There are many marks of victory. One of them is most certainly playing a good hard game and giving the opponents something to think about. The other is fielding a team capable of playing four 20 minute periods of good rugby.  Mission accomplished, Gents...

Joining together with the Mystic River Hombres, assorted Mass Old Boys and cross-town rivals the Village Lion Kings, the Gentlemen of New York assembled some 25 old boys bodies to take on the strength of playing the Connecticut Greys at home with their 35 some players. We got off to a shaky start as our side suffered the growing pains of mixing four clubs into one team, but once we got into a grove, and throwing out the first 20 minute period, the combined Gents played solid rugby and challenged the Greys on their home turf. For veterans of the Greys-Gents rivalry it is the same pitch as the most famous game in Gents history, the so called Mud Bowl won on a highly controversial last minute disputed try.

But back to new business. Our pack managed to give them trouble throughout the game, winning most ball and pushing them back. We managed to get into their half and one guy from each club got a score in. Man of the Match honors go to Jim Herschlein for his long sprint to the try zone, ok maybe not sprint. The final score was 40-19, I’m told, with most of the Grey tries early in the game. So after the first period we settled down, we played them pretty evenly. In fact, had the game gone on another few minutes, there is no doubt that the penalty called at about the ten meter line would have resulted in a Gents try.

As always the Greys were great hosts. They have a wonderful soft wide field, lots of space for the new Gents tent, great facilities and a great bar for hosting post-game events. The addition of the other players allowed for everyone to get into the game and made it a good competitive day of old boys rugby. Thanks to Andy Gonzales of the Lions and Fran Russell of the Mystics for setting it all up and as always Dean (OHHHH MY LEG IS BROKEN) Jorgensen and Kevin McNamara for letting us bring everyone to their field.

Oh and Dean, it’s not broken. Save the tears big guy.

Cheers lads, well done.

Next up:

May 10 at Morris, N.J.

May 17 vs Poltroons/Michigan Old Boys (NY Friends and Family Day) at Inwood Park.

May 24 at Monmouth, Irish Touring Side, Old Boys game

Please confirm prior to each game.

Cheers,

Dave Martin

oldboyprop@secondrowproductions.com