North Shore Rugby 57 Mount Washington Valley 7

After a considerable trek up Route 16, the North Shore Steamers were able to come away with a victory over a formidable host in MWV RFC. A solid drink-up followed as MWV made the trip well worthwhile.

A hard, clean game was played by both sides as the wide pitch provided some running room for each team's backline.  For the visitors, the space was exploited by backs such as Trevor Maz, Scott Marcoulier (in his first game back), Martin Mahoney, and Matt Thibault.

Good support was also maintained by the visiting side, as the back row of Tony Buonaugurio, Kenny Spinale and Capt. Crunch led the way.  Also supporting and rucking well in the loose were Mark Swan, Reade Morrison and Matt Cogliano. As props are by nature the last ones able extricate themselves from the scrum, the combination of Tom Moloney (always good for some big hits) and Liam Brady (ably stepping in for the club) controlled the scrums and allowed us to steal some put-ins.

The scoring included (in no particular order - - it ain't easy to remember when you were playing!) :

- Trevor Maz (2) on a break down the sideline, outpacing his opposite number as well as on a scissor inside the 22
- Martin "old man river" Mahoney (3), taking a pop pass from myself around midfield and darting under the posts, scoring on two other breaks taking advantage of running room
- "Cherry" Chad Horn following up Scott M's break to the try line to pick up the loose ball and dot down..
- Rich DePiero on a well-executed kick and chase into the dustbowl in the try zone. Outrunning the opposing fullback/winger to create the score
- Captain Chris LeBlanc-Smith (before abandoning his team for a chance at outside center glory in the third period), on a rolling maul with Swanny that enabled a 20 meter break and score
- One or two more unidentified tries... if I'm leaving you out let me know....

Mount Washington Valley was not about to be pushed around, periodically taking loose balls and gaining significant yardage.  In the first half, the ball was dangerously close to being touched down for a home-side try before being whistled dead by the referee for a 5 meter scrum.  MWV's pressure on the ensuing pass caused some poor handling and resulted in a try.

Not to be overlooked was the fiery play of Jesse Brewer, the calm and collected Eric Cushing fielding kicks from the fullback position, T-Bo's leveling hit on a MWV counter attack up the sideline (literally put a stop to their progress), Damien Bamberg getting his first game action at prop and holding his own, Vudu making his triumphant return from work-induced hibernation, El Presidente Gus showing fine form and Kevin Donovan jumping into the killer B attack and hitting hard as always.

A serious traveling social crew accompanied North Shore on the trip... Steve Moloney and Dave Shannon (heal up soon boys) making social appearances as well as friends, wives and girlfriends too numerous to mention, but support always appreciated.

North Shore XV -
1- Tom Moloney
2 - Reade Morrison
3 - Liam Brady
4 - Mark Swan
5 - Matt Cogliano
6 - Chris LeBlanc-Smith
7 - Tony Buono
8 - Ken Spinale
9 - Rich Depiero
10 - Martin Mahoney
11 - Trevor Maz
12 - Matt T-Bo
13 - Rob Moran
14 - Chad Horn --> Jesse B
15 - Eric Cushing
 
B-Game (shot in the dark...)
1 - Vudu
2 - Reade Morrison
3 - Damien Bamberg
4 - Kevin Donovan
5 - Matt Cogliano
6 - Matt T-Bo
7 - Tony Buono
8 - Ken Spinale
9 - Gus del Puerto
10 - Jesse Brewer
11 - Eric Cushing
12 - Scott Marcoulier
13 - Martin Mahoney
14 - Chad Horn
15 - Rob Moran