Since it's our match report the true final score of the game vs the Connecticut Greys should have been 0-0. However, the referee overruled Matt McCarthy and awarded the Greys a try when the mud marks clearly showed that their player had been tacked well before the try line but slide and got pushed into goal in the mud and rain and the score was the only one of a contested 0-5 loss...

It was one of those games that helps you realized what a great sport rugby is. The pitch was a standing pool of freezing cold muddy water, had an uphill lie and every step meant you sunk your waterlogged boots into a inch or more of mud and water. But it was a fun day of rugby all around. A Gents of NY trip to Connecticut means you're never quite sure who will arrive. They of course had 25 players ready to jump in. But we were bolsted by Fran Russell of the Mystic River Old Boys down to play second row and Bob Sweeney of New Hampshire arriving with John McClusky of Maine. The former Les Vieux standouts and now traveling members of the Gents solidified a backfield anchored by McCarthy recruiting prospects Jarl at fullback, yep, you read that right and Dave F at center. Jarl played until the blood totally seeped through his sideline made bandage over the deep cut on his nose and he went off for stitches before the game ended. Dave proved to be a capable center and when Jarl went out, normally the used and abused front row player Don Warner filled in at fullback making everyone miss Jarl all the more.

The rain never really stopped and we got out to a 0-0 tie after the first 20 minute period, despite having the downhill run. In the second 20 they had the hill and wind advantage but our vaunted defense and tackling kept them out of the try zone. We split the field advantage in the third 20 minutes and the score was still 0-0 when they got tackled just outside the try zone and got the highly disputed call and were awarded the game's sole try. It was one of those games no one deserved to lose.

As always the Greys were great hosts, laying out a spread at their bar and naming Foster our wingforward as man of the match. He was asked to give a speech, but since no one's actually heard him speak, he didn't mince words just saying, no. It shoudl be noted that Foster does his talking on the field taking the ball straight up just about everytime he got his hands on it.

Despite the rain, mud, wind, cold and uphill runs, it was a great day of rugby and continued a great rivalry between the Gents of NY and the Connecticut Greys. This game evened the record of 1-1 on the season, us beating them at the Ruckin Regatta back in September.

And so the fall Gentlemen of New York season comes to an end. We finished with great wins against the Village Lions and earlier the Grays. Union more or less cancelled on us and we made up the game with a second game against the Lions and the score was 26-26 after two 25 minute periods but they pulled off two more tries to avenge their earlier loss. We had great turnouts for the games, played good rugby and kept old boys rugby alive in New York City for another season.

Next up, our entry into New York 7's, Old Boys Division and the Gents Christmas party in December at Blaggard's in midtown, a Thursday night in December. Games resume in the spring.

Congrats on a successful season of Gentlemen rugby.