In a match where things just didn't quite click for us, especially in the backs who had been on fire so far this season, Albany squeaked a win by 2 points at Pier 40. NYM "A" 8 vs Albany Knickerbockers "A' 10. The B-side made up for it by running out clear winners in a somewhat niggly affair in the second game; score TBC.

NYM 8 vs Albany Knickerbockers 10

May 5th 2007, Pier 40, K.O. 7:30pm

NYM started the match with a high-tempo game that had their opponents stretched on the large and fast pitch at Pier 40. There were several surging runs that left defenders hanging on however the final pass or move wasn't quite there. After 10 minutes of concerted pressure captain Dave Elwell opted for a shot at the posts with a drop goal to get us on the board. However, after last hitting 6/6 kicks against NYAC "B" he uncharacteristically missed. Albany started to claw themselves back into the game and after see-sawing for a bit hit a penalty to take the lead. We started to miss our first up tackles, allowing the Albany runners a bit of space and this was duly punished with a converted try. A penalty to NYM shortly before the break, this time slotted by Elwell, put us into half-time 10-3 down. The second half started much like the first ended, with both sides bashing into each other. NYM came back more and more into the game but still the last passes for that crucial try eluded them, including one glaring dropped ball with an overlap. Devon St Louis "Trini" came on for Dave Moylan, with Rich Richardson moving to the centers, and immediately started to give his opposite number a lesson in pace and power on the wing; twice going round him on the outside and putting in at least one crunching tackle. However, the support wasn't quite with him and both breaks were snuffed out short of the line. In between Dave Elwell missed another pop at the posts from straight in front and so the tension kept mounting. Eventually though, with 10 minutes to go the ball was swept out to Danny Sonon on the right wing. As usual with a lot to do he made it look easy - he has been on fire this spring. He went round one guy with a quick step and then through the remaining two defenders to power over in the corner. Elwell again couldn't hit the coonversion from such a wide angle, score 8-10 to Albany. We continued to press for the final score but it didn't come and the match played out with Albany hanging on in our half for the win.

NYM Try: D. Sonon. Pen: Elwell

Albany Try, Con, Pen.

Team: 1. A. Delpech, 2. P. Galen, 3. B. Tyler, 4. M. McNeill, 5. S. Danahy, 6. M. Bury, 7. A. Boon (C. Eckstein, 65'), 8. B. Galand, 9. L. Machado, 10. D. Elwell (c), 11. R. Richardson, 12. D. Moylan (D. St Louis, 65'), 13. M. Venzin, 14. D. Sonon, 15. B. Eastman.

Man of the Match: Eastman again had some slashing runs on counterattacks and some crucial tackles in the last line, the only person not to miss one. He is really relishing the challenge one-on-one at the back and the space to run. Leandro controlled the game well from the base of the pack and had a sprightly night around the fringes. However, "Creepy" Mike McNeill gets it for bein a thorn in the side of their lineout, putting in the tireless grunt work, and still getting around the park all night long.

Some poeple had to fill in for the B game from the A's, especially in the front row, but with shortened halves and a pedantic ref put in a great showing to come away with a large win. Notables were Birdie, another thorn in Albany's lineout, Matt Smith having a good game in his first one back from his wedding and honeymoon, and Matt VosbUrgh showing enough talent to suggest he will have a good future in the game. He burst away from one tacklers grasp for a 60m try and would have had another if he hadn't run out of space and put his foot on the sideline. Man of the Match: Matt VosBurgh