Randall’s Island, NY.  The South Jersey Devils defeated Rockaway 37-0 in a hard fought match to win the Social Division of the 2006 Village Lions RFC Four Leafs Tournament. 

 Pool Round Matches 

Hudson Valley RFC- Even as returning champs, tournament hosts Village Lions RFC still felt it necessary to stick SJRFC with the earliest game of the tournament.  Like last year, the Devils arrived on time, warmed in a business like manner, and took the field ready to play.  Temperature at kickoff: 37degrees with 20 mile per hour gusting winds.  The frozen yet dusty and rocky field added to the enjoyment of the 20 degree windchill factor.  Yikes!!! At least it was sunny!!!!  Tom Diaz powered over for a try at 6:00 (equalling his fall 2005 output) followed by Chris Midgley at 16:00.  Both conversions and a couple of penalty kick attempts had basically no chance with the wind.  Halftime score 10-0.  The second half was dominated by the Devils forwards from the kickoff.  Tom Diaz and Justin Band both scored trys at 2:00  and 18:00 respectively.  Bill Stom converted Justin’s try. Final score 22-0.  Discounting the scrimmage against Jersey Shore, no less that 4 Devils busted their SJRFC Cherry’s: Pelligrino, Lynch, Reese and TJ.  The club also welcomed back Bill Stom and Al Sauter who both had great tournaments

Devils scoring:
Trys- Diaz(2), Midgley(1), Band(1)
Conversions-(1) Stom
Penalty Kicks-none 

1. Peligrino

2. Midgley(capt)

3. Diaz, T 

4. Lina

5. Martinez (Lynch)

6. Scharf (Brotz)

7. Wright

8. Band

9. Diaz, A

10. Stom

11. Ferrari (Reese)

12. DiRomualdo

13. Sauter

14. Rimositis (TJ)

15. Blauvelt

All Japan-The Devils faced a tricky, shifty, and chippy opponent in the ALL Japan of NY RFC.   All Japan opened the scoring with an embarrassing  60 yard zig-zagging try right through the heart of the Devils defense at 3:00.  That would be all though.  On the ensuing kickoff Chris Lina absolutely crushed the unfortunate receiver and the domination began.  Outstanding execution of a midfield split backs play, several mauls that went 20 yds down the field, relentless hustle by captain/hooker Chris Midgley and flanker Phil Wright and the flat out pace and power of Mike Romositis led to 3 quick trys by the big winger at 7:00, 10:00 and 12:00. Stom converted on all three. Halftime score 21-7.  All Japan became frustrated and it got a little ugly with some high tackles and dangerous plays by All Japan in the second half. The Devils did not lose their poise, however, and added a Chris Midgley try and a Stom penalty to make the final score 31-7.

 Devils scoring:
Trys-Rimositis (3), Midgley
Conversions- Stom (4)
Penalty Kicks (1) Stom

1. Peligrino

2. Midgley(capt)

3. Diaz, T 

4. Lina

5. Martinez (Lynch)

6. Scharf (Brotz)

7. Wright

8. Band

9. Diaz, A

10. Stom

11. Ferrari (Reese)

12. DiRomualdo

13. Sauter

14. Rimositis (TJ)

15. Blauvelt

 
Championship Round Matches 

Semi-Final 

Columbia Business School- It’s unusual that the Pool round is harder than the Championship round; however, that’s the way it turned out.  The Devils blew out uncomfortable looking Columbia Law in a one sided match. Highlights were some nicely executed backrow plays, some hard running by lock Chris Lina, and some dead on conversion and tactical  kicking by flyhalf Billy Stom.  Center domination by Al Sauter and Brent DiRomualdo led to a Brent try and lots of set-ups that led to others scoring trys.  Mike Romositis continued to dominate on the wing, slotting two more trys.  Justin Band led from the front the whole match and also scored a try. Final score 45-0   

Devils scoring:
Trys-Romosits (2), Midgley, Ferrari, DiRomualdo, Stom, Band
Conversions:-(5) Stom
Penalty Kicks: none 

1. Peligrino

2. Midgley(capt)

3. Diaz, T 

4. Lina

5. Martinez (Lynch)

6. Scharf (Brotz)

7. Wright

8. Band

9. Diaz, A

10. Stom

11. Ferrari (Reese)

12. DiRomualdo

13. Sauter

14. Rimositis (TJ)

15. Blauvelt

Final:  

Rockaway  RFC- What could have been a classic 2005 championship rematch and a best two out of three series continued over from last year turned out to be less than climactic.  The combination of the cold, the rocky and dusty fields, key injuries, being the day after St Patty’s Day, and the Village lions B-Side in the semi did a number on Rockaway and they turned up for the match with just nine players.  Already kitted up and ready to play, SJRFC decided to take the referees recommendation and wait them out rather than accept a forfeit. They managed to come up with a full side by kickoff. 

Highlights of the match were Tony Pellegrino scoring his first try, two trys by hard running Chis Lina (including one that was 30 yards), smooth play in the centers and more breaks and set-ups by Al Sauter, good decision making by Bill Stom and outstanding all around play by scrumhalf Alex Diaz.  Jerome Martinez also scored a nice try off what appeared to be a lineout peel.  Final 37-0   

Devils scoring:
Trys-Lina (2), Sauter, Martinez, Romositis, Diaz, Pellegrino,
Conversions-(1) Stom
Penalty Kicks none 

Finals Team 

1. Peligrino

2. Midgley(capt)

3. Diaz, T 

4. Lina

5. Martinez (Lynch)

6. Scharf (Brotz)

7. Wright

8. Band

9. Diaz, A

10. Stom

11. Ferrari (Reese)

12. DiRomualdo

13. Sauter

14. Rimositis (TJ)

15. Blauvelt

 Man of the Tournament - Al Sauter