NYAC Pull Away to Big Win

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PELHAM, NY – The Mystics didn’t play their best rugby against NYAC, but were very much in the game for the first 60 minutes or so, despite playing into a very strong wind for the first forty minutes. Unfortunately, the game opened up in the second half, and NYAC pulled away to a scoreline that didn’t quite represent all of the match.

During the first half, the Mystics were playing into a very stiff wind, and couldn’t quite find their continuity on attack or defense. Despite only managing 3 points from the boot of Tim Holkenborg, the Mystics managed to break NYAC down and were very much in the game until a NYAC try under the posts on the stroke of half time gave NYAC a 17-3 lead going into the clubhouse.

NYAC scored soon after the half to take an even more commanding 22-3 lead, but the Mystics fought their way back with three consecutive tries, closing down the deficit to 20-22. That got NYAC turned on and they started to use their pack to attack the fringes, giving their scrumhalf the opportunity to make a few penetrating breaks down the middle. They scored two more tries and the Mystics tried to open the game up in response, running the ball from inside their half rather than using the wind to push NYAC back into their half. While the Mystics managed to score one long range effort to get their fourth try and a bonus point, they gave away a number of turnovers in their own half, and NYAC took full advantage of their chances. For the last twenty or so minutes both sides started to fling the ball around the park, and a yellow card against Mystic Joe Shurmaitis helped give NYAC the space to score a number more tries and let them run away with the game, leaving the Mystics with a 25-62 loss.

Despite the unflattering scoreline, the Mystics did put up a fight for most of the game, and could have put NYAC under more pressure in the second half. The boys will have a lot to work on this week, especially on the defensive front, but they did manage to come away with a bonus point for scoring four tries, so they will be looking to put both sides of the game into effect against Middlesex this coming weekend. The Mystics will be travelling up to Amesbury, MA for their 12:30pm match, and really need to stick it to Middlesex this weekend to improve upon their 1-4 record.

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