The SJRFC Devils survived a second half shootout to outlast Morris RFC 42-31 at Evesham Rd. Winger Matt Cusick led the Devils with two trys.  The SJRFC B’s blew out the old-yet-slow Morris B’s, 55-0.

A-side:

First Half

With the exception of some less than committed rucking, missed tackles, and some botched high balls, it was all Devils in the first half.  With scrums re-enforced by the return of front rowers Gene Graf (injury) and Greg VanGuilder (work) and lineouts completely controlled by “Chatty Cathy” (lock Bill Popoff) it soon became apparent that the SJRFC forwards would be having there way with the Morris pack.  This provided the best platform for attack the Devils backs have had thus far in 2005.  Combine this with the emergence of flyhalf Chris Blake’s tactical kicking game and outstanding kick coverage by the inside and outside backs, you have a difficult situation for any opponent. The Devils wasted no time: Eightman Justin Band picked up from the base from about 20 meters out and didn’t stop until he dove one down next to the posts at 13 minutes.  Blake converted.  Morris quickly countered with an unconverted try after an embarrassing string of Devil’s missed tackles.  At 22 minutes, the Devil’s backs executed well off first phase, put fullback Billy Blauvelt into the line. Billy transferred perfectly and put big winger Matt Cusick into space from about 30 meters out with a couple of Morris defenders to beat. Matt had no problem getting into the try zone, leaving some would-be Morris defenders lying in his wake.  Blake converted, 14-5.  Although he nearly blew chow after the effort and had to be assisted to his feet, Seamus Dugan next pulled off one of the more memorable scrumhalf trys in recent SJRFC history:  A perfect dummy at the side of a ruck put him through with the defending Morris fullback up and over-rotated.  He then out-raced his opposite number all 75 meters to the try zone. Blake converted.  Half time score SJRFC 21-Morris 5

Second Half

Chris Blake started off the second half scoring with a long penalty kick.  Everything was looking great until a late Blake pass was picked off at 44 minutes. A communication lapse in the Devils backline defense yielded another at 54 minutes.  All of the sudden it was 24-19 with the Morris backs looking very dangerous and almost a whole half to play.  At 58 minutes, a well executed Band to Dugan back row play led to another Matt Cusick try similar to the first; he simply overpowered his opposite making it 29-19.  Ever-creative hooker Greg VanGuilder followed with an unconverted try at 62 minutes after cleverly emerging from a sideline maul and outraced the Morris pack 35 meters to the corner of the try zone (34-19).  A smooth cruise to victory for SJRFC looked imminent until Morris came back with a converted try at 68 minutes (34-26). Just to make things even more interesting, an unnamed veteran Devil took a Shapiro-ish penalty in front of his own posts for his game long, aimless debating with the hapless referee.  Morris worked the gift into another try and converted making it 34-31.  Devils pressure led by Mike Euykin forced a penalty and Chris Blake added a “money” penalty kick at 80 minutes (37-31).  To ice the victory, outstanding-all-season flanker Phil Wright then decided it was time he powered over for his weekly try. After a nice reaction to a bad ball shooting out of the base of the scrum, scrumhalf Seamus Dugan picked, beat the back row, and spun wide to Lenny Accardi.  Lenny had the corner (he doesn’t know how fast he is) but decided to cut into his man and dish at the 5-meter line; Phil did the rest.  Final Score 42-31.  Phew! We’ll take it, boys.

SJRFC Scoring :

Trys: Band (1), Cusick (2), Dugan (1), VanGuilder (1), Wright (1)

Conversions: Blake (3)

Penalties: Blake (2)

1. Graf
2. VanGuilder
3. Diaz
4. Popoff
5. Lightcap (Midgely)
6. Wright
7. Euykin
8. Band
9. DuganDiaz
10. Blake
11. Accardi
12. DiRomualdo
13. Cusick
14. Tyler
15. Blauvelt

Co-Men of the match- Matt Cusick/Seamus Dugan

NEXT GAME  23 April 05-Second City Troop RFC (away)

Killer Bs

Put some of the SJRFCs all time greats on the field and guess what happens: Everybody has a great time and a boat-load of trys get scored.   With the likes of Ryder, Olsen, Wilson, Palena, and Smith Sr. playing their upcoming Old Guarde season tune-up matches, Morris was nervous.  Throw in Angry Tom and the Fort Dix Flyboy connection of Justin Smith/Jerome Martinez and Morris became visibly upset.  Add the “rally round the old-skipper” leadership of Pat Martin to congeal the squad and Morris Knew they had no chance.  Flyhalf Geoff Ryder was typical Geoff Ryder-quite cranky on the pitch but tactically and technically amazing as usual. The Scotts-Palena/Wilson-were pure class and skill. A noticeably robust Johnny Olsen was immovable in the set-pieces. Smith Sr ran like a deer.  Angry Tom played as angry as ever.  Alex Diaz continued to impress with his dexterity at scrumhalf.  Jerome (try) and Justin both had blinders, although Justin, fresh back from a busted nose,  took a nasty knock to the ear that required stitches.  Mark Evans had some very impressive tackles and probing counter attacks at wing.  SJRFC thanks all the guys that doubled up after a tough first match

Man of the match: Justin Smith. (Lets get him a helmet)

SJRFC Scoring:

Trys: A. Diaz (1), Accardi (1), Justin from Fort Dix (2), Martinez (1), Ryder (1), Palena (2), Wilson (1)

Conversions: Ryder (5)

Penalties: none

1. Olsen
2. Meehan
3. Diaz, T
4. Martinez
5. Lightcap
6. Midgely
7. Graf (DiRomualdo)
8. Wilson
9. Diaz, A
10. Ryder
11. Justin from Fort Dix (Smith, T, Sr.)
12. Martin
13. Accardi
14. Evans
15. Palena