Sports

Rye Rugby Club Drops Close Opening Season Match Against Hudson Catholic HS

The final score of Monday's match was Rye Rugby 15, Hudson Catholic High School 20.

Written by Mike Bryan

It's official, Rye Rugby has kicked off! Rye Rugby Club played their first match on Monday May 19th at Abendroth Park, Port Chester against Hudson Catholic High School of Jersey City NJ. In a tight game of three 20 minute periods, Rye lost on a last moment penalty try after a closely fought match vs a very physical Hudson Catholic side. Both teams scored a try a piece in each period. The final moments saw the penalty try awarded by the referee. Final score 15-20 in favor of the visitors. 

Rye opened the scoring with a classic number eight move from Will Rogers. After conceding a try late in the first period and again in the second period, Paul Devlin collected a stray ball and dashed over the line to even the score. Again in the third period Rye conceded a try but came back with Patrick Cronin taking a quick penalty to even things up. After some great goal line defense, Rye's efforts to stop the athletic rush of Hudson Catholic ended with a penalty try for a high tackle and the final whistle blew.

Paul Devlin was awarded Man of the Match by the coaches for his great play before leaving the field injured late in the second period. Other honorable mentions include Santi Mascolo for some hard tackling and smart kicking from full back, Ryan Yaeger for his total commitment in his first rugby experience, Alessa Raiford and Kate Bird for taking the field and braving the melee to be Rye Rugby's first female players and Cameron Kamer for leading the pack to many successful rucks against the bigger Hudson Catholic team.

Thanks to the coaches, organizers, supporting parents, Piazza Pizza for their pies (www.PiazzaPizzaRye.com) and Hudson Catholic for giving Rye Rugby the opportunity to compete. Next game is against Pelham U16 on May 28th and preliminary plans are afoot to enter Rockaway 7s on June 14th. More to come!


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