NSRFC v. Harvard Busines School

26-10

NSRFC notched another win on Saturday on a great day for rugby. Having been beaten badly in our only previous meeting with Harvard Business School, there was no lack of motivation heading into the game. However, it would be HBS getting on the board first after a sluggish start by the home team.

A costly penalty early in the game set up HBS for a chance at 3 points, only to have the goal post deny the kick. However, it wasn't long before an HBS forward rumbled through the middle of the North Shore defense line and in for a try. The try was converted for a 7-0 lead.

The visitors added another penalty kick in the first half, but that would account for all of their scoring on the day. The NSRFC defense tightened and stifled any serious scoring threats, including a prolonged period defending our own try line.

North Shore got on the board in the first half after a kick towards the sideline met the HBS fullback's hands around the same time as Rob Moran's foot, squibbing through into the open for a clear shot at the try zone. One missed tackle later and it was 5 points for the home team. Rich DePiero converted the try.

In the second half, trailing 10-7 and needing a score badly, North Shore mounted an attack with the forwards recycling the ball over and over until we neared the try zone. After a number of phases the hard running of Matt Thibault had him a meter from goal when he was tackled high and awarded a penalty try. The try was again converted by Rich.

A 14-10 lead was far from secure, and North Shore stayed on the offensive following the score. Reade Morrison gained some serious ground after a breakdown near midfield, stiff-arming his way into the 22. After a lineout and a few forward phases, the work of the pack allowed Matt Thibault to notch his second score of the game. The ball was being mauled inside five meters, and in the end the NSRFC pack shoved their way in and T-Bo touched down for the score. The kick was successful for a 21-10 lead.

Looking to seal the deal, NSRFC kept the pressure on, and yet another series of phase ball put us under the posts about five meters out. Scrum half Andy Kerr dug the ball out and shipped it towards the wing, where Reade Morrison eluded a high tackle and touched down in the corner for the game's final score, which was not converted.

Man of the match: Tony Buonaugurio

North Shore XV:
1 Tom Moloney--> Danny Forsythe
2 Reade Morrison
3 Jeff West
4 Kevin Donovan --> Tony Buonaugurio
5 Kendall Smith --> Jesse Dole
6 Jesse Dole --> Chris LeBlanc-Smith
7 Matt Thibault
8 Tony Buonaugurio --> Craig Copland
9 Rich DePiero --> Andy Kerr
10 Dan Donato
11 Chad Horn
12 Martin Mahoney
13 Jesse Brewer
14 Rob Moran
15 Joe Sveda --> Rich DePiero

B side DIV game

NSRFC Win

33-12

In the B game, old and new faces made up a strong B side with speed outside and hard play in the rucks and mauls. The game was fairly wide open, with a good amount of kicking and the ball moving up and down the field.

Starting off the scoring for NSRFC was none other than Gus del Puerto, after a heads-up play where he grabbed a loose ball and found his way into the try zone. Steve Moloney made the most of his opportunity, grabbing a ball out of the scrum and touching down from 10 meters out.

Eddie Calixte also scored for the B's. After a long run by Jesse Brewer, Eddie was in support and got wide around the HBS defense for a score. Joe Sveda made a strong run towards the end of the game and scored on his first day in an NSRFC jersey, while also displaying a strong boot.

All in all a strong match, with Zack Plante all over the field in pursuit and Trevor Maz showing that his wheels are almost all the way back, collecting a try in his usual fashion - outrunning the entire defense.

MOTM: Joe Sveda

1 Mike Magee --> Steve Moloney
2 Scott Addison
3 Damien Bamberg
4 Kevin Donovan
5 Matt Richard
6 Liam Brady
7 Steve Moloney --> Matt Thibault(?)
8 Andy Carnevale
9 El Presidente del Puerto
10 Joe Sveda
11 Luis ____?
12 Zack Plante
13 Trevor Mazarura
14 Eddie Calixte
15 Ross Arnold



A good drinkup followed the game, with HBS more than willing to offer up a song and a new record for shooting the boot set by Scott "Mouth" Addison.