Winter Named to Indonesian National Side

Long time Mystic veteran, Kyle Winter was recently named starting loosehead prop for the Indonesian National Rugby Team. Winter, whose father is Indonesian, was invited to Jakarta, Indonesia earlier this month for the national training camp, where he was selected to join the “Rhinos” at the 2009 Asian 5 Nations in Manila, Philippines in July.

With an 88 percent win-loss record, having won their last seven tests in a row, the Rhinos, led by a coaching staff consisting of Singapore’s Ismail “Izzy” Kadir, Justin “Sambo” Sampson, and former Wallaby Duncan Hall, hope to take home the title and a promotion to IRB Div 2. Indonesia will face off against Guam on July 1st, and will then play either the Philippines or Iran on July 4th.

The Winter family is a legacy in Indonesian sports, with Kyle’s father and uncle both representing Indonesia in soccer and volleyball.

For full 2009 Asian 5 Nations coverage, visit www.a5nrugby.com.

NERFU U19 Wins Potomac Challenge Cup

The New England U-19 Men’s team, with Mystic River’s Alex BrussardMichael Rudzinsky and Dimitri Efthimiou, went 4–0 to win the 2009 Potomac Challenge Cup at Founders Field in Pittsburgh, PA. Saturday’s wins included 14–7 vs Minnesota, and 31–5 vs EPRU.

Sunday saw the team get past PRU, 24–5, to set them up for the final against MetNY. Despite the low score, play went up and down the pitch in a defensive struggle that saw the teams even at 5 at the end of regulation time. In the single 5 minute extra period, MetNY touched down and converted to go ahead 12–5 with slightly more than 2 minutes remaining.

Almost at the end of the period, NERFU stole a MetNY lineout, and, with quick ball through the hands, touched down to give them a chance to tie.

The conversion was good, sending the game to kicks at goal, with Brussard sealing the win with his 22-meter drop kick.

Mystic River Rugby Club’s Dimitri Efthimiou was voted MVP of the tournament.

Mystic U19 Rugby

U-19 Rugby Players are invited to join Mystic River for some summer rugby. We will be playing touch at Pine Banks Park on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:30pm-8:30pm from June 25 – July 30. There will also be some skills clinics and possible matches/tournaments with other U-19 programs. New and experienced players are welcome. Anyone interested, please contact Dave Rudzinsky (drudzinsky@hologic.com) or feel free to just show up.

2009 AGM This Friday

The 2009 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held this Friday, June 19th at 7:00PM to coincide with the 2009-10 competitive season.

All club members are strongly encouraged to attend this very important meeting to select new club officers. The meeting will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Melrose at 23 West Foster Street.