Wicked Local
By Christopher Hurley
Melrose – The City of Melrose recently played host to what appears to be a growing rugby revolution.
Over 150-players from across the Bay State headed to Pine Banks Park for Fourth Annual New England Youth Rugby Jamboree, Aug. 8.
The all-day youth sports extravaganza was a mammoth undertaking, featuring over 56 teams and encompassing nearly 30 matches. The event culminated with host Mystic River U19 taking on Worcester, capping an impressive showing.
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The Mystics added yet another tournament championship to cap off an unbelievable summer campaign with a win at Middlesex 7s at Amesbury Sports Park. Conceding two early tries to national playoff bound Boston RFC, the Mystics rallied to tie the game late and tournament MVP Evin O’Driscoll slotted the game winning try with no time remaining to seal the victory.
For the first time, Mystic River Rugby Club has won the premier championship at the 37th Annual Can-Am Rugby Tournament at Saranac Lake. The Mystics defeated Penn State 16-6, Brockport 22-6 and Amoskeag 17-0 to set up a championship match against Old Blue from New York.
The Mystics were firmly in control throughout the final, controlling both the pace and possession to lead 20-3 with minutes to go, until they let up their first try allowed in the tournament leaving the final score 20-10.
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Mystic River continues to dominate the summer rugby schedule with another 1st place trophy at the Acton 10’s tournament. Led by repeat tournament MVP David “Sliver” Barry, the Mystics demolished the competition with wins of 51-5 over Middlesex College, 57-7 over Old Gold 2, 36-7 over Boston and 57-0 over Providence to set up a final with cross-town rival Boston Irish Wolfhounds.
The first half was marked by tough team defense and bone crunching hits by Mystic Jake Sprague. It was only a matter of time before the Mystics hit their top form and phenomenal play by scrumhalf Alex O’Mahoney got the boys up and running. Burgers Bartlett, Jake and Alex Brussard dominated the Hounds up front, and Evin O’Driscoll, Sliver, Adnan Kawuma and Dimitri “Greek Olive” Efthimiou turned on the jets for 21 unanswered points and the 1st place trophy.
The young guns of the Mystic 2’s took a tough loss in the Plate finals 12-5 to South Shore, narrowly missing a clean sweep for the Mystics.
Congrats to the whole first team on their championship win… and thanks to all the Big Blue supporters and friends for bringing the true Mystic spirit to win the day on all counts.