Updated: The A-side pulled a draw from the jaws of defeat in the last minute, thanks to Matt Smith's conversion from out on the left-hand sideline, possibly the worst place for a lefty to have to kick for the game. The B-side then racked up the points on a balmy day in New Jersey. Read on...

With a route into the playoffs on the line NYM expected a tough battle, especially without several seasoned campaigners away on nuptual duty or injured for another week. Bayonne had also been hit by injuries this season so it would be a close contest, and so it proved, going right down to the wire. Bayonne scored first and early though their fly half as he took a wide line through the 10-12 gap and dummied Rich alone at fullback to score under the posts. NYM looked to open it up, especially with the pack gaining success against their opponents eight. So often though the support was just that little bit late reacting to Matt Beckleys runs off the scrum or the penetration in the backs wasn't quite there. Evetually the forwards punded one over the line to establish parity. Bayonne came back though as the scoring see-sawed and their wing went over for an unconverted score. NYM again came back showing good vision from Matt Smith as a miss-pass found Eastman who made no mistake, Matt Smith could not fire the conversion through though. NYM started gaining the upper hand and good phases would eventually be undone by poor precision near the line. With the final play of the half Bayonne turned defense into attack, their intercepting a long miss pass and racing 75m for a converted score. Halftime 19-10 to Bayonne.

Despite this lack of fortune NYM were confident of coming away the winners. The pack was performing very well in the scrums and mauls and the backs were starting to click in attack, apart from that last try. Indeed the first half started well and pressuring Bayonnes line Eastman did the dirty to pick up and pluge over for his second try, which Matt Smith converted. Score 19-17 to Bayonne. However, NYM were again allowed Bayonne into the game and yielded a soft try for Bayonne to gather initiative. There was plenty of time left and though NYM dominted most of the rest of the game mistakes kept frustrating their efforts to score. Finally, with minutes to go quick ruck ball allowed the NYM backline the space it needed to put Pat Schaal over in the left corner. With the kick wide out on the left, Matt Smith being left-footed, and the game and playoffs on the line Matty slotted the pressure kick to tie the scores. From the kick-off he sent the ball all the way back up into the Bayonne half and their resulting clearance bounced back into touch in the NYM half to end the game. With the points for the draw and a bonus for 4 tries NYM qualified for the playoffs in third place to face the loser of the Old Blue vs White Plains game. Man of the Match: Scott Crafton.

The B-side again demonstrated our depth with a 43-5 thrashing of Bayonne B. Mike Bury was prominant in the lineout and loose, Gianni and Kenny ran the show from the half backs and outside backs Ryan McGarrity, Saad Cecil and Wagner "Ride the Valkyries" Xavier Samaniego ripped through the Bayonne defense. It was a great performance. Man of the Match: Mike Bury.

Bayonne hosted a great drinkup including a disputed boat race win for NYM, anchored by Dosi, and Ben Whitney showing off his muscle for the "rookie lift".