Match reports from the Saranac CAN-AM 2011
Game I - Canada Father & Sons: Hibo's started the tournament with a strong first half. Keeping the Father and Sons on their heels with controlled rucks and mauls and a lot of hard hitting! The only score in the first half came 20 minutes in by F&S. In the second half F&S took advantage of our back lines inexperience as a team - resulting in our loss.
Game II - Old Gold: Our first win came next against Old Gold. We were out numbered, undersize and didn't have any practices as a group. Under Matt Pashley, Steve Tormey and Arturos leadership we ran simple back plays that had the backs crashing back towards the forwards for support. This resulted in several good mauls producing break aways from Jeff Pesature. He gained large chucks of ground by either kicking or running with Todd Mason and Jeff Rodgers in support.
Game III - Cortland: The best game of the five was next against Cortland. We had one break away after another. Pat Mason had the most impressive try. He scored by running through several Cortland players and then putting the ball down with a couple of players on his back. That ended the day.
Game IV - South Buffalo: The next day we played in the semi consolation finals against South Buffalo. Everyone showed up on time and ready to play at 7:30 AM. We should have been given an award just for showing up. SB started with constant back play. Our back line consisted of three high school players Steve Spadaccino (Spaz), Conner Reed, and Chris Young (Rock Steady) along with Andrew Blasco (Francoius), B-Mac and Dean Schofield. They not only stepped up their game but stuffed SBs backs often and hard. The winning and only score came from (Spaz). With only 4 minutes left in the match Spaz picked off a pass to their inside center and ran 60 yards for the try. Arturo then kept the ball in tight to the forwards using slow play to run out the clock. Steve Gil, Dan Emmonds, and T-Mac have to take a lot of the credit for their hard running and controlling the ball.
Game V - North Jersey:
In
the final game we started driving the ball the same way as in the previous game.
We had them on their heels driving them all the way to North Jerseys 15 meter.
We choose to kick for goal after an offside penalty was called. The ball shot
off the goal post giving them a NJ bounce. Resulting in a run back to our ten
meter line. NJ scores came mostly off of penalty kicks and a couple of break
aways. The best play of the game was Jeff Rodgers and Pat taking the ball in
from the ten meter line. The ball was held up but NJ was called for offside.
Giving us a second chance to score. Arturo took a quick tap passing to Lee Mason
and scoring our only try.
I've been coming to this tournament for several years and this was an experience
I'll never forget. I was given a chance to share the pitch with three high
school players, two league players that never played union, a lot of league
players and a couple of old boys. We weren't able to have a single practice as a
team. We didn't recruit from outside of the Hibernians clan, and we didn't play
only the so called A-players. What we did was play hard nose rugby. Everyone
that showed up came to play. Most of the guys played hurt without complaining -
in particular Todd Kelly (Tattoo Todd). Some played positions they normally or
never played before - B-Mac, Dean Schofield, and Ryan Sodano (side line
coach). Their were no arguments, only anxious players that came for the rugby.
I want to thank the women, family and friends on the side line for the support
they provided -.running Jeff to the hospital, picking up supplies and water.
Everything they did was of value and appreciated. "Rugby wives save rugby
lives". I also would like to thank Todd and Lee for making this happen and
making it enjoyable. Looking forward to next year. Last thing - I would like to
congratulate the Misfits for making it to the final. The Hibos would like to see
some of you out with us this fall.
Team Roster:
1. Tim MacCall 2. Brian MacCall 3. Todd Kelly 4. Steve Gil
5. Jeff Pesature 6. Arturo Bravo 7. Dean Schofield 8. Lee Mason
9.Todd Mason 10. Pat Mason 11. Pat Mason Sr 12. Jeff Rodgers
13. Matt Pashley 14. Andrew Blaso 15. Steve Tormey 16. Steve
Spadaccino 17. Conner Reed 18. Dan Emmonds 19. Chris Young 20.
Micky Walton 21. Mike Walton Side line Coaches: Ryan
Sodano and Frankie Conners
Awards:
Most valuable: Jeff Pesature
Iron Man ( Played in all five games without injury): Jeff Rodgers, Pat Mason,
Todd Mason, & Steve Spadaccino
Goose of the tournament: B-Mac
Injured players:
Jeff Pesature - ankle
Scores:
Canada Father & Sons vs Hibernians - L 31-0
Hibernians vs Old Gold - W 20-7
Hibernians vs Cortland - W 25-14
Semi Consolation Final - Hibernians vs South Buffalo NY - W 7-0
Consolation Final - North Jersey vs Hibernians - L 38-5