2008 NERFU Div 1 Final Standings

Team P W L D PF PA PD BP Points
Wolfhounds (1) 7 6 1 0 250 76 174 6 30
Mystic River (2) 7 5 2 0 258 111 147 7 27
New Haven (3) 7 5 2 0 273 97 176 5 25
Boston RFC [x] 7 5 2 0 200 168 32 5 25
Amoskeag (4) 7 3 4 0 160 130 30 4 16
Albany Knicks 7 3 4 0 115 204 -89 2 14
CT Yankees 7 1 6 0 73 255 -182 0 4
Worcester 7 0 7 0 26 314 -288 1 1

(x) = Clinched playoff spot
[x] = Ineligible for playoffs
For official up-to-date standings visit www.nerfu.org

Mystics Beat New Haven, Clinch 2nd

PINE BANKS – In the final week of the regular NERFU season, Mystic River took on the New Haven Old Black Rugby Club.

New Haven had catapulted into 1st place in New England, winning their last five games and outscoring their opponents 242-33.

While the Mystics, coming off an embarrassing loss against Boston the week prior, needed to secure a win to put them in position to play at Pine Banks in round one of the NRU Playoffs.

Old Black came out strong, putting the Mystics on the back foot for much of the first half. But the Mystic forwards easily handled New Haven’s pick-and-go vertical style, stopping them from making the gain line.

Luke Brown, Dan Mayton, Joe Shurmaitis and Brandon Sparks all touched down for the Mystics, with flyhalf Derrick Roma converting 3 of 4 and slotting a penalty to give the Mystics a commanding 29-0 lead.

But New Haven retaliated late in the match touching down two converted tries of their own to make the final score 29-12.

This win, coupled with the Wolfhounds 24-0 shutout victory over Boston, gives the Mystics 2nd place over all in New England and home field advantage for the NRU Playoffs.

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 forwards 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.