|
NYM lose out in semi-finals at Rockaway 7s |
|
|
|
|
Monday, 16 June 2008 |
|
Due to miscommunications throughout the preceeding week NYM pulled an entry from the Rockaway 7s, only for us to have enough players there for potentially two teams. However, a united, and young, squad proved a formidable opponent in the Open Club Division until their progress was halted by a good Bayonne side. More from captain for the day Saad Cecil...
For the NYM men, the first match of the day was to kick off at 9:00am vs. NY All Japan. As of 9:00am we had all of 2 members of the team actually at the field and kitted up. Rockaway was gracious enough to delay the kickoff of the game a few minutes as our players trickled in. This delay proved costly to NY All Japan as we managed to shut them out 36-0. Highlight of the match: NYM playing in "I rugbyball NY" t-shirts and not having one get torn as the jerseys hadn't arrived prior to kickoff. Our second match of the day was played against Rockaway's own B-side squad. We were able to come away with another clean victory thanks to the help of some last minute coaching tips by Kiwi Cameron. I'm not sure of the score but we had theses guys beat by at least 3 tries. Highlight of the match: Big Joe rumbling and stumbling along a 40 yard breakaway only to knock the ball on in the try zone. (Better luck next time) 4 hours later, into quarter final bracket play, we met up with a tough Long Island B side squad. In dramatic fashion we were able to pull away with yet another win with NYRC U-19 Matteo making a fast break with some swift moves to dish the ball off to Rob Cabrera who scored the winning try in sudden death. Highlight of the match: See above In the semifinal match we squared off against Bayonne who took the game 4 tries to 1. In coming to this tournament I had two goals in mind for the team: 1. To make sure that everyone who showed up got suffficient playing time 2. To at least match our record at this tournament last year. 1. I tried to arrange all starting lineups and subs so that everyone got an equal amount of playing time even if meant some people not playing at all in certain games because of the 3 sub rule. Thank you all for being cooperative and not complaining about being swapped in and out. 2. This year we actually performed better than we did last year (Plate runner's up). We went undefeated in open play and won our quarter final match. I want to thank all of you guys that showed up for being patient with the organization of the tournament and for giving it your all at every game, even when playing out of position (Ben at prop). I also want to thank Scott Crafton and Casey for bring the jerseys back and forth, as well as the women for supporting us and vice versa. Also, Trainwreck and Andy burns for coming out to support. Everyone was dissapointed that we only had one mens team entered in the tournament but took it in stride. Players In Attendance: Enrique, Scott Crafton, Matteo (U19), Rob Cab (U19), Jorge Cab (U19), Arnold (U19), Ben, Mike Esser, Joe (U19), Oisin, Cameron, Casey, Saad, and I believe Im missing a name or two. |
