May 14-15 2005 - Newport, RI

North Shore 'wins' consolation bracket.

North Shore 8 : 21 Seacoast

After being blessed with a late 11AM start, NSRFC was able to accumulate a full side as well as a few subs to face Seacoast. The last meeting between these two teams had been lopsided, so we were looking forward to putting in a better showing.

The game started pretty evenly, with neither team able to maintain the advantage for any extended period. Much of the first half was played between the 22s. Seacoast did have more of the possession, in large part due to their lineout wins. There were also a decent amount of penalties committed and both teams seemed to win their put-ins, generally.

If memory serves, Seacoast got on the board with a try in the first half for a 7-0 lead. Given the opportunity to use the wind, Rich DePiero kicked a penalty from near midfield which barely made it over the upright to narrow the gap to 7-3 before the half.

In the second half, North Shore was able to move the ball with more success, eventually getting on the board through a Trevor Maz try in the corner which finished off a well-executed "get the ball to Trevor" play. The kick had little chance against the wind and the score would stay 8-7.

After some extended pressure inside our 22, which included some bad kicking and penalties, Seacoast eventually went over for the go-ahead try. Not hanging our heads, North Shore charged back and grabbed some temporary momentum after a patented Scott Marcoulier run. On an ensuing set play, the ball came out to the backs and got out to the wing where Chad Horn and Chris Mroz were ready to attack the corner, and the play had the looks of a try but was unfortunately knocked on.

Clinging to the hope that a try would put us back on top, NSRFC kept fighting but eventually the knockout blow came from the Seacoast center bursting through the line to score and push the count to 21-8. The lead we had with 8 minutes to go slipped away and we were left to wonder what if...

North Shore 30 : 3 MW Bull Moose

I'm guessing at this score, but I know that there were a bunch of tries in the second half. Not so much the case in the first half, where either we couldn't get out of our own way or they were playing really well. In any case TBo nearly popped a vein out of his forehead from the sideline. The score at the half was 3-0 in favor of Bull Moose. We yelled a lot in the halftime huddle, and apparently that made Scott and Trevor (there's a pattern here) remember that they were real fast.

The ball was shipped out a hell of a lot better after the half, and Scott, Trevor, Chad, and a few others took advantage of the space to create scoring opportunities. Scott, Trevor, Swan, maybe Chad, and probably more than one by one of those guys gave us the final cushion.

Credit goes to Bull Moose who always gives us trouble, and in the last two games usually shuts us down for a half or so.

North Shore X : X Boston C

There was one guy there from the Boston side who I believe was just filling in because Albany C backed out. He didn't seem interested in playing 1 on 15 so we won by default. Instead we lounged around and watched some good rugby. All in all a good weekend and thanks to everyone who came to play and support.

North Shore Traveling Squad:
Gustavo del Puerto
Matt Thibault (Captain)
Mike "Mad Dog" Magee
Jeff West
Reade Morrison
Ken Spinale (the Michael Jordan of rugby)
Mark Swan
Andy Carnevale
Chris Linder
Jesse Brewer
Joe Sveda
Mouth Addison
Rich DePiero
Rob Moran
Chad Horn
Scott Marcoulier
Trevor Maz
Ross Arnold
Chris Mroz
Matt Vudu Richard