NEWPORT, RI – Day two of the NRU seeding tournament saw only slightly better conditions as the Mystics prepared for their match against New Haven.
New Haven had a bone to pick with the Mystic River who beat them in the final match of the regular season.
Despite their best efforts and tries from forwards Bill Dow and Peter Waswa, the Mystics fell to New Haven 12-23. The loss gives Mystic River the fourth place seed going into the next round of the playoffs.
PINE BANKS – In the final week of the regular NERFU season, Mystic River took on the New Haven Old Black Rugby Club.
New Haven had catapulted into 1st place in New England, winning their last five games and outscoring their opponents 242-33.
While the Mystics, coming off an embarrassing loss against Boston the week prior, needed to secure a win to put them in position to play at Pine Banks in round one of the NRU Playoffs.
Old Black came out strong, putting the Mystics on the back foot for much of the first half. But the Mystic forwards easily handled New Haven’s pick-and-go vertical style, stopping them from making the gain line.
Luke Brown, Dan Mayton, Joe Shurmaitis and Brandon Sparks all touched down for the Mystics, with flyhalf Derrick Roma converting 3 of 4 and slotting a penalty to give the Mystics a commanding 29-0 lead.
But New Haven retaliated late in the match touching down two converted tries of their own to make the final score 29-12.
This win, coupled with the Wolfhounds 24-0 shutout victory over Boston, gives the Mystics 2nd place over all in New England and home field advantage for the NRU Playoffs.
NEW HAVEN, CT – Week four of the 2007 Fall season found the undefeated Mystic River team traveling to Connecticut to face the 2006 NERFU D1 Champions, New Haven. Defense played a key role for both sides as they battled up and down the pitch, keeping the score at 3-0 in Old Black’s favor at the half. The second half proved to be much the same as both teams struggled to break through the opposition, until a Mystic offensive charge was able to penetrate for two unanswered Mystic tries and win number four.
Next, the Mystic Second XV’s took the field in a match that pitted together two undefeated second sides. It proved to be another grueling, tooth and nail battle, with neither side giving an inch without a fight. With only 15 minutes to play, the slight Mystic lead was broken by two unanswered tries, giving New Haven the win.