Sept 13 2003
North Shore vs. Seacoast
13-13 final score

Looking to secure their first league win in NERFU D3 play, the Steamers came out flying against Seacoast and set the tone of play early.

The Steamers were phasing well and maintaining a good amount of possession in the early action but unable to break through the home side's defense. After a set piece inside Seacoast's 22, the ball came out to the backs and found its way to Trevor Maz who darted to the outside for the first score of the match. (conversion failed)

After some back and forth play in the loose, a scrum down in the center of the field left Scott Marcoulier and Trevor alone on the left side of the pitch.  A deft chip kick by Scott found Trevor in stride (thanks to a beauty of a bounce) and Trevor was gone down the sideline for a two tries to nil lead @ 10-0. (conversion failed)

Seacoast began to gain some momentum as the first half progressed, and a five meter scrum outside North Shore's try line was won against the head by the Steamer pack.  However, in the ensuing action, the ball came loose and was pounced on by a Seacoast forward for a try. (conversion failed)

There was some sloppy play at the end of the first half, but no real advantage gained by either side. The halftime score was 10-5 with a high level of intensity and neither team giving an inch.

The second half opened with more of the same, and Seacoast pressuring the North Shore try line for a prolonged period.  The next score was the result of a multi-phase possession for Seacoast culminating in their winger sneaking around the end for a try and a tie game @ 10-10.

Seacoast was able to take the lead on a penalty conversion, making the score 13-10 well into the second half.  Needing to summon their second wind, North Shore went on the offensive and took the play into enemy territory.  A Seacoast forward decided to kick a ball away that was still in the tackle area? and was whistled for a penalty. Rich Depiero made no mistake in launching a clutch 30 meter kick to tie the game.  

The remainder of the game saw more spirited play from both sides but no points scored.  In the waning moments, Seacoast had a chance to pull ahead on a penalty kick but the ball sailed just wide of the uprights and the game would end 13 apience.

Notes: Liam Brady battling at prop for 80 hard minutes... Tom Moloney absolutely nailing someone in the loose... Chad Horn patrolling the wing and allowing no one to break through... Dan Donato stepping right in and giving us some quality play on the backline...  Martin sacrificing his nose (broken?) for the team (and then going to work)... Several backline formations, all maintaining a high level of play... The pack stealing multiple scrums and winning lineouts all day... Many more efforts that I can't remember apologies to anyone overlooked

All in all the match represented a big step up in the level of play over the course of the match. Where last year only pockets of good play were surrounded by lapses, this was a more consistent overall effort.  The Steamers were disappointed not to walk away with a win but pleased to maintain intensity and quality of play for almost the whole match.

North Shore XV

Subs used - Matt Thibault, Dan Donato

B-Side

The killer B's were fewer in number than we might have liked, and the result was a thrown together lineup including Trevor's brother Bless and his friend Eddie, a Seacoast forward, and a makeshift pack including myself at flanker. The game was fairly sloppy with the ball on the deck often and some tired players on double-duty.

However, it was a hard fought game, Eddie making some solid tackles on the wing, Bless dashing in for a try, Damien Bamberg getting an in-game education from Terry Townsend, Gus stepping in at flanker, myself finding a gap in the defense for a score, Kevin Donovan rucking hard, and Chad leveling someone on the wing and letting them know about it...good times!

Final score 13-12 in favor of Seacoast.

Jeff West	Reade Morrison	Damien Bamberg
John (Seacoast)	Kevin Donovan
Rob Moran	Jesse Dole	Mark Swan
Gus del Puerto	Dan Donato	Bless Maz	Eric Cushing	Trevor Maz	Eddie	Chad Horn