SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Mystic River Rugby Club’s U19 squad took home the cup at the First Annual Massachusetts Youth Rugby Organization (MYRO) Rugby State Championship.
The young Mystics went 3-0 in the tournament, defeating the Boston Irish Wolfhounds (24-7), Bishop Hendricksen (21-0) and Needham (24-0) to take home first place honors.
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 New England U-19 Men’s team, with Mystic River’s Alex Brussard, Michael Rudzinsky and Dimitri Efthimiou, went 4–0 to win the 2009 Potomac Challenge Cup at Founders Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Saturday’s wins included 14–7 vs Minnesota, and 31–5 vs EPRU.
Sunday saw the team get past PRU, 24–5, to set them up for the final against MetNY. Despite the low score, play went up and down the pitch in a defensive struggle that saw the teams even at 5 at the end of regulation time. In the single 5 minute extra period, MetNY touched down and converted to go ahead 12–5 with slightly more than 2 minutes remaining.
Almost at the end of the period, NERFU stole a MetNY lineout, and, with quick ball through the hands, touched down to give them a chance to tie.
The conversion was good, sending the game to kicks at goal, with Brussard sealing the win with his 22-meter drop kick.
Mystic River Rugby Club’s Dimitri Efthimiou was voted MVP of the tournament.
U-19 Rugby Players are invited to join Mystic River for some summer rugby. We will be playing touch at Pine Banks Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30pm-8:30pm from June 25 – July 30. There will also be some skills clinics and possible matches/tournaments with other U-19 programs. New and experienced players are welcome. Anyone interested, please contact Dave Rudzinsky (drudzinsky@hologic.com) or feel free to just show up.