middle of last season by pack coach Aaron Noble. Littered with heavy hitters, the Mustangs have been able to use its sure tackling and aggressiveness to shut down most offenses before they could get started, resulting in six shutout victories on the season. Better teams, such as Essex and Adirondack, however, were able to find holes and score points on the young club. One of the team's focuses during the week was solidifying its defense, and behind flankers Shannon Dowdle (Burnt Hills) and Jordan Scacchetti (Burnt Hills), and eight man, Eva Meier (Ballston Spa), Rutland found itself running sideways on most plays, unable to get much of anything going. On the occasional breakthrough, rookie phenom Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville) was able to crush potential breakaways with her notoriously brutal tackles from fullback. It was the first time the defense played evenly team wide and the result was staggering.
Saratoga's Super A's improved to 7-1 on the season and will face rival Adirondack in the Vermont State Championship in Colchester, VT. In only its second year of existence and first year in the Vermont Youth Rugby Association, Saratoga has the opportunity to bring home its first state title.
Saratoga also took a large step forward with its defense. One of the more difficult aspects of the growing club has been mastering the offense instituted during the middle of last season by pack coach Aaron Noble. Littered with heavy hitters, the Mustangs have been able to use its sure tackling and aggressiveness to shut down most offenses before they could get started, resulting in six shutout victories on the season. Better teams, such as Essex and Adirondack, however, were able to find holes and score points on the young club. One of the team's focuses during the week was solidifying its defense, and behind flankers Shannon Dowdle (Burnt Hills) and Jordan Scacchetti (Burnt Hills), and eight man, Eva Meier (Ballston Spa), Rutland found itself running sideways on most plays, unable to get much of anything going. On the occasional breakthrough, rookie phenom Joya Clark (Scotia-Glenville) was able to crush potential breakaways with her notoriously brutal tackles from fullback. It was the first time the defense played evenly team wide and the result was staggering.
Saratoga's Super A's improved to 7-1 on the season and will face rival Adirondack in the Vermont State Championship in Colchester, VT. In only its second year of existence and first year in the Vermont Youth Rugby Association, Saratoga has the opportunity to bring home its first state title.
26 May 2008
Not Enough Spring in the Boys' Steps at Springfield U19's
The Saratoga Mustang Boys headed to Springfield on Saturday, for what was supposed to a four-team tournament. Instead, the only boys' game of the day was played with Saratoga and Springfield, between a plethora of girls' games. The Mustang numbers on the day had about half of the allowed substitutions as only 19 boys were kitted. Springfield showed up with less than the fifteen starters required for match play, so they played down iron-man style.
The game opened up with the speedy Springfield backs gaining a score in the second minute. Back and forth play continued, but it was Springfield that was on top 17-0 by the 19th minute. With a key discussion by Coach Sawyer after the latest opponent try, the Mustangs came back forcefully with some forward brilliance and swung the ball wide to rookie wing, Alex Pulling (B. Spa, junior), who sprinted ahead of the opposition and put the Mustangs on the board. Two minutes later, Mustangs' work-horse and 8-man, Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, junior), fought through some mid-field traffic on his way to a long try. Matrazzo added the conversion as the Mustangs were now down 17-12.
Springfield came back with another well orchestrated try by their skilled flyhalf, as they jumped back up 24-12 with a try and a conversion. One minute later, however, Pulling caught the ball at pace on the wing and put the Mustangs back within a try, as Matrazzo converted once more. As time expired, though, Springfield grounded another ball in-goal for a 29-19 lead.
Personnel stayed mostly the same going into the second period, as only one forward substitution was made. The second half started fast as the first one did; however, it the Mustangs that made the first quick moves with the ball. At the 40th minute, Saratoga flyhalf, Dan Godshalk (BHBL, senior) ran a beautiful switch to inside center Brian Little (BHBL, senior). Little gained decent ground and as he became held up, popped the ball to the sprinting Godshalk who grounded the ball for the score. After Springfield grabbed another try, Matrazzo took control by blasting through would-be tacklers as he scored twice within a ten minute span. These tries were a function of the moments of brilliance had by the forwards.
With Saratoga now up 36-34, the rucking went back to an ineffective method as loitering became prevalent and the second pod was rarely around for the solid phase play, which has gained the Mustangs huge success this season. This break-down, along with some miscommunication on the outside, allowed Springfield to come back up permanently with two more tries.
The final score of the match was 46-36 in favor of the hosting Springfield. This match, however, was won by heart and determination. Being down so big so early would have deflated many teams, as I have seen in my almost nine years of rugby. These Mustangs did not let the deficit affect them though. They played with poise the entire way through, and made the game one of the most exciting matches in the young history of the club. Kudos.
Up next for the Mustangs is the first round playoff match-up at Rutland, VT, for a spot in the VYRA finals in Colchester, VT on Sunday.
The game opened up with the speedy Springfield backs gaining a score in the second minute. Back and forth play continued, but it was Springfield that was on top 17-0 by the 19th minute. With a key discussion by Coach Sawyer after the latest opponent try, the Mustangs came back forcefully with some forward brilliance and swung the ball wide to rookie wing, Alex Pulling (B. Spa, junior), who sprinted ahead of the opposition and put the Mustangs on the board. Two minutes later, Mustangs' work-horse and 8-man, Mike Matrazzo (BHBL, junior), fought through some mid-field traffic on his way to a long try. Matrazzo added the conversion as the Mustangs were now down 17-12.
Springfield came back with another well orchestrated try by their skilled flyhalf, as they jumped back up 24-12 with a try and a conversion. One minute later, however, Pulling caught the ball at pace on the wing and put the Mustangs back within a try, as Matrazzo converted once more. As time expired, though, Springfield grounded another ball in-goal for a 29-19 lead.
Personnel stayed mostly the same going into the second period, as only one forward substitution was made. The second half started fast as the first one did; however, it the Mustangs that made the first quick moves with the ball. At the 40th minute, Saratoga flyhalf, Dan Godshalk (BHBL, senior) ran a beautiful switch to inside center Brian Little (BHBL, senior). Little gained decent ground and as he became held up, popped the ball to the sprinting Godshalk who grounded the ball for the score. After Springfield grabbed another try, Matrazzo took control by blasting through would-be tacklers as he scored twice within a ten minute span. These tries were a function of the moments of brilliance had by the forwards.
With Saratoga now up 36-34, the rucking went back to an ineffective method as loitering became prevalent and the second pod was rarely around for the solid phase play, which has gained the Mustangs huge success this season. This break-down, along with some miscommunication on the outside, allowed Springfield to come back up permanently with two more tries.
The final score of the match was 46-36 in favor of the hosting Springfield. This match, however, was won by heart and determination. Being down so big so early would have deflated many teams, as I have seen in my almost nine years of rugby. These Mustangs did not let the deficit affect them though. They played with poise the entire way through, and made the game one of the most exciting matches in the young history of the club. Kudos.
Up next for the Mustangs is the first round playoff match-up at Rutland, VT, for a spot in the VYRA finals in Colchester, VT on Sunday.
25 May 2008
Mustangs Girls Rumble to Victory in First Annual NYMA Cup
The Saratoga Mustangs Girls notched two more victories en route to winning the championship cup in the inaugraul NYMA Cup Tournament. The tournament was conceived in the late winter through the desire to promote competitive rugby high school rugby between New York and Massachusetts. The Springfield Rifles offered to host the four team girls event, as well as host a game between the Springfield and Saratoga boys in between rounds. With this format set and the hope of expansion in the future, two teams from Saratoga, and one from both Albany-Schenectady-Rennselaer (ASR) and Springfield squared off to determine the first champion among teams who have been in existence for less than two years.
The day began in windy Westfield, MA with another clash between ASR and Saratoga's A Team for the first game in the opening round. Despite ASR's continued development as a first year club, Saratoga's experience and aggressiveness was too much for the young squad. Despite the 20 minute half format of the opening round of tournament play, in only 40 minutes of regulation game play, Saratoga wracked up seven tries on their way to a 39-0 shutout victory. Three tries were scored by freshmen eight man sensation Melayna Weaver (Burnt Hills), two by Celia McKendrick (Burnt Hills), and one a piece by senior Amanda Barletta (Burnt Hills) and freshman Khirstian Carbonello (Burnt Hills). Carbonello and junior Sara McFadden (Burnt Hills) each added conversion kicks. Because of her hard work at converting from fullback to flanker and continued work at developing her kicking, McFadden's successful conversion kick netted her the coaches' decision for Rugger of the Match for the first game.
Saratoga took on Springfield for the first time since the first game they played in team history last spring. It was a much more hotly contested match as Sprinfield was boasting three girls who are current members of the U-19 NRU All-Star team. Behind an ever improving mastery of the offense by senior scrum-half Emily Wexler (Burnt Hills), Saratoga spread the ball around the team and received hard running scores by eightman Eva Meier (Ballston Spa), inside center Joann Pettis (Burnt Hills), and the game capper by Weaver. Saratoga broke out a new offense of scheme for the line and, orchestrated by Pettis and Wexler, managed some clever misdirection. Freshman fullback Khirstian Carbonello (Burnt Hills) added a conversion kick to run the score to 17-0, and at the end of the forty minute game, that is where it stood. Both Saratoga teams had advanced to the second round and improved their records to 7-0 and 6-1, respectively.
Given the format of the tournament, the second round would have had Springfield and Albany square off for the Consolation Match and Saratoga's A Team taking on Saratoga's Super A Team for the Championship Cup Match. This is where the day became interesting because, with VYRA playoffs looming, Saratoga's coaching staff had no desire to risk injury for what amounted to an intrasquad game. With ASR and Springfield nursing injuries, a proposal was made. Saratoga agreed to donate Celia Mckendrick, Khirstian Carbonello, Quennah Holt, and Melayna Weaver (who scored a collective seven tries, which was seven more than ASR and Springfield put together to this point). With the four Mustangs, ASR and Springfield compiled their best possible roster to take on Saratoga in the finals, despite Saratoga essentially forfeiting to itself to win the cup. For this game, Saratoga battled back and forth with the conglomerate. For a side that was comprised with players that had not played together before, the Motley Team pulled themselves together and pulled out all the stops for the first forty minutes. Despite some impressive goal lines stands by Saratoga, eventually, one of the players from Albany was able to punch through and score. With the conversion made, Saratoga trailed for the first time all day, 7-0. With only twenty minutes to play, Saratoga pulled itself together and mounted an attack. In the closing minutes, Saratoga marched down the field twice and put scores on the board. The first came from Emily Wexler. At that point of the day, Saratoga had either given away or lost all three of its kickers, so Wexler was called upon to kick, never having had done it before. A few minutes later, sophomore wing and eventual Rugger of the Match winner Samantha Coluccio (Burnt Hills) thrashed down the sideline and pounded her way into the try zone for the winning score. As time expired, Saratoga's joint Super A and A Team had defeated the collective squad to claim its third victory of the day and officially bring home the first NYMA Cup Tournament Championship.
Up Next for the Super A's: The Saratoga Super A Team (6-1) Hosts Rutland on Wednesday, May 28th @ 6:00 P.M. in the First Round of the VYRA Championship. They will follow it up with either a final consolation or final championship game vs. either Adirondack or Essex in Colchester, VT on Sunday.
Up Next for the A's: The Saratoga A Team (7-0) closes out its season when they host Albany-Schenectady-Rennselaer (ASR) on Friday, May 30th @ 5:00 P.M. and go for an undefeated season.
The day began in windy Westfield, MA with another clash between ASR and Saratoga's A Team for the first game in the opening round. Despite ASR's continued development as a first year club, Saratoga's experience and aggressiveness was too much for the young squad. Despite the 20 minute half format of the opening round of tournament play, in only 40 minutes of regulation game play, Saratoga wracked up seven tries on their way to a 39-0 shutout victory. Three tries were scored by freshmen eight man sensation Melayna Weaver (Burnt Hills), two by Celia McKendrick (Burnt Hills), and one a piece by senior Amanda Barletta (Burnt Hills) and freshman Khirstian Carbonello (Burnt Hills). Carbonello and junior Sara McFadden (Burnt Hills) each added conversion kicks. Because of her hard work at converting from fullback to flanker and continued work at developing her kicking, McFadden's successful conversion kick netted her the coaches' decision for Rugger of the Match for the first game.
Saratoga took on Springfield for the first time since the first game they played in team history last spring. It was a much more hotly contested match as Sprinfield was boasting three girls who are current members of the U-19 NRU All-Star team. Behind an ever improving mastery of the offense by senior scrum-half Emily Wexler (Burnt Hills), Saratoga spread the ball around the team and received hard running scores by eightman Eva Meier (Ballston Spa), inside center Joann Pettis (Burnt Hills), and the game capper by Weaver. Saratoga broke out a new offense of scheme for the line and, orchestrated by Pettis and Wexler, managed some clever misdirection. Freshman fullback Khirstian Carbonello (Burnt Hills) added a conversion kick to run the score to 17-0, and at the end of the forty minute game, that is where it stood. Both Saratoga teams had advanced to the second round and improved their records to 7-0 and 6-1, respectively.
Given the format of the tournament, the second round would have had Springfield and Albany square off for the Consolation Match and Saratoga's A Team taking on Saratoga's Super A Team for the Championship Cup Match. This is where the day became interesting because, with VYRA playoffs looming, Saratoga's coaching staff had no desire to risk injury for what amounted to an intrasquad game. With ASR and Springfield nursing injuries, a proposal was made. Saratoga agreed to donate Celia Mckendrick, Khirstian Carbonello, Quennah Holt, and Melayna Weaver (who scored a collective seven tries, which was seven more than ASR and Springfield put together to this point). With the four Mustangs, ASR and Springfield compiled their best possible roster to take on Saratoga in the finals, despite Saratoga essentially forfeiting to itself to win the cup. For this game, Saratoga battled back and forth with the conglomerate. For a side that was comprised with players that had not played together before, the Motley Team pulled themselves together and pulled out all the stops for the first forty minutes. Despite some impressive goal lines stands by Saratoga, eventually, one of the players from Albany was able to punch through and score. With the conversion made, Saratoga trailed for the first time all day, 7-0. With only twenty minutes to play, Saratoga pulled itself together and mounted an attack. In the closing minutes, Saratoga marched down the field twice and put scores on the board. The first came from Emily Wexler. At that point of the day, Saratoga had either given away or lost all three of its kickers, so Wexler was called upon to kick, never having had done it before. A few minutes later, sophomore wing and eventual Rugger of the Match winner Samantha Coluccio (Burnt Hills) thrashed down the sideline and pounded her way into the try zone for the winning score. As time expired, Saratoga's joint Super A and A Team had defeated the collective squad to claim its third victory of the day and officially bring home the first NYMA Cup Tournament Championship.
Up Next for the Super A's: The Saratoga Super A Team (6-1) Hosts Rutland on Wednesday, May 28th @ 6:00 P.M. in the First Round of the VYRA Championship. They will follow it up with either a final consolation or final championship game vs. either Adirondack or Essex in Colchester, VT on Sunday.
Up Next for the A's: The Saratoga A Team (7-0) closes out its season when they host Albany-Schenectady-Rennselaer (ASR) on Friday, May 30th @ 5:00 P.M. and go for an undefeated season.
19 May 2008
VYRA Playoffs up in Air after Mustang Defeat
Important playoff implications were on the line in Saturday's games as the Saratoga Mustangs hosted Essex Rugby at Shenantaha Creek Park in Malta, NY. With only a handful of games left in the VYRA season, Saratoga needed the victory to solidify a spot to host the midweek semi-final match, slated for May 28th. As the week went on, the Saratoga Mustang Boys knew of what they needed to accomplish and worked hard towards that goal.
With a regulars missing from action due to injury, the Mustang Super A's took the field just a bit before 2:00 pm. It wasn't but three minutes in did Essex take advantage of a questionable no-call on a knock-on as they went up 7-0 on the hosting Mustangs. Play went back and forth as the Mustangs forwards did their best to handle the larger pack of Essex. In the fourteenth minute, however, Essex found themselves back on the board with a second try, this time unconverted.
In an effort to take back the lead, almost each Mustang tried to put the game on his shoulder as the boys would run hard towards the side in effort to break up-field. With Essex' sure tackling, though, this did not happen very often. In fact, as the second half wore on, it was evident that the Mustangs were winded and tired, from all of the east-west trailing. Although the game was hard fought, Saratoga just couldn't seem to catch a break. They crossed the line several times with the ball, but each time it was called as being held-up. This may have discouraged weaker teams, but the Mustangs kept fighting. In the end, the final score of Essex 17 - Saratoga 0 may have hurt Saratoga's chances to host a playoff game, but it definitely showed their perseverance and unwillingness to quit. Job well done.
As previously mentioned, Saratoga was hurting from the injury bug, as well as missing several individuals due to other obligations. As such, the 42-person roster was down to a mere 25 on Saturday. With numbers as they were on both sides, Essex and Saratoga opted to play 12's with a full line and unopposed, five-man scrums.
The twelve vice fifteen aside seemed to open things up, as converted 8-man Mike Matrazzo opened up the scoring in the first half. Flanker/lock Chris Heckman made a nice jaunt to put the second score on, and speedy scrum half Tyler Krastins rounded out the scoring with a try of his own. Saratoga won the time shortened game three tries to one.
Up next for Saratoga is a tournament in Springfield, MA, on Saturday, May 24th.
With a regulars missing from action due to injury, the Mustang Super A's took the field just a bit before 2:00 pm. It wasn't but three minutes in did Essex take advantage of a questionable no-call on a knock-on as they went up 7-0 on the hosting Mustangs. Play went back and forth as the Mustangs forwards did their best to handle the larger pack of Essex. In the fourteenth minute, however, Essex found themselves back on the board with a second try, this time unconverted.
In an effort to take back the lead, almost each Mustang tried to put the game on his shoulder as the boys would run hard towards the side in effort to break up-field. With Essex' sure tackling, though, this did not happen very often. In fact, as the second half wore on, it was evident that the Mustangs were winded and tired, from all of the east-west trailing. Although the game was hard fought, Saratoga just couldn't seem to catch a break. They crossed the line several times with the ball, but each time it was called as being held-up. This may have discouraged weaker teams, but the Mustangs kept fighting. In the end, the final score of Essex 17 - Saratoga 0 may have hurt Saratoga's chances to host a playoff game, but it definitely showed their perseverance and unwillingness to quit. Job well done.
As previously mentioned, Saratoga was hurting from the injury bug, as well as missing several individuals due to other obligations. As such, the 42-person roster was down to a mere 25 on Saturday. With numbers as they were on both sides, Essex and Saratoga opted to play 12's with a full line and unopposed, five-man scrums.
The twelve vice fifteen aside seemed to open things up, as converted 8-man Mike Matrazzo opened up the scoring in the first half. Flanker/lock Chris Heckman made a nice jaunt to put the second score on, and speedy scrum half Tyler Krastins rounded out the scoring with a try of his own. Saratoga won the time shortened game three tries to one.
Up next for Saratoga is a tournament in Springfield, MA, on Saturday, May 24th.
Saratoga Girls A Team Whallops Essex's Second Team, 46-0
The Saratoga Mustangs Girls A Team took on Essex's second team after they watched the Super A's emotional victory and charged the field on a mission themselves. Espousing the need to play smarter more aware rugby, the ladies fought Essex for a 30 minute truncated game. When the smoke cleared, the ladies wracked up eight tries and three conversions, cruising to a 46-0 rout and improving their record to 5-0. Saratoga's A Team, which often plays shorter games because of available field space, reffing, and time, has now outscored their opponents 172-10 in five games, resulting in an average score of over 34 points per game and have not let up a point since April 18th.
Saratoga ripped off a fast start to the game and immediately dominated the line and pack of Essex and managed to overrun the defense repeatedly. At the end of the 30 minute game, Saratoga had wracked up another lopsided victory, defeating Essex's second team 46-0. Passing was so well executed that there was not a single scrum-down for the entire game. This meant not a single dropped pass for thirty minutes of play. It was the perfect tune up game for the A side girls, who will take on Springfield's top squad and the girls from Albany-Schenectady-Rennselaer this coming weekend's Springfield Invitational.
The game was an all-comers event for scoring. Saratoga's usual suspects made their presence known. As per usual for the Girls A Team, the freshmen loose forward combo of flanker Maranda Rotundo (Burnt Hills) and eight man Melayna Weaver (Burnt Hills) each chipped in a try, adding to their season totals and continuing their scoring streak in consecutive games for the A Team. Junior scrum-half Olivia Guay (Burnt Hills) and senior inside center Amanda Barletta (Burnt Hills) also struck pay dirt, scrambling for a score off of a ruck and bursting through a whole in Essex's defense, respectively. Senior German Exchange student Jenny von Rosen (Burnt Hills) also added her hard smashing running to the fray which and compiled yet another score in her rookie season. The real show of the day was the footwork of Khirstian Carbonello (Burnt Hills), who was getting her first shot at fly-half after having started all of her games at fullback. In one half, or fifteen minutes of play, Carbonello managed to wrack up three tries and four converted kicks, totalling 23 points.
The Mustangs Girls A's now travel to Springfield, before returning home for its final game of the season, at home vs. ASR on May 31st.
Saratoga ripped off a fast start to the game and immediately dominated the line and pack of Essex and managed to overrun the defense repeatedly. At the end of the 30 minute game, Saratoga had wracked up another lopsided victory, defeating Essex's second team 46-0. Passing was so well executed that there was not a single scrum-down for the entire game. This meant not a single dropped pass for thirty minutes of play. It was the perfect tune up game for the A side girls, who will take on Springfield's top squad and the girls from Albany-Schenectady-Rennselaer this coming weekend's Springfield Invitational.
The game was an all-comers event for scoring. Saratoga's usual suspects made their presence known. As per usual for the Girls A Team, the freshmen loose forward combo of flanker Maranda Rotundo (Burnt Hills) and eight man Melayna Weaver (Burnt Hills) each chipped in a try, adding to their season totals and continuing their scoring streak in consecutive games for the A Team. Junior scrum-half Olivia Guay (Burnt Hills) and senior inside center Amanda Barletta (Burnt Hills) also struck pay dirt, scrambling for a score off of a ruck and bursting through a whole in Essex's defense, respectively. Senior German Exchange student Jenny von Rosen (Burnt Hills) also added her hard smashing running to the fray which and compiled yet another score in her rookie season. The real show of the day was the footwork of Khirstian Carbonello (Burnt Hills), who was getting her first shot at fly-half after having started all of her games at fullback. In one half, or fifteen minutes of play, Carbonello managed to wrack up three tries and four converted kicks, totalling 23 points.
The Mustangs Girls A's now travel to Springfield, before returning home for its final game of the season, at home vs. ASR on May 31st.
The Saratoga Mustangs A's Are Now 5-0.
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