Mystics Defeat Wolfhounds in First Match of Season

BIW Photo

The Fall 2019 season kicked off with a weekend of games against our longtime rival, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. Mystic Old Boys started the day with a victory against the Greyhounds, winning 34-22. The Wolfhounds usual strong, experienced side tested the fitness of our old guys in the first half, keeping the score tied at 17-17 at the break. The side gelled in the 2nd half, though, as the veterans up front did a better job of securing possession in the ruck and set pieces, providing possession to the backs. The backs, rather than playing for one on one opportunities, began to string passes together and found gaps in the defense for several long tries. The Wolfhounds kept up the pressure, pulling within five before two late Mystic tries put the game away. The Old Boys will suit up one more time this fall, on 10/20 vs. South Shore.

The D2 Barbarians match was up next and started the scoring immediately. New Mystic Eric Kasiita scored just one minute into the match to give the boys in blue an early lead. Not to be outdone by his fellow Ugandan, Adnan Kawuma followed that try with one of his own, stiff-arming Wolfhounds’ defenders that tried to tackle him. The early 10-0 lead grew further with Aki Raymond, John Daly, and Aaron Evans finding their way into the try zone as Spike Armstrong notched three conversions in his return to the 15’s pitch. Mystic led the Wolfhounds 36-14 heading into halftime. The second half proved to be more of the same for the Gulls, as new Mystic Brian Patterson scored his first try for the team in the half’s early minutes. Malik Wilbon showed off the speed we saw throughout 7’s season, scoring two tries, and Skipper John Daly added another try before the end of the day. Stephen Diamantopoulos slotted three conversions in the second half, and the Mystic River Barbarians beat the Wolfhounds 67-26. Both Mystic River sides have a bye over the holiday weekend.

Upcoming Schedule:
9/8 (SAT) 1:00 PM – ARP vs Life Running Eagles
9/8 (SAT) 1:00 PM – D2 @ Portland
9/16 (SAT) 2:00 PM – ARP vs. NYAC

We hope to see Mystic Nation out in full force for this early season showdown!

As always, thank you for your support.

GO BLUE!!!
 

Congratulations to the 2018-19 Executive Board

On Friday, August 24th, Mystic River held our annual AGM at the Harp. Please welcome our 2018-2019 Mystic River Executive Board.

 

President: Brett Willis
Vice President: Ben Nathan
Treasurer: Ben Wallace
Secretary: Ken Fagan
Club Development Director: Nick St. Germain
Marketing Director: Diego Maquieira
Player Development Director: Kareem Afifi
Youth Director: Nick Hildebidle
Trustee: Dave Rudzinsky

We amended our by-laws to improve our executive team by allowing our Directors to appoint Secretaries and Officers to help them with the day-to-day operation of the club. If you would like to be considered for one of these positions please email Ben Nathan (ben.nathan16@gmail.com).

Mystics Take Bronze in the USA Club National 7s

Last week, Mystic River travelled to NYC to compete in the USA Rugby Club 7s National Championship with aspirations to capture both the 15s National Championship and 7s National Championship. Mystic River had two great days of fast-paced rugby action!

In the 2018 USA Club Rugby 7s National Championship Quarter Finals, Mystic River Rugby Club was down 17-5 v. Metropolis Rugby Club with 4 minutes left on the clock when an EPIC COMEBACK unfolded .

Jared Collinson put down a try to get it to 17-10 and then Adnan Kawuma put down a try to tie the match up. With only time left for one more kick off, the final sequence of play unfolded with Akinola Raymond giving solid defense and Christopher Frazier putting down the game winning try!

Unfortunately, the Mystics were unable to use the momentum in the Semi-Finals dropping the match to the eventual Gold Medal Winning Bulldogs Rugby 7-15.

But in traditional Mystic fashion, the team bounced back in the Bronze Medal Match against the Denver Barbarians. Standout player of the tournament, 19 year-old Jerone Pantor sealed the victory against Denver with a 50m try. Pantor had two tries in the match along with Sam Sirrel’s try. This gave Mystic River a 19-12 victory capturing the Bronze Medal in the National 7s Tournament!

Go Blue!!

2018 7s

Mystics Win the National Championship!!!!

2018 championsOn Saturday, the Mystics defeated Belmont Shore by a score of 25-24 to win the 2018 USA Rugby Men’s Division 1 Club Championship!

We are so thankful to Mystic Nation and all of our sponsors especially Jim Beam and Coors Light! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Go Blue!!