Mystics Win Big in Albany, 51-13

ALBANY, NY - In Week 6 of the NERFU season, Mystic River traveled to Albany to take on the Albany Knickerbockers. With the regular season coming to a close and two tough matches ahead, it was a must win for the Mystics, who fell to the 'Hounds the week prior. The Mystic forward came out strong, dominating the Albany pack, while the Mystic back line penetrated through the gaps and kept Albany on the retreat throughout much of the half. By the halftime whistle, the Mystics had taken a commanding 27-3 lead.

Determined not to go down without a fight, Albany fought back in the second half and added ten points to their tally, but the Mystics never let up the onslaught and took the match 51-13. The win put Mystic River back on the top of the table going into the final two matches.

Mystic Second XV Fall to Albany

ALBANY, NY - Once again facing a seasoned side of veterans, the Mystic Second XV lost their second match in a row to Albany this past weekend. In the forwards, it was a tooth and nail battle as both packs seemed evenly matched. Mystic forwards repeatedly pounded the ball into the opposition, but were stopped by a well organized Albany defensive line. Albany was able to take advantage of some disorganization in the Mystic defensive line, punching through for five tries. Mystic scrumhalf and "Man of the Match" Peter Chung scored Mystic's two tries to make the score 31-10 in Albany's favor.

Mystics Fall to 'Hounds in Canton

CANTON, MA - Week five of the NERFU season pitted the undefeated Mystics against an equally hungry and undefeated Boston Irish Wolfhounds at the Irish Cultural Center. The Wolfhounds took an early 7 point lead with a well worked converted-try, and for the bulk of the first half the match remained at 7-0 until Mystic flyhalf Derrick Roma put the Mystics onto the scoreboard with a penalty kick through the uprights.

Another penalty early in the second half would cut the 'Hounds lead down to one point causing the Mystics and the Wolfhounds to raise the intensity higher still, with both teams demonstrating some incredibly aggressive rucking. A third penalty would give the Mystics a 9-7 lead, but with the minutes ticking away, the 'Hounds were able to work the ball up the field to score the go ahead try. A final long range penalty goal by BIW as time expired pushed the final score to 15-9 in favor of the Boston Irish Wolfhounds.

(Photos by Kyle Winter)

Streak Ends for Mystic 2nd XV

CANTON, MA - The Mystic 2nd XV took the field at the ICC to face off against their toughest opponent of the season thus far, the Boston Irish Wolfhounds. The seasoned Wolfhound side took control of the match early, taking advantage of the much younger and less experienced Mystic side, keeping them on their heels throughout much of the first half. The one sided shut out was finally broken by Mystic scrumhalf Peter Chung, who retrieved his own pop kick over the 'Hounds defensive line to touch it down between the posts.

The second half saw a change in the Mystics. Down by several tries and knowing the match well out of reach, the Mystics never let up. With veterans Kareem Afifi and Chris Petrigno leading by example, the Mystic pack began to show some life smashing into the Wolfhound defenders. The backline was also able to work out the kinks of the previous half and work the ball wide, where Mystic's resident Frenchman Stephan Escrig , towing three Wolfhound defenders managed to keep his feet and set up Bobby Ankenbauer with the Mystic's only other try of the match.

(Photos by Chris Carter)

Late Mystic Rally Robs Amoskeag

MANCHESTER, NH - The weather was perfect, the field conditons were perfect. The Mystics perfromance in the first half... not so much. Amoskeag came out strong, taking advantage of a static Mystic defensive line and scoring three tries while conceding only one penalty to lead 19-3 at the half. Mystic Head Coach Scot Durkin made no great motivational speeches during the break, and instead opted to let the lads sort it out themselves.

The second half saw a complete reversal of fortunes. Trying desperately to claw their way back into the match, the Mystics constantly drove the ball down field and kept Amoskeag on their heels. Three tries from flanker Sean Burgess put the Mystics within one point and the convesrion from Derrick Roma would give them a 20-19 lead. A fourth try from Dan Mayton in the final minutes of a nail-biting half would secure the win for the Mystics 25-19.

(Photos by Kyle Winter)

Mystic 2nd XV Win Third Straight

MANCHESTER, NH - Following the nail-biting victory by the First XV, the Mystic Bs took the field to take on Amoskeag. Mystic forwards provided pressure from the get go, hammering into their New Hampshirian counterparts. Scrumhalf Peter Chung did a superb job of getting the ball to a hungry Mystic backline led by captain Bobby Ankenbauer, who were able to find the gaps, weaving through Amoskeag's defences to touch the ball down between the posts.

With the help of some A-Side starters, Amoskeag began to fight back punching through for a few tries of their own. But the Mystics rose to the challenge and never let up, taking their third win of the season 37-17.

(Photos by Kyle Winter)