On Saturday the 22nd of April it was windy and rainy, so it seemed only obvious that the NY Women should be playing for the third week in a row in such conditions. And so it was that NY hosted Chicago North Shore Women at Kaiser Park Brooklyn (can we say Coney Island?), for a double header...

Senior Side vs Chicago NS 'A'

NY came out on fire with good continuity play, and a powerful run by Phaidra “I like wearing full length tights” Knight put her in the try zone with only a minute gone. But they wouldn’t stay that course for long. Chicago came back at them and with successful rucking and phase play blocked NY in their own half for much of the half. At least they didn’t have to compete with mud on the artificial grass field, but with such a strong wind, much of the NY first half play was hindered. With the backs staying close and only a first pod available on the NY side of the field they struggled.

Lineouts on the CNS side of the field were child’s play for NY and they gave decent ball for the backs who made do with the high pressure NS in their face. Heidi Rubenstein disrupted most of the CNS lineout ball, but around the field, NY was not keeping up with their own phase play. With support not close enough, NY left many stranded and CNS was winning rucks and poaching ball frequently. The backline, however, was tenacious with their defense and shut down strike runners from Chicago all day.

NY would capitalize on CNS mistakes frequently but was having trouble finishing and wouldn’t score again until the 25th minute when Brafman went into the try zone. During the half Chicago would have two failed attempts at penalty kicks, which brought an interesting readjustment of field position with the posts behind the try line. Former captain Hedwig “My retirement contract forbids playing in the rain” Aerts finished the half with a try with two minutes left.

After a ‘NY for Pride’ half time frenzy, the NY women vowed to come out fighting but would be held out of the try zone for 15 minutes until Katie “Muppet” Brethel would put one in. The NY forwards would drive a powerful maul up on the left side after a lineout ball to show they really had be paying attention during practice and the backs with less moisture were making gains like pubs sell beer.

Tempers rose with a few blazingly off sides tackles, and several talking to’s happened but both teams managed to somewhat keep their cool. With a seemingly green ref, who had many a questionably call (when it goes off their hands, it’s WHOSE lineout?, and even if I tackle and am making an attempt to roll away, I’m still immediately in the way?) it seemed that NY could do no right at some points, but they stayed in the game and kept at it. Another failed penalty kick by Chicago saw a 22 drop with a tackle and turn over and NY was ready to go again. They would struggle again with support, but with two minutes left in the match P. “She just called me a ___” Knight would put another one in. And on the drop kick back a quick ruck and series of passes would send Maura “I disappear if I turn sideways” Weikman on a dashing run past and around Chicago’s backline for the final try of the match. With the score on the right side of the field and with the wind at her back, Kristin Baja converted it and lovingly berated her team for not scoring more tries on that side of the field. The final score was 32-0.

Developmental Side vs Chicago NS 'B'

The second showdown of the day saw many repeat faces in the Chicago line up and a few on the NY side. Returning from 7’s play, Daniela Mogro would play the full game at scrum half and Alison Price would step back on the field as a flanker.

The NY development would start just as the Senior squad had by Brafman scoring within a minute’s play. However, minutes later, she would then we binned, for what could have been residual effects from the first game’s perceived high tackles, and Katie “Kill” Hill was sent to play outside center for the remainder of the bin time.

NY would struggle for some time back and forth with NS and the Ref (you just committed the penalty and are immediately not back ten, I do not know how you did not beam yourself back), but stayed in it and in the 23rd minute Robin ‘I scored, please sub me’ O’Hare busted through for the second try of the game.

Rachel Flynn disrupted many a CNS lineout ball and NY would continue to battle the wind on our sideline and love it on the CNS sideline. The developmental pack seemed very much in support of rucks, mauls and phase play. The back line ripped open holes in the centers all day and Bussman and Kuchar were like young deer frolicking in the daisy fields.

Again, the Chicago attack was shut down, and while scrums seemed unable to be moved, all around NY appeared dominant.

At the 25th minute and half time the score was 14-0. Coach “Litrully” Fautley gave a game plan speech, which culminated in the phrase “send the Kuch away”, and NY came out ready to put up some points.

It seemed to work for Kuchar, for as the sidelines chanted “send the Kuch away” Kuchar tried and converted at the five minute mark, which would ultimately add to her six out of seven conversions for the afternoon and place her at the highest scoring position within NY women’s rugby. Kate “speed racer” Hobbs showed some fabulous hip flexibility as she showcased her Russian high kick dance move at wing. And Steph “I’m about to get the stomach virus” Paddock, had many a successful pick and go from the eight man position.

Becca “Sin” Brafman scored twice in the next few minutes in her- this is what happens when you bin me playing and Field Captain Jenna Bussman finished off her barreling runs by scoring at the 20th minute. And while scrums seemed to be the order of the day in the last few minutes, NY pinned CNS in their own end and Daniela put in the final try to bring the score to 47-0 and NY shut out it’s second game of the day.

The Bus received the “ball” award for her outstanding play of the game and both teams left the windy cold to retreat to the warmth of the Black Sheep Pub. There was rugby on the TV and a controversial boat race (ummm…spillage…rematch!) and many players left early to prepare for the next days NRU match, while some stayed out to show our visiting team what we are all about.

Congratulations to the Stand Out players of the games...

Senior Squad - Katie Brethel
Development Squad - Jenna Bussman & Kate Audage

Join us next weekend as we head south for Ruggerfest!!!