NSRFC vs

Saturday, April 13 proved to be a great day for rugby. Moderate temperatures, sunshine, light winds and a green pitch with not too much goose dung on it. And on the pitch, two equally matched opponents. The captains chose to play two full halves (40 minutes), and a preview of the fall league season was on.

The Steamers rose to the task against a strong Middlesex side that came to the North Shore with a handful of very good rugby players wearing their red, green and black jerseys -- their hooker, number eight, fullback and substitute scrum half in particular. The result was in doubt for most of the first half, with the forwards from both XV's locked in constant battle. The Steamers finally opened the scoring with what by now is one of our most potent back plays -- a high kick into the opponents' in-goal with the fastest backs giving chase. This time it was Rich De Piero who executed the kick and chased the ball for a try; Mr. De Piero also converted for a Steamers lead (7-0) midway through the first half. Later in the half, the Steamers scored their second try of the match after the pack stole a Middlesex put-in just inside their 22 meter line; the backs advanced the ball, recycling possession quickly after each tackle and finally the speedy Scott Marcoulier broke through for the score, which Rich De Piero again converted for a 14-0 lead. Middlesex came back with a penalty kick to close the very evenly played first half to a score of 14-3.

North Shore made some substitutions at the half, and play continued as it had in the first half. Both teams threatened to score and on one occasion Ken Spinale prevented an opponent from touching down the ball in the North Shore in-goal, conceding a five-meter scrum instead of a sure try by the touch-in-goal. Middlesex did break through once, however, after a series of penalties conceded deep into Steamer territory, for a partial score of 14-10. The Steamers reacted like the warriors they are, and held Middlesex far from their in-goal and closed the scoring off a short line-out ten meters from the Middlesex in-goal. Tom Moloney dropped the ball behind him off the throw in to the first man, Reade Morrison picked up the ball and ran towards the in-goal. He was impeded, but the North Shore forwards were not to be denied and mauled their way into the opposing goal, with Ken Spinale touching the ball down, for a final score of 19-10.

The line-outs were evenly contested, with Ken Spinale winning his own throw-ins (as long as they were strainght) and the Middlesex jumper (their number eight, who was very good) winning his. In the scrums, however, the Steamers generally overpowered their opponents although they did get pushed back on at least two occasions that I can recall. The mauls were generally good and for the first time this season the Steamers rucked over an opponent who had been tackled and had presented the ball properly to his own side -- hopefully a portent of things to come. The loose forwards (Chris LeBlanc, Todd Slocum and Cam Williams) played their usual good game, being the first at the tackle and the first at the break-down. Rich continued his scoring streak and showed them what tactical kicking is all about. The three-quarters (Scott Marcoulier, Mark Swan, Reade Morrison during the first half and Rob Moran) combined well, and the fullback Marcel Philippe had an outstanding game, being the last man on defense with his sure tackling, secure under the opponents' high balls, and accurate with his own clearing kicks. The tackling was much better this week, considering that Middlesex was throwing some big guys crashing into the back line -- but the aforementioned backs as well as the substitutes Drew Hosman and Eric Cushing met Middlesex's challenge like men. And last but not least, The Venerable Liam Brady sacrificed his body once again for his club and played with vigor and aplomb and imparted a steadying influence on the forwards.

The Steamers lined up as follows: Jesse Wilson, Dan McKenzie, Tom Moloney; Ken Spinale, Tom Schaefer; Chris Leblanc, Cam Williams, Todd Slocum; Gus del Puerto, Rich De Piero; Reade Morrison, Scott Marcoulier, Mark Swan, Rob Moran; Marcel Philippe. Steve Moloney, Ogie Radic, Bill Brady, Drew Hosman and Eric Cushing filled in at the half.