This past Saturday, the Division 1 Mystics defeated long time rival Boston Irish Wolfhounds while the Division 2 Barbarians defeated Newport to capture their third straight NERFU Championship!
The Division 1 team kicked off against the Boston Irish Wolfhounds and put up a total of 13 tries in the match! After the Hounds converted a penalty kick, the Mystics opened up the scoring. Center Jared Collinson found the try line and gave the Mystics the early lead. After wing Spike Armstrong’s conversion, the Mystics were up 7-3. Then tries came in a bunch when center Evin O’Driscoll scored two consecutive tries followed by another Collinson try and then flyhalf Robbie Malneek score prior to the end of the half. Armstrong slotted all four of the conversions and helped the Mystics earn a 38-3 lead at half.
Like the first half, the Hounds were able to strike first with a converted try shrinking the lead to 38-10. But the Mystics were able to respond in traditional fashion. In a 7 minute span, the Mystics were able to extend their lead to 64-10 by tries from wing Stephen Dazzo, wing Vini Daley, center Dylan Lubbe, and flanker Kayne Bubb with Lubbe converting all three of the four tries. The Mystics were able to put three more tries on the board before the match was over. Wing Chris Frazier, Malneek, and lock David McKenna dotted down a try. Flanker Jon Kokinda came on to convert the final try of the match and the Mystics won by a score of 81-10!
The Division 2 Mystic Barbarians traveled to Newport for a rematch from just a month prior where the Barbarians lost a cold and rainy match 19-29. The hungry Barbarians sought redemption and that is what they were rewarded with. Just 8 minutes into the match, fullback Duncan Wood slotted a penalty conversion for the first points of the match. Wood was called on for another penalty kick but could not convert. Newport then drove down the field to score an unconverted try in the corner taking the early 3-5 lead. Wood then responded to that Newport try when he made a great break and assisting wing Akinola Raymond who burned the defense for a try. Wood then converted the try giving Mystic River a 10-5 lead. Wood’s busy half continued as he put another penalty conversion through the posts extending the lead to 13-5. While Newport was able to respond with another unconverted try, Wood yet again made a terrific assist to a winger who would be able to dot down a try. This time Mike Spiro’s speed was called on to put the try on the board. Going into half time, the Mystics led 18-10.
The Mystic biradge kept rolling going into the second half. After a Newport penalty at their 5 meter, center Adnan Kawuma tapped quickly and scrumhalf Adam Tafau would finish the task of scoring the try. Wood’s leg remained strong with a conversion extending the Barbarians lead to 25-15. Wood continued to haunt the Newport defense when Newport committed a penalty after a long break by Wood. Wood slotted the penalty kick to extend the lead to 28-15. Newport then added on another unconverted try, but like every time before, the Mystics responded with another Wood penalty conversion. The Barbarians led at this point 31-20. Newport tried to force an overtime period with an unconverted try with 2 minutes left, but they could not pull off the comeback and the Barbarians held on to win 31-25! The Mystic Barbarians captured their third straight NERFU Championship with their win Saturday!
This upcoming Saturday, Mystic River has two BIG matchups! At Pine Banks Park, the Division 1 team will be hosting the reigning Pacific Rugby Premiership Champions Glendale RFC! Kick off is slated for 12:00 pm! Then in Albany, NY, the Barbarians will be playing Empire Champions Morris RFC for the right to go to Pittsburgh, PA for the National Playoff Semi-Finals! Kick off is also slated for 2:00 pm at Dick Green Field in Albany, NY!
Send your love and support to them throughout the week!
Upcoming Schedule:
5/6 (SAT) 12:00 pm: Division 1 versus Glendale RFC
5/6 (SAT) 2:00 pm: Empire Crossover: Division 2 versus Morris RFC (Albany, NY)
GO BLUE!!