Date:12 March 05

Location: Aberdeen , MD

Score: SJ-10, NB-8

Match Summary: A re-tooled 2005 Devil’s side defeated a disorganized but very physical North Bay fifteen 10-8 at Home Depot Park in Aberdeen , MD.  

North Bay drew first blood with an un-converted try after cherry picking a pass from a promising Devil’s forward break at 20 minutes.  The shocking theft apparently woke up the Devils.  After a clever inside move and off-load by ex-scrumhalf /new flyhalf Chris Blake, tight head prop Tom Diaz drove several North Bay players into the try zone with one of his patented bulldozer moves.  Blake added the conversion to make it 7-5 at 26 minutes.  The Devils continued to dominate possession and apply pressure for the remainder of the first half but could not breach the North Bay defense after numerous visits to the “red zone”. The referee’s apparent unawareness of number 8 scrum binding laws instituted over 10 years ago and shortened halves (30 minutes) proved to be North Bay’s “16^th man.” 

First game rust and indoor practice became more apparent throughout the remainder of the match with lots of knock-ons, handling errors and errant kicks committed by both sides.  Fortunately, the Devil’s forwards dominated most of the restarts.  Solid lineout execution and veteran lock Bill Popoff ‘s consistent clean takes and steals provided much needed Devil’s possession.  After a surprising drop goal at 48 minutes that elevated North Bay to 8-7, the Devils back row, led by ex-center-new number 8 Justin Band, started to noticeably dominate loose play. Constant back row pressure by Band/flankers Phil Wright/Mike Euykin, combined with a man-of- the- match performance by 18-year-old scrumhalf Alex Diaz and a continuously jelling back line allowed the Devils to apply enough pressure to force a penalty at 57 minutes.  Blake slotted a perfect kick from 30 meters to put the Devils ahead for good, 10-8.  It must be noted that despite tricky wind and slippery field, the Devil’s back three led by full back Billy Blauvelt put in a solid performance; Unfortunately, winger Jim Decker went down with a shoulder injury.  This  forced Band back to center, Zack Tyler shifted to wing, and veteran Ben Risely came on at #8 to finish out the match.  Kevin Lightcap spelled a ex-prop-new lock Jeff McFeeley at 48 minutes.  McFeeley played surprisingly well after a two season hiatus.

Although our Match Secretary Todd Adair confirmed a B-Game, North Bay claimed to know nothing about it and had, in fact, shortened the A-game and scheduled a high school game for 2:00 pm.  This didn’t sit well with the 4 players that didn’t get to play. Especially Ken Pape, who traveled 4 hrs.  

Next Game: The Devils play at Randal’s Island, NY City in the Village Lions 4-Leafs  15’s Tournament on 19 March. 

Team:

1. Graf
2. Greg Shore
3. Diaz, T
4. McFeeley (Lightcap)
5. Popoff
6. Wright
7. Euykin
8. Band (capt.) (Risely)
9. Diaz, A
10. Blake
11. Accardie (v-capt)
12. DiRimauldo
13. Tyler
14. Decker (Band)
15. Blauvelt

Reserves: Wachter, Pape, Scharph, Risely, Evans,  Lightcap

Man of the Match- Alex Diaz

Injuries: Jim Decker at 54 minutes, shoulder