Wolfhounds

CANTON, MA – The Mystic 2nd XV took the field at the ICC to face off against their toughest opponent of the season thus far, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. The seasoned Wolfhound side took control of the match early, taking advantage of the much younger and less experienced Mystic side, keeping them on their heels throughout much of the first half. The one sided shut out was finally broken by Mystic scrumhalf Peter Chung, who retrieved his own pop kick over the ‘Hounds defensive line to touch it down between the posts.

The second half saw a change in the Mystics. Down by several tries and knowing the match well out of reach, the Mystics never let up. With veterans Kareem Afifi and Chris Petrigno leading by example, the Mystic pack began to show some life smashing into the Wolfhound defenders. The backline was also able to work out the kinks of the previous half and work the ball wide, where Mystic’s resident Frenchman Stephane Escrig, towing three Wolfhound defenders managed to keep his feet and set up Bobby Ankenbauer with the Mystic’s only other try of the match.

PINE BANKS – As the battle for the top teams in New England intensifies, the Mystics showed no quarter as they put away the Boston Irish Wolfhounds (1-4) with a decisive victory in Malden. Constant, hammering pressure from forwards and backs kept the ‘Hounds on their heels and the Mystics found themselves up 17-0 at the half. The second half proved no different as the Mystics kept up their relentlessness on both sides of the ball, totally shutting down the opposition and touching down another five unanswered tries to secure another win. Bouncing back from last week’s nail-biting loss, the Mystic 2nd XV were able to edge past a hungry Wolfhound side.

NEWPORT, RI – Mystic River knew the NERFU tournament would be a step up from their Spring schedule, but solid preparations set the stage for their long awaited showcase. Easily the youngest overall team in Division I, the Blue were hungry from the get-go as they faced #2 ranked Amoskeag in the first match. While the forwards dominated possession of the pill, Vice Captain Jamie Green exploded out of the backline for multiple tries on the day; he was clearly a stand out. Amoskeag fell to the Mystics, 14-3.

Later, in the Semi-finals, the Mystics gave the crowd a show as they questioned and challenged the Wolfhounds title as the elite team in New England. The dominant Mystic forwards, for the first time, had met an equally powerful pack. While the Mystic backs outmatched their Green and Yellow opposites and scored under the posts, the “super-league” savvy forwards were able to take advantage of good field position and sneak by the Mystic defense. Even though the Blue fell to the Wolfhounds 17-7 in a game that was close to the very end, their efforts were rewarded in knowing that they matched up very well against the top competition.

CANTON, MA – The Boston Irish Wolfhounds got back to their winning ways at the weekend with a 34-16 win over Mystic River. The game was played in perfect Fall conditions at the Irish Cultural Center in Canton, MA. The Wolfhounds jumped out to a 17-6 halftime lead, with tries by prop Chris Wheeler (2), and fullback Ian Flanagan. Flanagan in particular caused problems for the Mystic defense, using the freedom of the full back position to launch a number of long runs. One of the tries was converted by Shane Moore for the Wolfhounds. Mystic countered with two penalties by center Geordie Miliotis to round out the first half scoring.

The second half was an entertaining spectacle, as both teams upped the intensity significantly. Another try from Flanagan stretched the Wolfhounds lead. Mystics gradually worked their way back into the game, with outhalf Glynn MacKenzie crashing over from short range. The Wolfhounds regrouped and closed out the scoring with a try from replacement center Treeve Currie to leave the final score at 34-16 to the Wolfhounds.